Partially, tattoos are accepted at Kamesei Ryokan, but only in private baths—not public bath areas.
Kamesei Ryokan (亀清旅館) represents a rare cultural crossroads in Japan's onsen landscape, where East meets West in perfect harmony. Nestled in the tranquil Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen town of Nagano Prefecture, this century-old ryokan is lovingly managed by an American-Japanese couple who have preserved its Edo-period charm while making international guests feel genuinely welcome. The 10-tatami mat rooms, seasonal gardens with vibrant cherry blossoms in spring, and soothing natural hot springs create an atmosphere where travelers with tattoos can experience authentic Japanese hospitality without the anxiety that often accompanies onsen visits.
Private Bathing Allowed for Tattooed Guests: While not explicitly advertised as tattoo-friendly, Kamesei Ryokan is operated by an international couple who understand and accommodate Western guests, making it highly receptive to tattooed visitors; we recommend mentioning tattoos when booking to ensure the most comfortable experience.
- Cultural Bridge Experience: Operated by Tyler (American) and his Japanese wife, creating a unique environment where Western visitors can comfortably engage with traditional Japanese customs
- Historic Immersion: Preserved 100-year-old wooden architecture featuring authentic irori hearths and seasonal gardens that showcase Japan's natural beauty
- Private Bathing Options: Select rooms offer exclusive open-air baths, perfect for tattooed guests seeking privacy and relaxation
- Gourmet Local Cuisine: Multi-course kaiseki dinners featuring seasonal Nagano specialties, offering an authentic taste of regional Japanese cuisine
- English-Speaking Hosts: Seamless communication for international travelers, with hosts who can explain onsen etiquette and cultural nuances
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Location: Experience authentic rural Japan away from tourist crowds while still having modern conveniences
Onsen Facilities & Amenities
Bathing Experience & Onsen Etiquette
Slipping into Kamesei's mineral-rich baths feels like stepping back in time while your cares dissolve into the steaming waters. The ryokan offers both indoor communal baths and select rooms with private open-air rotenburo where you can soak beneath the open sky, listening to birdsong and watching seasonal changes unfold in the surrounding gardens. Though specific mineral compositions aren't publicized, the natural hot spring waters of Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen are renowned locally for their healing properties, particularly for muscle pain and skin conditions. The private bath option provides tattooed guests with a worry-free experience, allowing complete immersion in Japanese bathing culture without concerns about potential discomfort in public baths. The wooden bathing areas, worn smooth by decades of use, connect you to generations of travelers who have sought rejuvenation in these same waters.
Prices & Ticket Options
- Standard Room: ¥13,000-15,000 per person (approximately $115-130) - Deluxe Room with Private Bath: ¥18,000-23,000 per person (approximately $160-201) - Kaiseki Dinner and Breakfast: Typically included in room rates - Massage Services: ¥5,000-8,000 (approximately $45-70) depending on duration - Shuttle Service: Complimentary from Togura Station (reservation required)
Booking & Contact Information
Booking at Kamesei Ryokan is straightforward with their English-language website, though we recommend mentioning tattoos when making your reservation to ensure the smoothest experience. The owners personally respond to inquiries, often within 24 hours.
🌐 Website: https://kamesei.jp/en/
📞 Phone: +81 26-275-1032
📍 Address: 2-15-1 Kamiyamada Onsen, Chikuma, Nagano 389-0821, Japan
📧 Email: info@kamesei.jp
Opening Hours
Guest Reviews from Tattooed Travellers
Tattoo friendly(!) One of the best decisions of my entire 8-week trip. Peace and relaxation is guaranteed. The tattoo-friendly(!) onsen is great. Natural spring(s) feed the pools, which have different temperatures. This allows you to choose the one that is most comfortable for you. The mountainous surroundings with temples and ancient, but fully restored defenses are very interesting. (No splendor - but that makes it all the more interesting, especially in comparison to magnificent complexes and castles. At least it was for me) However, I have to particularly emphasize the service. With local recommendations and customer-specific advice based on your own interests. Simply great. P.s. The food was the best I've ever eaten.
Wow, this place was incredible. I highly recommend staying here if you want a wonderful, ryokan experience. Mari and her family were amazing and made sure we had a great stay. They have gender separated onsens that switch at 9am and 9pm every day. They are both amazing so be sure to try out both. The one further down the hall is a little larger for both the indoor and outdoor but I honestly preferred the first one. They are sulfur springs so just be ready for the smell. You get that at most hot springs though. It is a great facility. The rooms were so comfy and were exactly what I wanted from my time in Japan. We were here to go see the snow monkeys and this was a great starting point. The monkeys are still far away though so just be warned. I wish we could have taken advantage of the meal offerings but our schedule did not work with the dinners (6:00-6:30). I can’t recommend this place enough. The only thing that could have made it better was meeting Tyler but I hope he gets better soon.
Our first ryokan experience and it was wonderful!! So so peaceful and relaxing. The onsen are beautiful and tranquil. The kaiseki meals were amazing and I had never tried anything like it before. I also loved the turtle pond. Highly recommend!
✈️ Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airport → 🚅 Shinkansen to Nagano Station (approximately 80-100 minutes) → 🚆 Shinano Railway to Togura Station (25 minutes) → 🚙 Free shuttle from Togura Station (reservation required)
🚅 Nagano Station → 🚙 30-minute drive by taxi or rental car
🚆 Togura Station → 🚶♂️ 15-minute walk or 🚙 3-minute shuttle ride
Map
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Overview