Tattoo-friendly onsen
and private baths
Plenty of onsen in Japan still turn away anyone with a tattoo. There are three ways in: book a private bath, cover the tattoo with a patch, or pick an onsen with no restriction. Which one works depends on the onsen.
onsen pass lists both the onsen that let you in and the ones that refuse you, each with its source. Knowing where not to go is just as useful.
What we check
- Whether you can use the communal bath, or only a private one
- Whether a cover patch is accepted, or not allowed either
- Whether there is a limit on size or on the number of tattoos
- When the policy was last stated — some onsen have changed theirs
Areas
Hakone
About 85 minutes from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Romancecar
Sapporo
About 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station on the JR Rapid Airport
Beppu, Kusatsu and Tokyo are next.
We work through them one onsen at a time, so it takes a while. Each area goes live once its checks are done.
What we don't check
We don't check same-day availability, how busy it is, unscheduled closures and a decision made by front-desk staff on the day. Policies can change without notice — please confirm with the onsen when you book and when you arrive. onsen pass provides information only: we don't make bookings, and we can't guarantee you entry.
We don't track the price, size or number of cover patches — these change too often from onsen to onsen. We only check whether covering up is accepted at all.
For the water's stated health effects and contraindications, please read the notices posted at the onsen — we don't cover them. You can report an error in anything listed here.