Tattoo-friendly onsen in Kyoto
Kurama Onsen — Photo: YOSHIFUMI OGISO / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
The short answer for Kyoto: the big day spas in and around the city refuse tattoos, but Kurama Onsen in the mountains north of the city says yes. All from each bath's own rules.
- Kurama OnsenAllowed
Photo: YOSHIFUMI OGISO / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
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“Tattoo friendly onsen Kyoto” is one of the questions people type into Google. The honest answer, from the baths’ own rules: the large day spas in and around Kyoto city refuse guests with tattoos — but there is one clear yes, in the mountains north of the city.
Each name links to a detail page with the source, prices and hours.
Allowed
- Kurama Onsen — in the mountains of Kurama, north of central Kyoto. Its official site says guests with tattoos may use it. About 10 minutes on foot from Kurama Station (Eizan Railway), with a free shuttle bus. From ¥1,500.
Allowed with conditions
- Kyoto Takenosato Onsen Manyo no Yu (Nishikyo) — a 24-hour complex. Refuses tattoos in principle, but says guests who follow “the rules set by the facility” may enter. The rules are not published; ask the staff before you go.
Not allowed
These baths’ official rules refuse guests with tattoos. We list them so you don’t make the trip.
- Sagano Onsen Tenzan no Yu (Sagano) — not even if the tattoo is covered
- Fushimi Chikara no Yu (Fushimi) — a 2021 sticker trial is still announced on its site, but its current rules refuse tattoos
- Uji Natural Hot Spring Genji no Yu (Uji)
If Kurama is too far
The nearest baths that let you in if you cover the tattoo are in Osaka, and Kinosaki Onsen in northern Hyogo allows tattoos at all its public baths. See Tattoo-friendly onsen near Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.