Jimjilbang Etiquette at Cebu Grand Spa

It was my first time to hear the word ‘Jimjilbang’ and I didn’t know what it meant or bothered to google it. All I know when I went to Cebu Grand Spa is that it was a spa since it has the word from its name and I expected massage. And it was more than a massage, so better be aware of the Jimjilbang etiquette!

A Jimjilbang is a 24-hour, gender-segregated bath house that’s common in South Korea. What I didn’t know was that it’s MANDATORY for EVERYONE, NO EXCEPTIONS, to be NAKED when you use the sauna, shower, bath tubs, and locker area. Yes, NAKED. No undies or towels to cover your private areas. It’s a haven for nudists, but a nightmare for the conservative.

So this article is to help you guide on what to expect and how to act in a jimjilbang:

Step One: Deposit Your Clothing, Get Your Towels, ‘Uniform’ and Wristband

Take your shoes off before you register at the reception area. Small lockers for your shoes, locker area for your clothes, and baggage deposit area for your luggage are provided. Cebu Grand Spa offers P500 per 10 hours inclusive of use of amenities. Toiletries like shampoo and soap are available for sale at the reception area.

A towel, a ‘uniform’ consisting of a free-size shirt and shorts, and a wristband with your locker key will be given after registration.

Oh, and towels? Don’t expect them like the size of your towels at home. It’s the size of a face towel!

Step Two: Be NAKED starts at the Locker Area

One you enter the locker area where you’ll take off and store your clothing in your designated locker, expect everyone (INCLUDING YOU) to be naked. So no undies. Don’t worry, photos and videos are not allowed. Just don’t stare too much down below on other guests. Remember that guests are relaxing, and you don’t want others to stare at you as well.

Step Three: Shower & Take a Dip

Take a shower first before taking a dip or going to the sauna. You may feel uncomfortable with being naked along with other guests. Anxiety might kick in since being naked in a group of strangers is not something common or being practiced by Filipinos. Just remember that you’re there for the experience, and foreign tourists like Koreans don’t actually care about your body. They’re there to relax. So learn to love and embrace your body along with its imperfections (if any).

Step Four: Love the Sauna

Jealous of Koreans and their flawless skin? One secret is they regularly use the sauna. Benefits of using saunas include: Improve cardiovascular performance, Flush toxins, Relieve stress, Help fight illness, and Cleanse the skin.

Jimjilbang Etiquette – KnowCebu

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Jimjilbang Etiquette

November 9, 2019 Migo V. 0 Comments Cebu Grand Spa, Jimjilbang

After relaxing in the sauna and the bath tub and changing to the ‘uniforms’, you can enjoy the other amenities at Cebu Grand Spa. Take a nap at the sleeping lounge, eat at the restaurant with Korean food, chill at 3 Star Coffee, get a massage, and/or a nail and foot spa at the Grand Nail Art Salon inside Cebu Grand Spa. Prices are very affordable. After all, Jimjilbang is a place of relaxation. So experience for yourself to get to know why Koreans love Jimjilbang. You’ll definitely appreciate it, too!