With Australians travelling to Japan in record numbers, it's clear the country has become a popular destination among Aussie holidaymakers. Among the many reasons Australians are drawn to Japan, its onsen bathing culture is a unique experience that is renowned worldwide as a calming and wellness-focused tradition.

While onsens are a highlight for many visitors, many facilities still enforce restrictions on tattoos. In Japan, certain tattoos have long been associated with organised criminal groups, which can make visibly tattooed guests appear intimidating in spaces designed for quiet relaxation.

As a result, Australian travellers, who increasingly embrace tattoos as a form of personal expression, with recent data indicating that 25–30% of Australians are inked, may sometimes face barriers when trying to enjoy Japan's iconic bathing culture.

Hoshino Resorts, one of Japan's leading hospitality groups, has taken thoughtful steps to address how tattooed guests access all of their shared facilities such as their public baths and hot springs.

In their Hotel Regulations, the company notes: “The Hotel welcomes guests with tattoos and respects their cultural expression. However, due to the association of certain tattoos with criminal groups in Japan, there may be instances where we limit tattooed guests' access to the public bath if their tattoos could be perceived as intimidating. Please kindly understand as our priority is to ensure a peaceful and comfortable environment for all.”

With more than 60 properties across multiple brands in Japan and abroad, Hoshino Resorts offers a range of onsen experiences that may appeal to Australian visitors. Here are four standout onsen destinations for tattooed Aussies to consider:

HOSHINOYA Karuizawa

This flagship property of the HOSHINOYA brand is nestled in a tranquil valley at the foot of Mt. Asama, offering a deeply restorative retreat surrounded by nature. Designed as a peaceful village of standalone pavilions linked by forest paths, the resort creates an immersive sense of quiet and seclusion that feels worlds away from Tokyo despite being only 90 minutes by train.

Guests can unwind in the historic Hoshino Onsen, where soft, mineral-rich waters feed both serene indoor baths and the open-air “Tombo-no-yu.” With its emphasis on slow living, natural landscapes and Japanese-style luxury, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa is ideal for travellers seeking relaxation, fresh mountain air and a refined onsen escape.

Bordering the Karuizawa National Wild Bird Sanctuary Forest, the resort is also an exceptional destination for birdwatchers. Its long-standing commitment to environmental preservation and its partnership with local eco-experts make it easy for guests to experience the region's remarkable biodiversity.

HOSHINOYA Tokyo

HOSHINOYA Tokyo reimagines the traditional Japanese ryokan as a sophisticated urban sanctuary in the heart of Otemachi. Behind its understated lattice facade, guests enter a tatami-lined world of calm, where each floor functions as an intimate ryokan “wing” with its own lounge for tea, reading and quiet retreat.

Crowning the building is a natural hot spring drawn from deep beneath the city, a rare luxury in central Tokyo. The rooftop onsen features both indoor and open-air baths, offering a surprising moment of tranquillity above the skyline. For travellers wanting cultural immersion without leaving the capital, HOSHINOYA Tokyo blends modern convenience with the warmth and comfort of traditional Japanese hospitality.

KAI Kaga

Located in the historic hot-spring town of Yamashiro Onsen, KAI Kaga brings new life to a ryokan lineage dating back four centuries. The property showcases the rich craftsmanship of the Kaga region, with guest rooms and interiors adorned in local art forms such as Kutani-ware ceramics, Kaga Yuzen textiles and lacquerware.

Guests can deepen their connection to regional artistry through the KAI Cultural Discovery experience, which highlights traditional crafts and stories unique to Kaga. One such highlight is Kintsugi, the Japanese art of restoring broken pottery with lacquer and gold. This philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection resonates throughout the ryokan's design ethos and cultural programming.

Its mineral-rich hot springs, long celebrated as “hot water for beautiful skin” can be enjoyed in atmospheric indoor and open-air baths, including a bath hall decorated with seasonal Kutani-ware motifs. With regional cuisine, cultural performances and an ambience steeped in tradition, KAI Kaga offers a deeply authentic taste of Ishikawa's onsen heritage.

KAI Akiu

Opened in 2024, KAI Akiu is a stylish new addition to the historic Akiu Onsen region near Sendai. Inspired by the legacy of Date Masamune and the samurai era, the ryokan blends soothing contemporary design with the natural beauty of its riverside setting, offering a peaceful retreat less visited by international travellers.

Guests can relax in spacious indoor and open-air baths fed by one of northern Japan's most renowned hot-spring sources. With a focus on regional flavours, and comfortable Japanese-style rooms incorporating the spirit of Japan's feudal past, KAI Akiu provides an inviting getaway for those seeking a restorative onsen experience just outside a major city.

As interest in Japanese wellness travel continues to grow, so too does the desire for inclusive onsen experiences. These four Hoshino Resorts properties highlight how tradition and modern hospitality can coexist, offering tattooed Australian travellers the chance to enjoy Japan's celebrated bathing culture with considered service. Whether seeking mountain tranquillity, cultural immersion or a rejuvenating escape near the city, these onsens provide memorable, welcoming options for every kind of Aussie visitor.

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About Hoshino Resorts

Hoshino Resorts was first established as a Japanese inn/ryokan in 1914 in Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture before it began the operation of other resorts in Japan. Today, it has evolved into a highly influential hotel management company and is run by 4th-generation family member Yoshiharu Hoshino. Providing a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination and a high level of omotenashi, Japanese-style hospitality, the company has expanded rapidly out of Karuizawa since 2001 and now operates more than 60 accommodations both in and outside Japan with one of the following categories: luxury hotel brand “HOSHINOYA,” onsen ryokan brand “KAI,” countryside resort hotel brand “RISONARE,” city tourism hotel brand “OMO,” free-spirited hotel brand “BEB,” mountain hotel brand “LUCY,” or other unique lodgings.

https://www.hoshinoresorts.com/en/  

About KAI

KAI is a leading brand of hot spring ryokan where every establishment offers a contemporary take on a traditional Japanese inn whilst keeping Western comforts. KAI invites one to discover the multifaceted aspects of Japan through natural hot springs, exploration of local arts and entertainment, and classic Kaiseki-style course meals using local and seasonal flavours. Experience Washoku, Japanese cuisine, presented on carefully selected ceramics for full exposure to culinary sensations.

About OMO

OMO is a city tourism hotel in a convenient city-centre location, perfect for exploring the deep, urban culture. We consider the city centred around the hotel to be part of our resort, offering a variety of options to see, eat and shop. With the cooperation of the local community, city lovers can get an insight into culture through our original tours and maps; sharing locals' all-time favourites to hidden gems only with you!