My friends from foreign countries sometimes say that they’d like to go to a public bath (Sentō) and hot springs. It seems that they’re interested in their uniqueness; they’ve never shared a large bath with others, and they also pay attention to the long history (which dates back to the 6th century). I also love Sentō as well as hot springs, and I used to go with my friends. There are some rules for taking a bath. Recently, some rules have changed, but people with tattoos are still banned from most Sentō and hot springs. It’s part of Japanese culture and custom, so if you have tattoos and are eager to take a bath in a Sentō, you need to choose one where tattooed people are allowed to enter.

Here’s a list of tattoo-friendly Sentō in Tokyo (near the famous tourist area, Asakusa).

[Permanently closed] 蛇骨湯（Jakotsu-yu）

Established around the end of the Edo period, about 150 years ago, this hot spring offers natural blackish-brown spring water that warms you from the inside. It features open-air baths and a beautiful mural of Mt. Fuji.

Address
1 Chome-11-11 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo, 111-0032
Phone
03-3841-8645
Pricing info
460yen 　※Sauna: additional fee (200yen) is needed
Business hours
13pm – midnight (closed on Tuesday)
Homepage
http://jakotsuyu.co.jp

天然温泉 湯どんぶり栄湯（Yudonburi SAKAE-YU）

Sakae-yu is located near Asakusa. This bathhouse is large and features seven baths, including an open-air bath and a Himalayas halite sauna. They pride themselves on their natural hot spring with microbubbles, which helps remove pore-clogging dirt and is great for your skin and beauty.

Address
1-4-5, Nihonzutsumi, Taitou-ku, Tokyo, 111-0021
Phone
03-3875-2885
Pricing info
460yen 　※Bath+Sauna: 660yen
Business hours
14pm – midnight (closed on Wednesday, from 12pm on Sundays and holidays)
Homepage
http://sakaeyu.com/

御谷湯（Miroku-yu）

You can experience the atmosphere of Tokyo’s traditional shitamachi (downtown) area while enjoying a view of the Skytree from the open-air bath. This hot spring has been beloved by locals since 1947. It also features wall paintings, known as penki-e, by the famous artist Katsushika Hokusai.

Address
3-30-8 Ishiwara, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 130-0011
Phone
03-3623-1695
Pricing info
460yen 
Business hours
15:30pm-midnight(26:00)
Homepage
http://mikokuyu.com/

金春湯（Komparu-yu）

Located in the heart of Ginza, Komparu was established over 150 years ago and is one of the oldest sentō in Tokyo. The name Komparu comes from a Noh school that was once located in this area around 1863. Here, you can enjoy tile paintings of golden carp, flowers, and birds, as well as wall murals of Mount Fuji.

Address
8-7-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061
Phone
03-3571-5469
Pricing info
460yen 
Business hours
14pm-22pm (closed on Sundays and holidays)
Homepage
http://konparuyu.com

大黒湯（Daikoku-yu）

Just a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Skytree, this sentō offers a traditional atmosphere. Thanks to the mineral-rich hot spring water, you’ll feel wonderfully warm and relaxed. A painting of a gleaming golden Mt. Fuji and the illuminated Skytree will delight your eyes.

Address
3-12-14 Yokokawa, Sumida, Tokyo 130-0003
Phone
03-3622-6698
Pricing info
460yen 　※Sauna: additional fee (200yen) is needed
Business hours
Weekday 15pm-5am　Sunday 14pm-5am　Sunday 13pm-5am  (closed on Tuesdays)
 Homepage
http://www.daikokuyu.com/index.html