Tattoo cover patches for onsen, sento and pools

A cover patch is a thin, skin-tone sticker that hides a tattoo. At places marked Cover OK on Sumiyu, it’s the difference between being turned away and getting in. It isn’t a universal pass, though: places that say No mean no, covered or not.

When a patch works

• The venue accepts covers. Look for the Cover OK badge. The listing shows the rule for each area (indoor bath, outdoor bath, sauna) and the largest size, if the venue gave one.
• Your tattoo is small. Most venues that accept covers expect the tattoo to be fully hidden by one or two patches. Big pieces rarely qualify.
• It stays covered the whole time. If a patch peels off in the bath, staff may ask you to leave.

Some places sell patches at reception. Our listings say so where we know.

Kinds of cover

Type	Good for	Watch out for
Pre-cut skin-tone stickers	Small tattoos on flat skin (wrist, ankle, shoulder)	Only a few sizes; corners can lift in hot water
Cover tape on a roll	Cutting to the exact shape you need	Takes a little practice to apply smoothly
Large film sheets	Medium tattoos	Visible edges; harder to place on curved areas
Rash guards, sleeves, leggings	Some pools and beaches	Never allowed in onsen or sento water

In Japan they’re sold as タトゥー隠しシール (tattoo-kakushi shiiru, “tattoo-hiding stickers”) or タトゥーカバー.

Where to buy them in Japan

Drugstores, discount stores such as Don Quijote, many 100-yen shops, and online shops like Amazon Japan and Rakuten all sell them. Shops tend to stock small sizes and a narrow range of skin tones. If you need a larger size or a particular shade, buy before you travel.

How to put one on so it lasts

1. Start with clean, dry skin. No moisturiser, sunscreen or oil underneath.
2. Apply before you undress in public, at your hotel or in a quiet corner of the changing room.
3. Round the corners if you cut tape yourself. Square corners peel first.
4. Press it down firmly for a few seconds, especially the edges.
5. Don’t stretch it over a joint. Apply with the elbow or knee slightly bent.
6. Check the edges between soaks. Hot water softens the adhesive.
7. Take it off slowly after bathing. A little oil or warm water helps. Throw it in the bin, never in the bath or drain.

When to skip the patch

If your tattoo is larger than your palm, or you’d need to cover several, you’ll have a better time at an Ink OK bath or a private one. Start with the directory and filter by policy.