LapLap

It isn't a rumour at all. The last hotel I stayed at stipulated in its terms and conditions for using the fitness room sauna that those with visible tattoos shouldn't use it, along with those who felt unwell or with commincable skin diseases. (This was the Strings in Shinagawa - a similar category hotel to the PPT). There will be plenty of hotel pools with similar notices. It's not something I usually take much notice of as my own skin is unadorned.

I imagine you are thinking of the Park Hyatt's pool - but if it is a problem (and it might well be) your other option is to hire a party room with its own private pool.
For instance, get the bullet train to Osaka and stay the night in Towers Hotel
http://www.towers-hotel.com/index.php?data=./data/l1c1/
A night in the room with the private pool will set you back ￥18800.(or you could spend the night riding dodgem cars or a mechanical bull if you prefer)

Or from this legendary Osaka establishment: http://www.us-hotel.co.jp/nanba/ (or the annex - click on the S type room in this link: http://h069233.sharesite.com/annex/)

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The P&A Plaza in Tokyo also has a room with its own pool - a night stay costs about ￥30,000
http://i-loveho.net/pc_html/hotelprofile.html?cd=080113
(great website name! )
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The 'sensible' advice would be to contact the hotel you're thinking of staying at and asking them about the tattoo policy.
Most hotel pools have steep entry charges and seem to be rarely used - if you're the only clients you might get away with it even if the ofiicial line forbids it - depends on the pool, the attendents and depends on your tattoos.

jib71

It's true. If you have gangster style tattoos, you're more or less shutting yourself off from decent society in Japan. Try running these pages through google translator:

http://www.princehotels.co.jp/shinagawa/pool/index.html
刺青（タトゥ）をされた方のご利用はお断りいたします。

http://www.kobe-orientalhotel.co.jp/...pool/pool.html
刺青をされた方のご利用は堅くお断り致します。

Now, if you are an obviously ungangster-like foreigner with an "I love mum" or an "anchor" tattoo on your left bicep, you can probably get away with it. If you go regularly to a gym, they may ask you to cover up the anchor so that other patrons don't complain of double standards.

But if you look like something out of Prison Break, you can expect the lifeguard to refuse to let you swim.

wolf539

You are spot on!

Over the weekend we pretty much agreed that we were going to stay at the Park Hyatt for all the obvious reasons. Additionally, we both have no problem navigating subways, trains, etc. so we're not too concerned about the location. Now with that being said, it would be disappointing not to be able to use the pool and spa facilities. I'll send them an email and see what they say...

Thanks for all the other info; you're all a great resource and I appreciate it! ^

jib71

I disagree. Once you ask, the answer in most places will be "No. We don't allow patrons with tattoos to use the pool or public baths." Better to feign ignorance of the rules - and ask forgiveness rather than permission if it comes to that.

I agree. If you are talking about an isolated tattoo, it should be easier for the lifeguard to ignore.

ralfp

Maybe it has something to do with the US military's control of most airspace over Tokyo.

As far as I know, the only way to fly low level over the city is a Tokyo Tour Flight from Yokota AB

wolf539

That's a good one... No prison or gangster tattoos, so hopefully it won't be an issue!

jib71

There are a bunch of companies that conduct tours and other operations around Tokyo:
http://www.excel-air.com/index_flash.html
http://www.asahi-heli.co.jp/
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nfs/
http://www.nnk.co.jp/exfly/

I had never heard that the US military controlled Tokyo's airspace. (Although I understand that there are agreements that may effectively bring this about in the event of a war).

LapLap

The sensible route isn't always the best one to take, and I agree with the comments above completely.

If your stay at the PH would be utterly ruined if you were denied a dip in the pool, then send the email and be prepared to come up with an alternative option. You're probably better off not contacting them at all. Just imagine that the rumour never reached you and act accordingly.

There's nothing in English on the hotel website to say you would be denied this facility
http://tokyo.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/ho...pool/index.jsp
I don't see why it should be up to you to send a query in this case.

wolf539

I'm very easy going and wouldn't allow a "dip denial" to ruin a trip. However I think you (and others) are right regarding the email... I'll just take my chances and plead ignorance if I have to. I imagine I wouldn't be the first gaijin with a tattoo to take a swim there however...

freecia

Skyview relaunched the Tokyo Heliport to NRT route in late November 2019. There's a 9,800 yen special at noon on weekdays.

Their English page is... er, 40% English? I get the impression that luggage goes separately?
https://skyview.airos.jp/en/narita

5khours

This service is so ridiculous in so many ways.....