i gots a question about tattoos in japan.?

Question

im planning a trip to Japan this summer and well im really really excited about it, but heres the thing: i have a angel wing tattoo (just like HYDE's) covering my entire upper back. (for those of you who don't know, HYDE is a pretty famous rockstar in japan). in Japan they have public baths and stuff like that and also i know that they have some strict aspects of behavior, and attitudes so if i come in a public bath and they notice my wings, are they gonna think bad of me, do you think it's bad to show it off in general?? Cuz well its japan after all and HYDE and that tattoo are very famous over there.. Heres a pic of HYDE and his/my tat:

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q237/coldmoon015/hydewings.jpg

well T.I.A!! :D *bye*

Answer 1

Tattoos, NOW, aren't really as taboo as they used to be here in Japan. The whole "Yakuza" attitude as since sort of become diluted with the western influence. Small, meaning not covering your whole body tattoos, are not associated with Yakuza, but with the majority of society being boomers and up, you will get looks if you openly flaunt it. If you walk around the young people's district, say Harajuku, with a tank top, kids will look, some might even laugh, but I would guess that the majority might go out and get the tattoo themselves.

My advice, don't openly flaunt or draw attention to your tattoo. Don't feel the need to dress in burlap to hide it either. T-shirts are fine. It is very hot in the summer. If you wear tank tops in the more seedy parts of town, there is a chance that you might be hit on by some of those seedy types. Just be careful. Some old public bathes do prohibit tattoos, but those are the Full-body tattoos, yours would be fine, but you might want to make sure before you enter. Since you are a foreigner, they should cut you some slack.

Either way, I hope you enjoy your trip.

Answer 2

Didn't HYDE kill himself? I know that Hide from X Japan did. Anyway, yeah, if you respect the culture you don't go showing off your tattoos. Probably the most lenient areas of Tokyo will be Roppongi or Harajuku, but even there I wouldn't flaunt them. I lived back in Japan for a few years in my early 20s and kept my arms covered the whole time because a) women generally don't have tattoos, and b) some old-schoolers associate tattoos with the yakuza.

My family in Japan was pretty disappointed when I got mine years ago. I was probably this close to being banished.

Answer 3

As mentioned above, tattoos are not bad every where, but not widely accepted. I am a Tokyo resident also and at my sports club, people with tatoos are asked to cover them up. This includes the killer tiger tattoo on this dude's leg and the cute butterfly tattoo on the this pretty lady's lower back. I have also seen signs in Japanese and English that say no tattoos at onsens and public pools.

I suggest to avoid the baths and do all of the other millions of fun and cool stuff in Tokyo.

Answer 4

It's true that tatoos are not as much of a taboo as they once were.

Still, there are many public baths/hot springs/swimming pools where 'No tatoo' signs are clearly displayed. Your not being able to read it may or may not pass as an excuse. I know of at least one famous artist who was denied entry because of a tatoo on his upper arm and and went back with a duct tape covering it.

Other than that, your upper back stays coverd if you dress decently, right? I don't recommend showing it off on the street, with or without tatoo.

Answer 5

I come from a very traditional family that own some chains in Tokyo, one of my relatives own a big onsen house. People don't seem to mind the fact that I have a big celtic cross tattoo on my back. (mine is painted, not TEMPORARY though, painted with acrylic paint so I can get new design every few months) People now, call it body art not mafia art like before! I swear at the very beginning my mother yelled at me.

Answer 6

I would be wary if entering most Onsens with a tattoo thay you may be asked to leave, I have a friend who has a small butterfly tattoo on her shoulder and has been asked to leave a few Onsens so you might have to prepare for this

Answer 7

Don't worry about it. You're a foreigner and the Japanese will see that immediately and accept that about you. It's not a knock, it's just the way it is. In some places in Japan, tattoos are kind of taboo, I suppose like kissing in public still is.

Answer 8

well...according to my friend he said that like in some public baths/onsen they dont let ppl with tattoos on or something cuz they like bleed? i dunno something liek that so i guess u cant go in. and i thinks that hyde dude`s wings are freakin ugly. rather get a sleave but it will look cute on white chix : )