Tattoos and onsen: the questions travelers ask
Six short answers, from the inns' own wording and from bathing in Japan with ink.
Are tattoos actually banned in Japanese onsen?
There is no law against it. Each facility sets its own house rule, and the old association between tattoos and organised crime is why many still say no. Plenty say yes, and more are changing. We only list the ones that say yes in writing or that have not said no; a facility that refuses tattoos in writing is never shown here.
What does "Conditional" mean on a listing?
The inn says yes, with conditions it set itself. The usual ones: cover it with a sticker; small tattoos only; use the private (kashikiri) bath instead of the main bath; bathe in set hours; foreign guests only. The exact conditions are shown as chips on each page, and the original Japanese wording is quoted so you can judge it for yourself.
Will a cover sticker work, and what size counts as "small"?
Cover stickers (タトゥーシール, tattoo cover seal) are skin-coloured patches sold at Don Quijote, drugstores, many station kiosks and some inns; a typical sheet is about 10 × 14 cm. Where an inn says "small tattoos only", one such patch usually is the definition: if it can be fully hidden by one or two patches, you are fine. Larger pieces, sleeves or back pieces usually mean the private bath route.
What is a private bath and how do I book one?
A kashikiri-buro (貸切風呂) is a bath you reserve for your party alone, typically in 45–60 minute slots, free at some inns and ¥2,000–5,000 at others. Book it when you reserve the room, not on arrival; slots run out on weekends. Rooms with their own open-air bath are the other private option and are never subject to tattoo rules.
Basic onsen etiquette I should know?
Wash and rinse at the seated showers before entering the bath. No swimsuits; take the small towel with you but keep it out of the water (on your head or the rim). Tie up long hair. No photos in the bathing area. Bathe quietly, do not swim, and drink water afterwards. If the inn asked for a cover sticker, put it on before you enter the changing room, not at the bath.
What if I am turned away despite a "Fully OK" listing?
Tell us with the report link on the facility page; we re-check within 48 hours and update the listing, and the report becomes evidence with a date. If you used the paid verification and were refused for the reason we asked about, the fee is refunded. Policies do change, which is why every listing shows the date of its last check and an expiry.
Tell us the inn, your dates, and where your tattoo is. We ask in Japanese; you get the answer in writing within 24 hours. If you are turned away despite a yes, the fee comes back.