{"id":764,"date":"2026-10-01T17:05:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T17:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/?p=764"},"modified":"2026-10-18T07:08:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T07:08:51","slug":"%ec%9d%bc%eb%b3%b8-%ec%b5%9c%ea%b3%a0%ec%9d%98-%ec%98%a8%ec%b2%9c-%eb%8f%84%ec%8b%9c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/best-onsen-towns-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Onsen Towns of Japan: 38 Places, With Tattoo Policy Stated (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best onsen towns in Japan for most visitors are Kusatsu, Kinosaki, Beppu, Dogo and Kurokawa, and four of those five have tattoo-friendly public baths confirmed by an official source. This directory lists 38 onsen towns in Japan by region, each with access time, water type, who it suits, an official link and a clear tattoo note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We started with our three favourites (Kusatsu, Kurokawa and Dogo) and kept the detail on them below. Facts were rechecked on 18 October 2026 unless a date is given. If you&#8217;re new to bathing, read our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos\/\">onsen etiquette guide, tattoos included<\/a> first.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"jpj jpj-block jpj-facts\"><div class=\"wrap\"><div class=\"facts\"><div class=\"fact\"><p class=\"value\">38<\/p><p class=\"label\">Onsen towns listed<\/p><\/div><div class=\"fact\"><p class=\"value\">7<\/p><p class=\"label\">Regions covered<\/p><\/div><div class=\"fact\"><p class=\"value\">4<\/p><p class=\"label\">Towns with published tattoo-friendly public baths<\/p><\/div><div class=\"fact\"><p class=\"value\">\u00a51,500<\/p><p class=\"label\">Kinosaki day pass for the public baths<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1011\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-1.jpg\" alt=\"Best onsen towns in Japan: the steaming Yubatake in Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma\" class=\"wp-image-1798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-1.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-1-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-1-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-1-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-1-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kusatsu Onsen&#8217;s Yubatake, where the town&#8217;s spring water is cooled in wooden channels. Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-water-slide-going-down-a-river-next-to-a-building-QrvCcZsM5mM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Nguyen TP Hai<\/a> \/ Unsplash, <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Unsplash \ub77c\uc774\uc120\uc2a4<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns in Japan at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>\uc9c0\uc5ed<\/th><th>Towns in this guide<\/th><th>Nearest big city<\/th><th>Best pick for tattoos<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\ud64b\uce74\uc774\ub3c4<\/td><td>Noboribetsu, Jozankei, Toyako, Sounkyo, Yunokawa<\/td><td>Sapporo, Hakodate<\/td><td>Ask each bath<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\ub3c4\ud638\ucfe0<\/td><td>Nyuto, Zao, Ginzan, Higashiyama, Takayu<\/td><td>Sendai, Yamagata, Akita<\/td><td>Private baths<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\uce78\ud1a0<\/td><td>Kusatsu, Ikaho, Shima, Kinugawa, Nasu, Hakone, Minakami<\/td><td>\ub3c4\ucfc4<\/td><td>Kusatsu town baths<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\ucd94\ubd80<\/td><td>Atami, Shuzenji, Gero, Okuhida, Shibu, Nozawa, Kaga<\/td><td>Tokyo, Nagoya, Kanazawa<\/td><td>Ask each bath<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kansai<\/td><td>Arima, Kinosaki, Shirahama, Nachi-Katsuura<\/td><td>Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe<\/td><td>Kinosaki public baths<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Chugoku and Shikoku<\/td><td>Dogo, Yunotsu<\/td><td>Matsuyama, Matsue<\/td><td>Dogo bathhouses<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\ud050\uc288<\/td><td>Beppu, Yufuin, Kurokawa, Ibusuki, Ureshino, Takeo, Unzen, Kirishima<\/td><td>Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki<\/td><td>Beppu public baths<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How we state the tattoo policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across all onsen towns in Japan, we only call a town tattoo-friendly when the town, the bath operator or an official tourism body says so in writing. Everywhere else is marked &#8220;varies by bath&#8221;, which is the honest answer: there is no national tattoo law, and each bath or ryokan sets its own rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a 2015 Japan Tourism Agency survey, about 56% of responding hotels and ryokan refused tattooed guests. In 2016 the agency asked baths to consider cover stickers, quieter time slots or private baths instead. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos\/\">onsen etiquette and tattoo guide<\/a> explains what that means at the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Japan&#8217;s 3 best onsen towns: Kusatsu, Kurokawa and Dogo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>Kusatsu (Gunma)<\/th><th>Kurokawa (Kumamoto)<\/th><th>Dogo (Ehime)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Style<\/td><td>Busy spa town<\/td><td>Ryokan village<\/td><td>Historic city bath quarter<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>From<\/td><td>Tokyo, about 3 to 4 h<\/td><td>Fukuoka, about 3 h by bus<\/td><td>Matsuyama Airport, about 40 min<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\uc11c\uba85 \ubaa9\uc695<\/td><td>Sainokawara open-air, \u00a5800<\/td><td>Three baths with a nyuto tegata pass<\/td><td>Dogo Onsen Honkan, from \u00a5700<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tattoos<\/td><td>Town-run baths accept them<\/td><td>Varies by ryokan<\/td><td>JNTO lists all three bathhouses as friendly<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stay<\/td><td>One night or a long day trip<\/td><td>Stay overnight<\/td><td>Day trip or one night<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma): the most hot water in Japan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kusatsu is built around the Yubatake, a steaming field of spring water in the town centre. The water is sulphurous and highly acidic, and the town claims Japan&#8217;s largest natural flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sainokawara Rotenburo:<\/strong> \u00a5800 adults, \u00a5400 children; 7:00 to 20:00 from April to November and 9:00 to 20:00 from December to March, last entry 19:30. No towel rental: face towel \u00a5380, bath towel \u00a51,700 (<a href=\"https:\/\/onsen-kusatsu.com\/sainokawara\/guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official guide<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Otakinoyu:<\/strong> \u00a51,200 adults, \u00a5600 children; private baths \u00a52,000 an hour plus entry (<a href=\"https:\/\/onsen-kusatsu.com\/ohtakinoyu\/faq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official FAQ<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Free baths for visitors:<\/strong> Shirohata-no-yu, Chiyo-no-yu and Jizo-no-yu. They have no staff and no towels. Most of the town&#8217;s other community baths are for residents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> the three town-run baths (Otakinoyu, Gozanoyu and Sainokawara) say they do not refuse people with tattoos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A day in Kusatsu:<\/strong> arrive early afternoon and walk the Yubatake, soak at Sainokawara before the 19:30 last entry, and come back after dark when the Yubatake is lit. Kusatsu also works with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/jr-%eb%8f%84%ec%bf%84-%ec%99%80%ec%9d%b4%eb%93%9c-%ed%8c%a8%ec%8a%a4-%ec%9d%bc%ec%9d%bc-%ec%97%ac%ed%96%89\/\">JR \ub3c4\ucfc4 \uc640\uc774\ub4dc \ud328\uc2a4 \uc77c\uc77c \uc5ec\ud589<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto): a village of open-air baths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kurokawa is a village of about 30 ryokan in the Aso hills, with no railway station. The draw is the nyuto tegata, a wooden pass that gets you into three ryokan baths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\ub2c8\uc6b0\ud1a0 \ud14c\uac00\ud0c0:<\/strong> the association&#8217;s own page lists \u00a51,300 for adults and \u00a5700 for children, valid six months, sold at any ryokan or at Kaze-no-Sha (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp\/tegata\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official tegata page<\/a>). Some 2026 travel guides quote \u00a51,500, so check the price at the counter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\ub3c4\ucc29\ud558\ub294 \ubc29\ubc95:<\/strong> Nishitetsu highway bus from Fukuoka (Tenjin), 3 h 6 min, \u00a54,000 one way, three round trips a day. Seats open from 8:00 one month before travel (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nishitetsu.jp\/bus\/highwaybus\/rosen\/kurokawa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nishitetsu<\/a>, as of 2 October 2026).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Yuakari lanterns:<\/strong> the bamboo lantern event ran from 20 December 2025 to 31 March 2026. Dates for 2026 to 2027 were not announced when we checked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> varies by ryokan. Ask at Kaze-no-Sha before buying a pass.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A day in Kurokawa:<\/strong> take a morning bus from Fukuoka, buy a tegata at Kaze-no-Sha, spend the afternoon on three open-air baths, then walk the river after dinner at your ryokan. With only three buses a day, stay the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Dogo Onsen (Ehime): the historic city onsen town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dogo is a bath quarter inside Matsuyama city, centred on Dogo Onsen Honkan, built in 1894. Repairs finished on 20 December 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Dogo bath (2026)<\/th><th>Adult price<\/th><th>Hours<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Honkan Kami-no-Yu, bath only<\/td><td>\u00a5700<\/td><td>6:00 to 23:00 (last entry 22:30), 60 min<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Honkan Kami-no-Yu, 2nd-floor lounge<\/td><td>\u00a51,300<\/td><td>6:00 to 22:00 (last entry 21:00)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Honkan Tama-no-Yu, 2nd-floor lounge<\/td><td>\u00a52,000<\/td><td>6:00 to 22:00 (last entry 21:00)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Honkan Tama-no-Yu, 3rd-floor private room<\/td><td>\u00a52,500<\/td><td>Last entry 20:30, 90 min<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Asuka-no-Yu, 1st-floor bath<\/td><td>\u00a5610<\/td><td>6:00 to 23:00 (last entry 22:30), 90 min<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tsubaki-no-Yu<\/td><td>\u00a5500<\/td><td>6:30 to 23:00 (last entry 22:30)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prices from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dogo.or.jp\/time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dogo Onsen&#8217;s official price page<\/a>. <strong>A day in Dogo:<\/strong> take the Honkan&#8217;s first bath at 6:00, tour the imperial Yushinden after 9:00, and come back in the evening for Asuka-no-Yu or Tsubaki-no-Yu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-2.jpg\" alt=\"Dogo Onsen Honkan bathhouse in Matsuyama, Ehime\" class=\"wp-image-1799\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-2.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-2-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dogo Onsen Honkan in Matsuyama, Ehime. Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/traditional-japanese-building-with-ornate-dark-roof-WgtKr8Xyih0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Tuan P.<\/a> \/ Unsplash, <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Unsplash \ub77c\uc774\uc120\uc2a4<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns in Hokkaido<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most Hokkaido onsen towns are a train or bus ride from Sapporo or Hakodate. Pair them with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/sapporo-snow-festival-2027\/\">\uc0bf\ud3ec\ub85c \ub208 \ucd95\uc81c 2027<\/a> guide in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Noboribetsu Onsen (Hokkaido)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR limited express from Sapporo to Noboribetsu Station in about 1 h 10 min, then a 15-min bus (\u00a5450). Direct buses from Sapporo take about 1 h 20 min; from New Chitose Airport, about 1 h (reservation required).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Ten spring types, including sulphur, chloride and iron, per the town association.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Big hotel baths with several sources each; Sagiriyu is the town&#8217;s only public bath (\u00a5500).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/noboribetsu-spa.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Noboribetsu Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jozankei Onsen (Hokkaido)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Jotetsu bus 7 or 8 from Sapporo Station, about 75 min (\u00a51,000), or the reserved-seat Kappa Liner direct bus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Sodium chloride spring (Sapporo city tourism).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> An easy onsen night from Sapporo; a seasonal foliage bus runs in autumn.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/jozankei.jp\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jozankei Tourist Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Toyako Onsen (Hokkaido)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Donan Bus from JR Sapporo Station in about 2 h 45 min (reservation required); or train from New Chitose Airport to Toya Station (about 1 h 30 min), then a 20-min bus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Lake views, a nightly fireworks season in the warmer months and hotel day baths from \u00a5500.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.laketoya.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Toyako Onsen Tourist Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sounkyo Onsen (Hokkaido)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Direct bus from Asahikawa in about 2 h (\u00a52,140), or train to Kamikawa then a 30-min bus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Simple and sulphur springs, varying by facility (Hokkaido Tourism Organization).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Gorge scenery and Daisetsuzan&#8217;s earliest autumn colours, mid-September to mid-October.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/sounkyo.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sounkyo Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Yunokawa Onsen (Hakodate) (Hokkaido)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> City tram from Hakodate Station in about 31 min (\u00a5240) or bus No. 95 in about 25 min (\u00a5310); 5 min by car from Hakodate Airport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> High-temperature water averaging about 65\u00b0C at source, over 7,000 tonnes a day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> A Hakodate city stay with an onsen hotel at the end of the tram line.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hakodate-yunokawa.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Ryokan Cooperative<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns in Tohoku<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tohoku is where to find remote, old-style baths and deep winter snow. Expect long bus rides and book ryokan early for winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nyuto Onsen (Akita)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Bus from JR Tazawako Station (Akita Shinkansen) in about 50 min (\u00a5950), hourly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Remote mountain inns and mixed outdoor baths; overnight guests can buy a \u00a52,500 bath-hopping pass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e3650.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide (official site blocks fetching)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zao Onsen (Yamagata)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Bus from Yamagata Station in about 40 min (\u00a51,200), hourly. Yamagata is about 2 h 30 min from Tokyo by Yamagata Shinkansen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Strongly acidic sulphur spring, pH about 1.25 to 1.6 (Zao Onsen Tourism Association).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Skiers and acid-water fans; three \u00a5300 public baths open 6:00 to 22:00.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/zaomountainresort.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zao Onsen Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ginzan Onsen (Yamagata)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo to Oishida (about 200 min), then a 35-min bus (\u00a51,000). From December to early March, cars and buses stop 1.5 km out and a reserved shuttle runs in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Old wooden ryokan along a river and winter snow scenes; Shiroganeyu public bath by Kuma Kengo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ginzanonsen.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ginzan Onsen (official)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Higashiyama Onsen (Fukushima)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Aizu Loop Bus from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station in about 35 min.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Pairing samurai-town sightseeing in Aizu-Wakamatsu with a riverside ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e7708.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Takayu Onsen (Fukushima)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Bus from Fukushima Station (west exit) in about 30 min (\u00a5840), every 3 to 4 hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Strongly acidic, hydrogen-sulphide water with a milky blue colour.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Hardcore sulphur fans; Attakayu public bath costs \u00a5500.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e7729.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns in Kanto, near Tokyo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are the onsen towns closest to Tokyo, and most work as a long day trip or one night. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/day-trips-from-tokyo-by-train\/\">day trips from Tokyo by train<\/a> for more ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Limited express from Ueno to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi (about 2 h 30 min), then a 30-min JR bus (\u00a5780); or highway bus from Busta Shinjuku in about 4 h.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Highly acidic sulphur water and Japan&#8217;s largest natural flow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> First-timers and tattooed travellers; see the full section above.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Tattoo-friendly town baths: Otakinoyu, Gozanoyu and Sainokawara say they do not refuse tattoos (<a href=\"https:\/\/onsen-kusatsu.com\/sainokawara\/faq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official FAQ<\/a>). Ryokan vary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/onsen-kusatsu.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kusatsu town-run baths<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ikaho Onsen (Gunma)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR Kanto Bus from Shinjuku in about 2 h 30 min (\u00a52,800 to \u00a53,100); or Shinkansen to Takasaki, train to Shibukawa and a 20-min bus (\u00a5750).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Iron-rich, reddish-brown Kogane-no-yu and clear Shirogane-no-yu (Shibukawa Ikaho tourism association).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> The stone-step street, evening strolls in yukata and an outdoor bath for \u00a5600.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ikaho-kankou.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shibukawa Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shima Onsen (Gunma)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Direct Kanetsu bus from Tokyo Station in about 3 h 30 min (\u00a53,500); or limited express Ueno to Nakanojo (about 2 h) plus a 50-min bus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Over 40 sources; the Shionoyu drinking fountain tastes slightly salty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Quiet valley stays and two free public baths, Kawaranoyu and Gomusonoyu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e7435.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kinugawa Onsen (Tochigi)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Tobu limited express from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/best-things-to-do-in-asakusa-tokyo\/\">\uc544\uc0ac\ucfe0\uc0ac\uc5ed<\/a> in about 2 h (\u00a53,040 to \u00a53,730).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Clear, mild water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Big riverside hotels close to Nikko; easy weekend from Tokyo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e3877.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide (official site blocks fetching)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nasu Onsen (Tochigi)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Nasuno Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nasushiobara in about 75 min, then a Kanto Bus to Nasu Yumoto in about 50 min (\u00a51,170).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Five spring types; historic Shika-no-yu has milky sulphur water at 57\u00b0C (\u00a5500).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Highland resorts and very hot old-style baths.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasukogen.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nasu Town Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hakone (Kanagawa)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto in about 85 min (\u00a52,470, or \u00a52,420 by e-ticket).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Seventeen hot spring areas with different waters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Day trips, Mount Fuji views and day-use ryokan baths from about \u00a5500 to \u00a52,000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hakone.or.jp\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hakone Town Tourist Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minakami Onsen (Gunma)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomo-Kogen (about 70 min), then a 25-min bus (\u00a5720) to Minakami Station.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Rafting in summer, skiing in winter and Takaragawa&#8217;s mixed outdoor baths (bath dress required, \u00a51,500).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.takaragawa.com\/english.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Takaragawa Onsen<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns in Chubu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Central Japan mixes Izu seaside towns with Alpine and ski-village baths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Atami Onsen (Shizuoka)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo in about 40 to 50 min (about \u00a54,000), or JR Tokaido Line in 100 to 120 min (\u00a52,090).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> The fastest seaside onsen town from Tokyo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ataminews.gr.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\uc544\ud0c0\ubbf8 \uc2dc \uad00\uad11 \ud611\ud68c<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shuzenji Onsen (Shizuoka)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Izuhakone Railway from Mishima in about 35 min (\u00a5550), then bus (\u00a5260); a few direct Odoriko trains from Tokyo take about 2 h.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> A calm Izu base with Tokko-no-yu, a riverside foot bath, in the centre.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e6311.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gero Onsen (Gifu)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR limited express Hida from Nagoya in about 90 min (about \u00a54,500).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> An easy ryokan night between Nagoya and Takayama; a \u00a51,300 Yumeguri Tegata gives three ryokan baths.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gero-spa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gero Onsen Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Okuhida Onsengo (Gifu)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Direct hourly bus from Takayama Station through Hirayu to Shinhotaka, about 90 min end to end (\u00a52,200).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Over 100 sources and about 37,000 litres a minute, with water varying by village; Shin-Hirayu is yellow with sulphur.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Mountain open-air baths in five villages under the Northern Alps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.okuhida.or.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Okuhida Onsengo Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shibu Onsen (Nagano)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Nagaden limited express from Nagano to Yudanaka in about 45 min (\u00a51,290 to \u00a51,590), then 5 min by bus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Snow monkeys at Jigokudani; nine old public baths for overnight guests, with the Oyu open to day visitors (\u00a5800).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e6029.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nozawa Onsen (Nagano)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Iiyama (100 to 120 min), then the Nozawa Onsen Liner bus in about 25 min (\u00a5600).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Skiers and bath-hoppers; 13 free soto-yu public baths, donations welcome.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/nozawakanko.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nozawa Onsen Mountain Resort Tourism Bureau<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kaga Onsen (Yamanaka, Yamashiro) (Ishikawa)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kaga Onsen Station, then the CAN BUS loop (\u00a5500 a ride, about every 2 hours).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Four onsen towns south of Kanazawa, each with a soyu public bath in the centre.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e4275.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns in Kansai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kansai&#8217;s onsen towns are close to Osaka and Kyoto, and Kinosaki is the easy tattoo choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arima Onsen (Hyogo)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Hankyu bus from Umeda in about 60 min (\u00a51,400); Shinki express bus from Sannomiya in about 25 min (\u00a5600).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Brown, iron-rich Kinsen and clear Ginsen with radium and carbonate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> A half-day bath from Osaka or Kobe; Kin-no-yu \u00a5800, Gin-no-yu \u00a5700, both \u00a51,200.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arima-onsen.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arima Hot Springs Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kinosaki Onsen (Hyogo)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR limited express from Kyoto in just under 3 h (reserved seat required); Zentan buses run from Osaka and Kobe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Bath-hopping in yukata between seven public baths; day pass \u00a51,500.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Tattoo-friendly public baths: all seven accept tattoos of any size, no cover needed (<a href=\"https:\/\/visitkinosaki.com\/plan\/visitor-info\/guides\/tattoos-in-kinosaki-onsen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Kinosaki<\/a>). Kono-yu is closed until 30 Oct 2026 and Satono-yu since April 2024. Ryokan vary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/visitkinosaki.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Kinosaki (Toyooka City)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shirahama Onsen (Wakayama)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR limited express from Shin-Osaka in about 2 h 15 min; flights from Haneda to Nanki-Shirahama.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Beach plus onsen; Sakinoyu is a \u00a5500 rock bath on the sea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e4958.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nachi-Katsuura Onsen (Wakayama)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR limited express from Shin-Osaka to Kii-Katsuura in about 3 h 30 min.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Pairing Kumano Kodo and Nachi Falls with Boki-do, a sea-cave bath at Hotel Urashima (\u00a51,500 day use).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e4956.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-3.jpg\" alt=\"Willow-lined canal and stone bridge in Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo\" class=\"wp-image-1800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-3.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-3-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The canal through Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo. Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-picturesque-canal-lined-with-traditional-buildings-and-a-bridge-p9zHR1b1MM8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Kate Kasiutich<\/a> \/ Unsplash, <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Unsplash \ub77c\uc774\uc120\uc2a4<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns in Chugoku and Shikoku<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Western Japan has fewer big-name onsen towns. Dogo is the standout, with a bathhouse built in 1894.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dogo Onsen (Ehime)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Tram line 5 from JR Matsuyama Station in about 20 min; airport limousine bus from Matsuyama Airport in about 40 min (\u00a51,200).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> A historic city bath quarter; see the full section above.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Tattoo-friendly public baths: JNTO lists the baths at all three bathhouses as tattoo-friendly (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan.travel\/en\/au\/story\/7-tattoo-friendly-onsen-japan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JNTO<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dogo.or.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dogo Onsen (Matsuyama)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Yunotsu Onsen (Shimane)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR San&#8217;in Line limited express from Matsue in about 1 h (about \u00a53,000), then a 10 to 15-min walk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Mineral-rich local water; Motoyu has a hot and a very hot pool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> A tiny port town near the Iwami Ginzan silver mine; Motoyu \u00a5500, Yakushiyu \u00a5600.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e5854.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns in Kyushu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kyushu has more famous onsen towns than any other region in this guide. Oita Prefecture holds Beppu and Yufuin, and its official tourism site publishes a detailed tattoo list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beppu Onsen (Oita)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Bus from Oita Airport in about 50 min (\u00a51,600); JR Sonic limited express from Kokura.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Eight hot spring areas with sand, steam and mud baths.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Variety: Takegawara&#8217;s \u00a5300 bath or \u00a51,500 sand bath, the Hells and cheap neighbourhood baths.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Tattoo-friendly public baths: Visit Oita lists Takegawara, the municipal Kannawa Steam Bath, Hyotan Onsen, Shibaseki and many local baths as tattoo-friendly (<a href=\"https:\/\/oita-tourism.com\/en\/onsenStories\/detail_67.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Oita<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/oita-tourism.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Oita (Oita Prefectural Tourism Association)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Yufuin Onsen (Oita)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR Yufuin no Mori from Hakata in about 2 h 10 to 2 h 20 min (all seats reserved); Kamenoi bus from Beppu in about 50 min (\u00a51,100).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Water varies; nearby Tsukahara Onsen is strongly acidic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Ryokan stays and day baths such as Tsuka no Ma (\u00a5800).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. Visit Oita lists several Yufu ryokan with tattoo rules, some only in private baths (<a href=\"https:\/\/oita-tourism.com\/en\/onsenStories\/detail_67.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Oita<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yufuin.gr.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yufu City Tourism Bureau<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Nishitetsu highway bus from Fukuoka (Tenjin) in 3 h 6 min (\u00a54,000), three round trips a day, reservation required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Open-air baths in a ryokan village; see the full section above.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan. Ask at Kaze-no-Sha before buying a bath pass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ibusuki Onsen (Kagoshima)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> JR limited express from Kagoshima-Chuo in about 50 min (about \u00a53,000, three a day), or local train in 70 to 80 min (\u00a51,170).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Not verified for this guide. Every onsen must post its spring details by law; check the sign at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Sand baths: Saraku buries you in naturally hot sand for \u00a51,400 (8:30 to 21:00).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibusuki.or.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ibusuki City Tourism Association<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ureshino Onsen (Saga)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> From Hakata about 70 min by Relay Kamome and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen; from Nagasaki about 25 min.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Clear sodium bicarbonate and chloride water, known as bihada-no-yu (&#8220;beautiful skin&#8221;).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Smooth &#8216;beautiful skin&#8217; water about an hour from Hakata.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e8380.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Takeo Onsen (Saga)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Relay Kamome from Hakata in about 60 min (about \u00a53,500); about 30 min from Nagasaki by Shinkansen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Sodium bicarbonate water with a silky feel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> The historic Motoyu public bath (\u00a5500, 6:30 to 23:45) on the way to Nagasaki.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e8385.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unzen Onsen (Nagasaki)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Bus from Isahaya Station in about 90 min (\u00a51,400), hourly; direct buses from Nagasaki take about 100 min (\u00a51,850).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Milky, acidic, sulphurous water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Steaming &#8216;hells&#8217; walks and the forest Kojigoku bath (\u00a5500).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e4453.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kirishima Onsen (Kagoshima)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Access:<\/strong> Bus from Kagoshima Airport in about 35 min (\u00a5870).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Sulphuric hot spring water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Mountain ryokan with day baths from \u00a5600 to \u00a51,200.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tattoos:<\/strong> Varies by bath. No town-wide policy found on an official source; ask each bath or ryokan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official link:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e4628.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">japan-guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-4.jpg\" alt=\"Ryokan along the river in Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto\" class=\"wp-image-1801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-4.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-onsen-towns-japan-4-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kurokawa Onsen in Minamioguni, Kumamoto. Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-river-running-through-a-lush-green-forest-01gTvHYIjD4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Nichika Sakurai<\/a> \/ Unsplash, <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Unsplash \ub77c\uc774\uc120\uc2a4<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which onsen town in Japan should you choose?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>If you want\u2026<\/th><th>Go to<\/th><th>Why<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Tattoo-friendly public baths<\/td><td>Kinosaki, Kusatsu, Beppu, Dogo<\/td><td>Policies published by official sources<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>A day trip from Tokyo<\/td><td>Hakone, Atami, Kusatsu (long day)<\/td><td>Atami is 40 to 50 min by Shinkansen<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>A day trip from Osaka or Kobe<\/td><td>Arima<\/td><td>About 60 min by bus from Umeda<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Snow and old ryokan<\/td><td>Ginzan, Nyuto, Zao<\/td><td>Winter scenery; book months ahead<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Strongest water<\/td><td>Zao, Takayu, Kusatsu<\/td><td>Strongly acidic sulphur springs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Unusual baths<\/td><td>Beppu, Ibusuki<\/td><td>Sand, steam and mud baths<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For seasons, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/best-time-to-visit-japan\/\">the best time to visit Japan<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/japan-autumn-foliage-forecast-2026\/\">2026 autumn foliage forecast<\/a>: Sounkyo&#8217;s colours peak from mid-September to mid-October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Staying in a ryokan in an onsen town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A ryokan stay usually includes dinner, breakfast, the baths and a yukata for walking around town. Some towns give guests bath-hopping perks: Nyuto sells guests a \u00a52,500 pass, and Shibu gives guests a key to its nine public baths. With tattoos, ask before booking whether the ryokan has a private bath (kashikiri).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen etiquette in an onsen town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wash before you get in, keep your towel and hair out of the water, and leave phones in the locker. The same rules apply in all onsen towns in Japan. The full routine, kids&#8217; age rules and health advice are in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos\/\">onsen etiquette guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"jpj jpj-block jpj-tips\"><div class=\"wrap\"><div class=\"know\"><p class=\"know-head\">Know before you go<\/p><div class=\"know-grid\"><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Book the bus first<\/p><p>Kurokawa and Shima depend on a few buses a day. Reserve seats as soon as they open.<\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Check winter rules<\/p><p>Ginzan closes to cars from December to early March; a reserved shuttle runs in.<\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Carry cash<\/p><p>Town baths and bath passes are often cash only.<\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"kicker kicker-plain\">Ask about tattoos early<\/p><p>Email the ryokan before booking. Kinosaki and Kusatsu town baths need no cover.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onsen towns Japan FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list\">\n<div id=\"faq-a78e5500\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">\uc77c\ubcf8\uc758 \ucd5c\uace0\uc758 \uc628\ucc9c \ub9c8\uc744\uc740 \uc5b4\ub514\uc778\uac00\uc694?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>For a first trip: Kusatsu for a busy spa town, Kinosaki for bath-hopping, Kurokawa for a quiet ryokan village, Dogo for history and Beppu for variety.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-6d91673a\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Which onsen towns allow tattoos?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Kinosaki&#8217;s public baths, Kusatsu&#8217;s three town-run baths, many Beppu baths listed by Visit Oita, and Dogo&#8217;s three bathhouses according to JNTO. Ryokan baths in those towns set their own rules.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-bb78abf3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Can tourists use Kusatsu&#8217;s free public baths?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Yes: Shirohata-no-yu, Chiyo-no-yu and Jizo-no-yu are open to visitors. Most of Kusatsu&#8217;s other community baths are for residents.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-fd274be6\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">\ucfe0\ub85c\uce74\uc640 \ub2c8\uc6b0\ud1a0 \ud14c\uac00\ud0c0\uc758 \uac00\uaca9\uc740 \uc5bc\ub9c8\uc778\uac00\uc694?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>The association&#8217;s page lists \u00a51,300 for adults and \u00a5700 for children, valid six months for three baths. Some 2026 guides quote \u00a51,500, so check at Kaze-no-Sha.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-ca938bc0\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Which onsen town is closest to Tokyo?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Atami is 40 to 50 minutes by Tokaido Shinkansen. Hakone-Yumoto is about 85 minutes from Shinjuku by Romancecar.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-25896939\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">\uc695\ud0d5\uc744 \uc608\uc57d\ud574\uc57c \ud558\ub098\uc694?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Town public baths are walk-in. Private family baths, the Kurokawa bus and ryokan need booking.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-f7435c3a\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">\uc800\ub294 \uc77c\uc77c \uc5ec\ud589\uc73c\ub85c \uc628\ucc9c \ub9c8\uc744\uc744 \ubc29\ubb38\ud560 \uc218 \uc788\ub098\uc694?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Hakone, Atami, Arima and Dogo work well as day trips. Kurokawa, Ginzan and Nyuto are better overnight because of limited buses.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ucd9c\ucc98\uc640 \ud655\uc778 \ubc29\ubc95<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We checked every price, time and tattoo policy on 18 October 2026 against the official sources linked in each entry: town tourism associations, bath operators, Visit Oita, Visit Kinosaki, JNTO and JR Kyushu. The Kurokawa bus and Matsuyama airport bus details were last checked on 2 October 2026. Where an official site could not be read, we used japan-guide for access times and say so in the link. Water types are listed only where an official or authoritative page states them; otherwise, check the analysis posted at each bath.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"jpj jpj-block jpj-cta\">    <div class=\"wrap\">\n      <div class=\"cta\">\n        <div>\n          <h2>Book your onsen town trip<\/h2>\n          <p>Tell Japan Pro your dates and we&#039;ll help you book ryokan, tours and transport, including tattoo-friendly and private-bath options.<\/p>        <\/div>\n        <a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/beta.thejapanpro.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plan my onsen trip<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"jpj jpj-block\">    <section class=\"section\">\n      <div class=\"wrap\">\n        <div class=\"section-head\">\n          <div><h2>\ub2e4\uc74c \uae00<\/h2><\/div>\n                    <a class=\"more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/\">All stories \u2192<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"rail\">\n                      <a class=\"rail-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/kinosaki-onsen-crab-season\/\">\n              <figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1088\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kinosaki-onsen-crab-season-1-768x1088.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Kinosaki Onsen crab season: the onsen town street at night\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kinosaki-onsen-crab-season-1-768x1088.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kinosaki-onsen-crab-season-1-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kinosaki-onsen-crab-season-1-723x1024.jpg 723w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kinosaki-onsen-crab-season-1-1084x1536.jpg 1084w, 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alt=\"Onsen etiquette: a steaming outdoor hot spring bath in Japan\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos-1-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/onsen-etiquette-tattoos-1.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n              <h3>Onsen Etiquette, Tattoos Included: What Actually Happens (2026)<\/h3>\n              <p class=\"meta\">14\ubd84 \uc77d\uae30<\/p>\n            <\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>38 onsen towns across Japan, region by region, with access time, water type, who each suits, an official link and a tattoo note that says whether public baths accept tattoos.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1798,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jpj_city":"","jpj_station":"","jpj_label":"Directory","jpj_top_pick":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[293],"tags":[412,215,216,209,361,411,214,210,212,211,208,213],"class_list":["post-764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-onsen","tag-beppu","tag-dogo-onsen","tag-ehime","tag-gunma","tag-hotels-ryokan","tag-kinosaki-onsen","tag-kumamoto","tag-kurokawa-onsen","tag-kusatsu-onsen","tag-onsen","tag-onsen-town","tag-ryokan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=764"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1809,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/764\/revisions\/1809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}