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Small Steps JapanJapan with kids

Onsen & ryokan

Hot springs and traditional inns with children.

6 min read

Onsen with kids: the tattoo and etiquette guide

How to enjoy a Japanese onsen (hot spring) with children — the washing-first routine, nudity and etiquette, tattoo rules, and family-friendly alternatives.

5 min read

Family-friendly ryokan in Japan: what to expect

How to choose and enjoy a ryokan (traditional inn) with kids — tatami rooms and futons, kaiseki dinners, onsen bathing, and finding ones that welcome families.

4 min read

Private onsen (kashikiri) for families

How private hot-spring baths work in Japan — kashikiri baths and rooms with a private onsen — and why they’re ideal for families who want the experience in private.

4 min read

Can babies and toddlers go in an onsen?

What to know about taking a baby or toddler into a Japanese onsen — age and health considerations, heat and safety, nappies, and why a private bath is often best.

4 min read

Ryokan dinner with kids: what to expect

What a ryokan kaiseki dinner is like with children — the multi-course format, timing, what fussy eaters can eat, and how to arrange child-friendly meals.

4 min read

Onsen towns that suit families

What makes an onsen town work for families, and how to choose one — walkable streets, private baths, things for kids to do, and easy access from the cities.

5 min read

Ryokan vs hotel for a family in Japan

Should your family stay in a ryokan or a hotel in Japan? An honest comparison of space, meals, bathing, cost and convenience — and why most families do both.

6 min read

Tattoo-friendly and private onsen near Tokyo

An honest guide to onsen and sento etiquette for visitors, covering nude bathing, tattoo rules, and the medical cautions that actually matter.

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