Tattoo-Friendly Hot Springs Special Feature
Oita Prefecture is one of Japan's most recommended hot spring destinations. However, many Japanese hot springs and public baths prohibit entry to those with tattoos. As Japan's premier “hot spring prefecture,” Oita boasts numerous tattoo-friendly facilities, allowing you to enjoy hot springs with peace of mind. This article highlights and introduces tattoo-friendly hot spring facilities. We hope it serves as a useful guide for your travels.
* Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Contents
- Onsen Hot Spring Culture in Oita, the Onsen Prefecture
- Tattoo-friendly baths in the Beppu Bay area
- Tattoo-Friendly Baths in Usa and Kunisaki
- Tattoo-Friendly Baths in Hita and Nakatsu Yabakei Area
- Tattoo-Friendly Baths in the Yufuin and Kuju Area
- Tattoo-Friendly Baths in the Taketa and Bungo-Ono Area
- Tattoo-Friendly Baths in the Nippo Coast Area
- 【Special Feature】Saunas Where Tattoos Are Welcome
- MAP
- Before heading to the Onsen, let's review the etiquette.
Onsen Hot Spring Culture in Oita, the Onsen Prefecture
Oita Prefecture boasts the largest number of onsen hot spring sources and the highest output volume in Japan. It also features 8 out of the 10 types of spring water found worldwide, earning it the reputation that "visiting Oita is like experiencing all the hot springs in the world." Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of unique onsen, including mushiyu steam saunas, sunayu sand baths where you are buried in warm sand, and doroyu mud baths that immerse you in mineral-rich mud. Don't miss out on jigoku-mushi ("hell-steaming"), a local delicacy where the ingredients are cooked using the geothermal steam that gushes forth from the onsen – an experience as flavorful as it is fascinating.
Tattoo-friendly baths in the Beppu Bay area
This area is home to Beppu Hot Springs. Visitors can not only soak in the hot springs but also enjoy strolling through the historic townscape. It also boasts excellent convenience, with Oita Station serving as a base for touring Oita Prefecture. Some hot springs offer ocean views overlooking Beppu Bay.
- Nageshi Onsen(Beppu City)
- This wooden hot spring facility exudes a nostalgic atmosphere. Its signature feature is the hot, flowing spring water. It's said to be the first hot spring many Beppu residents experience in their lives, making it beloved by locals.
※Tattoos: Tattoos are permitted throughout the entire facility. 
- GoogleMAP
- Takegawara Onsen
- This charming onsen facility, established in the Meiji era (1868-1912), is housed in a retro-style building with a distinctive lattice-patterned high-ceiling lobby. Guests can enjoy two types of baths: a regular onsen or a famous sunayu sand bath. Sunayu offers a unique experience where heated sand is gently poured over your body, allowing you to relax under its comforting warmth and weight.
*Tattoos:Tattoo-friendly 
- GoogleMap
- Furosen(Beppu City)
- This hot spring facility features a building with quintessentially Japanese elegance. Its spacious baths offer a tranquil experience. Convenient access from Beppu Station.
※Tattoos: Tattoos permitted throughout the entire facility. 
- GoogleMAP
- Tanoyu Onsen(Beppu City)
- Located near Beppu Station, this is a traditional public bathhouse frequented by many locals. Its hot water warms you to the core. The building features a distinctive, innovative design.
※Tattoos: Tattoos permitted throughout the entire facility. 
- GoogleMAP
- Kaimonji Onsen(Beppu City)
- Located right next to the park, a Jizo statue stands as a symbol in front of the facility. The hot spring water is colorless and transparent, with a pleasant feel on the skin, leaving you feeling refreshed.
※Tattoos: Tattoos permitted throughout the entire facility. 
- GoogleMAP
- Hamada Onsen(Beppu City)
- Known for its hot water, one soak leaves your body feeling warm and toasty. The traditional Japanese-style building dates back to when it relocated in 2002. The previous building remains nearby as the Hamada Hot Springs Museum.
※Tattoos: Tattoos permitted throughout the entire facility. 
- GoogleMAP
- Hamawaki Onsen
- The name 'Hamawaki Onsen' originates from the Japanese words for the way the water bubbles up (waki) along the beach (hama). Together with Kannawa Onsen, it is considered one of the birthplaces of Beppu Onsen. Known for its simple onsen water with a soft, mild texture that is beloved by many.
※Tattoos:Tattoos permitted throughout the entire facility. 
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- Kiyosen Onsen(Beppu City)
- The building, renovated in 2016, has a clean feel, and the bathing area is spacious. Turtle motifs are used throughout, on windows and doors.
※Tattoos:Tattoos permitted throughout the entire facility. 
- GoogleMAP
- Yutopia Hamawaki(Beppu City)
- This Western-style hot spring facility was modeled after European spa houses. Enjoy various bathing methods designed to support your health. In addition to the hot springs, a gym is also available on-site.
※Tattoos:Tattoos permitted throughout the entire facility. 
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- Municipal Kannawa Steam Bath
- Believed to have been established around the late 12th century during the Kamakura period, the Kannawa Steam Bath features a stone chamber approximately the size of eight tatami mats (approx. 13 square meters). Guests lie on a bed of medicinal herbs spread over the chamber floor, sweating for about 10 minutes before soaking in the onsen for a relaxing experience. Don’t miss the unique "foot steam bath," a rare treat even in Japan!
*Tattoos:Tattoo-friendly 
- GoogleMap
- Hyotan Onsen
- Founded in 1922, this onsen is the only one in Japan to earn a three-star rating from the Michelin Guide. It offers 100% natural, free-flowing hot spring waters and a unique sunayu sand bath using sand from Beppu's coast. Don't miss the exclusive Jigoku Kamadashi Pudding, a delicious dessert steamed using the onsen's natural heat – an absolute must-try.
*Tattoos:Tattoo-friendly 
- GoogleMAP
- Netu no Yu(Beppu City)
- Netu no Yu is said to have been named for its effect of removing bodily heat. It was once used for drinking, cooking, and laundry. The current building was constructed in 1977 and is widely used as a free hot spring.
※Tattoos:Tattoos permitted throughout the entire facility. 
- GoogleMAP
- Shibaseki Onsen
- Located on the outskirts of Beppu City, Shibaseki Onsen is one of the smaller yet highly esteemed onsen areas within the Beppu Hatto. This historic hot spring is said to have been visited by an ancient emperor seeking therapeutic treatment for an illness. Designated as a National Health Resort, Shibaseki Onsen is renowned for its restorative effects, offering a soothing retreat for both body and mind.
※Tattoos:We are a tattoo-friendly onsen. 
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- Kijima Onsen: Kijima Kogen Hotel
- Located within Aso Kuju National Park, this hotel offers a relaxing resort experience surrounded by lush natural landscapes and mountains. The men's bath features a traditional Hinoki cypress-wood design, while the women's bath boasts a marble Western-style bath with a jacuzzi. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor baths, which allow for a fully immersive experience in the great outdoors.
*Tattoos:Guests with tattoos are not permitted in the public baths and may use the private bathroom (fees apply) or the bathroom in the guestroom. 
- GoogleMAP
- ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa
- A luxurious resort hotel that feels like a world apart. The open-air bath on the first floor, crafted from Beppu stone, offers breathtaking views of Beppu Bay and the cityscape. Guests can enjoy the glittering city lights at night and the stunning sunrise over Beppu Bay in the morning while soaking in the onsen.
*Tattoos:We are a tattoo-friendly onsen. 
- GoogleMAP
- Myoban Yunosato
- At the yunohana koya huts, visitors can observe the production process of Yakuyou Yunohana natural bath additive for free.This production process designated as a national important intangible folk cultural asset. The sulfur spring water makes the skin smooth. Cosmetics made from yunohana are also popular as souvenirs.
*Tattoos:It is up to the customer to decide whether or not to take a bath. 
- GoogleMAP
"Beppu Jigoku Tour" - Visit the 7 Hot Spring Hells
The Beppu Jigoku Tour is one of Kyushu's most popular tourist attractions. The journey through the springs and steam called “jigoku,” where visitors can enjoy dynamic natural phenomena unique to the hot spring resort of Beppu, is full of surprises and excitement! Although “seeing hell” may sound a bit scary, here you can fully enjoy the beauty created by nature and the wonders of hot springs. The vivid colors of the hot water and fantastic sights that each hell offers are truly worth seeing! In addition, there is no end to the attractions of hell, such as its unique gourmet food, footbaths, and scenic spots. In this article, we will introduce the characteristics of each hell, its highlights, photo-worthy spots, and efficient ways to visit them, so that you can enjoy the Beppu Jigoku Tour 120%.
Tattoo-Friendly Baths in Usa and Kunisaki
This area offers easy access from Oita Airport. It features historical spots like Usa Jingu Shrine, built over 1,300 years ago, and mysterious rock-carved Buddha statues. The area's natural scenery, showcasing the changing seasons, is also a highlight. Enjoy the hot springs alongside breathtaking views of the sea and mountains!
- Hyoshimizu Onsen
- Hyoishimizu Onsen on Himeshima Island has long utilized the island’s natural spring known as Hyoshimizu. This onsen is part of the Himeshima Village Health Management Center, where visitors can enjoy its soothing waters.
The facility offers two types of baths: one using the unaltered spring water and another adjusted to a comfortable 40°C. From the bath, you can take in stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea while soaking.
*Tattoos:Tattoo-friendly 
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Tattoo-Friendly Baths in Hita and Nakatsu Yabakei Area
This area lets you enjoy both Japanese culture and nature. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors at Yabakei, one of Japan's three most beautiful autumn foliage spots, and admire numerous stunning waterfalls. Don't miss the Mamecho Shopping District, where streetscapes from the Edo period (1603-1868) when samurai roamed remain preserved. It's also the birthplace of the creator of the hugely popular Japanese anime “Attack on Titan,” with spots related to the series scattered throughout—making it an irresistible destination for fans.
- Mikuma Hotel
- A hotel nestled in Hita, surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides. The onsen facilities include a large public bath offering panoramic views of Hita's stunning landscapes, as well as open-air baths where guests can gaze at houseboats and starry skies. From May to the end of October, guests can enjoy dinner on a houseboat while observing traditional cormorant fishing.
*Tattoos:Guests with tattoos cannot enter the large public bath, but may use the private baths. 
- GoogleMAP
- Sanso Tensui
- An onsen ryokan nestled in a tranquil area surrounded by lush greenery. Guests can unwind in the open-air baths with views of the cascading Sakura Falls, or enjoy the separate men's and women's open-air baths with adjoining indoor baths, enveloped by verdant trees. Private family baths are also available, offering a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
*Tattoos:Only the family bath (private bath) may be used. 
- GoogleMAP
- Okuhita Onsen: Okuhita Onsen Umehibiki
- An onsen ryokan inn located in Ume-no-Sato Oyama.
The two large public baths overlooking Hibiki Valley are equipped with reclining baths, a bedrock bath, and low-temperature saunas. The open-air baths, surrounded by majestic mountains, offer a relaxing and liberating space to relax and unwind.
*Tattoos: Allowed in private and family baths (for staying guests only). 
- GoogleMAP
- Ryokan & Sauna Yorozuya Hita(Hita City)
- This hotel features hot spring baths, cold water baths, and saunas in every guest room. Rooms offer beautiful views of the Mikuma River.
Its appeal lies in the freedom to enjoy activities like bathing together or taking photos. During summer, guests can enjoy kaiseki cuisine aboard a traditional houseboat while watching cormorant fishing.
※Tattoos: Guests with tattoos are welcome to bathe. 
- GoogleMAP
- 【For staying guests only】Ryokan Keisenkaku (Hita City)
- Here you can enjoy natural hot springs flowing directly from the source. Bathing while feeling the embrace of nature is a moment of pure bliss. This inn also offers delicious local ingredients, including poultry, beef, vegetables, and river fish.
※Tattoos: Tattoos are welcome 
- GoogleMAP
- Super Sento Hana no Yu(Hita City)
- A beloved local bathing facility. All baths utilize mineral-rich groundwater. The spacious, open-feeling bathing area also includes a sauna. After bathing, you can enjoy a meal.
※Tattoos: Covered tattoos are permitted in the main baths if they can be concealed with a sticker. For full-body tattoos, please use the family bath. Tattoo stickers are sold on-site. 
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Tattoo-Friendly Baths in the Yufuin and Kuju Area
This area's appeal lies in its hot springs, beautiful mountains, and nature that changes with the seasons. In Yufuin, you can enjoy charming streetscapes, art museums, and hot springs overlooking Mount Yufu. Kuju features magnificent gorges, waterfalls, and Japan's tallest pedestrian suspension bridge. It's a place where you can fully immerse yourself in the charm of nature and the countryside.
- Yufuin Sansuikan
- A historic ryokan established in 1911 during the Meiji era (1868-1912).
The men's bath features an open-air bath and sauna with Mt. Yufu as a stunning backdrop, offering a panoramic view of Yufuin. The women's bath boasts open-air baths with breathtaking views and ceramic baths, providing a serene and relaxing experience.
*Tattoos: Allowed except in the large public bath. 
- GoogleMAP
- Ryokan Yamashiroya(Yufu City)
- The traditional Japanese atmosphere of the wooden building is calming. Relax by soaking in the skin-friendly hot springs. Day-use bathing in private baths is also available. This accommodation welcomes many international guests.
※Tattoos: Guests with tattoos are welcome. 
- GoogleMAP
- 【For staying guests only】Okuyuno Hira Hanaakari (Yufu City)
- This lodging facility is located a short climb above the hot spring town. As it accommodates adults (12 years and older) only, it offers a quiet and peaceful retreat. Enjoy your private space.
※Tattoos:We kindly ask that you refrain from using the gender-separated open-air baths. Please feel free to use the open-air baths and indoor baths attached to your room. 
- GoogleMAP
- 【For staying guests only】Ryokan Maruya(Yufu City)
- A long-established inn in Yuhira Onsen. Its rock-built open-air bath evokes a sense of tradition. Here, you can enjoy skin-friendly hot springs. It's a space where you can forget your daily routine and relax, healing both body and mind.
※Tattoos: Guests with tattoos are welcome. 
- GoogleMAP
- Kinosato Yamanoyu
- An onsen ryokan inn with an interior that evokes the romance of the past, located amongst the mountains rich in nature.
Guests can enjoy a sense of adventure in the cave bath, relax in the open-air bath surrounded by the natural air of Kokonoe, and unwind in the spacious indoor baths. Opening the windows reveals the soothing sound of a nearby babbling river, enhancing the tranquil experience. 
- GoogleMAP
- Nukunuku-No-Yu (Kokonoe Town)
- This hot spring facility is located within the NU:KUJU grounds. The water is yellowish-brown and cloudy, a rare carbonated spring. It is believed to promote blood circulation, alleviate stiff shoulders and lower back pain, and also offer skin beautifying effects.
Closed from early December to mid-March.
※Tattoos: Full bathing permitted 
- GoogleMAP
- Seseragi no Yu (Kokonoe Town)
- This day-trip hot spring facility features four distinct natural springs. Its hallmark is the traditional Japanese architecture that evokes a sense of history. Families can relax and unwind here. We also recommend the family baths, where you can soak in the hot springs while enjoying the feeling of forest bathing.
※Tattoos: Guests with tattoos may only use the family baths. 
- GoogleMAP
- Kusu Onsen: Bungonosato
- A nostalgic onsen ryokan inn with a retro vibe, where unique ornaments greet you upon arrival. This ryokan features Kusu onsen's free-flowing hot spring water that gently warms the body. Guests can unwind in their private open-air bath while enjoying the tranquil views of a tranquil river and peaceful countryside.
*Tattoos:People with tattoos may only use the family baths. However, if the tattoo is only on a small area such as an arm, they may also use the large public baths. 
- GoogleMAP
How to Enjoy Yufuin
Yufuin is a charming town located in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, offering not only relaxing onsen but also breathtaking natural scenery such as Mt. Yufu and Lake Kinrin. Simply strolling through the town is an uplifting experience. Dotted with cafés and shops, Yufuin offers delightful new surprises and discoveries for visitors. This article introduces ways to enjoy Yufuin – be sure to visit and create unforgettable memories on your journey.
Tattoo-Friendly Baths in the Taketa and Bungo-Ono Area
The Oku-Bungo region (Taketa City and Bungo-Ono City) is a hidden gem for hot spring enthusiasts. Its distinctive Nagayu Onsen is particularly renowned for its high carbon dioxide content, known to promote blood circulation and enhance skin beauty. With many quiet lodgings nestled in the mountains and numerous free-flowing natural hot springs, it's a place to slowly heal both mind and body.
- Nyagayun Hot Spring (Taketa City)
- This hot spring is attached to ‘Kajika Doll Workshop’, which creates custom-made beckoning cats. Enjoy the natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source within a building that radiates the warmth of wood. The walls of the bathing area feature paintings of beckoning cats.
※Tattoos: Guests with tattoos are welcome 
- GoogleMAP
- Nagano-yu (Taketa City)
- A quiet, hidden hot spring surrounded by rural scenery. Enjoy rare carbonated spring water flowing directly from the source. The viscous water leaves your skin feeling moisturized after bathing. When entering the hot spring, please pay the fee by inserting coins into the box located outside the building.
※Tattoos: Guests with tattoos are welcome to bathe. 
- GoogleMAP
Tattoo-Friendly Baths in the Nippo Coast Area
This coastal area features beautiful rias coastlines stretching along the sea. Discover historical spots like the castle town of Usuki built by a Christian daimyo and the National Treasure Usuki Stone Buddha. With numerous charming islands and delicious seafood like tuna, enjoy these attractions alongside the hot springs!
- Kabutomushi-no-Yu Mineral Spring Center Naokawa
- Nestled in the mountains, this onsen facility offers a spacious bathing area equipped with a variety of baths, including electric baths and jet baths, as well as a sauna and mist sauna, making it an ideal spot to relax and rejuvenate after a long day.
※Tattoos: Tattoos are permitted. 
- GoogleMAP
Oita Prefecture: One of Japan’s Top Adventure Travel Destinations
Located in Japan’s Kyushu region, Oita Prefecture is one of the country’s top destinations for adventure tourism. Surrounded by volcanic mountains, lush forests, and onsen, this area offers a wide range of experiences that blend active hiking, thrilling outdoor activities, and deep cultural immersion.
On this trip, we explored three distinctive areas of Oita—Saiki, Bungo-ōno, and Bungotakada to Kunisaki—each offering its own encounter with nature and the daily lives of the local people.
【Special Feature】Saunas Where Tattoos Are Welcome
Oita Prefecture's appeal isn't limited to hot springs. While Ono City in Bungo Ono is an area without hot springs within the “Hot Spring Prefecture,” it's popular for its unique saunas.
- LAMP Bungo-Ono (Bungo-Ono City)
- Enjoy a Finnish-style sauna in a cabin built using reclaimed materials. After your sauna session, relax in a cold plunge pool fed by water drawn from the headwaters of the Okutake River. Stay overnight to enjoy a sauna under the stars.
※Tattoos:Tattoos are permitted. 
- GoogleMAP
- Lodge Kiyokawa (Bungo-Ono City)
- A lodging facility by the river. After enjoying the riverside sauna, you can step into the clear stream right in front. Features a cabin sauna and a tent sauna.
※Tattoos:Tattoos are permitted. 
- GoogleMAP
- Inazumi Underwater Cave (Bungo-Ono City)
- Enjoy tent saunas and cabin saunas, then cool off by diving into the underwater cave after your sauna session. Experience relaxation amidst nature unlike any other facility. Reservations are required.
※Tattoos: Tattoos are permitted. 
MAP
- Nageshi Onsen(Beppu City)
- Takegawara Onsen
- Furosen(Beppu City)
- Tanoyu Onsen(Beppu City)
- Kaimonji Onsen(Beppu City)
- Hamada Onsen(Beppu City)
- Kiyosen Onsen(Beppu City)
- Hamawaki Onsen
- Yutopia Hamawaki(Beppu City)
- Municipal Kannawa Steam Bath
- Hyotan Onsen
- Netu no Yu(Beppu City)
- Shibaseki Onsen
- Kijima Onsen: Kijima Kogen Hotel
- ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa
- Myoban Yunosato
- Hyoshimizu Onsen
- Mikuma Hotel
- Sanso Tensui
- Okuhita Onsen: Okuhita Onsen Umehibiki
- Ryokan & Sauna Yorozuya Hita(Hita City)
- 【For staying guests only】Ryokan Keisenkaku (Hita City)
- Super Sento Hana no Yu(Hita City)
- Yufuin Sansuikan
- Ryokan Yamashiroya(Yufu City)
- 【For staying guests only】Okuyuno Hira Hanaakari (Yufu City)
- 【For staying guests only】Ryokan Maruya(Yufu City)
- Kinosato Yamanoyu
- Nukunuku-No-Yu (Kokonoe Town)
- Seseragi no Yu (Kokonoe Town)
- Kusu Onsen: Bungonosato
- Nyagayun Hot Spring (Taketa City)
- Nagano-yu (Taketa City)
- Kabutomushi-no-Yu Mineral Spring Center Naokawa
- Inazumi Underwater Cave (Bungo-Ono City)
- Lodge Kiyokawa (Bungo-Ono City)
- LAMP Bungo-Ono (Bungo-Ono City)
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Before heading to the Onsen, let's review the etiquette.
To enjoy the hot springs with peace of mind, it's important to remember the basic rules of etiquette. Checking this article before you go will help you relax and enjoy your hot spring experience more fully.
