The Vending Machine You Can’t Miss: Japan’s Classic Post-Onsen Drink
You’ve just stepped out of a blissful, steaming hot spring in Beppu. As you walk back to the changing room, you spot it: a brightly-lit vending machine filled with small glass bottles of milk. A few minutes later, you see a local, hand on hip, downing a bottle of coffee milk.
You’ve just witnessed one of Japan’s most beloved and iconic post-bathing rituals.
If you’re wondering why this is so popular, you’re not alone. The answer is a wonderful blend of post-war history and, as it turns out, modern science. This guide explains everything you need to know about the post-onsen milk tradition.
Why Do People Drink Milk After Onsen? Two Reasons
There are two key parts to this tradition: where it came from and why it’s (actually) a very smart thing to do.
The Historical Reason: The Sento (Public Bathhouse) Tradition
The tradition of drinking milk actually started not in onsen (natural hot springs) but in sento (public bathhouses found in local neighborhoods).
In the 1920s, a new drink called “coffee milk” was invented. It was a sweet, delicious, and affordable luxury. In the post-war 1950s, refrigerators were still rare in private homes, but almost every sento had one to serve cold drinks. A smart milk producer realized that the sento, where people gathered every day, was the perfect place to sell their product.
Drinking a cold, sweet, and (at the time) luxurious bottle of milk became the perfect way to cool down and treat yourself after a hot bath. The tradition became so ingrained in Japanese culture that it naturally spread to onsen towns like Beppu and became a nostalgic, essential part of the bathing experience.
The Surprising Nutritional Benefits (The “Healthy” Reason)
Here’s what those post-war bathers knew intuitively: drinking milk after an onsen just feels right. Modern science now tells us why. Soaking in a hot onsen is like a passive workout—you sweat a lot, losing water, electrolytes, and energy.
Milk is a surprisingly perfect recovery drink. Here’s why:
- Rehydration: Milk is about 87% water, making it excellent for rehydrating a thirsty body.
- Replenishes Electrolytes: When you sweat, you lose electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and calcium. Milk is packed with all of them, helping your body rebalance faster than water alone.
- Provides Protein & Energy: The heat can make you feel tired. Milk contains high-quality protein (whey and casein) to help your muscles relax, plus natural sugars (lactose) to quickly restore your energy levels.
- Restores Vitamins: You also lose water-soluble vitamins through sweat. Milk helps replenish vitamins like B2, which aids in energy production.
In short, that cold bottle of milk is a natural, all-in-one recovery drink.
Your Guide to the Perfect Post-Onsen Milk Experience
Ready to try it for yourself? Here’s what you need to know.
What to Drink: It’s Not Just Plain Milk!
Walk up to the vending machine and you’ll usually find three champions:
- Coffee Milk (コーヒー牛乳, Kōhī Gyūnyū): The original and most popular choice. It’s sweet, creamy, and more like a nostalgic dessert than a cup of coffee.
- Fruit Milk (フルーツ牛乳, Furūtsu Gyūnyū): A close second. This is a sweet, mixed-fruit-flavored milk, almost like a banana, strawberry, and apple smoothie.
- Plain Milk (牛乳, Gyūnyū): For the purists. Fresh, cold, and incredibly refreshing.
How to Drink It: The “Classic” Way
For the most authentic experience, it’s all about the packaging.
- Choose the Glass Bottle: While you can get these drinks in cartons, the classic way is to buy the returnable glass bottle (bin).
- Peel the Paper Cap: The bottles are sealed with a simple paper cap. You’ll need to use the small, pointy cap-opener on the side of the vending machine (or just your fingernail) to pop it open.
- Strike the Pose: The unofficial, stereotypical (and fun!) way to drink it is to place one hand on your hip, and down the bottle in one go. You’ll get smiles from any locals who see you.
Where to Find Onsen Milk in Beppu
You won’t have to look hard! Almost every onsen, from large resorts to small local bathhouses, will have a vending machine or a small shop. Here are a few great places in Beppu to enjoy the full experience:
- Hyotan Onsen: This Michelin 3-star complex is a must-visit. After soaking in their various baths, you can grab some milk from the vending machines and relax in their spacious tatami mat lounge or at their restaurant.
- Kannawa Mushiyu: After your traditional herb steam bath, you can buy milk at the reception area and relax in a lounge complete with massage chairs for ultimate comfort.
- Yumetamatebako: This spot, located in the Kannawa area, has a spacious lounge, creating the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a cold beverage after soaking in their beautiful indoor and outdoor baths.
Don’t Like Milk? Other Classic Onsen Drinks to Try
If you’re lactose intolerant or milk just isn’t your thing, you can still participate! Other classic post-onsen drinks include:
- Ramune: The iconic Japanese marble soda in a special “codd-neck” bottle.
- Pocari Sweat: A popular Japanese sports drink, great for replenishing electrolytes.
- Oronamin C: A small, bottled carbonated vitamin and energy drink.
A Small Tradition, A Perfect Experience
Drinking a cold bottle of milk after an onsen is more than just a quirky habit. It’s a tiny, perfect piece of Japanese culture—a blend of history, health, and happiness. On your next visit to a Beppu onsen, don’t just take a bath; complete the ritual. That cold, sweet milk might just be the best-tasting drink you’ve ever had.
