Article by: yana

Everything you need to know about tattoos in Japan

Japan has a long history of tattoos. Irezumi, or traditional Japanese tattooing, goes back many centuries, and modern tattoo culture in the West draws heavily on Japanese influences, sometimes directly appropriating Japanese styles and symbols. However, in the past, tattoos in Japan were used to mark someone who committed a crime, and remnants of this culture still exist in various parts of Japan. Also, tattoos are often associated with the mafia – yakuza – even nowadays, which is probably Japanese people (especially elderly) still have prejudice towards tattoos. It does not mean that Japanese people do not have tattoos – they certainly do, and it is becoming more and more popular among the younger generation. On September 18th, 2020, for the first time in history, the Japanese Supreme Court has acknowledged tattooing as an art rather than a medical procedure, which means tattoo artists are no longer required to obtain medical licenses to practice their art. Yet unlike many countries today, it is still rare to expose tattoos in Japan. Many Japanese people keep them entirely covered for social reasons, and because of the need for employment. Even Yakuza members traditionally contain their extensive ink to areas that sit beneath clothing.

You can show your tattoos in the majority of places in Japan, but unfortunately, you will find places where tattoos are banned. Those places are pool, gym, and most water parks and some beaches, onsens (public baths), some ryokans. Of course, not all of them ban tattoos – some will be completely fine with it, but it is worth asking beforehand. Beaches and gyms are usually more lenient, while onsens have the strictest policy.

And If you are planning on living here there is another place where you should hide your tattoos. At the job interview and probably at your workplace – especially if your position involves talking to the customers. If you are working at the office or your company is international or has a lot of young people in it – you will probably be fine without covering your tattoos after joining the company, but it is still better to hide it for the interview.