REVIEW · SPA & HOT SPRINGS
Tattoo-friendly open-air Onsen & drink
Book on Viator →Operated by NicoTour Japan · Bookable on Viator
That was one of the easiest onsens I’ve ever done in Tokyo.
This guided stop uses a rare, tattoo-friendly setup in central Tokyo, with open-air baths plus a chance to look up at the Tokyo Skytree while you relax. I especially like two things: the clear, judgment-free guidance from Alisa, and the included soak-time comforts like towel sets and a drink afterward.
One thing to keep in mind: weekends can get crowded, so you might have to wait to get in (especially for the open-air bath setup).
In This Review
- Key Highlights I’d Prioritize
- Why This Tattoo-Friendly Skytree Onsen Tour Feels Worth It
- Price and What You Actually Get for $41.51
- Meeting at Oshiage: Where the Night Starts Calm
- The Bath Rules You Need to Know Before You Go
- Outdoor Open-Air Onsen and the Tokyo Skytree View
- Outdoor bath timing swaps by day
- If you book as a couple, one person may switch
- Outdoor deck and hammock-style relaxation
- Crowds on weekends
- Indoor Baths You Can Use Any Time
- Drink, Ice Cream, and the Convenience Store Stop
- How Long It Takes and How to Plan Your Soak Time
- Tips That Make It Feel Smooth (Not Awkward)
- Guide Alisa’s Role: What You’re Really Paying For
- Who This Tour Is Best For
- Should You Book This Tattoo-Friendly Skytree Onsen?
- FAQ
- Are tattoos allowed on this onsen experience?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do you get access to both indoor and outdoor baths?
- When can women and men use the outdoor open-air bath?
- What if I’m booking as a couple?
- Is the sauna included?
- Is the tour crowded?
- Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Key Highlights I’d Prioritize

- Tattoo-friendly access where you’d usually get turned away at other onsens
- Tokyo Skytree views from the bath area, including a deck with hammocks mentioned on the spot
- Your bath setup is explained so you know what to do and what not to do
- Included towel and face cloth sets so you don’t scramble for basics
- Open-air days switch by gender, which can affect who gets the outdoor bath when booking as a couple
Why This Tattoo-Friendly Skytree Onsen Tour Feels Worth It

Tokyo onsens have a reputation for being strict. Tattoos are often the problem, and the awkward part is that you might only realize it once you arrive. This experience is built around removing that stress: you get admission and instructions for an onsen that allows tattoos, which is exactly what you want if you’re tired of guessing.
The second reason it’s special is the view. This isn’t a generic, back-alley bath. You’re positioned to enjoy the Tokyo Skytree sight while you soak, including an outdoor area where the setup is meant for relaxing once you get warm. That kind of payoff is rare.
And I’ll be honest: the tour’s value is less about fancy amenities and more about getting you into the right place with the right expectations. That’s what saves time, prevents mistakes, and keeps your evening relaxed instead of tense.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tokyo
Price and What You Actually Get for $41.51

At $41.51 per person, this isn’t a budget “just ticket” deal. It’s closer to a small, guided onsen pass that also handles the parts that slow you down on your own: directions, norms, and the tattoo-friendly entry situation.
What’s included:
- Onsen admission ticket
- A rental bath towel and face towel set
- An alcoholic or soft drink
- Ice cream is also allowed as an option under 300 yen
- A small gift if you write a review later
What costs extra:
- Sauna fee (330 yen)
The drink detail matters more than it sounds. Getting something afterward means you don’t have to plan a post-bath detour. Also, the tour mentions a nearby convenience store so you’re not stuck searching while you’re relaxed but slightly slow.
If you’re planning to do an onsen anyway, the towel set alone often makes the “guided fee” feel more reasonable. Add in the tattoo-friendly access, and it becomes a practical purchase, not just a nice-to-have.
Meeting at Oshiage: Where the Night Starts Calm
You meet at Oshiage 3 Chome-11 Narihira, Sumida City, Tokyo. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which is handy if you’d rather not think too hard about return transport after your soak.
Group size is capped at up to 6 travelers, which is one of those quiet details that helps a lot. Smaller groups tend to mean less waiting, less confusion, and more time for the guide to make sure you understand what you’re about to do.
You’ll receive a confirmation when you book, and the experience uses a mobile ticket, so you’re not dealing with printed vouchers or last-minute tech problems—usually the biggest anxiety in Japan day-of.
The Bath Rules You Need to Know Before You Go

Here’s the core reality of Japanese onsens: rules are part of the ritual, but tattoo policies can make the ritual feel hostile. This is why the tour’s approach is so helpful. You don’t just get entry—you get a run-through.
A few important practical notes:
- The guide provides instructions so you don’t feel embarrassed if you make a mistake.
- The guide is a woman (Alisa), and the information provided specifically notes that she can’t escort men into men’s baths directly. She will still give instruction so you know what to do.
- You can cover the front of your body with a towel outside the bath.
If you like knowing what’s coming, you’ll feel good during the process instead of trying to read minds from across the facility.
Outdoor Open-Air Onsen and the Tokyo Skytree View

The outdoor bath is the headline. It’s also the part with the most scheduling quirks, so pay attention.
Outdoor bath timing swaps by day
The open-air bath alternates:
- Women use the outdoor bath on even days
- Men use the outdoor bath on odd days
That means the outdoor portion is not something you assume you’ll both get at the same time unless your reservation day lines up. This matters if you’re going as a couple or with a friend.
If you book as a couple, one person may switch
The tour notes a specific situation: if you reserve as a couple, one of you may not be able to enter the open-air bath (because of the day’s gender rotation). Instead, the other person can take in a high-concentration soda bath.
That’s a decent trade, but it’s still something to understand ahead of time. If you come specifically for the open-air Sky Tree experience, choose your travel day carefully.
Outdoor deck and hammock-style relaxation
There’s also mention of a separate open-air wooden deck. It’s described as a great spot to see the Tokyo Skytree while relaxing—specifically with a hammock once you get hot.
Also note:
- You use it naked (as with typical onsen expectations).
- Whether you do full shampoo or just soak is up to you. The note says the usual approach is to mostly soak.
If you’re used to hot springs in other countries, the vibe here is more traditional: calm, simple, and focused on the soak rather than spa theatrics.
Crowds on weekends
One downside you should plan for: weekends can be crowded, and you may need to wait to get in. If you’re flexible, aim for a weekday when possible. If you can only go on a weekend, go in with patience and treat the wait as part of the experience.
Indoor Baths You Can Use Any Time

The indoor side is much more straightforward. The tour mentions five indoor baths that you can use at any time.
This is the safety net for your schedule:
- If you can’t get the outdoor bath because of the day’s open-air rotation, you still have plenty to do inside.
- If the open-air area is busy when you arrive, you can shift to indoor baths while you wait for your turn.
The indoor baths also mean you’re not locked into a single “one shot” moment. So if your primary goal is tattoo-friendly onsen time, you’ll still get it even if the outdoor access doesn’t line up perfectly.
Drink, Ice Cream, and the Convenience Store Stop

After your bath experience, you’ll return toward the station with a drink component. The tour notes that there’s a convenience store nearby, and the guide will buy one drink per person.
Your options include:
- An alcoholic beverage or a soft drink
- Ice cream is also allowed (under 300 yen)
For me, this is one of those small details that makes the whole outing feel complete. You finish soaking, you’re warm and tired, and you don’t have to hunt down food or a cold drink immediately. It turns the onsen from a single activity into a more rounded Tokyo evening.
How Long It Takes and How to Plan Your Soak Time

The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.
That’s not “sit for three hours and forget your phone” time. It’s long enough to do the basics right: soak, rinse/shampoo if you want, take a breather, maybe try another indoor bath, and still end before you feel washed out.
Also follow the tour’s caution:
- If you have a full stomach, feel hungry, or get dehydrated, you can feel sick.
- Don’t soak too long just because you can.
- Drinking alcohol is part of the included experience, but the guidance also says you can’t bathe if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.
If you’re sensitive to heat, go slowly. Most people feel better with shorter cycles than with one long, stubborn soak.
Tips That Make It Feel Smooth (Not Awkward)
This tour’s best “invisible value” is the instruction. The tour explicitly mentions that the guide gives directions so you won’t be ashamed of mistakes. That’s not just sweet—it’s practical.
Here are the practical behaviors that help most onsen newbies:
- Listen to the guide’s rundown before you step into changing areas.
- Know that the open-air bath depends on the day and gender rotation.
- Use the towel appropriately outside the bath.
- If you’re waiting due to crowds, switch to indoor baths rather than standing around.
Also, it’s useful to remember the “nudity” reality. You’ll be using shared bathing norms, and the deck is described as a special view-and-relax spot. Coming mentally prepared prevents the momentary shock that ruins the calm.
Guide Alisa’s Role: What You’re Really Paying For
The guide credited in the reviews is Alisa. Multiple accounts emphasize that she was gentle, on time, and clear with directions. That matters because onsens aren’t hard technically—but they can be confusing socially if you’re not used to the flow.
Alisa also appears to be the reason many people felt comfortable in a tattoo-friendly setting. You’re not just getting access; you’re getting someone who helps you avoid mistakes and feel included.
If you’ve ever worried about entering a place where you might be judged, this kind of guidance is a big reason the overall rating stays so high.
Who This Tour Is Best For
This experience is a strong match if:
- You have tattoos and want a real onsen experience in Tokyo without the usual rejection anxiety
- You want a guided plan so you don’t waste time figuring out norms
- You care about a great view, specifically the Tokyo Skytree connection
It’s also good if you’re traveling with family or partners who appreciate a more supportive approach. The reviews mention a mother/daughters dynamic, and the small group size keeps the experience controlled.
You might want to reconsider if:
- You need a guaranteed outdoor open-air bath for both people regardless of the day (the outdoor access rotates by day and gender)
- You’re uncomfortable with waiting on weekends
- You have health constraints related to heat, alcohol, or bathing rules (the tour notes heart disease and high blood pressure as no-go conditions)
Should You Book This Tattoo-Friendly Skytree Onsen?
I’d book it if tattoos are part of your “what to do in Tokyo” problem. This tour removes guesswork and gives you a tattoo-friendly onsen option that you’d struggle to find on your own.
Book it for the view too. The Sky Tree angle isn’t the kind of thing you usually stumble into by chance. If you’re the type who remembers small moments—warm air, still water, a hammock, a skyline in the distance—this one delivers.
And if you’re going on a weekend, plan your expectations. Crowds can happen. That doesn’t ruin it, but it changes your pacing.
If you want a low-stress evening where the onsen rules feel understandable instead of intimidating, this is the kind of guided experience that earns its price.
FAQ
Are tattoos allowed on this onsen experience?
Yes. The whole point of the service is that it directs you to a tattoo-friendly open-air onsen that welcomes patrons with tattoos.
What’s included in the price?
The price includes the onsen admission ticket, a rental bath towel and face towel set, and an alcoholic or soft drink (ice cream is also allowed under 300 yen if you choose it).
Do you get access to both indoor and outdoor baths?
Yes. The indoor baths can be used at any time, while the open-air bath has day-by-day rotation for women and men.
When can women and men use the outdoor open-air bath?
The open-air bath alternates by day: women can use it on even days and men on odd days.
What if I’m booking as a couple?
The tour notes that if you reserve as a couple, one of you may not be able to enter the open-air bath due to the day’s rotation. In that case, the other person can take in a high-concentration soda bath.
Is the sauna included?
No. The sauna has an extra fee of 330 yen.
Is the tour crowded?
Weekends can be crowded, and you may have to wait to get in.
Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid won’t be refunded.



























