What the 21 stays we checked in Kinugawa (Tochigi) publish about tattoos, researched on each stay's official site (exceptions labelled) with the evidence on the stay's own page. Data checked 11 Oct 2026.
7 of the 21 stays we checked publish a rule that lets tattooed guests bathe (verified — 5 of them only if a sticker covers the tattoo); 3 more are possible: a hot-spring private bath is listed, but the inn hasn't stated a tattoo rule (our inference, not a promise). Of the rest, 1 has a recorded rule or private bath that opens no hot-spring bath today, 2 publish a no-tattoo rule and 8 publish nothing about tattoos.
Written rules first: the stay itself (or its operator) says tattooed guests may use the shared bath, may use it if the tattoo is covered, or may use a private hot-spring bath. Then the stays that list a hot-spring private bath but say nothing about tattoos — that one is our inference.
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In brief: Hoshino Resorts group-wide rule (the property onsen page links to the group FAQ; no property-specific exception found). Staff may refuse the large bath if they judge other guests could feel afraid.
Operator's group-wide rule · checked 11 Oct 2026
In brief: No ban: answer to "can I use the large bath with a tattoo?" only asks for consideration of other guests and recommends the private bath. Not an explicit yes.
Inn's official FAQ · checked 11 Oct 2026
In brief: Small (one-point) tattoos only; larger tattoos refused ('刺青・タトゥーのある方の大浴場のご利用はご遠慮いただいております'); cover stickers sold in the shop / private bath or in-room bath.
Inn's official FAQ · checked 11 Oct 2026
In brief: Shared bath refused unless covered with tattoo-cover stickers; otherwise use in-room tub or private bath.
Inn's official site · checked 11 Oct 2026
In brief: Tattooed guests refused unless ALL tattoos covered with film (guest supplies film) / also rooms with private open-air bath.
Inn's official FAQ · checked 11 Oct 2026
In brief: Paid inn-designated cover sticker must fully cover the tattoo (inn day-trip page); group terms: up to 2 stickers.
Inn's official site · checked 11 Oct 2026
In brief: Oedo Onsen Monogatari group bath terms (apply to each accommodation facility of the group, effective 2024-11-01 (Reiwa 6)): entry refused unless fully covered by 2 inn-designated stickers.
Operator's group-wide rule · checked 11 Oct 2026
A rule or a private bath is recorded, but here it does not lead to a hot-spring bath today: for example an operator policy that allows tattoos at a property with no shared bath on site, or a private bath that is not hot-spring water or not open yet. Not counted above.
In brief: Private baths or the in-room shower suggested instead (notice dated 2026-09-16)
Private bath, but not hot-spring water
Inn's official site · checked 11 Oct 2026
A hot-spring private bath is listed but the inn has not stated a tattoo rule. A private bath means nobody else is in the water, so a shared-bath rule may not apply — our inference, not the inn's word. Ask before you book.
Our inferencePrivate hot-spring bath — listed on the inn's official site. The inn has not published a tattoo rule.
No tattoo rule published · private bath listed on the inn's official site · checked 11 Oct 2026
Our inferencePrivate hot-spring bath — listed on the inn's official site. The inn has not published a tattoo rule.
No tattoo rule published · private bath listed on the inn's official site · checked 11 Oct 2026
Our inferencePrivate hot-spring bath — listed on the inn's official site. The inn has not published a tattoo rule.
No tattoo rule published · private bath listed on the inn's official site · checked 11 Oct 2026
These 2 stays publish a rule that does not permit tattoos. Under each name: which baths the rule covers, what we found about a private bath, and whether the ban goes further. A listed private bath is not a yes — the inn has not said tattooed guests may use it, so ask.
Group FAQ: '刺青・タトゥーなどを入れている方の、大浴場・露天風呂のご入浴は原則お断りしております。' · Location: In Kawaji Onsen, about 7 km north of central Kinugawa
The cited rule says tattooed guests may not use the shared bath. Private bath: not recorded.
The cited rule says tattooed guests may not use the shared bath. Private bath: not recorded.
These 8 stays' official sites say nothing about tattoos. Silence is not a yes.
Lists a private bath, but not stated to be hot-spring water
Lists a private bath, but not stated to be hot-spring water
Lists a private bath, but not stated to be hot-spring water · Location: In Kawaji Onsen, about 7 km north of central Kinugawa
Lists a private bath, but not stated to be hot-spring water
Lists a private bath, but not stated to be hot-spring water
Lists a private bath, but not stated to be hot-spring water
Lists a private bath, but not stated to be hot-spring water
Each stay's page has a polite Japanese message you can copy and send before booking — or read our guide on asking.
How to ask a ryokan →A schematic of the 21 stays above, by status. Every stay on it is also in the lists above.
Each pin sits in the free spot nearest its position in our data, so none overlap. Not a street map.
Kinugawa Onsen is in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, along the gorge of the Kinu River.
Large hotels line both banks of the river.
日光 · TochigiNikko17 stays checked · 4 verified · 4 possiblePhoto: Miyuki Meinaka (photo page on Wikimedia Commons, opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence, opens in a new tab)
那須 · TochigiNasu13 stays checked · 0 verified · 6 possiblePhoto: 663highland (photo page on Wikimedia Commons, opens in a new tab) · CC BY 2.5 (licence, opens in a new tab)
伊香保 · GunmaIkaho13 stays checked · 3 verified · 3 possiblePhoto: Liza Chan from Japan (photo page on Wikimedia Commons, opens in a new tab) · CC0 (licence, opens in a new tab)
四万 · GunmaShima Onsen11 stays checked · 1 verified · 9 possiblePhoto: Kentaro Ohno from Tokyo, Japan (photo page on Wikimedia Commons, opens in a new tab) · CC BY 2.0 (licence, opens in a new tab)Researched by the Tattoo Onsen Japan editors from each stay's official site (exceptions — a prefecture database or an operator's group-wide policy — are labelled on the stay's page). Data checked 11 Oct 2026. English translations are ours.
Rules change. Before booking, read the stay's page and, if in doubt, ask the stay. How we verify →