Many onsen (hot springs) and sento (public bathhouses) in Japan turn away guests with tattoos. Here is why, how the rules are changing, and how to find places where you can bathe.
It is not the law
Japan's Public Bathhouse Act says nothing about tattoos. Each facility sets its own rules, so two baths on the same street can have completely different policies.
Why many baths say no
1. The link with organized crime For a long time, tattoos in Japan have been associated with the yakuza. Many baths put up "no tattoos" signs to keep gang members out, and fashion tattoos ended up being treated the same way.
2. Other guests Some facilities ban tattoos across the board to avoid complaints from guests who find them intimidating, especially at family-oriented places.
3. Hygiene (fresh tattoos only) A new tattoo is an open wound, and soaking it can lead to infection. This is about protecting your own skin. A healed tattoo cannot be passed on to anyone else. If your tattoo is fresh, wait until it has healed.
About half of hotels and ryokan refuse
In a 2015 survey by the Japan Tourism Agency, about 56% of hotels and ryokan said they refuse guests with tattoos in their communal baths, about 31% said they do not, and about 13% allow them under conditions such as covering the tattoo. Since then, the agency has encouraged facilities to offer options for foreign visitors, such as cover stickers, separate time slots, or private baths.
Most of our visitors got in
Tattoo GO has collected about 85,000 "Got in" and "Hmmโฆ" reports. For onsen, sento, saunas and hotels alike, around 70% of reports are "Got in". Many visitors say that a small tattoo went unnoticed, or that covering it with a sticker was enough, even where signs said no. Rules can vary from day to day, though, so check before you go if you want to be sure.
How to find a tattoo-friendly onsen
1. Look up the area on Tattoo GO and read the "Got in" and "Hmmโฆ" reports for each place 2. Check the facility's official website for its tattoo policy 3. If you are unsure, call and ask (many of our visitors say they confirmed by phone) 4. If the main bath is not an option, look for a private bath (kashikiri) or a room with its own outdoor bath
Please respect each facility's rules
We do not recommend sneaking into a bath that bans tattoos. Visitors report being asked to leave when they were spotted. The best experience is at a place that welcomes you.