The Best Tattoo Friendly Onsen in Tokyo: My Honest Review 2026

If you’re coming to Japan, have tattoos, and have looked into visiting an onsen, you’ve probably already realized there’s a bit of a problem.

Tattoos in Japan are still fairly controversial. They’re often associated with organised crime (yakuza), which is why many public onsens don’t allow tattooed guests at all. That said, I personally never had any negative experiences with locals because of my tattoos and it’s more of an onsen rule thing than a people problem.

Still, the reality is this: if you have visible tattoos, most traditional public onsens will turn you away. And since I do have a few tattoos myself, that meant I had to specifically look for tattoo-friendly onsens in Tokyo.

I know a lot of you are probably in the exact same situation. Finding a genuinely good tattoo-friendly onsen took me longer than expected, so I figured I’d save you the hassle and put together this little guide. In this article, I’m sharing my honest experience at what I think is the best tattoo friendly onsen in Tokyo, called Mikokuyu.

I had such a great time there, so below I’ll walk you through exactly what it’s like and whether it’s actually worth going out of your way to visit.

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The Best Tattoo Friendly Onsen in Tokyo: My Honest Review 2026

A Quick Overview: Mikokuyu Tattoo Friendly Onsen Tokyo

Entrance fee: around $3

Opening hours: 3:30pm – 2am

Location: Asakusa (click here for location)

Official Website: Mikokuyu

The Best Tattoo Friendly Onsen in Tokyo – My Experience

I visited this onsen together with our private tour guide, who actually arranged a visit for us before the onsen officially opened. That meant I was able to take photos inside, which was honestly so cool (thank you, Yuki, for making that happen).

It’s also a great way to properly show the facilities, especially since photography is normally a big no-go once other guests are around and understandably so.

The owner himself showed us around, explained the different pools and the natural spring water, and basically walked us through how an onsen visit works from start to finish. That was incredibly helpful, especially since this was my very first onsen experience and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing going in.

And wow, I’m a little obsessed now. I spent about an hour here and started the proper way: grabbing one of those little plastic stools, sitting in front of a mirror, and washing myself at one of the designated shower stations. After all, this is a bathhouse, not a spa, so people come here to properly clean and then relax.

Once I finally got into the baths, I kept switching between the hot and cold pools, and it felt amazing. After an hour, I was so relaxed I could’ve fallen asleep on the spot. Considering how much walking and sightseeing I’d been doing around Tokyo, this was exactly what my body needed.

One last thing I honestly wasn’t prepared for: everyone is completely naked in an onsen. No swimsuits, no towels, nothing. It definitely caught me off guard at first, and I felt a little awkward for about five minutes, but you get used to it surprisingly quickly, and after that it actually felt very freeing. Also worth mentioning: men and women are, of course, separated, so there’s nothing weird about it once you’re there.

What Is An Onsen ?

I’ve been talking about my experience for a while now and realised I never actually explained what an onsen even is. Before my first visit, I honestly thought it was basically just a few hot tubs you sit in and relax, which is… not wrong, but also not really the point.

An onsen is a Japanese bathhouse that uses naturally heated hot spring water, thanks to Japan’s volcanic activity. That part is important, because it’s what makes an onsen different from a spa or a normal public pool. It’s not about treatments or pampering, it’s about bathing, cleaning yourself properly, and then relaxing.

You wash yourself thoroughly before entering any of the pools (this is non-negotiable), and you’ll see locals doing everything from showering to shaving or washing their hair before soaking. After that, people move between different hot and cold baths, sit quietly, and just decompress.

Many locals come regularly, some daily, some weekly, and after my first onsen experience, I completely understood why. After a long week or days of walking around Tokyo, I could very easily see myself making this a weekend ritual.

What To Know Before Visiting Mikokuyu Onsen Tokyo

No swimsuit (and no towels): Yes, this caught me completely off guard at first, you’re fully naked in an onsen. It felt strange to me at first for about five minutes, and then honestly… kind of freeing. Just embrace it. Towels are provided, but they’re for drying off, not for wearing in the baths.

This is a bathhouse, not a spa: Mikokuyu is a traditional Japanese bathhouse. People come here to wash, relax, and unwind and not for bubbles, jets, or spa treatments.

Keep it quiet: Onsens are peaceful places. Japanese people are generally very quiet anyway, so just follow the room. No loud conversations, no splashing around, keep things calm and respectful.

Tattoos are welcome: This is the whole reason I wrote this article. Tattoos are completely fine here. The owner believes everyone should be welcome, and I actually met him, a super kind older guy who clearly cares a lot about the place and the people coming in.

You don’t need to bring anything: No swimsuit, towels provided, lockers included, drinking water available, you can literally just show up. I loved that, especially after a long day of sightseeing when I didn’t want to think about packing extra stuff.

Shower first (properly): Before entering any of the pools, you’ll need to wash yourself thoroughly. Grab a small plastic stool, sit at one of the shower stations, and clean up properly. This is non-negotiable and very much part of onsen culture.

Chocolate milk afterwards: Apparently, it’s a thing to have a cold chocolate milk after your onsen soak, which you can buy at the reception. I tried it, and yes, it absolutely hits the spot.

Why I Love Mikokuyu Onsen Tokyo

There are a few reasons why I genuinely loved Mikokuyu and would happily recommend it, but the main one is how local it feels. I’ve seen onsens in Japan that almost feel like a spa experience, with lots of tourists and a slightly polished vibe. Mikokuyu is the complete opposite. When I visited, I was actually the only foreigner there, and that alone made the whole experience feel really special.

The facilities themselves are also just great. Everything felt clean, well looked after, and very authentic. One of the hot pools is semi-outdoors and even has views of the Tokyo Skytree, which I thought was such a cool little detail. There are plenty of different baths, enough space so it never feels crowded, and men and women are separated on different floors of the building.

The location is another big plus. Mikokuyu is in Asakusa, close to Sensō-ji, Nakamise Shopping Street, and the Tokyo Skytree, so it’s super easy to combine with sightseeing. And honestly, the price is kind of unbeatable. I paid only a few dollars (around ¥500), which feels almost ridiculous for how relaxing the whole experience was.

Next time I’m in Tokyo, I’ll almost definitely come back. I just really enjoy these kinds of local experiences, and this one completely won me over.

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FAQs About Onsens in Tokyo

What is the best tattoo friendly onsen in Tokyo?

From my own experience, it’s Mikokuyu. It’s a very local Japanese bathhouse with clean, well-maintained facilities and a really authentic feel. I’ve been there myself and had such a fantastic experience, which is exactly why I’m recommending it here.

Is Tokyo worth visiting?

Absolutely. Tokyo is one of the most iconic cities in the world, and I loved it for so many reasons — the food, the sheer amount of things to do, the onsens, and just the overall vibe of the city. It’s chaotic in parts, calm in others, and never boring.

Are there private Onsen in Tokyo?

Yes, there are private onsens in Tokyo, and they can be a great alternative if you have tattoos. That said, some places still don’t allow tattoos even in private onsens, which honestly makes zero sense to me, but that’s just how it is sometimes. Always double-check before booking.

What is the best Onsen hotel Tokyo?

Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku is, in my opinion, one of the best onsen hotels in Tokyo. They offer private onsen experiences and even have an outdoor onsen with Tokyo skyline views, which is pretty incredible.

What is a Ryokan Onsen?

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese guesthouse or hotel, and an onsen is a bathhouse with hot spring baths. Quite often, the two are combined, meaning you can stay overnight and also enjoy the onsen facilities during your stay.

Final Thoughts on Tokyo Onsen Tattoo Friendly

I honestly love onsens now and already can’t wait to go back to Japan to enjoy them again. One thing worth mentioning is that I visited Tokyo in November, when it was chilly, a bit gloomy, and sometimes rainy, which is basically perfect onsen weather. I’m not sure how much I’d enjoy it in the middle of summer when it’s hot and humid outside, which is one of the reasons I’m already planning my next Japan trip for winter.

To wrap this up, I think this tattoo friendly onsen is perfect if you have tattoos and still want to enjoy a proper Japanese bathhouse experience. But it’s also great if you’re interested in seeing a more local side of Japan and stepping slightly off the typical tourist path which, for me, is where Japan is at its best.

I hope this guide helped you get a better idea of what to expect. Happy soaking and happy travels.