NEW! Can I Enter Onsen (Hot Springs) With Tattoos?

The Short Answer: Historically, tattoos have been strictly banned in almost all Japanese public hot springs (onsen) and public baths (sento) due to a traditional association with organized crime (yakuza). However, policies are rapidly changing. Today, heavily tattooed travellers can still easily enjoy the onsen experience by visiting explicitly tattoo-friendly public facilities, using waterproof cover-up patches for small ink, or booking a ryokan with a private onsen room.