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Tattoo Friendly Onsens

roots reggae

roots reggae

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Once again, my favorite Japanese News source inspires a new thread.

Got tattoos, but still want to experience a Japanese hot spring? It’s no problem here!
​
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/07/...ce-a-japanese-hot-spring-its-no-problem-here/

And here's the website for the onsen-it has an English option:
http://gotemba-onsen.jp/

With the 2020 Olympics approaching, the Japanese government is encouraging onsens to change their policy.

I found another site on a blog that lists tattoo friendly onsens, but the poster warned to call the onsen to confirm before planning a stay-the site is only in Japanese:

http://tattoo-spot.jp/

One in Tokyo-
Otome-yu: The nearest train station to Otome-yu is Funabori Station. Funabori Station is about 740m away from Otome-yu, which takes about 9 minutes to walk.
I could not find a website, but this site will give directions:

https://japanbaths.info/bath/otome-yu/

Yamato no yu: Near Narita-English Website

http://www.yamatonoyu.com/eng/

Please feel free to add ones you know about.

By the way, this thread is just to help visitors. My wife and I are tattoo free-so are our two sons.:D

 
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I've been to Yamato no Yu ... the rotenburo overlooks rice fields. If you don't use a car, one thing to watch out for is the train. Haven't seen anyone tattooed there.

Jakotsu Yu: in Asakusa

http://www.jakotsuyu.co.jp/

It's a lowly sento but at Jakotsu Yu they draw their water from underground. This has always been tattoo friendly. On any given weekend, you'll share the baths with someone with a sleeve. I've brought girl friends (w tattoos) visiting Japan to this place. Locals were very friendly to them.
 
injp said:
This place near Sapporo https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUse...ginosato_Hoheikyo_Onsen-Sapporo_Hokkaido.html

Saw a crew of 15 or so yakuza hanging out with their tattoos

Was very interesting to see younger guys washing the backs of the older guys and stepping aside so the boss can use the fan in the changing room to dry off his tattooed body
Click to expand...

Hokkaido is the only region in Japan I haven't visited on my onsen trips.

I'd love to take a road bike trip and relax afterwards in a soothing onsen. Maybe by next summer when my knees are healed.

I think Hokkaido is one place in Japan where a summer onsen would be pleasant.
 
Hello,
in my next trip i thinking to spend 2 days and 1 night in Hakone and would like to try Onsen but i have 4 tattoos (2 small and other 2 not big but also not small).
Hakone's onsen are friendly with gaijin tourist and tattoo?
Going there with a japanese friend can help?
 
I don't have a tattoo, but it in my experience:

If you don't say you have a tattoo and just go in, you're probably good - unless it's a really big one.
Another option is to cover it with a couple bandaids or muscle wrap/sleeve.
 
Technically still in Tokyo although it's a 3-hour jetboat ride from Hamamatsucho, Yunohama Onsen on Niijima island is a really nice rotenburo that's completely free and open 24/7. It's located on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean.
 
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there are tons of tattoo friendly onsen.. theres even a homepage for that...
besides, just ask the staff... in my case im always allowed to enter when its late and there are no customers...
 
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This one (葛の湯 Kuzu no Yu) in between Odoriba and Nakata station (Yokohama) is really funny as it is often attended by yakuza with their tattoos all over their bodies. I guess that the owner is somehow related to yakuza so this is a rare place around where such tattoos are allowed.
http://kuzunoyu.wixsite.com/kuzunoyu
I used to go there often and never had a problem with these guys.
Unfortunately, it is opened only from 10 am till midnight, not 24 hours.
 
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always thought they dont mind foreigners with a few tattoos anyway...
 
vondoom said:
always thought they dont mind foreigners with a few tattoos anyway...
Click to expand...

It totally depends on the place. I know some foreigners have been asked to leave having one tattoo and then I have been sitting in a sauna next to a yakuza guy his body covered in tattoos.
 
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i never went to one actually... thats just what usually hear...
at my local sento for example, i am allowed to enter after midnight... i am pretty much covered in japanese style tattoos, so i just went and asked the owner... he said its okay, since there is no chance of me being yakuza, but its better to enter at night, because he doesnt want to freak out the elder generation... understandable to me... but i also never understood how people can show off their tattoos anyway... or show them at all...
 
Gasse said:
I don't have a tattoo, but it in my experience:

If you don't say you have a tattoo and just go in, you're probably good - unless it's a really big one.
Another option is to cover it with a couple bandaids or muscle wrap/sleeve.
Click to expand...
I would be careful with this because swimming pools and onsen can kick you out without giving a refund if they see you have tattoos and they don't allow it.
 
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vondoom said:
at my local sento for example, i am allowed to enter after midnight...
Click to expand...

Actually if it is a sentoo then they cannot refuse entry from anyone; they are publicly owned and regulated. Only privately owned onsens can select their customers.
 
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Des Esseintes said:
Technically still in Tokyo although it's a 3-hour jetboat ride from Hamamatsucho, Yunohama Onsen on Niijima island is a really nice rotenburo that's completely free and open 24/7. It's located on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Click to expand...

This sounds amazing. It's on the Tokyo bucket list!
 
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While looking for onsens for (irony alert) Soapysoap66 , I found another good website that lists eight tattoo-friendly onsen/sento, most of them not so far from Tokyo.

8 Hot Springs and Bathhouses in Japan That Even Those With Tattoos Can Enter​

https://www.tsunagujapan.com/8-hot-...japan-that-even-those-with-tattoos-can-enter/

1. Yawaragi no Sato Hoheikyo Onsen [Hokkaido]
www.hoheikyo.co.jp/en/
2. Ikaho Ishidan no Yu [Gunma]
www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ue3t-cb/spa/isidannoyu/isidannoyu.htm (Japanese Only)
3. Sekizenkan [Gunma]
www.sekizenkan.co.jp/lang/en.html
4. Sai no Kawahara Rotenburo [Gunma]
http://sainokawara.com/
5. Yamato no Yu [Chiba]
www.yamatonoyu.com/eng/
6. Nippori Saitoyu [Tokyo]
saito-yu.com/
7. Tsuru no Yu [Tokyo]
taito1010.com/component/mtree/sento-list/tsuru_asakusa.html?Itemid=112
8. Hottarakashi no Onsen [Yamanashi]
www.hottarakashi-onsen.com/ (Japanese Only)
 
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Lol! In the hotel's pool right now there is a blond lady with a tattoo "Dad" (and a shooting star) on her back. She is sexy but I would not like to be her lover and do it doggie style :D
 
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MikeH said:
Actually if it is a sentoo then they cannot refuse entry from anyone; they are publicly owned and regulated. Only privately owned onsens can select their customers.
Click to expand...
Is this always true in your experience? I'm sure I've seen some bathhouses that are not onsen that have the tattoo ban signs. Plus, public pools are against tattoos and they are publicly owned and operated...
 
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