8 Hotels Where Kids in Diapers Can Still Join the Pool
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The pool is one of the places kids get the most excited during a family trip. But plenty of families assume, "my child isn't potty trained yet, so the pool is probably off-limits."
The truth is, hotels genuinely exist where a child who isn't potty trained can join you in the pool, wearing a swim diaper under a swimsuit. Many properties officially state that guests are welcome as long as they wear a swim diaper, and more hotels are adding shallow kids' pools as well. An indoor heated pool lets you play year-round, regardless of weather.
Yes, Hotels Exist Where You Can Join the Pool Together Before Potty Training
It's easy to assume "the pool is off-limits if my child isn't potty trained," but plenty of hotels allow it as long as your child wears a swim diaper under a swimsuit.
Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake, for example, states explicitly on its official pool page that a child who isn't potty trained is welcome in the pool as long as they wear both a swim diaper and a swimsuit. Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa similarly states on its official site that a child who isn't potty trained is welcome as long as they wear a swim diaper.
Here are the three things worth checking when choosing a pool.
Check whether the hotel allows swim diapers under a swimsuit, whether it has a shallow kids' pool, and whether the pool is indoors and open year-round.
1. Swim diaper rules
Most hotels allow entry with a swim diaper worn under a swimsuit. That said, the fine print varies — some specifically disallow regular disposable diapers and only accept dedicated swim diapers — so it's worth checking the pool rules on the official site. At a hotel that sells swim diapers at its shop, like RISONARE Yatsugatake, you're covered even if you forget to pack one.
2. Whether there's a shallow kids' pool
A dedicated kids' pool around 30–45 cm deep gives a child who's just starting out with water play a safe place to have fun. Hotels that specify the exact depth, like Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa, which states that its roughly 30 cm section is open to preschoolers, are easier to choose with confidence.
3. Indoor or outdoor (and the season)
An indoor heated pool lets you play for hours, from before check-in through after checkout, regardless of weather or season. Outdoor pools are often only open in summer, so pick your hotel based on when you're traveling. Indoor heated pools also tend to hold a steady water temperature, which means a baby is less likely to get chilled — a nice bonus.
It's also reassuring to check a few other things before you book: whether you can bring your own float or arm floaties, whether baby flotation devices are available to rent, and whether the changing room has a crib or a nursing area. With a baby along, you never quite know when a diaper change or a feeding will come up, so knowing the poolside layout in advance saves you from scrambling on the day. Many baby-friendly hotels list these details on their official pool page or FAQ section too.
8 Recommended Hotels Where Parents and Kids Can Enjoy the Pool Together
From here, we'll introduce hotels where you can enjoy the pool together with a child who isn't potty trained yet. We've spread these across the country from north to south, and included both indoor pools you can enjoy year-round and stunning outdoor summer pools.
1. Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake (Yatsugatake, Yamanashi)
The year-round indoor pool, "Il Mare," is a wave pool that generates waves up to 1.2 meters high. The official site explicitly states that a child who isn't potty trained is welcome in the pool as long as they wear both a swim diaper and a swimsuit. Swim diapers are sold at the pool's front desk (¥800 for a pack of 4, as of June 2026). There's also a kids' area that starts at zero depth, making it a perfect spot for a baby's first time in the pool.
2. Hotel Epinard Nasu (Nasu Highlands, Tochigi)
The indoor heated pool includes a 25-meter lap pool plus kids' areas at 30 cm and 60 cm deep, and even a newborn can join in wearing a swim diaper. Swim diapers are available at the hotel shop, and bringing your own float is fine too. Since it's indoors, you can enjoy your baby's first pool experience year-round, regardless of the weather.
3. Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa (Awaji Island, Hyogo)
This hotel prides itself on its garden pool overlooking the sea. Its official site explicitly states that a child who isn't potty trained is welcome as long as they wear a swim diaper, and that the roughly 30 cm section is open to preschoolers. You can play with your baby in the shallow area and an older child in the deeper section, matching the pool to each child's age.
4. Grand Mercure Minamiboso Resort & Spa (Minamiboso, Chiba)
An all-inclusive family resort right by the sea. The pool is officially described as welcoming a child who isn't potty trained, as long as they wear a swim diaper. It's easy to reach from central Tokyo, and its location lets you enjoy both the ocean and the pool in one trip.
5. Grand Mercure Nasu Highlands Resort & Spa (Nasu Highlands, Tochigi)
This hotel has an all-inclusive garden pool, officially described as welcoming a child who isn't potty trained, as long as they wear a swim diaper. There's also a shallow kids' area, so a child just starting out with water play can join right in. Diapers and other essentials are sold on the first floor, so a forgotten item is easy to handle.
6. Izu Atagawa Onsen Hotel Katara Resort & Spa (Higashi-Izu, Shizuoka)
This hotel has a hot spring pool, the "Jungle Spa," open year-round, officially described as fine for a child who isn't potty trained as long as they wear a swim diaper. Since it's indoors, you can play for hours regardless of weather, from before check-in through after checkout. The onsen also welcomes infants, so you can enjoy both the bath and the pool together.
7. Irago Ocean Resort (Atsumi Peninsula, Aichi)
An outdoor pool with stunning ocean views from 100 meters above sea level. It has a kids-only area 40 cm deep, so your child can join in wearing a swim diaper under a swimsuit. The view of Cape Irago from the pool is something special — a perfect fit for a summer family trip.
8. Hotel Nishinagato Resort (Tsunoshima, Yamaguchi)
A summer-only outdoor pool overlooking the "Tsunoshima blue" sea. It has a kids' area 45 cm deep, where your child can join in wearing a swim diaper under a swimsuit (free for hotel guests). After the pool, a walk along the beach makes a nice follow-up. The hotel's loaner selection of baby gear is also extensive, making it easy to pack light.
Conclusion: Choose a Hotel That Allows Swim Diapers for Your Child's First Pool Experience
Even before your child is potty trained, a swim diaper under a swimsuit lets you get in the pool together as a family. To wrap up, here's a summary of what to check before you book.
Choose a hotel that officially states swim diapers under a swimsuit are allowed.
A shallow kids' pool (30–45 cm deep) gives you peace of mind for your child's first time in the water.
Indoor pools run year-round; outdoor pools are usually summer-only. Choose based on when you're traveling.
Swim diaper rules differ in the details from hotel to hotel, so checking the official site's pool rules before you book is the most reliable approach. Each Kids Stay hotel page also lays out pool and diaper-related policies for that property.
If your family also wants to soak in an onsen or communal bath together, check out our companion piece on hotels where a child not yet potty trained can join you in the onsen or communal bath. For the bigger picture on choosing a family hotel, see our guide to the key factors in choosing a family hotel.
*This article contains advertising links to hotel booking sites. Rates, amenities, and rules are current as of June 2026. Please check each hotel's official website or booking site for the latest details.*