451 of the 631 inns we checked publish no tattoo rule for the shared bath (207 say nothing at all; 244 list a private bath without a rule). For those, the way to find out is the inn's own reply — and a short, polite message in Japanese is the easiest one for staff to answer.
- Says nothing 207
- Private likely 244
- Needs check 6
Where and how to ask
- Use the inn's own channel. Each inn page in our register links to the inn's official site, where you will usually find an email address or contact form (お問い合わせ). A booking site's message box also works.
- Ask before you pay. If the answer is no, you want to know while you can still choose another inn or a room with its own bath.
- Say where the tattoo is and how big. Many rules depend on size; a clear answer needs it.
- Keep the reply. Show it at check-in if there is any doubt. Staff on the day still have the last word.
Messages to copy
Each message is natural, polite Japanese that an inn can answer quickly. The English below it is what it says. Tap the button to copy the Japanese.
Full email before booking
For the inn's email address or contact form. Replace each 〇 with your details.
件名：タトゥーがある場合の入浴について ご担当者様 〇月〇日から〇泊で宿泊を検討している者です。 〇〇（例：腕）にタトゥーがあり、大きさは約〇cm×〇cmです。入浴について、事前に確認させてください。 1. 大浴場は利用できますか。 2. カバーシールなどで隠せば利用できる場合は、シールの大きさや枚数などの条件を教えてください。 3. 貸切風呂や客室のお風呂は利用できますか。 お手数をおかけしますが、ご回答いただけますと幸いです。 どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 〇〇〇〇（お名前）
MeaningSubject: Bathing with a tattoo To whom it may concern, I am planning to stay for 〇 nights from 〇/〇. I have a tattoo on my 〇〇 (e.g. arm), about 〇 cm × 〇 cm. I would like to check the following about bathing before I book. 1. May I use the large shared bath? 2. If it is allowed when covered (for example with cover stickers), please tell me the conditions, such as sticker size and number. 3. May I use the private bath or the bath in my room? Sorry for the trouble, and thank you in advance for your reply. 〇〇〇〇 (your name)
Short question
For a booking site's message box or a short contact form.
タトゥーがあるのですが、大浴場を利用できますか？シールなどで隠せば利用できる場合は、その条件も教えてください。また、貸切風呂や客室のお風呂は利用できますか？
MeaningI have a tattoo. May I use the large shared bath? If it is allowed when covered (for example with a sticker), please tell me the conditions. Also, may I use the private bath or the bath in my room?
Cover stickers
When the inn allows covered tattoos but does not say how.
カバーシールは館内で用意されていますか。購入が必要な場合は料金も教えてください。また、使用できるシールの大きさと枚数の上限を教えていただけますか。
MeaningAre cover stickers available at the inn? If they must be bought, please also tell me the price. Could you also tell me the size of sticker allowed and the maximum number I may use?
Reserving a private bath
When the inn refuses the shared bath but has a private bath.
タトゥーがあるため、貸切風呂を利用したいと考えています。予約は必要でしょうか。料金と利用できる時間帯も教えていただけますか。
MeaningBecause I have a tattoo, I would like to use the private bath. Do I need to reserve it? Could you also tell me the price and the hours it can be used?
A room with its own hot-spring bath
When you want to avoid shared baths altogether.
タトゥーがあるため、温泉付きの客室を希望しています。客室のお風呂は温泉でしょうか。また、タトゥーがあっても利用可能でしょうか。
MeaningBecause I have a tattoo, I would like a room with its own hot-spring bath. Is the bath in the room hot-spring water? And may I use it even with a tattoo?
At the front desk
Show this on your phone at check-in.
タトゥーがあります。大浴場ではなく、貸切風呂か客室のお風呂を利用したいのですが、可能でしょうか。
MeaningI have a tattoo. I would like to use the private bath or the bath in my room instead of the large shared bath. Is that possible?
Words to look for in the reply
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 大浴場 | Large shared bath |
| 露天風呂 | Open-air bath |
| 貸切風呂・家族風呂 | Private bath / family bath (your group only) |
| 客室露天風呂 | Open-air bath attached to your room |
| 刺青・タトゥー | Tattoo (刺青, irezumi, often means traditional tattoos) |
| カバーシール・隠しシール | Cover sticker |
| ワンポイント | “One-point” — a single small tattoo |
| ご利用いただけます | You may use it — a yes |
| ご遠慮ください・ご遠慮いただいております | Please refrain — a polite no |
| お断りしております | We refuse — a firm no |
Where asking matters most
Towns with the most stays that publish no tattoo rule. Each town page lists them, so you can pick the ones to write to.
| Town | Stays checked | Written way in | Private bath likely | No-tattoo rule | Say nothing | Being re-checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KusatsuGunma | 45 | 9 | 21 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
| KinosakiHyogo | 31 | 5 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| KurokawaKumamoto | 28 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| YufuinOita | 25 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| TokyoTokyo | 25 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 1 |
| IzuShizuoka | 28 | 5 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| DogoEhime | 23 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
| IbusukiKagoshima | 15 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| KawaguchikoYamanashi | 21 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| AtamiShizuoka | 26 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
If an inn says no, see what to do instead. If it allows covered tattoos, compare with the sticker rules other inns publish.
Related guides
- Can you go to an onsen with tattoos?85 of 631 Japanese inns we checked publish a rule that lets tattooed guests bathe; 69 publish a no-tattoo rule and 207 publish nothing. What the rules say and how to find a way in.
- Private onsen for tattoos18 inns confirm a private hot-spring bath for tattooed guests; 17 more confirm a private bath that is not hot-spring water or not open yet. At 243 others we found a private hot-spring bath but no tattoo rule.
- Refused because of tattoos?69 inns we checked publish a rule that does not permit tattoos. The alternatives our data supports: private baths, in-room baths, cover stickers and asking before you book.
Onsen towns
Every status above comes from what the inn (or, where labelled, its operator or a prefecture database) publishes. We checked these sources by 12 Oct 2026. Rules change: staff on the day have the last word.
“Private bath likely” is our inference from a published listing of a private bath, not the inn's statement. “Says nothing” means we found no rule — it does not mean OK. English translations are ours. How we verify · About