About Tattoo Friendly Onsen
Your Guide to Japan’s Best Tattoo-Friendly Onsen
How Tattoo Friendly Onsen Came To Be
Some of my best childhood memories are tied to Japanese onsen.
Every summer, I'd visit my grandparents in Hokkaido and soak in the local hot springs with my family. There was nothing better than stepping into the steaming, mineral-rich waters, letting the stress melt away, and then finishing it off with a cold bottle of coffee milk—my absolute favorite childhood drink.
Onsen culture has always been more than just relaxation to me. It's a deeply personal experience of wellness, tradition, and bonding—a moment where everything else disappears, and you're left feeling completely refreshed, inside and out.
So, when I planned my first trip to Japan with my tattooed partner, I was excited to share this part of my culture with her. But the moment we started talking about onsen, I realized how challenging it would be.
Many onsen in Japan maintain no-tattoo policies, a practice rooted in historical cultural associations. Even as tourism grows and more travelers with tattoos visit Japan, many hot springs still turn guests away—even those with small, decorative tattoos.
We spent countless hours researching before our trip, searching for onsen that would welcome us both. I contacted ryokan, browsed forums, and even visited onsen in person, only to be met with prominent signs prohibiting tattoos or staff politely turning us away at reception.
For the first time, I felt something unexpected—I felt disconnected from my own cultural heritage.
I wanted my partner to fall in love with Japan the way I had, to experience the magic of a perfect onsen soak. But instead, she was unable to experience one of the things I love most about my heritage.
And that's when I knew something had to change.
About Me
Hi, I’m Mat — Japanese American traveler, onsen lover, and founder of Tattoo Friendly Onsen.
This site was built to help people like my brother, my partner, and maybe you — find welcoming, unforgettable onsen experiences in Japan.
It's my first time building my own website, so I'm learning lots along this journey, and having fun with this passion project!
I have 10+ years experience working in marketing and have helped launch some of the biggest Japanese games from SEGA, Atlus, Square Enix, and more.
I hope to take my experience localizing Japanese content for Western markets, and help share Japan's Tattoo Friendly Onsen across the world.
How a Surprise Tattoo Changed Everything
In 2022, I spent a year planning the perfect family trip to Japan — packed with food, family time, and plenty of onsen.
But just after we landed in Tokyo, my brother casually dropped this:
"By the way... I've had this massive tattoo since 2014."
Turns out he’d hidden it from us for 8 years, worried how taboo tattoos can be in Japanese culture, and how my parents would react.
I spent the rest of the trip madly researching tattoo-friendly onsen. It was confusing, frustrating, and even with my native Japanese language skills and cultural background, it wasn’t easy.
A year later, I faced the same challenge bringing my tattooed partner to Japan for the first time. That’s when it clicked:
If this is hard for me as a Japanese American... how hard is it for everyone else?
So I made it my mission to build Tattoo Friendly Onsen — a guide to help tattooed travelers like you soak without stress.
Our Mission:
Making Onsen More Inclusive
Japan's onsen culture is beautiful, historic, and deeply cherished. But it's also evolving in response to international tourism and changing perspectives.
At Tattoo Friendly Onsen, our mission is to:
✅ Help tattooed travelers find onsen that welcome them with open arms.
✅ Encourage the onsen industry to consider more tourism-friendly policies.
✅ Bridge the gap between tradition and inclusivity, allowing more people to experience Japan's incredible hot springs.
Change happens one step at a time—and we believe that by highlighting tattoo-friendly onsen, we can encourage more businesses to embrace inclusive practices.
How We Help:
Your Ultimate Tattoo Friendly Onsen Guide
We take the guesswork out of finding a welcoming onsen. Instead of scrolling through endless forums or facing uncertainty, you can use our simple, up-to-date directory to:
✅ Browse a curated list of tattoo-friendly onsen—from public bathhouses to private luxury retreats.
✅ Check verified tattoo policies before you go—so you know exactly where you're welcome.
✅ Discover the best onsen experiences—whether you want a traditional ryokan stay, a day-use hot spring, or a mixed-gender bath for couples.
✅ Get expert travel tips—learn about bathing etiquette, how to visit with tattoos, and more.
We do the research so you can relax and enjoy your trip stress-free.
Join the Movement:
Be Part of the Change
Want to help support tattoo-friendly onsen culture? Here’s how you can get involved:
🌏 Share Your Experience – Visited a great tattoo-friendly onsen? Submit a recommendation to help fellow travelers.
💬 Spread Awareness – Encourage onsen to adopt more inclusive policies by sharing your positive experiences.
📩 Stay Connected – Join our newsletter for updates on new locations, travel tips, and industry developments.
The more we highlight onsen that welcome tattooed guests, the more we encourage positive change across Japan.
We're more than just a directory—we're a growing community of travelers, onsen enthusiasts, and advocates for inclusivity.
Let’s Connect!
Have a question, feedback, or a tattoo-friendly onsen recommendation? I’d love to hear from you!
📧 Contact Us to share your thoughts, experiences, or ask for advice on your next trip.
Together, let’s make onsen culture more inclusive—so that everyone, regardless of ink, can enjoy the beauty of Japan’s hot springs.