Japanese School Rules?

Question

I plan on going to Japan for my senior year of high school. I have a few tattoos on my hands, arms, waist, back and legs. Unless I cover them with clothing or put (a whole bunch of) concealor on them (and sometimes they still show through), they show up really vibrant on me because I have pale skin. Also I heard some schools don't let you dye your hair. How does that work if you don't have black hair naturally and is it against the rules to have really long hair (like past your waist)? Also what if you have a lot of piercings? Also since like the average Japanese girl is 5' 1" ft and I'm at least 5' 8" ft (and muscular from working out, what problems could that give me (like would a uniform actually fit me)? What are basic rules for high school students in Japan? Please post info. Thanks.

Note: Don't post anything about international schools. I plan on going to a traditional Japanese school.

Also if by chance I wouldn't be able to fit the school's uniform, would I be able to get a waiver because I've tried on skirts and stuff from Japan before and they always come up severely short on me (what goes below a short Japanese girls' knees looks like a mini-skirt on me) and I'm sure that's probably against school rules to have such a short skirt.

What if you're hair's blonde/red/or brown? If you're caucasian (like me), they wouldn't really be able to know your natural hair color, right?

Also can you wear high heels or like one inch heels in school? Or boots?

What sort of a retainer is related to piercings? Also what kind of comments would I get if my hair was red or blonde? Would they be good or bad comments?

If I cut my hair to mid-back, I'd probably be cutting off more than 15 inches so yeah, it would be a lot to cut off.

Also I'm of Cherokee descent so my long hair is important to me. The Japanese are big on their heritage so wouldn't they understand that I'd like to show off my heritage too? Could it be possible to keep my hair if I wore it in a braid? It's all one length so it would fit into a braid easy.

Answer 1

You should probably be able to get uniforms made for you in appropriate fits. I went to a Japanese school for 3 weeks (not long I know) but you are right they weren't allowed to dye their hair or have any tatoos or piercings. I think that you can keep a natural looking hair colour for yourself and you will need to cover your tatoos and take out any earrings etc
Japanese people love blonde hair!

Answer 2

A lot will depend on the school. As you are a foreigner they may cut you some slack. From my experience of over 20 years in Japan and this is not representative: Hair tends to be shoulder length usually tied back with a ribbon or rubber band. make means no eyeliner, mascara, lipstick or anything to improve your appearance, Foundation should be OK as long as its not too obvious. Pierces means studs, earrings or anything that goes in your ears. Obviously as you cant take holes out it means you can not wear anything that goes through the holes during school hours. If they let one person wear pierced earrings it means they have to let everyone. Its not about liking you its about you conforming to the group and adhering to the same rules as everyone else. Skirts are worn to above the knee. Its not a case of you being too tall for the skirts, you will take up the hem so its above the knee line. Japanese are shorter than Americans on average but that does not mean there are not tall Japanese. Some are 5'10 and taller. If you plan to enter into a particular high school or enter a university then a cram school (juku) is a necessity for some students because you wont pass the examination unless you do the extra study (which in most cases is not taught in your regular classes) Dyed hair is dyed hair. For many schools the student's hair is natural brown but the school asks them to dye it black. if you have highlights or streaks they may ask you to get rid of them. PS its may be natural but very few people are born with hair of two different colors.

Answer 3

Yakuza( Japanese mafia) often have a tattoo. That's why you can't see average Japanese have a tattoo. I believe teacher will ask you to cover up your tattoo. In Japan, most school have a school uniform. No high heel, No piercing, No make-up& No hair dye etc.( since you are not asian, if you not say your hair color is not natural, they may never know). About your long hair... I don't think there is a problem. If they ask you to cut, you should explain you want to keep long hair because your heritage. I believe they will let you keep your long hair. And braid should be O.K.

Answer 4

I'm not sure about the tattoos. I would be astonished if you weren't required to cover them up. Traditionally, tattoos are associated with criminals in Japan. I couldn't say if that has loosened up in recent years.

Your natural hair color will be fine, although if you are blond or red-headed, you will get comments from your classmates. I'm not sure if there would be a hassle with dying your hair black, but I wouldn't expect there to be one.

The piercings will be an issue. You'll probably have to wear retainers.

I'd be surprised if you can wear hair to waist length. However, mid-back length is common, so you wouldn't have to cut too much off.

You will be able to find a uniform that fits, but you may not be pleased with the fit. For example, as you mentioned, the skirt may be short. You might be surprised at how short a skirt is permitted in class.

Answer 5

It depends on the individual school but here's what's likely to happen at an average one.

School uniform: It can be and often is made to order so your physique will not be a problem.

Tattoos: Worst case is that the school will not accept you to start with. At the very least you will be asked to cover them up.
(For a Japanese student, a tattoo can very well be a ground for suspension. Even if the teachers accept yours as a cultural difference, they wouldn't want to risk to let other students think it's acceptable.)

Piercing: You will be asked to take them off. You might be allowed to were retainers on your ears, but not not on any other visible part of the body.

Hair color: What's prohibited is changing your natural hair color. It doesn't matter what color it might be. (BTW, makeup is banned in many schools, too.) And yes, they wouldn't know your natural hair color so as long as you stick to one color you should be fine.

Blond/redhead is a novelty in Japan and as such, will attract comments from your classmates, but they will be more positive than negative.

Long hair: You don't need to cut it off but most schools require long hair to be tied with non-ostentatious string or ribbon, or braided.

Shoes: If the school requires you to wear a uniform, that usually includes a certain type as shoes. If not, it depends on the school but high-heels and boots are usually no-no.

Generally speaking, Japanese high schools do not encourage students to express themselves through fashion at school, which they view as distraction.

Answer 6

First of all, it all depends on schools.
Some schools are very strict dress codes, and some don't.
One of my friends went to high school which didn't have uniforms.
If you are going to attend the school which has a uniform for more than a year, they will find you uniform. I am pretty sure.

About the hair color and length... as long as you have a natural hair color, that would be fine. And I really doubt that the school require you to cut your hair.
Probably you have to tie them up though.

Now, tattoo, huh...?
I don't know how to suggest about this.
But probably they will accept you as long as you don't show off the people.

The school where I went to did not allow us to pierce.
But I did while I was in the states as an exchange student.
After I came back, they told me not to wear earrings, but I wasn't suspended although I would've been.

Answer 7

my little sister is at an all girls school in Japan.
I dont know about tattoos, they may not even let you into the school, but you will have to hide or cover them up for sure.
my sister has blonde hair but she dyes the bottom layer a brown/red (I dont know the technical word for that lol)
she has more than one set of piercings in her ear, and she parts her hair so that you cant see them.
your tattoos on your waist back and legs will be no problem, because you should never show them to anyone. but your arms and hands might be a problem.
People will judge you right off for how you look, so be careful.
Im sure they will find a uniform for you.
Living in Japan can be tough, but be positive, accept that things are different and be outgoing. If you are, you will love it and reccomend it to others. I sure do.

Answer 8

some high schools are very strict.
no tattoo of course, no hair dye, no piercing (no earring either), no permanent hair, no make up, no nail polish... etc. etc.
long hair is no problem. but some schools gonna say you have to tie your hair.

dont worry about uniform. one of my friend was taller than you. and she ordered special one.

some schools dont care about your hair color. depends. you better call your school and ask.

about heels and boots.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/s:Dress%20Shoes:134606-Style=Loafers
you need this type of shoes. some school have to wear only black or blue. no brown. depends.

some school dont allow piercings. you need to cover piercings with bandage or something.

Answer 9

I'm sure they can somehow find a uniform that will fit you. if not then you might have to get it customly done.
they don't allow tattoos, piercings, or dyed hair.
usually only the "bad" kids do it.
so you will have ot take out your piercings and cover your tattoos as best as you can.