Onsens that allow people with tattoos. Are there any?

[bearrock]

Hello folks,

I'm going to be going back to Tokyo, and I look forward to going to an onsen this time. I know that having tattoos can cause problems going into saunas and I'm thinking onsens are the same.

Are there onsens that allow people with tattoos?

Thanks in advance.

-Bear.

 

[becki_kanou]

It depends on the size and style. I have tattoos, and I've been turned away from some onsens, but others turn a blind eye. It really varies from place to place.

 

[bearrock]

thanks for the response, becki.

okay.

the tattoo is 100% of the back. and front chest. and both sleeves.

 

[becki_kanou]

Aha, mine are much smaller than that, with a full back and sleeves it might be difficult to get in, but good luck!

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

A person having a tattoo is the case which can take a bath in onsen.
1. In high-quality Ryokan,
Because there is onsen in a private room,
Even if there is a tattoo, it is all right.
However, you cannot enter a common use bathhouse of Ryokan.
2. In an onsen institution, there is a thing having small charter onsen for families.
However, you cannot enter a common use bathhouse of this onsen.
3. Because there is not a manager, as for the natural onsen, you can take a bath.
But there are not dressing rooms.
In addition, it is difficult to go to the place.

 

[bearrock]

thank you for your help guys.

 

[Zirdante]

The biggest reason why its a no-no, is because tattoos have deep roots in Yakuza. Having you in an onsen is like having an elephant in the room.

 

[ArmandV]

Having you in an onsen is like having an elephant in the room.

As in pachyderm? (Packing a lot of tatoos on your skin (derm).)

 

[Zirdante]

Yeah, I'd say so.

 

[vertfille13]

That sucks for me because my husband was hell-bound and determined to get two sleeves of traditional Yakuza tattoos in tokyo.This being said, I am I on my own for going to an onsen or will a private onsen be ok. also, can we go to an outdoors onsen with his tattoos?

 

[mariannap]

Can anyone suggest a few onsens that would allow foreigners with tattoos? I'm searching and most sites are in Japanese (which I can't read). We don't mind paying more, we're just trying to find an onsen that would be romantic for couples and allow covered-up tattoos. I have one on my back which I could probably hide with a modest bikini-top (like a short tankini) and my bf has an English phrase on his underarm that can only be concealed with a bandage. What are our options?

 

[Davey]

not sure about where, but there are skin colored stickers that you could buy and cover them over your tattoo. I'm not sure about the size of those stickers and hope someone else can give more information about this.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Will tattoo's bad image change in the near future?

I'm not sure how it is in other countries , but it seems in the US that everyone over the age of 18/21 either already has a tattoo or plans to get one. Most of my neices and nephews have one or more tattoos already and want more. From what I see on Facebook and TV , getting a tattoo now days is almost as common as getting your hair cut or wearing makeup.
It would seem if Japan wants to promote tourisim , they will have to accept that many forigners have tattoos and accept it.
Are tattoos real popular in other countries besides the US?

Uncle Frank

 

[Davey]

I'm not sure how it is in other countries , but it seems in the US that everyone over the age of 18/21 either already has a tattoo or plans to get one. Most of my neices and nephews have one or more tattoos already and want more. From what I see on Facebook and TV , getting a tattoo now days is almost as common as getting your hair cut or wearing makeup.
It would seem if Japan wants to promote tourisim , they will have to accept that many forigners have tattoos and accept it.
Are tattoos real popular in other countries besides the US?

Uncle Frank

That would be a nice idea, but since Hashimoto's thingy about the tattoos I think the images of tattoos went down again.

 

[Mike Cash]

Japanese youth have jumped on the tattoo fad with both feet, although perhaps not as hard as American youth have. They are now quite common sights and it won't be long before the tattoo-equals-yakuza thing will be dead.

I remember when dyeing one's hair (other than jet black) was absolutely scandalous; today it is practically the norm. Tattoos are going the same direction.

 

[Alecksander]

I find this to be extremely interesting as I have several LARGE tattoos and definitely want to experience an onsen. It seems (from reading the responses) that it's hit or miss. Go to a place, see if they are accepting of foreigners with tattoos, and go from there. I'm expecting to get turned away right off the bat but who knows, I may be surprised at what I find Hopefully a 6' tall, Hispanic guy isn't too out of the norm...