Arima Grand Hotel - A Tattoo-Friendly Hot Spring in Arima Onsen, Hyogo

Nestled in the historic Arima Onsen town, one of Japan's oldest and most revered hot spring destinations, Arima Grand Hotel stands as a sanctuary where ancient healing traditions meet modern luxury. This prestigious establishment sits within a hot spring area celebrated for over 1,300 years, mentioned in classical Japanese literature like Nihon Shoki (720 CE) and The Pillow Book (1002 CE).

​

For tattooed travelers seeking an authentic onsen experience without compromise, Arima Grand Hotel offers a sophisticated solution through its private bathing options, allowing you to immerse yourself in the legendary dual waters – the rusty "golden" kinsen and the clear "silver" ginsen – that have attracted emperors, samurai, and wellness seekers throughout Japanese history.

Private Bathing Required: While public baths maintain traditional no-tattoo policies, tattooed guests can fully enjoy the renowned Arima waters by booking rooms with private open-air baths or reserving one of the hotel's private rental bath facilities.

• Dual Healing Waters: Experience both the rusty-brown kinsen (iron-rich) and clear ginsen (radium and carbonate) waters, each offering distinct therapeutic benefits found nowhere else in Japan
• Historic Prestige: Bathe in the same waters that have soothed nobility for centuries in one of Japan's three oldest onsen areas (alongside Dogo and Shirahama)
• Luxury Private Bathing: Select from 24 guest rooms featuring private open-air baths and four reservable private bath facilities
• Panoramic Mountain Views: Enjoy breathtaking vistas of Mount Rokkō and surrounding forests from the highest point in Arima
• Gourmet Dining: Savor kaiseki multi-course meals featuring seasonal ingredients and local specialties including Kobe beef
• Cultural Legacy: Experience hospitality influenced by tea master Sen no Rikyū's principles of harmony and respect
• Convenient Location: Just 30 minutes from cosmopolitan Kobe and about an hour from Osaka

Arima Grand Hotel offers the rare opportunity to experience Japan's most distinctive onsen waters in complete privacy. The rust-colored kinsen baths shimmer with iron deposits, turning your skin a temporary golden hue while improving circulation and rejuvenating your complexion. The water's 42-45°C temperature opens pores and allows the minerals to penetrate deeply, leaving skin remarkably soft and moisturized.

​

The clear ginsen waters, slightly cooler at 38-40°C, contain radium and carbonate that gently ease muscle tension and joint discomfort. The sensation is distinctly different – while kinsen feels enveloping and warming, ginsen creates a lighter, buoyant feeling that soothes the nervous system. Many tattooed guests appreciate the ability to alternate between these historic waters in the privacy of their own bath, creating a personalized therapy session while admiring mountain and forest views through panoramic windows.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended for tattooed travelers to secure rooms with private baths. Book at least 2-3 months ahead for weekend stays and 3-6 months for peak seasons (autumn foliage, cherry blossom, and Japanese holidays).

​

🌐 Website: https://www.arima-gh.jp/en/

📞 Phone: +81-78-904-0551

📍 Address: 1364-1 Arimacho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401, Japan