Tattoos in Japan are still considered uncommon, but they do exist. It is totally legal to get a tattoo in Japan, and just in 2020, tattoo artists have been approved by law to work without a medical license.
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.
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.
Japan has a longstanding taboo against tattoos, which remain associated with organized crime. Many beaches, hot springs resorts and gyms do not admit people with tattoos. Companies often expressly prohibit applicants who are inked.
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.
In Japan tattoos have long been stigmatized for their association with organized crime gangs, the Yakuza, who pledge their allegiance with full-body markings. Consequently, anyone with ink – regardless of their profession – cannot usually use public swimming pools, hot springs, beaches and even some gyms.
Generally speaking, having a tattoo in Japan negatively affects your ability to find a job. In some cases, it may even be impossible. That is an unfortunate fact about job hunting in Japan. However, this generalization mainly applies to large companies, banks, and positions in a public office.
Tattoos: legal issues
In Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, it's a criminal offence for a tattooist to do tattoos for someone under 18 years. In the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, teenagers under 18 years need to get their parents' permission for tattoos.
Not many beaches in Japan ban tattoos outright. Some do, though, so do research on where you're going if you're inked. Typically, if there is a ban, you can still enjoy the beach as long as your tattoos aren't visible, so cover up with a t-shirt or your swimming gear. Small tattoos are generally overlooked.
Besides booking yourself a private onsen (which can be costly), you can purchase body stickers and skin-coloured patches to conceal your body art.
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.
Tattooing in South Korea has a long and controversial history. South Korean law permits only licensed medical practitioners, as opposed to tattoo artists without medical degrees, to open tattoo parlors, although it is not illegal to have a tattoo. Only the army prohibits tattoos.
People with tattoos are banned from most onsen (hot springs), sento (public baths), ryokan (traditional inns), pools, gyms and even capsule hotels.
If you have a traditional Japanese tattoo, do not worry that it will be small and with simple colors. Japanese tattoos either cover the whole arm, all of the chest portion, or the back portion. Rule 2 – Japanese tattoos should have symbols and themes to represent their culture.
Reasons for getting a tattoo
Tattooing is most popular among Australians in the 20 to 39 year age group. According to McCrindle Research, by 2009, one in four Australians of the Gen Y group— those born between 1982 and 2001—considered having “body art” as an ideal way to celebrate their coming of age.
1 in 5 Australians has a tattoo
Our latest research surveying 1,013 ordinary Australians reveals that 1 in 5 (20%) individuals have one or more tattoos.
If you have any tattoos or body piercings, it is possible that you won't be allowed to enter. Be sure to remove any piercings (ears are okay) and conceal any ink. (Tattoos in Japan are widely associated with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia, and are generally frowned upon.)
If you're planning to teach English in Japan with tatoos, for example, you will find schools that prohibit teachers from having visible tattoos largely due to the cultural association tattoos have with the Yakuza (Japanese Mafia).
A whopping 85.3% of people polled indicated that they have no piercings at the moment, leaving only a measly 14.7% with piercings. There are a few qualifications to those numbers: some of the people polled (9.7%) used to have a piercing, and others (8.9%) want to get one.
China bans tattoos for minors, forbidding anyone from offering the service to teens. The State Council directive also bars advertisements and online or broadcast content that depicts tattoos. A Chinese player sports tattoos during the men's basketball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2021.