Hello everyone,
I have a small underarm tattoo that can be concealed if I held my arm to my body. Will I have a problem at a resort’s Onsen? Do they check me for tattoo before going in?
Thank you in advance!
Edit: I thought underarm is under the bicep but I’m wrong haha.
9 comments
Nobody checks guests for tattoo at the entrance to onsen. If a guest spots a tattoo on you, they may notify the stuff, who will ask you to leave.
Good way to get thrown out nude.
You’re fine. No one checks. Just don’t let anyone see it.
It’s only a problem is someone complains, so if they don’t see it, it’s not a problem.
I have a small tattoo on my upper arm and I have only been thrown out once. If you want to play it safe you can put a bandage on it.
Just stick a bandaid over it and your fine.
I think it’s totally fine. My acquaintance who has some tattoos on his anklet didn’t have any problem in Onsen.
Not all onsens have no tattoo policies, googling ‘tattoo friendly onsen’ gives tons of lists. The one nearest me doesn’t. I’ve been to a few that do though and haven’t had any trouble (I have a tattoo on my back) but sometimes people do and it sounds like a very unpleasant experience so if it’s it a spot people will see you can buy tattoo covers.
I have a 10~ inch tattoo right over my heart. And I’ve been going to onsen regularly for about three years. I was kicked out once, an old man talked to the staff and they kicked me out. A small tattoo is not an instant denial BUT if someone has a problem with you it WILL be used as an excuse to kick you out. Albeit I’m in the thick of Tokyo do probably a lot more easy going than the country side.
I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine pretty much anywhere.
While I’m A lawyer I’m not YOUR lawyer. Do not take this as legal advice.😅😅
8 years in Japan. 15cm-ish tattoo on my back. Been to many different onsens maybe around 100 times? ( no accurate idea) I don’t know, but a lot. Only once, one guy went to staff complaining that someone had a tattoo and they came to talk to me, but I was already getting dress and leaving, so they didn’t say nothing. Apparently that guy was a local, had tattoos and was not allowed to enter the onsen and he complained.
I usually try to cover with the little towel and try to not show it a lot. But never a problem. Just don’t ask. I ask twice and they said it was not allowed, I learned that lesson very early 🙂