What this solves / who it's for

Onsen are one of the best parts of the trip, and one of the easiest to get wrong. First-timers walk into the bath without washing, sit on a small towel in the pool (which is a no), or — most commonly — get turned away because of a tattoo they didn't realize was visible. This tool trains you on the eight questions that actually matter: tattoos, washing, towel placement, where to look, swimwear, photos, sauna, post-bath. The unique feature is the tattoo-friendly onsen chain list (Super Sento, Spa World, Oedo Onsen Monogatari) and the cover-sticker workaround for small tattoos. Best for: anyone planning their first onsen visit — including travelers who have tattoos and need to know what's allowed.

Take the 8-question quiz

How to interpret the result

Each question maps to a specific behavior at the onsen. The score at the end tells you roughly where you are — 7–8 correct = first-timer-ready, 5–6 = you'll be fine but might miss one rule, < 5 = read the explanations carefully and consider practicing at a super-sento (less intimidating) before a fancy ryokan bath. The tattoo-friendly chains listed at the end are real, currently-operating facilities that have explicit policies welcoming foreign visitors with tattoos.

Pro tips & common pitfalls

• Tattoo cover stickers (3M Tegaderm-style) work for small tattoos (under 5cm). Available at convenience stores and drugstores in tourist areas.
• Super Sento (大型スーパー銭湯) are amusement-park-style facilities — swimwear allowed, tattoo-friendly, multilingual signs. Best place to start.
• Long hair must be tied up — most onsen provide a stool or hair tie.
• Keep your small towel (tenugui) on your head or beside the bath — never in the water.
• The outdoor bath (rotenburo) is more relaxed about quiet conversation. The indoor bath is silent.
• Drinking water before and after the bath is normal — most onsen have a water fountain near the changing area.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my phone into the onsen?

No. Most onsen prohibit phones and cameras in the bathing area. Some ryokan have private outdoor baths where phones are tolerated. Photography of other bathers is forbidden and a serious offense.

Are tattoos always forbidden?

The traditional rule is "no." The current reality is mixed: some facilities accept small tattoos covered with stickers; others have formal "tattoo-friendly" policies; some still refuse. The chains listed in the quiz results are your safest bet.

What if I have a piercing?

Most onsen require removal of body piercings (except small earlobe studs). Metal piercings in the bath water is a hygiene issue at most facilities.

Is co-ed bathing allowed?

Most traditional onsen separate by gender. Some ryokan have private family baths (kazoku-buro, usually bookable for ¥2,000–5,000/hour). Mixed-gender outdoor baths exist but are rare and often international-tourist-only.

How long should I soak?

3–15 minutes per bath, then cool down for 10 minutes, then re-enter. Don't soak more than 20 minutes straight — overheating and dehydration are real risks.

Known limitations

Tattoo policies change at individual facilities — some are tattoo-friendly on weekdays but stricter on weekends when more local visitors come. The chains listed are a reliable starting point but always call ahead for a high-end ryokan. This tool doesn't model medical contraindications (high blood pressure, pregnancy, recent tattoos within 2 weeks — all warrant avoiding hot baths).