[Bali] Water Temple! Try bathing at Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul Temple is a water temple located about a 30-minute drive from Ubud city. This temple is famous for allowing tourists to bathe there.

I had read many articles saying that the prayer procedures are complicated and a guide is essential, so this time I chartered a taxi with a Japanese-speaking driver! He also guided me during the tour. It was great that he taught me the proper way to pray and the history of the temple. Another great thing is that he took lots of photos.

This time I was very happy with the driver's guidance, but considering that it is not too far from the city and the bathing procedures are not too complicated, I felt that I could go there on my own without any worries. Many locals also bathe there, so you can watch them and do the same.

I've summarized the bathing process below, so please refer to it if you are going on your own!

[Bathing Procedure]
① Buy flowers as an offering from a stall near the parking lot (around 100 yen)
② Borrow a green bathing cloth and locker key (a few dozen yen)
③ Place your belongings in the locker and change into the green bathing cloth in the changing room
④ Pray
⑤ Take the bath
⑥ Change into your clothes and return the locker key and green bathing cloth
Individuals only completed steps ②, ③, ⑤, and ⑥.

Since shoes are required to enter the lockers and the separate changing rooms for men and women, changing wasn't difficult and was very clean.

The bathing water is clean but quite cold. I went in August, and it was cloudy and very cold.

And it gets really crowded. The local guide told me that the water warms up during the day, but it gets really crowded... So I went at 10:00 AM, but it took quite a while to get through all 13 baths. While it's recommended for the quietest time in the morning, the water is even colder, so I recommend considering your physical condition and travel plans.

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