Having Tattoos in Japan (2023) - What you should know
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- What is it like being in Japan with Tattoos? Is it still taboo? Will people turn you away from places like Onsen?
I will answer all these questions and more with this video explaining the difficulties of having tattoos in Japan. I am currently living and studying in Osaka. Because I am covered, I can give a unique insight into life in Japan with tattoos.
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I even have hand tattoos and i'm going to japan to study the language and then go to university. It's going to be difficult, but it's the choice I made long time ago. Great video! Keep it up!
how U think U gonna do? I about to do the same thing and I have a few tattoo. are U gonna put make up on it?
Hey dude, it's been a year, any update on that?
@@jayraitt9023 currently studying the language and now doing my preparations for the jlpt and university entrance exams!
Please give us the details...I plan on studying there as well ...will covering up my tattoo with arm sleeves help surviving in Japan?
Really like it mate👏🏻🥶🥶🥶
Appreciate it man
I loved this video! Thanks for sharing. I just had one question. I have finger tattoos and plan on working as an HR manager in Japan. In your opinion, do you think that finger tattoos would be stigmatized more than tattoos you can fully cover?
Whoaa ! Loving these informative segments !
I am wanting to come eventually, and possibly maybe live over there for a while. The tattoo thing was concerning to me, as I actually plan on getting one soon. But seeing this has kind of eased my fears a bit, especially as the tattoo/s I am wanting to get is not that big. I don't really plan on going to gyms unless it is to swim laps, and I tend to wear rash guards when swimming anyway. And it is good to know about the onsens.
I am happy I could ease your mind a little bit. Best of luck with the tattoo!
Very interesting video man, dope tattoos btw 👊
Appreciate it!
Hello! I have two smaller wrist tattoos and I’m actually getting a side thigh piece done. (Today coincidentally haha) I was wondering about studying abroad. (I plan on doing a year to learn the language to start) I know you mentioned your school not allowing big pieces, is that something you check when you applying or you physically tell the school? Thank you so much for you time! Have a great day!!
Really well done and informative. Thanks!
Great information, thx, great tattoos, i lived in Japan most probably before you were born. 42 years ago, 3times 6 month, 2 month in a Zen Buddhist Monastery, 4 month then with my Zenmaster traveling and studying Zen in daily life. When he passed away, i never traveled back. I too have Tattoos from a artist in Vienna, Bernie Luther, who got invited to Japan for his art. My main question now is, how come quite a few of the Yakuza have Kannon / KuanYin tattoed, she is the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. Not truly a sign of a Yakuza. Thx
Thanks for making this man. Liked and subscribed. Will I be turned away from universal studios for having tattoos? Hand tattoo and one behind my ear and back of my neck? The rest I can cover up
There are several onsens in Tokyo (and around Japan) that will allow tattooed people to enter. Gyms are harder. There’s one I know in Tokyo and most all Cross Fit boxes will allow uncovered tattoos - the Reebok ones do for instance.
Man you have a nice piece of art on you, looks incredible. Can I ask you where the artist of these tattoos is ?
The work on your arms are absolutely gorgeous where did you get them?
nice art
See I'm planning to move to Japan in 2026 and have neck/hand and arm tattoos, would you say moving is still going to be a possibility or will it cause too many problems in the long run?
Hello, Just wondering any tips, I'm going on October I have 2 full sleeves and hands done. Any advice and tips would be great.
Question, I have 2 small tattoos behind my ears, everything else can be covered with long sleeves/pants. Would I be able to go into a public gym with a hoodie up?
My partner and I are hoping to come next year, but we both have large tattoos on our arms. Other than gyms and Onsens, is it common that dining places and hotels that wont allow tattoos too? And should we cover up when walking around or going to shrines? Thanks! :)
You should be okay in most hotels and restaurants. Shrines are fine too as they do not have dress codes in Japan. Worst case, you might get some funny looks if you are in a really fancy restaurant because people tend to cover their tattoos as a way of being polite in certain situation, but there is no rule against tattoos.
Iam European, with both full sleeves, comming to Japan for one year working holiday visa. Do you think if i cover myself when i ask for a job (and remain covered for the time being) i still do have to mention that i have tattoos? Should i be worried that i wont be able to find any kind of job? THANKS MUCH
My boyfriend and I both have several tattoos, my boyfriend are almost covered and even have a few spider-tattoos on the side of the face. What I am worried about is the lawsystem I heard about, that we will be seen as sketchy and get in trouble of that. Should I consider not going?
Thanks for the advice man, I'm getting a sleeve for the first time and I'm heading to tokyo this summer. Slightly nervous considering it all regardless, but I'll try my best to just relax and try not to overthink it. Also could you follow up a bit more how it is with going to school learning japanese and having tattoos? Is the summer a pain in the ass? haha!
Well right now in Japan, where I live, the weather forecast is 35-38°C with 75-85% humidity for the week with a minimum of 25-27°C at night (yesterday it was feeling like 40°C in the afternoon according to my phone). It's usually the same weather for about a month or two. 😅
@@marie-michellefortier2993yep! Replying in Tokyo right now! Too hot!!
I want to go to university in Japan and I was planning to get some traditional Japanese art as a sleeve and wanted to know if I'd be fine as long as I wore longer sleeves that would cover
I have a small wrist tattoo. Is it a big problem?
Cuz um going to travel Japan soon, can u tell me?
Amazing, thanks. I wear a clean trimmed beard and have tattoos (not visible though, unless I wear shorts or sleeveless shirt). I am already planning to move on 2022 to study Japanese and get a half time job, do you think my description would affect my day to day lifestyle?
I think based on your description, your day to day activities won't be effected much. That's exciting! I am sure you will have a great time
I’ve got tattoos and I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I feel like I’m going to cover them up with long sleeve shirts, bandages, makeup, or something. I was told that if you have tattoos, you can’t in pools while in Japan.
Thank you for making a video on this!!!! I am a student from Oregon, and I'm getting ready to study abroad at Japan Women's University in Tokyo for 6 months (starting Sept 2022). I have a big piece on my upper arm, and some patchwork flowers down the other arm. I'm trying to mentally prepare for my clothing choices throughout my time there. I hadn't even thought about gyms! So again big thank you for sharing your experience on this, super helpful :)
how was your experience so far?? i was interested in doing something similar :)
The tattoos on your arm look soo cool, 💯
nah
Hello! Is it hard to find a job in Japan if I have only one tattoo on my leg?
I've thought of taking some time in a Zen monastery in Japan, but I have a tattoo. Would the monks allow me to stay and learn from them? Or will they fully not accept me in at all?
This is something I have been really wanting to try, but I am not sure of the answer to be honest. If I get a chance, I will let you know! My gut says they would want you to have them covered, but they won't just reject you.
i dont know it for 100 percent but i think the monks wouldnt judge concioussly the looks of a human because they are very high minded and want to grow
the looks of your body are not your soul
Interesting! I knew that tattoos are not perceived positively in Japan, but I didn't know the scale of it. Better to travel Japan before I do my big pieces :D
Your tattoos look gorgeous btw, who is/are the artists?
It's a much bigger deal when you live here rather than just visiting. But if you want to enter hot springs easily, best to come first haha. Thanks mate, my arms were done by Nissaco, he is pretty easy to find on Instagram.
If I cover it up with a bandage (I have a stomach tattoo) would that be fine?
I have right sleeve and thigh piece but i really want to go to Japan. I've been nervous about how that would be in Japan. I really want to go to some onsens.... been researching for places....
Hi, I got some big tats, but all can be easily covered, wearing colour hair over a decade but I can always make it into "boring" colour, but my issue is that I have cheek piercing and medusa. Even I have them for like 10 years, I already tried to put them out for a few hours and then had an struggle to put them back -_-
Next year Im leaving for working holiday visay try to find a job and not sure how to "fix" it -_-
Hey !
Nice vid ! It had always been a dream to go to Japan but wasn't sure that tattoos would be accepted there, especially in onsens. So it's good to know that you went in a bunch of them ! and thanks for the tips. By the way, the two on your arms look amazing ! I'm curious to see them completely haha
I am glad I could help. I will definitely make some videos about my arms in the future!
@@WesleyAtLarge Yeah you definitely should !
Onsen, Workplace, Gym... It's all the same to me, I'm trans, so it's kind of tricky for me in those places already. Unless they have new special rules for foreigns somehow.
So I guess I might get tattoos anyways. Just probably avoiding the neck/face/lower arms and legs areas, just in case.
I am in Kurashiki. Covered with ink too. I workout at Anytime fitness here in town. They are very curious and I always seem to have people wanting to work out with me. Great place to live.
Hi I have a concern. So I'm just waiting for my student visa. Im 19 years old and im about to get a tattoo this week. It's a traditional tattoo here in the philippines that people can rarely get unless you have the chance to get one by going up far north climb up a mountain and get one by some of the villagers there. I'll be placed in utsunomiya tochigi japan wherein I'll be studying at TIEI. Studying Japanese and also having a part time jov at a ryokan. A japanese style hotel. Do you think I'll be allowed to work there if I cover my tattoo? My tattoo is located at my my bicep area. It's just big enough to cover up the upper part of my elbow up until the end of my lateral tricep. What do you think?
In my opinion you will be okay as long as you can always keep it covered. Ryokan’s tend to be quiet conservative in my experience. But I really can’t say for sure.
Got about 60% of my back covered and a pretty much full length rib cage one up my side. All cartoon, video game, comic, film, book related stuff and as colourful as it can be. Can't see any when i'm wearing a t-shirt so i just kept my mouth shut didn't mention them. Only ever had trouble in 1 onsen out of maybe 20 or so. My mate who had some tribal stuff, skulls, roses....generic tattoo stuff just in dark ink had alot more trouble than me even though he only had a few.
Pretty late to the party, but I still have a question...
How do the Japanese view foreigners who have Japanese styled tattoos? I have 2 sleeves that run from my fingers all the way to my chest in a New School Style but old school pattern (sort of), and I'd love to go to Japan one day but I'm not sure if I will be well received.
Don't be afraid to visit! Some onsen (hot springs), gyms, bath houses etc will not let you use the facilities because all tattoos are forbidden, but otherwise you will be fine. A few Japanese people have told me that stylized tattoos are better/more acceptable, but the general public accepts that tattoos are a normal part of other cultures and will be very respectful. You will still get some funny or intrigued looks here and there, but don't let it discourage you from visiting. Living in Japan is a little different, but as a tourist you won't have trouble in most places.
@@WesleyAtLarge Thanks for your answer! Looks like Japan is back on the bucket list :D
Hey man, great tattoos, who is the artist?
Lool what your school doesnt allow tattoos?! Thats nuts! What do you do then just cover em up?
Yeah haha. Got to have long sleeves and pants on always. The rule is they just can't be visible.
We plan on visiting Japan in 2022. My husband is covered in tattoos neck hands. Basically everywhere. We are huge Disney fans and planned on visiting Disney sea are tattoos ok there? Thanks!
Hi, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have heard mixed messages about this. If you look at their website, the official policy under prohibited activity says "having tattoos considered inappropriate" What exactly that means is unclear. I would visit in winter with a big coat XD. But all jokes aside, I know people who have been with tattoos so I think they don't always enforce the policy. But it appears to be a bit of a gamble. If it is possible, I would try to contact them before purchasing tickets to make sure.
Pro tip, if you're planning on living/visiting Japan and want to go to the onsen and have large and very visible tattoos get a private onsen room, and don't tell them you have tattoos. I believe that there's also public onsen that are also mix gendered and I don't believe that they have a no tattoo policy, but idk since I've never been to one.
I have done both of these things haha. The private onsens are really nice sometimes! I think with the mixed onsen, it varies from location to location. A few mixed onsen allow bathing-suits even, so they have more relaxed rules. But these places are definitely not as common
Can I ask question? Are Doctors in Japan specifically Optometrist are allowed having tattoo? I hope my question will be answered THANKYOU
Hey. I can not say for sure because I have never tried to be a doctor, however I think it would be very difficult if they are visible tattoos. Japanese workplaces tend to be very strict in cultivating a "polished, clean-cut" image. I think the medical field would be especially strict.
If get a one piece tattoo do older Japanese know it I am 30. I also want to get a Yakuza sleeve hear when I live but after my Japan trip I am not gonna go after until weed is legal anyway and psychedelic
Just got told I couldn't go into golds gym in osaka lol. I even asked if I could buy a jacket to cover it and they said no sorry. My school doesn't seem to care about my tattoo, as far as I know.
I have a red oni tattoo and I want to go to Japan but I want to know what would a yakuza do if they seen my Japanese tattoo? How will they react?
I don't think the yakuza will react if they see you, but that is just my gut feeling. I don't really know.
Hey man!
What about personal relationships with the japanese I mean like friends or dates do they have any problem with your tattoos?
Hey, within my personal relationships I have not had any problems. Not yet anyway haha. Some of my friends are impressed and others don't understand the appeal, but you can find that anywhere. I can foresee it being awkward in some dating situations if the person didn't know you had tattoos when you asked them out.
@@WesleyAtLarge thank you so much
Do you know if the Japanese view religious tattoos differently than non religious tattoos?
I have a tattoo across my shoulder blades and spine that has a large Goddess symbol in the center. It looks like (Big Sister's name) 🌒🌕🌘 (Little Brother's name).
It's a memorial piece that I can usually cover completely with my shirt.
They don’t care what types of tattoo you have. If you have a tattoo, you cannot go to places with non-tattoo rule. Just go to places without no-tattoo rule in Japan. That is a part of experiencing different culture.
@@knifejail oh, ok. Thank you for your reply. Hope you have a great morning / day / night. ☺️
My wife told me that I might have some problems :D hence I am here watching the video to look for some problems ... and solutions hopefully :D
The first rule is don't ask if they let people with tattoos, second go to remote areas out the big cities third if you staying in the city visit. Sentó which is more relax and chill about tattoos.
my bf and roommate and i are going in October and we are heavily tattooed
I have two full sleeves, so covering up my lower arm/wrist area would be very difficult. I’ve considered visiting Japan, but their anti-tattoo stance made me reconsider. I’ve enough heard that some restaurants might not serve you if you have visible tattoos. Does anyone know if that’s true?
I can see some restaurants doing the no-tattoo thing in order to avoid making customers unpleasant. But I assume is rare.
If you're a foreign I don;t think it might be a problem in most places, because of tourism as a a business.
Bring long sleeves just in case. I have a full sleeve and whenever I go to Japan I always make sure that I'm covered. It's quite of a no brainer to do so, and it only happened a few times that I either forgot, or that I rolled up my sleeves because I got distracted, leading to having someone asking me to leave the restaurant.
That's not true I never heard of refusing service in restaurants. I have lived in Japan for more than a decade so there's no problems in bars of restaurant s
I don’t have tattoos. I’m not going to Japan. Hell, I don’t even work out. But I’m still curious, interesting vid guy
I have hand tattoos though and forearm tattoos too. I always wanted to visit Japan but I’m also tan and very muscular….yeah I think they might assume I’m a felon or something
What about back tattoos?
Whts an onsen?
I've got two full sleeves and lower leg tattoos on a trip to sorrento in Italy I was walking around when some Japanese tourists where coming towards me when they saw I was tattooed they all crossed the road to avoid me
I wanna get a full concealable traditional body suit then go to Japan and show my new friends to see their reaction
Haha let me know how that goes!
👍
So my tattoos are kinda overflowing on my hands and neck, so that means I could not work in japan?
working in japan would suck, your basically your bosses bitch.
Are you Canadian?
whenever it says no tattoos i just take that as no visible tats
Is it be possible for a person with arm tats to work in Japan as a nurse?
I am not sure, but I think it would be very hard to be honest.
@@WesleyAtLarge shoot, guess I won't be going then🙄
@@SitoraMulloqand Don't just take my word for it! Do some research to make sure. Or come for a vacation one day instead! It really is a wonderful country. The tattoo policies make some things tough though if you want to move here
how old do you have to be to get a tattoo in japan?
I am not sure, but I think it might be 20. That is the legal age for a lot of things
If your white, it's alright.
Try being another kind of Asian with tattoos. I already get that "look" whenever my sleeve is exposed.
For onsens, if you have tattoos in general, you can ask for a private room/space as long you let them know that you have tattoos.
I appreciate the feedback. I have been to a few private onsens. There are lots of public ones that allow tattoos, you just have to really search for them and ask ahead of time.
@@WesleyAtLarge I agree. It's how the country is so I don't blame them. Personally, being South East Asian myself & still treated a certain way is not easy to accept. I love Japan, but yeah just tattoos alone still hold the negative stereotypes.
That's why being non-asian, there is leeway to it. Not tryna be racist, it's the perception of Asian folks be acting towards Caucasians & my personal experience.
@@N3THof209 why would white have an advantage?
Couldn't you just go in with a long rash guard?
Watch out at 03:46 where he flips us all off... lol
Was always a dream of mine to visit Japan, but having neck/hand tattoos that i can't easily cover, i don't think I'll go now haha
I highly recommend you still visit japan! It is unfortunate that some activities such as gyms and many hotsprings will be unavailable to you, but there is still so many great things to see and do. And people on the street tend to be very friendly towards foreigners with tattoos in my experience, they just are not excepted in certain situations. If you wanted to move here visible tattoos would effect your lifestyle a fair amount and would be worth factoring into your decision. But if you want to come for a vacation or as a tourist, I highly encourage it!
huh
who did your tattoos? Insanely beautiful.
A few different artists. But my arms were done by Nissaco here in Japan.
@@WesleyAtLarge How long was the wait time with Nissaco? Just curious cause I know how in demand he is. Super jealous of your sleeves dude!
@@Asgard222 Hey, the wait time before Covide was about 18 months. But because tourists haven't been allowed in Japan for so long I am not sure what that has done to his bookings to be honest.
hows that democracy?
no Tatttoo! what if I just have two t's? lol
bruh my neck tattoo literally says "there is no god" in japanese am I cooked
holy you have sick ink
nice video, i have fingers and neck tattoos, so im banned
他国の文化は尊重する。しかし押し付けはやめてくれ。
Pure shame they act like that smh
you look like you have two tattoos, one on each arm.
I'm Japanese too, and I understand that there is a tattoo culture in the inner parts of Japan.
However, for ordinary Japanese people, tattoos are not art, and have a negative image of them as gangsters, martial artists who just want to show off their power, or criminals.
Therefore, I think that living in Japan will be difficult for foreigners with tattoos.
The same goes for people who have multiple piercings on their face or ears.
There is a possibility that you will be treated like an outlaw in Japan, so if you do not want to be treated like that, please do not come to Japan.
わざわざ遠い日本へ布教活動をしにきたわけね。誰かから命令されたの？
英語わからないならコメントしなきゃいいのに。
Is it true that some onsens are tattoo friendly?
Yes !!