Tattoo-friendly onsen in Japan: a practical guide

How to find tattoo-friendly onsen in Japan, what 'cover-up' and 'private-only' mean, and how to confirm rules before you go.

If you have tattoos, planning an onsen visit requires one extra step: confirming the facility’s tattoo policy. There is no single nationwide rule, and policies can change over time.

What the common policies mean

• Allowed: Tattoos are permitted in public baths. This should be backed by a public source URL (official site, posted notice, or official policy page).
• Cover-up required: Tattoos are permitted if you cover them (e.g., tattoo stickers or sleeves). Size limits may apply.
• Private bath only: Public baths may not allow tattoos, but you can book a private bath (kashikiri) or a room with a private onsen.
• Not allowed: Tattoos are not permitted in the bathing area.
• Unknown: We have not verified an official policy source yet.

How to confirm before you go

1. Check the official website for “tattoo” / “irezumi” mentions.
2. Look for recent posted rules on official pages or official social accounts.
3. If it’s unclear, contact the facility directly.
4. Consider booking a private bath when available.

Browse our directory

Use the directory pages to explore 100 well-known onsen locations and bathhouses. When we have a public source URL for tattoo policy, we show it directly on the facility page along with the last verified date.

• Browse all: /onsen/
• Tattoo-focused: /tattoo-friendly/
• Prefecture pages: /region/