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Private Hakone Tours

 Tattoo Friendly Onsen in Hakone

It can be difficult to find a hot spring in Japan that allows people with tattoos to enter. Luckily Hakone has a few places that have bucked the trend and allowed tattoos. On this page I will introduce a few of them and explain a little of the history.

Why are tattoos usually banned?

Japan has an arcane rule that people with tattoos are not allowed into onsen. This rule exists because tattoos are associated with the Yakuza, the organized crime syndicate of the country. A long time ago in Japan only members of criminal gangs had tattoos. By banning tattoos, they were banning the gangs. It made sense. Except for nowadays many people have tattoos who are not members of gangs. Additionally many foreigners visiting or living in Japan have tattoos too. They are certainly not members of the Yakuza. At least I would consider it highly unlikely. And yet the old rule stands.

Tattoo Friendly Day Trip Onsen in Hakone:

  • Tenzan Onsen - A 40-minute walk from Hakone Yumoto Station or a quick bus ride, this onsen is the best known by tattooed travelers and used to have a total acceptance policy on tattoos. Nowadays, they have changed their policy and state that tattooed customers are only permitted if they are bathing alone. Additionally customers must remain quiet in the bath or they will be removed and/or police called. One can only imagine the series of events that lead to this backward feeling move. It is not as if non-tattooed guests are target with the same stern requests. Either way, tattooed guests showing up alone and obeying the onsen etiquette of Japan, should be fine. It is a shame though to feel the issue taking one-step-forward and two-steps-back. To boost the image of tattooed foreign visitors in Japan, please be extra polite and careful when visiting a tattoo friendly place.

  • Yunessan - Yunessan is a family friendly mixed sex swim-suit only hot spring water park. There is also a nude section which is single sex called Morinoyu. Covered up small tattoos are allowed in the swimsuit area. Tattoos are not accepted in the public nude area of Morinoyu. However, there are private baths in which tattoos are permitted.

  • Yoshiike Ryokan - A ryokan walking distance from Hakone Yumoto Station open for day trippers between 13:30 and 16:30 for 2,000JPY. Covered up small tattoos are allowed for staying guests. But larger tattoos will be rejected and asked to use the private baths instead.

  • Hakone Lake Hotel - Near Togendai Ropeway Station, this ryokan is open for day trippers from 11:00-16:00. Covered up small tattoos are permitted. Large tattoos are not.

Tattoo Friendly Ryokan Hotels in Hakone:

  • Yama No Chaya - A high end luxurious ryokan hotel in the Tonosawa area with superb style, food and service, and a no fuss attitude on tattoos.

  • Ichinoyu Honkan - Also in the Tonosawa area this highly rated ryokan has a relaxed view on tattoos but a serious view on good service.

  • Fuji Hakone Guest House - A cheaply priced hot spring ryokan with tattoos no problem in the Sengokuhara area.

Private Baths in Hakone:

One way to enjoy the hot springs of Hakone without having to worry about tattoos use a private bath. The best way to avoid any issues is to cover up tattoos at the counter before heading off to enjoy your bath.