Hakone Kowakien Yunessun & Tattooed Foreigners

[cattlikewoah]

So my friends and I are off to Japan in November and are really keen to go to this place: http://www.yunessun.com/english/index.html

Nowhere on their website do they have specific NO TATTOO policies, however through google searches, some reviews have stated they refuse entry to tattooed people.

I'm a female of Asian-background with tattoos on my arm and covering my back. Another girl, also Asian heritage has tats on her chest and arms and maybe back. One of the guys is the whitest Australian you've ever seen, with one tattoo on his stomach.

So we're wondering whether anyone knows whether this is a strictly NO TATTOO place, or if they're more relaxed with foreigners with tats or females with tats (even though we're Asian too!)...

Otherwise, I considered wearing a tee-shirt or a rash shirt (like the surfers) to cover my back and arms. Is this ok in the amusement park section? (Swimsuits are a must in this section).

I just don't want to waste time going out there just to get rejected.
Thanks.
- Steph

[maracle]

1) Looking at the site when it says "swimsuit required" it means as opposed to their hot springs area where you can go in the buff if you want. I can't see why they would object to a rash guard or 1 piece suit for women, they just don't want you naked :D

2) Report in! http://travelpunk.com/boards/showthr...t=3272&page=10

[mermaidnz]

that place is on our list to do aswell, but in december.

i havent heard of people being rejected due to tatts, however, in other onsen, definatly! you can get refused for being a foreigner at those places anyways.

[mushroom22]

As long as they are covered , in onsens too, you should be okay. My friends would always put band-aids over theirs when I was over there. If they are large that could be difficult.

Another random Japan tattoo fact: most gyms in Japan won't let you be a member if you have tattoos.

[cattlikewoah]

my tats are too big to cover up with bandages...
if i can just find the ONE place to let us in i'll be happy. but i REALLY want to go into the sake spa!!!!!

there was another water theme park type place that said strictly no tattoos... http://www.summerland.co.jp/english/

boooo!

on the plus side, i'm planning on getting some more done at ink rat studios near tokyo...!

anyone else got tips on japan?

[maracle]

Well you got me interested so I did some googling...:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...3143839AAhr6JK

Until very *very* recently, having a tattoo in Japan was a sign of being in the Yakuza. There have been tattoo parlors there for years, but they were small dirty back-alley places that most people wouldn't even consider stepping into.

However, recently, the view on tattoos have changed somewhat. So long as the tattoo is simple and on a limb, you won't really be looked at strangely, as the typical Yakuza tattoo is a full back or full torso piece of art. So they are making a bit of a distinction. But still, having an arm covered will make most people think you are a Yakuza member (and a rather insane one at that) and they will do everything they can to avoid dealing with you. But most won't have a problem with you if it's just a simple relatively small image on the arm or something like that.

Because the typical Yakuza tattoo is covered by a shirt, that's the origin of the problems specific to bathhouses. People would be having a great time, then one Yakuza guy shows up and all the paying customers leave for fear of their lives.

I still think your rash guard idea will work fine...

[TheJake]

*sidenote. Chicks of asian descent with tats are uber hot. end sidenote*

[simply_angelic]

*sidenote* Jake stop hitting on the newbies. *end sidenote*

[raoulduke]

Originally Posted by TheJake

*sidenote. Chicks of asian descent with tats are uber hot. end sidenote*

yep.

[cattlikewoah]

Originally Posted by TheJake

*sidenote. Chicks of asian descent with tats are uber hot. end sidenote*

Sigh... Guilty as charged...:D
But unfortunately Japanese tradition disagrees...

I've started to look for Rashies but its winter and the ones I have found are either too short (sleeves won't cover my arm) or pink. horribly pink. like, disgustingly horribly pink.

Someone has to have been to that Hakone Yunesson place (or any waterpark or Onsen) with tats before... Or been rejected... Or have known someone to have tried... WHY ARE YOU NOT POSTING DAMNIT?! *cries*

[lebron23]

I went to one of these about 5 years ago and have old english letters tattooed across my back from shoulder to shoulder. No one had a problem or said anything to me. I am Asian as well, you should be fine.