Onsen & ryokan

Tattoos in Japan: The Official Rules, the Unspoken Rules, and 4 Ways to Still Enjoy Onsen

Why Japan is strict about tattoos, the habits that keep things smooth, and four ways to still soak — from ryokan with private baths to tattoo-OK onsen in Hakone.

By IndigrowJP, written in JapanFacts checked November 11, 20268 min read

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Quick answer
  • Small tattoo? A cover sticker may work — but usually only the facility’s own sticker, within its size and number limit.
  • Larger tattoo? Choose a day-use onsen that accepts tattoos, and read its conditions first.
  • Traveling with family, or want certainty? Book a ryokan with a private or in-room bath, and pick the right room type.
  • Anywhere in public water: cover tattoos at pools and beaches, and ask at the front desk before you go in.

Facility rules in Japan change often, so every example below links to the facility’s own page.

4 ways to still enjoy onsen, compared

Most reliableRyokan with a private or in-room bathThe bath is yours alone. Costs more; pick the room type carefully.
Medium–highTattoo-OK day-use onsenEach place sets its own conditions — read them first.
Small tattoos onlyCover stickersUsually the facility's own sticker, with size and count limits.
Low costNeighborhood sentoThe most tolerant type in principle. Still check the sign.
Option How certain Cost Conditions to check Examples (official pages)
Private / in-room bath at a ryokan Highest Higher Reservation, plan and room type Matsuzakaya Honten (private baths OK with tattoos); KAI Sengokuhara (in-room bath in every room)
Tattoo-OK day-use onsen Medium–high Medium Each facility’s own conditions Hakone Yuryo (restrictions lifted April 1, 2025; also bookable private rooms); Tenzan Toji-kyo (one tattooed guest at a time); Yunessun private baths (8 rooms, reservation)
Cover stickers Medium–low Low Facility’s sticker, size and count limits Sayano Yudokoro (2 × 11×20 cm); Yunessun Mori-no-Yu (2 stickers)
Neighborhood sento Medium–high Low Check the sign at each bath —

All examples checked November 11, 2026.

Why Japan is strict about tattoos

Japan’s tourism agency explains that in Japan, tattoos remind people of anti-social organizations, which is why ryokan have historically declined to let guests with tattoos use their baths. It also notes that how each ryokan handles tattooed guests “differs greatly” from place to place. (Japan Tourism Agency, Ryokan Q&A, in Japanese)

This is a social convention, not a crime. In 2017 the Japanese government stated that the Public Bath Act does not restrict people with tattoos from using public baths. (J-CAST, 2017, in Japanese) The rules you meet are set by each facility.

How common are refusals? In a 2015 Japan Tourism Agency survey of hotels and ryokan (sent to 3,768 facilities, 581 responded), about 56% said they refuse bathing for guests with tattoos, about 31% said they do not, and about 13% allow entry with conditions such as covering the tattoo. (TravelVoice report on the survey, in Japanese)

Sento, super sento, onsen and ryokan are not the same

Type What it is Typical tattoo stance
Sento (neighborhood public bath) A price-regulated public bath for everyday hygiene The national bathhouse association said in 2017 that, as an association, it does not turn people away for tattoos. Individual baths can still post their own rules.
Super sento / day-use onsen Commercial leisure facilities Decided by each facility. Many refuse; some allow it with conditions.
Ryokan / hotel large baths Part of the accommodation, not a public bath Decided by each ryokan.

Source: J-CAST, 2017 (in Japanese). Treat “sento are OK” as a strong tendency, not a promise.

The unspoken rules

These are the habits that keep things smooth. None of them are written on a single sign, but they show up again and again in official rules.

1. In public water, keep tattoos covered

It isn’t only onsen. Meguro City’s public pools in Tokyo state that people with exposed tattoos cannot enter. (Meguro City, in Japanese) Zushi Beach in Kanagawa bans exposed tattoos during the beach season, and people who don’t follow the rule can be asked to leave. (Kanagawa Tourism, in Japanese) A rash guard solves most pool and beach situations.

2. “Use a sticker” really means “use their sticker, within their limit”

Where stickers are accepted, the facility usually specifies the sticker and how many you can use. Sayano Yudokoro in Tokyo, for example, accepts tattoos only if they can be fully covered by up to two of its own stickers (11 × 20 cm, ¥310 each). (Sayano Yudokoro, in Japanese) If your tattoo is larger, stickers won’t help.

3. Read the fine print — “tattoo friendly” often has conditions

  • Tenzan Toji-kyo in Hakone does not refuse guests for tattoos, but only one tattooed guest at a time may use the facility: if more than one is inside, entry is refused. It also asks for consideration, such as wearing a layer. (Tenzan, in Japanese)
  • Thermae-yu in Shinjuku allows tattooed male foreign tourists with one of its stickers and a passport or flight ticket (not if more than 90 days have passed since entry). Rules for women differ. (Thermae-yu FAQ, User guide, in Japanese)
  • Some big facilities refuse all tattoos, including temporary ones. Spa LaQua at Tokyo Dome is one example. (Spa LaQua, in Japanese)

4. Ask at the front desk before you undress

It’s polite, and it saves everyone an awkward moment.

5. If you’re refused, thank them and leave

Arguing won’t change a house rule. It’s fine to ask politely whether they have a private bath.

A phrase card for the front desk

Screenshot this and show the Japanese column.

English Japanese Romaji
Can I come in with a tattoo? タトゥーがあっても入れますか？ Tatū ga atte mo hairemasu ka?
Is it OK if I cover it with a sticker? カバーシールで隠せば大丈夫ですか？ Kabā shīru de kakuseba daijōbu desu ka?
Do you have a private bath? Can I reserve it? 貸切風呂はありますか？予約できますか？ Kashikiri-buro wa arimasu ka? Yoyaku dekimasu ka?
It’s a small tattoo, so I’ll cover it. 小さいタトゥーなので、隠して入ります。 Chiisai tatū na node, kakushite hairimasu.
I understand. Thank you. わかりました。ありがとうございます。 Wakarimashita. Arigatō gozaimasu.

Option 1: a ryokan with a private or in-room bath

This is the only option where the bath is yours alone. Look for “kashikiri-buro” (private bath you reserve) or “kyakushitsu rotenburo” (open-air bath in your room). Private baths are often reserved by time slot or cost extra, and in-room baths come only with certain room types, so pick the room type and plan carefully when booking.

Where to stay in Hakone: 4 ryokan whose official pages address tattoos

Ryokan What the official page says about tattoos Private bath What to book Families Link
Matsuzakaya Honten (Ashinoyu) “Guests with tattoos are permitted to use the private open-air baths.” Large baths: not stated. 5 private open-air baths, booked at the front desk after check-in, ¥5,500 per room for 60 min; in-room baths in some room types For an in-room bath: HANARE, SHUNPUSO, ASHIKARISO or SHIRANSO (KAKUMEIKAN has a shower only) Official booking lists child categories (ages 6–11, 3–5, under 3) Official site
KAI Sengokuhara (Sengokuhara) Hoshino Resorts “do not restrict the use of our facilities based on tattoos,” but may refuse the public bath if tattoos could cause discomfort or concern among other guests. Every room has a private outdoor bath on the terrace Any room Children up to 6 can share a bed Official site
KAI Hakone (Hakone Yumoto) Same Hoshino Resorts policy as above In-room open-air bath in only 4 rooms Hakone Gokochi Suite (“Japanese-style Suite with Outdoor Bath”, 2 rooms) or the Western-style Room with Outdoor Bath (2 rooms) Children up to 6 can share a bed Official site
Kinnotake Sengokuhara (Sengokuhara) Same group terms as Matsuzakaya Honten, which allow tattoos in private open-air baths. The official site lists no shared private bath here, and in-room baths aren’t addressed — ask when booking. Every room (9 rooms) has its own open-air onsen bath Any of the 9 rooms Designed for guests aged 12 and above (official site) — not for young kids; best for couples Official site

Sources (checked November 11, 2026): Kinnotake Resorts terms, Matsuzakaya Honten, Hoshino Resorts tattoo policy, KAI Sengokuhara, KAI Hakone, KAI Hakone room list (2025), Kinnotake Sengokuhara.

Tip

Even where tattoos are accepted, the safest plan is to soak in your own in-room bath or a reserved private bath. Because private baths at Matsuzakaya Honten are booked after check-in, ask at the front desk as soon as you arrive.

Option 2: a tattoo-OK day-use onsen

  • Hakone Yuryo (Tonosawa, Hakone): no tattoo restriction since April 1, 2025. It also has private open-air rooms you can book by time. (Hakone Yuryo, Q&A, in Japanese)
  • Tenzan Toji-kyo (Hakone Yumoto): allowed, but only one tattooed guest at a time.
  • Hakone Kowakien Yunessun: the swimsuit zone is OK if you cover tattoos with a rash guard; the Mori-no-Yu baths accept tattoos only if fully covered by two of their paid stickers, otherwise they suggest their private baths. (Yunessun FAQ, in Japanese)

Option 3: cover stickers (small tattoos only)

Bring a rash guard for pools and beaches. For onsen, many facilities accept only their own designated stickers, sold at the front desk, with limits on size and number — check each facility’s rule before you go.

Option 4: a neighborhood sento

Sento are the most tattoo-tolerant type of bath in principle, and they’re a great local experience. Still, check the entrance sign and ask if unsure.

Before you go: stay connected

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FAQ

Is it illegal to go to an onsen with tattoos in Japan?

No. The government has stated that the Public Bath Act doesn’t restrict people with tattoos. Facilities set their own rules. (J-CAST, 2017)

Will a small tattoo be OK?

Sometimes. Japan’s tourism agency guidance mentions facilities that don’t ask for special measures when a tattoo is small (about the size of a palm) and not intimidating, but this depends entirely on the facility. (Japan Tourism Agency guidance, PDF reproduced by Shizuoka Prefecture; Shizuoka Prefecture page, in Japanese)

What’s the safest choice for a family trip?

A ryokan with a private or in-room bath. Everyone can bathe together without worrying about other guests.

Sources

All checked November 11, 2026.

On this page
  1. 4 ways to still enjoy onsen, compared
  2. Why Japan is strict about tattoos
  3. The unspoken rules
  4. A phrase card for the front desk
  5. Option 1: a ryokan with a private or in-room bath
  6. Option 2: a tattoo-OK day-use onsen
  7. Option 3: cover stickers (small tattoos only)
  8. Option 4: a neighborhood sento
  9. Before you go: stay connected
  10. FAQ
  11. Sources