What to Bring to a Korean Jjimjilbang — The Complete Packing List

① Cash or card — Entry runs ₩12,000–18,000. Extras like the body scrub (₩25,000–50,000) or snack-bar sikhye and baked eggs are usually charged to your locker key and settled at checkout, but small neighborhood saunas can be cash-only — carry some small bills. ② A change of underwear — nothing undoes that fresh-out-of-the-bath feeling like putting yesterday's underwear back on. One set in a ziplock bag changes everything. ③ A hair tie (if you have long hair) — keeping hair out of the pools is basic etiquette. Most venues sell them, but why pay ₩1,000 for one. That's the whole list. You don't need your passport (only some hotel spas ask for ID at booking), and a big bag can actually be a problem — it may not fit the locker.

① Moisturizer — cycling between hot pools and saunas dries your skin out fast. Applying lotion within 5 minutes of your final rinse is the difference-maker for tomorrow's skin. Many changing rooms stock toner and lotion, but bring your own if your skin is sensitive. ② A small skincare pouch — cleanser and sunscreen, especially if you're making a half-day of it. ③ A book or earphones — the jjimjilbang common area is where Koreans lounge for hours. Between kiln-room sessions, having something to read is perfect. ④ A ziplock bag or two — for damp underwear or protecting your phone from humidity. Bonus: the famous "Italy towel" scrub mitt sells at the snack counter for ₩2,000–3,000 — buy one there and it doubles as a souvenir.

① Valuables and jewelry — lockers exist, but rings and necklaces can tarnish in the mineral-rich water, and losing them is a real risk. Hotel safe. ② A swimsuit — the bathing zone is nude-only by rule; you'll be stopped at the door wearing one (waterpark-style venues excepted). ③ Cameras and laptops — photography is strictly forbidden in changing rooms and bathing areas. Keep your phone away inside the wet zone too. ④ Your full skincare arsenal — glass bottles and wet changing-room floors are a bad combination. Minis only. ⑤ Perfume — strong fragrance in a bathing space is considered rude. To sum up: one small pouch with a change of underwear, a little cash, lotion, and a hair tie — that's the perfect jjimjilbang bag.

In your pouch: about ₩30,000 in cash / a change of underwear / hair tie / lotion / ziplock bag. Provided by the venue: towels, loungewear, hair dryers, locker (shampoo at most large jjimjilbang, usually not at neighbourhood bathhouses). Buy on site: Italy towel (₩2,000), sikhye rice drink, kiln-baked eggs. Packing done — now pick your venue. In central Seoul, go for a large 24-hour facility; if you're up for a short trip out, the traditional charcoal-kiln jjimjilbang around Hanam make an especially memorable experience for visitors. Below, LUWEI's picks — chosen from real visit data — cover both. Bring one pouch; the rest is just you.