Japan & Tattoos
Japan is a particularly modest and conservative Asian country. Here, there is a long-standing (millennia-long) general taboo against having and showing tattoos. This is for both cultural and historical reasons. Please do not take this personally if you have tattoos, it’s Japanese culture.
This taboo is most strict in rural areas and especially so at hot spring accommodations. Such accommodations were developed for Japanese travellers, not for non-Japanese tourists. Such accommodations, especially in rural areas, do not wish to lose their very important domestic business. These accommodations typically post signs explaining their policies (see photo).
Please follow the link below as it explains the social and cultural situation and perception in Japan very well:
https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/guide/NTJhowto0143-en/
If you wish to experience onsen (hot spring) bathing while in Japan you must check with each accommodation in advance as to whether you will be permitted to enter the public bathing area. If you have small tattoos, please bring with you a sufficient number of tattoo-covering patches from your home country. These are not readily available at any of our accommodations in Japan. If you have large tattoos such as sleeves or legs you can assume that you will not be allowed entry. You are not allowed to cover them with clothing.
Some hot spring accommodations do not have showers in the rooms, on the assumption that Japanese guests are there specifically for the hot spring experience, and it is those areas, not the rooms, that include the showers.
Please bear in mind that the vast majority of foreign tourists in Japan are from similarly modest Asian countries with a similar understanding. Non-Asian tourists are in a very small minority in Japan.
We, when travelling as a non-Asian group, are very conspicuous. What we do, and how we behave, is, therefore, extremely conspicuous and reflects not only on us as individuals but also on us as a very recognizable group. Some accommodations already refuse to accept bookings from foreign groups based on past behaviour.
Please remember the old adage “when in Rome do as the Romans do”. We are not here with any intention of changing “Rome”.
While Japan’s culture is evolving and adjusting, and may change over time, it is doing so in its own way and at its own pace.