As you may have heard, many onsen facilities (including hotels we use) have no-tattoo policies due to tattoos' historical association with Japanese criminal organisations. If you have tattoos, please let us know as early as possible so we can advise you on your specific tattoos and onsen options on your trip. Small tattoos are often acceptable if covered with patches. For those with larger tattoos, we will do what we can, but please don't take any restrictions personally—this is simply Japanese culture and part of travelling here.
These historical assumptions are being increasingly challenged by younger Japanese people choosing tattoos for personal expression and growing numbers of tattooed international visitors. Consequently, attitudes are shifting and some facilities have lifted their tattoo restrictions entirely, which we'll identify for you.
However, many establishments still maintain official tattoo bans due to concerns that other Japanese guests will be offended. This policy persists at many facilities, leading to a "grey area" approach where staff may exercise discretion based on the tattoos themselves, the individual, and the timing. For guided tour guests, we'll brief your guides to help navigate these situations during your trip.
Some ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) we use have no en-suite showers, with the onsen serving as the only place to wash. Fortunately, many of these establishments allow you to book a private onsen slot which, whilst usually incurring an additional fee, allows you to relax in complete privacy. If you let us know in advance, we can help book private baths where available.