In Japan, the ancient allure of onsens (natural hot springs) is often shadowed by traditional bans on tattoos, historically linked to organised crime like the yakuza. Lucky for us, the cultural landscape is shifting, opening the steamy doors of onsen to everyone, including people with tattoos. This is a slow change, and many onsen continue to impose a ban. The list below contains some of the most exceptional onsen across Japan that accept guests with tattoos.
