Some places in Japan happily welcome tattooed tourists. For those with obvious and huge tattoos that are impossible to cover or those who are not fond of hiding their body art, do not worry because there are some sites that provide comprehensive lists of tattoo-friendly onsen and sento.
Suggestions for Tourists With Tattoos
While tattoos are not illegal, they can prevent people from getting the full Japanese experience. When using public transportation in Japan, such as trains, tourists with visible tattoos will want to keep in mind that their ink may be offensive to some of the locals.
Although the number of tattoo-friendly onsen and sento is growing, many still do not allow tattooed guests. Etiquette is important to Japanese bathing culture and crucial for a relaxing onsen experience. Inked visitors should avoid these facilities and instead find one of the many that do allow tattoos.
Unfortunately, these decisions also impact both Japanese people and foreigners who have tattoos without any connection to the yakuza. But before going into the details, the simple answer to the question posed in the title of this article is: Yes, you can absolutely travel to Japan if you have a tattoo.
Rules are very important in Japan, and as there is a no tattoo rule in nearly all pools, onsens and gyms, a foreigner walking up to the desk with tattoos showing is bound to cause concern. Just cover up and keep those tattoos covered and that is acceptable. If you can't cover up, don't go to those environments.
? Is it OK to have a Yakuza tattoo? Yes, you can get a traditional yakuza tattoo. Yakuza doesn't use tattoos to identify their members, so you won't run into trouble. These tattoos are personal and based on Japanese legends, symbolism, and art.
Aqua Tattoo Cover Seal
You can cut a piece of the seal to size and then apply it like a temporary tattoo. Simply remove the clear film, stick the seal on, apply a wet towel over the seal and press down gently. If your tattoo is still visible after one layer, you can apply a second layer after the first one dries.
Do NOT bathe in an onsen if you are at the active stage of a disease (especially if you have a fever); Onsen bathing imposes a large burden on your body, so avoid bathing in an onsen when you are weak and tired as the symptoms may become worse.
Some onsen will welcome you but simply issue you with skin-coloured patches to stick on, covering up any potentially offending ink. If you are using an onsen which is part of a ryokan (traditional inn) then there is probably less chance that others would see your tattoos - unless the ryokan is a very large modern one.
Actually, tattoos are fine in Japan. They're not illegal in any way. You may even see some people walking around with fashion tattoos, especially in Tokyo. Although some people in Japan have tattoos, they are usually hidden underneath clothing.
Japan is an incredible country with many different and exciting facets. One of the most popular things to do in Japan, especially for foreigners, is to visit one of its hot springs called onsen. An Onsen is a natural hot spring that Japanese people go to and bathe in naturally hot water to relax or cleanse themselves.
Prices will vary depending on where you go, but generally speaking, getting a tattoo in Japan will be cheaper than getting one done in your home country.
Cover your tattoos
Strange as it may seem, many gyms in Japan won't let you inside with exposed tattoos. Tattoos are associated with Yakuza (gangsters), who are often heavily tattooed. The government put this rule in place to keep Yakuza away from the public because they can't specifically say “no Yakuza”.
Their influence and activities remain local. Contrarily, the yakuza are a confederation of criminal syndicates active throughout Japan. According to Japanese law, their status is not illegal: they have offices and a yakuza presence is still noticeable in many cities.
The best time to visit Japan is between March and May and between September and November as it's both warm and dry between these periods. However, the joys of springtime and the iconic blooming of the cherry blossoms in Japan are no secret, which means you'll be sharing the space with plenty of other travellers.
Doctors do not recommend using onsen at all while menstruating. But, if you absolutely cannot avoid it, use a tampon. Even if it's a “light” day, nobody wants blood or bodily fluids floating around in the shared bath water. Using a tampon will also help protect against water entering through your cervical opening.
No Clothes Allowed
No clothes or bathing suits are allowed in the onsen bathing areas. People try hard to preserve the cleanliness of onsen. They are somewhat sacred places. Clothes and bathing suits can bring dirt and soap into the hot spring waters from outside and are, therefore, considered unhygienic.
Most onsen will not tell you explicitly that you cannot use the bath on your period. Some people will enter the bath with a tampon, but the topic is often debated. If you're worried, maybe sit this one out.
The Japanese have perfected the art of onsen, or hot spring baths, for centuries. Traditionally, men and women would bathe together in the same facility, but these days the baths are segregated by gender. Today, konyoku (mixed-gender onsen) are hard to find, with places like Tokyo having bans on such establishments.
Around the 7th century is when tattooing in Japan truly gained its negative connotations. Tattoos were associated with criminals and delinquents at that time. People caught committing crimes would sometimes be tattooed as punishment, so others would be aware of their wrong doings.
Kitahama Onsen Termas Bath
On the southern island of Kyushu is where you'll find Beppu, a steaming hot spring haven located in Oita Prefecture. Beppu is a relatively safe bet for onsen lovers with tattoos as many of the facilities you'll find here have more relaxed attitudes to the archaic rules.
“Is it offensive or insensitive for me as a white man to get traditional Japanese tattoos?” No. There are plenty of Caucasian artists who sport 'yakuza' style tattoos, but since the yakuza have no Caucasian members, there is not much chance that these artists are affiliated to any gumi.
It's also important to remember that traditional Japanese tattoos are deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history, and they hold a special meaning for many people. Disrespecting these tattoos or appropriating them for fashion or trend purposes can be seen as offensive and cultural appropriation.