I am moving to Japan next year and I am still considering where I’d like to live. One of the biggest reasons for my move is the hot springs. Oita looks beautiful but I don’t do well with hot summers. Hokkaido seems more up my lane but I’ve done some research and there are less onsens in Hokkaido that allow for people with tattoos. I understand I can sometimes cover my tattoos to enter other onsens (I only have a couple on my arms), as well as reserve private onsens for myself. I was just wondering in general which one you would recommend. Also any advice about the prefectures beyond just the onsens would be nice as well! I’d like all the information I can get.
The two other places I am looking at living are Yamagata or near Sendai, (not necessarily for the hot springs) if you wanna share some thoughts on those places as well. Not just about the onsens but maybe just general knowledge about living there would be nice. I’ve done basic research on all the areas I just wanted some more insight.
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**Onsens in Hokkaido vs Oita?**
I am moving to Japan next year and I am still considering where I’d like to live. One of the biggest reasons for my move is the hot springs. Oita looks beautiful but I don’t do well with hot summers. Hokkaido seems more up my lane but I’ve done some research and there are less onsens in Hokkaido that allow for people with tattoos. I understand I can sometimes cover my tattoos to enter other onsens (I only have a couple on my arms), as well as reserve private onsens for myself. I was just wondering in general which one you would recommend. Also any advice about the prefectures beyond just the onsens would be nice as well! I’d like all the information I can get.
The two other places I am looking at living are Yamagata or near Sendai, (not necessarily for the hot springs) if you wanna share some thoughts on those places as well, (not just about the onsens but maybe just general knowledge about living there would be nice. I’ve done basic research on all the areas I just wanted some more insight.
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Frankly the tattoo problem will be all over Japan, so I think you should focus on summer heat. Although Hokkaido gets hot as well in summer, especially these days, it will be better living up there regarding the heat.
I think another thing you should consider is whether or not you can drive. Compared to living in Tokyo or Osaka etc. either of your places will require driving to have a fuller experience while living there. You don’t have to drive, but it can be very useful if living in Hokkaido if you want to leave Sapporo or Hakodate.
And of course don’t forget snow. You said you’re not good with summer heat, how about tons of snow and ice?
Everybodys different, but I think it’d be wise to keep in mind that hot springs will get old very soon and won’t be a replacement for the social isolation you could experience living in the countryside without a circle of friends. It can be really hard to make friends or acquaintances outside of a major city. If you don’t have a car you will be stuck at home as well.
There’s plenty of onsens and sentos in major cities like Tokyo as well and if you want to go to a really fancy place it’s only a train ride away.
Lived in Kyushu + Hokkaido. I prefer Hokkaido, but without driving Oita with the convenience of Beppu seems like a no-brainer between the two. However, I don’t have tattoos, so I’m not able to answer with full confidence.
Another possibility is locating a place such as a city with sentos and not so many onsens. IMHO sentos are sometimes more lenient than onsens regarding tattoos