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.
Some tips and tricks for visiting onsen if you have tattoos
Friends of mine with smaller tattoos have gotten away with covering them with bandages or even using their small onsen towel to obscure them. For those with back tattoos, leaning against the wall while in the water has worked.
In order to avoid being turned away when you show up at your ryokan, it's best to know their policy, and to cover your tattoos for good measure. Even a ryokan that is aware you have a tattoo and has allowed you entry will likely appreciate it if you keep your tattoos covered when in shared areas of the inn.
Another option is to reserve a private or family bath, which are available at some onsen. This is the route we take for people on our tours who have tattoos. Or you can use a waterproof bandage to cover up a small tattoo. These bandages are usually sold at drugstores in Japan.
So, IF it might help try wearing a Tshirt + long shorts. If that doesn't work you'll have no choice but to get that waterproof make-up that you will need . Another idea is to try painting over them then try to pass them off as temporary tattoos! Hope this may help you !
If you have a new tattoo and you have to submerge it, here are some tips to prevent water from getting your tattoo wet: Clean and dry your tattoo thoroughly to ensure it is clear of bacteria. Wrap the tattoo with a waterproof material, such as plastic wrap. Do your best to seal the plastic tightly with medical adhesive.
Are Tattoos Illegal in Japan? While some view tattoos as an art form, the Japanese government, on the other hand, does not. Although they may not be illegal, tattoos are often associated with the Yakuza, a Japanese gang that covers their entire body with tattoos.
Japan has two tattoo cultures - Western and Yakuza - and while it seems unlikely that a foreign tourist would be confused with one, the rules generally exist to keep gang members out of certain spaces. However, these attitudes date back to the Edo period (1603-1868), where criminals were punished with tattoos.
Because Japanese society has yet to completely welcome tattoos as an art form and a way of life, the majority of tattoo parlors in Japan are hidden in private studios and can only be visited with appointments in advance.
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”.
When getting a job in a company, does a tattoo become a negative factor? Still, many Japanese companies reject employees who have tattoos. For Japanese companies, if an employee of the company gets a tattoo, it seems that he is an anti-social person or is associated with other anti-social people.
Do not submerge your tattoo in water. Avoid rivers, lakes, hot springs, hot tubs, baths, etc… until your tattoo is fully healed.
The shortest answer to this, based on research on medical publications and articles in Japanese, doctors would in general not encourage you to go into an onsen while on your period. The most common reasons are that: It's unsanitary and disrespectful toward other people.
Yes, Japan allows foreigners with tattoos to visit the country. However, people with visible tattoos may be barred from certain places like onsens (hot springs), gyms, swimming pools, and some traditional ryokans (inns), as tattoos are often associated with the Yakuza.
Well I'm sorry to ruin your dreams, but unfortunately, as many of you already know, if you are a tattooed person, you are not allowed to enter most of the public baths, pools, hot springs, gyms or beaches in the country.
Does Japan Hate Tattoos? The Outlawing of Tattoos in Japan. Rulers of the Edo period tried to ban tattoos in Japan, largely due to its association with the tale of Suikoden. In the story, the heroes were the underdogs; they were tattooed men who challenged the suffocating rule of authority.
Body ink has long been stigmatised in Japan due to its links with the criminal underworld. In recent years tattoos have been associated with country's largest organised crime syndicate, the Yakuza, but their murky history dates much further back.
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.
Ear piercings are against Japanese school dress code, along with any other forms of jewelry and even painted nails. In fact, piercings of any kind are very uncommon in Japan, even for older people. Usually the people who get ear piercings in Japan are rule-breakers, or people who are trying to look tough.
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. However, in Japan there is a strong stigma against tattoos, so you might not be able to enter some public places with visible body art.
In conclusion, you can shower after getting a tattoo, but don't submerge the tattoo in water for any prolonged period of time. Follow the instructions your tattoo artist gives you, and if you're bandaged with Saniderm, you can keep the covering on your tattoo while you shower because it is waterproof.
It cannot be applied to a new tattoo because it does not allow air to penetrate the wound surface. In this case, a crust will not have time to form on the wound surface, and bacteria can get inside it. Therefore, you can use vaseline to keep the tattoo water-resistant only after it has completely healed.
After getting inked, take it seriously and do as the experts say. Wait at least two weeks before submerging the area in water (that means holding off on trying your fancy new bath bomb, too) and keep the area clean.