Tsurutsuru Onsen (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
Without a weekend plan, I decided to soak away my worries at a tattoo-friendly onsen nearby.
Tsurutsuru Onsen in Hinode is only a 40-minute drive from Yokota Air Base. The area is nature spot known for its hiking, fishing and other related activities, so if you’re an outdoorsy person, this might be a good place to visit.
Before heading to the onsen, it took some research through online reviews and bad translating to figure out if it was in fact okay for tattooed people like me. There seemed to be a mixed consensus, so I decided just to find out in person.
Calling the onsen is another option if you have a friend that speaks Japanese.
When I arrived at my destination, I found that parking is free and there’s plenty of space. I was a bit nervous since my tattoos limit me to enjoy these types of facilities in Japan, so I mentally prepared myself for the worst. Contrary to my expectation, I was greeted and welcomed in after paying a small entrance fee of 960 yen (about $6). I asked if tattoos were okay before paying and they said, “daijobudesu” (it’s okay). There were no issues at all. I didn’t even have to cover them up.
The facilities in the men’s locker room were very clean and looked modern. I undressed and prepared to enter the bathing area where one large pool, a sauna, cold plunge pool and two outdoor hot springs were available to soak in.
The onsen doesn’t offer private baths, so both the men and women’s sections are public baths open to use freely.
Tsurutsuru’s bath water has a lotion-like texture due to the PH levels, which was very soothing to my skin compared to other onsens and sentos I have visited in the past. This was the real deal.
My favorite soaking area was outside on the terrace, which had a view of the surrounding forest. While my body relaxed in the water, being surrounded by nature also helped my mind relax, too. I spent about an hour and a half enjoying the outside section of the onsen.
Having tattoos can be very limiting in Japan if you’re trying to enjoy the hot spring culture. Fortunalety, Tsurutsuru Onsen is close enough to where I live and the reasonably priced entrance means I’d definitely recommend this onsen for a relaxing and inexpensive activity.
Things to know
Address: 4718 Oguno, Hinode, Nishitama District, Tokyo 190-0181
Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Last entrance 7 p.m.
Website (Japanese only)
*Card and yen are accepted.
Tsurutsuru Onsen lobby (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
AloJapan.com