Dataset
Japan onsen tattoo-policy and etiquette dataset
Policy at Japanese onsen changes faster than guidebooks update: Hakone Yuryo lifted its tattoo restrictions in April 2025, while other major facilities still require covering. This dataset carries the current status for named facilities, the bathing etiquette rules that apply everywhere, seasonal crowding windows, and regional water data, each with the date it was confirmed.
Tattoo policy by facility
| Facility | Where | Tattoo policy status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermae-Yu | Shinjuku, Tokyo | Confirmed permissive | 2025 |
| Jakotsuyu | Asakusa, Tokyo | Confirmed permissive | 2025 |
| Mannenyu | Minato, Tokyo | Confirmed permissive | 2025 |
| Hakone Yuryo | Hakone, Kanagawa | Unrestricted since April 2025 | 2026 |
| Yunessun | Hakone, Kanagawa | Cover required (waterproof patches or clothing) | 2026 |
| Kinosaki sotoyu (all seven) | Kinosaki, Hyogo | All seven public baths tattoo-friendly | 2025 |
Bathing etiquette rules
| Rule | What it means | Applies at |
|---|---|---|
| Wash first | Wash thoroughly at the shower stations before entering any bath. | Standard at all onsen |
| Towel rule | Keep the small towel out of the bath water; place it on your head or leave it outside. | Standard at all onsen |
| Curtain colors | Gender-separated baths are marked with colored curtains: blue for men, red for women. | Standard at all onsen |
| Small towel | Bring a small towel (tenugui); rentals cost 300-500 yen at most commercial onsen. | Most commercial onsen |
| Hair | Tie long hair up and keep it out of the bath water. | Standard at all onsen |
| Quiet | Keep conversation low; these are resting spaces, not social ones. | Standard at all onsen |
| No cameras | Photography is prohibited inside bathing areas. | Most onsen |
| Yukata | At a ryokan, wear the provided yukata around the property. | Ryokan stays |
Seasonal crowding windows
| Window | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Late April - early May | Golden Week is the busiest travel window of the year; book ryokan well ahead. |
| October - November | Peak foliage season for outdoor baths; the classic red-maple-and-steam scene. |
| Weekdays year-round | Weekdays are quieter than weekends at most onsen. |
| June - August | Summer visits are less crowded but can feel uncomfortably hot; morning and evening bathing is easier. |
| December - February | Snow falling over an outdoor rotemburo is the classic winter experience; the air, not the water, is the challenge. |
Mineral content and temperature data
| Source | Data |
|---|---|
| Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma) | 32,000 litres per minute produced; the highest output of any single source in Japan. |
| Kusatsu Yubatake | Water emerges naturally at 51-94 C; timber troughs cool it to bathable temperature. |
| Beppu (Oita) | Over 2,000 hot springs across the city, producing 130,000 kilolitres of thermal water daily. |
| Ibusuki (Kagoshima) | Sand baths heated by 50-55 C geothermal steam rising through black volcanic sand. |
| General | Onsen water temperatures range from 38-42 C; mineral content (sulfur, iron, sodium chloride) varies by region. |
Scope and method
Facility statuses are confirmed against operator announcements and current booking listings, and re-verified each quarter; a status change creates a new as-of row rather than overwriting the old one. Etiquette rules reflect the standard posted guidance found at bathing facilities across the country.