Let tattooed travelers enjoy hot springs too: Japan Tourism Agency proposes 3 improvement measures

In the minds of many Japanese people, those with tattoos are often associated with organized crime. While this is not universally true, Japanese businesses are also wary of criminal groups gathering in hot spring areas. As a result, many establishments post warning signs at their entrancesstating “Tattooed individuals and others, please do not enter.” (刺青、タトゥーの方はご入場ください)This has led to many foreign travelers with tattoos being unable to enter.

With the increasing number of visitors to Japan, this issue has become a key focus for the Japan Tourism Agency. Recently, they proposed three improvement measures, aiming to gradually allow more flexibility among hot spring operators so that tattooed travelers can also enjoy hot springs. These include:

1. Providing skin-colored stickers for travelers to cover tattooed areas (suitable for those with small tattoos)

2. Setting special hot spring time slots open to tattooed travelers

3. For hot spring facilities with multiple baths, designating special areas for tattooed guests. For those with private baths, access can also be granted. Hot spring inns with large communal baths can also increase the number of rooms with private baths, offering more options for travelers wishing to use the hot springs.