Questions for tattooed people

26 comments

1. I have a not-very-big, not very obvious one on my shoulder. Had I known at the time that I would end up in Japan I would not have gotten it. And I do consider getting rid of it, but the time and the cost is putting me off.

2. The only time it’s really a problem, is when going to the beach or an onsen. I always need to find private onsen, and beaches are often the worst because of vague rules. At work, I just cover them up when I have meetings, but for the rest my office is pretty relaxed about it.

   I don’t regret getting them, I knew full well what I was getting into when getting tattoos. Even though I didn’t live in Japan yet, I already knew there were going to be occasions when I would need to cover up, and that hasn’t changed since.

3. Only real issue for me is lack of access to gyms with pools, but the local ward gym is tattoo friendly, so no big deal there. In recent years a few beaches have been implementing tattoo bans, which is a bit of a slide backwards, but otherwise Japan is much more relaxed than when I came here.

   I still keep my ink covered at work, but honestly, I would do that in most countries regardless.

4. I have two full sleeves, wrist to shoulders. I got them at 18 years old and I am now 36.

   I never gave a shit about what people thought about the way I looked in the US but here I am, fluent in Japanese sitting on a bench on my day off covering up my arms even though its hot outside.

   I don’t know if I regret it really… I just hate having to explaining it all the time. You get instantly judged by how you look here regardless of being foreigner or not. I often laugh when I see some “punk” or “rocker” style Japanese person. They always look the same, brand new clothes and they could easily wear a suit the next day and nobody would have a clue about the type of personality they have.

   I guess if I could choose, I would rather not have them. Regardless of me thinking that the tattoo stigma here is beyond smooth brain stupid, it’s only been a burden for me regardless of being a foreigner or not.

5. Odd that there is still so much stigma against tattoos. I see dozen of young people with tats nowadays. I understand the history behind it but for gods sake, how long will it take for Japanese to just realize that tattoos are now just a piece of accessory or permanent make up.

6. I have tattoos, but I always kept them covered when I worked in a more traditional company. There was a bit of drama when a new foreign guy joined the company and one of the older staff saw his (they were visible through his white shirt since he wasn’t wearing anything underneath). It sucked for him, but it made me glad I’d always worn undershirts and darker colors. Where I work now doesn’t care though, so I’m free to wear short sleeves in summer.

   I don’t like beaches or swimming very much, and while I do like (private) onsen, I don’t want to go into one with a bunch of coworkers, so they provide a convenient excuse.

   I don’t regret them, and I’ve booked in for more over the summer.

7. First off: I’m in the military, so YMMV. I have a sleeve that goes from my shoulder to almost my wrist on my left arm, and another tattoo on my right bicep. I use the gym / pool on base, so no worries there…can’t say I’ve been to the beach here either, but I’ve heard the ones near me are cool with tattooed people. I freely wear tank tops / short sleeves when I go out. Sometimes people are a little wary of me on the train, but who’s to say that wouldn’t happen without tattoos? Lol

   I will say, last time I lived here from 2014-2016, I had zero tattoos, and was an onsen FIEND. Now I’ve had to restrict myself to the tattoo friendly ones…I don’t want to put a compression sleeve / ton of bandages on, nor do I want to try to gaijin smash my way through the situation. Such is life, though! I don’t regret my awesome tattoos one bit 🤙🏼

8. I have some random tattoos on my arms and legs. Then pretty much my whole chest and stomach are covered. I know that I can’t go to most public onsens, and over the weekend I wore a long sleeve rash guard at the beach just in case.

   I don’t regret them because I haven’t been here for long, and I hope I never do end up regretting them because I think they make me look cool. I have met a few girls with small ones and they thought mine were cool but they could easily just hide theirs.

   I also already look really out of place with being a tall white guy with bleached blonde hair. So I don’t really try to fit in. A lot of people that I’ve talked to (that speak English) are surprised and think it’s really cool that I moved here. That goes from younger people to older people. I also just work at home or with my friends so I don’t really have to hide them in my normal life.

9. I have a number of them on my arms all but 1 very western in theme/style, one looks kinda more like Japanese style, but isn’t really.

   Mostly pool, gym, onsen, beach, and super-sento issues. I can cover mine up with a swim shirt at the beach/pool, so that’s not an issue.

   I’ve gotten a lot of weird looks, some people talking about me (presumably not realizing I speak Japanese or not caring), and a couple of times people have grabbed it to have a look (which is a mistake they don’t make a second time). Kids actually have fun reactions, but I always say they shouldn’t get them if they like pools, onsen, and such.

   I DO cover them up when doing basically anything with the government or banks. It tends to make the whole experience smoother. I had a former coworker who had tons of tattoos. He refused to ever cover them and often got less-than-stellar service at some places as a result (we think; we of course can’t prove that).

10. I have at least a dozen tattoos mostly on my legs and back. I keep them covered at work but outside of work, i don’t care if people see them. I get stared at whether my tattoos are visible or not.

    Honestly, I’ll probably never get my arms tattooed just because it’s a pain in the ass to cover.

    I do have two small side of finger tattoos and I don’t cover them. Usually, they’re not noticeable but if someone sees them, I just say they’re religious and people leave it at that.

11. As with anything in Japan the farther you get away from major city the more looks (and perception) you get for not just tattoos but being a foreigner in general.

    Why would you regret them because people look at you funny? Lol fuck that

    The only “bad” experience I had was I couldn’t go to a onsen with my friends because I was tattooed and we had to go somewhere else. But the lady was so nice she told me where one was that we could all go to nearby and get a private room and we did that. That was in 2010 so if you can speak the language everything else works out.

12. I’m pretty covered and cannot reasonably hide some of them (neck, throat, head, hands). I’m sure it’s shut some doors for me, but I consider it the same as anywhere else: I wouldn’t want to be employed at those places or build friendships with people who feel that way. It’s always been a good filter. Kind of sucks to have to go way out of town for beach and river spots if my partner and I want to avoid people we casually know, though. I don’t regret having them. It’s helped to form friendships with great artists and other tattooed folks here, too.

13. In my personal case it’s a bit annoying because I can’t wear shorts at work in summer and also have to use long socks to cover my ankle tattoos, luckily the AC at my current job makes it less of an issue, but at my previous job they really cheaped out on ac and it was hell. Also getting a gym membership or going to a local swimming pool is very hard if you have tattoos. I don’t regret getting them but it’s super inconvenient for certain things. You also miss out on great onsens for it…

14. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. Most people are curious to see them. Sometimes people avoid sitting next to me on the train, but I count that as a positive.

15. I have tattoos on my arms, back and foot and have never had any negative experiences while living here. The only annoying thing is finding a swimming pool to go to and having to wear a rash vest. Usually if I go to an onsen, I either use one of the private baths or sneak into the main ones either early in the morning or at night. I’ve never been asked to leave, I have actually been complimented on my tattoos by some old ladies.

    All the beaches I go to (Shonan and Chiba) have tons of tattooed folk and so have not had a problem there either.
    Most of my Japanese friends here have tattoos as well so I guess it also depends on who you hang out with and the places that you go.

16. I am often embarrassed when they laugh at it. Never regretted but covered it to avoid negativity.

    As an expat, I know I will leave this place soon, so that’s a relief.

17. Have a half sleeve done in Japan tebori style. Do I regret it? Not for a single second. But it has been a royal pain in the arse at times. I have been booted from a gym, multiple onsen’s, a couple of shops and a few bars.

    I have learned that as long as you don’t mention it and just get one with what ever, people generally leave you alone. My current gym is fine with it and the onsen doesn’t seen to care as long as I put a towel on it.

    My wife still hates it though. lol.

18. I only have an ankle tattoo so I can slap a big bandaid on it if I want to go to a public onsen.

    Maybe it’s because I’m female and don’t exactly have what one would call an intimidating physique, plus it’s just an ankle tat, but I’ve been met with just curiosity about what it says or got it called cool.

    I don’t regret it and plan on getting more when I get some funds

19. Two small tattoos. Never had an issue but some arsehole at my local pool complained to the life guards about the one he could see on my back and they had a word, despite it being visible for 6 months prior to the ratting. Anyway, a small bit of tape on it is fine and it prevents the poor dear from being offended. I’ve started using the tape at onsens but again never had a problem there before. In fact I saw a Japanese guy with a huge tat on his arm last time I went. Signs everywhere saying no tattoos too. He clearly wasn’t a gangster and that’s who they really want to deter.

20. Life hasn’t been hard for me. I knew living in Japan with tattoos would probably cause some difficulties(?) if that. I’m not a beach person because I hate that smell after getting home, but I would definitely hike. Onsen, I did want to try, so I did a private one in Beppu. If people staring, I don’t pay attention because it’s not putting money in my pocket. I have an EXTREME RBF, so no one bothers me. Every time I’m out with a friend or a potential date, I always get the “your tattoo is cute”….I have a kanji one….Mugen(please don’t judge me, I know)

21. Just having to cover up at work during summer seems to be a bit annoying. Also if I hang around an area where I might run into students (I work at a school) I try to always wear long sleeves. I do think however, just started caring less and wearing short sleeves, but explaining my tattoos to people is kind of tiresome so I just say “yeah I like tattoos so I got them” and end at that. Life’s not generally hard just bothersome sometimes.

22. I have two tattoos on my back and the lifeguard at my local pool cared more about my piercings than my tattoos!

    I’ve gone to beaches with them uncovered without issue. I actually dislike onsen so they work as a way to politely turn down offers to go with friends!

    My day job is in a creative field, so I wouldn’t get in trouble if they were seen, but I don’t typically put them on display. If tattoos come up in conversation it’s always fun to show them off. I’ve had pretty good experiences overall honestly. I honestly plan to get one more eventually!

23. I have a couple of small tattoos around my arms and on my legs; visible when I wear a short-sleeve t-shirt.
    Context: On my right arm is a drawing from Yoshitomo Nara, and a little Miffy, so kinda cutesy; on my other arm is my no-longer-here grandma’s initials in art-nouveau typography.
    I have personally never gotten any prejudice for my tattoos, in fact a lot of people end up complimenting them and giving me either: “kawaaaiii” or “itakatta?”. A lot of people around my age/early to late 20s are actually really interested in getting tattoos but are of course scared for societal implications and pain.
    My current company is super super free in terms of wearing whatever you want and doing whatever you want with your looks, but in my past company I had to hide them (but I’m pretty sure everyone’s probably seen mine already but never said anything to my face).
    I’ve never gotten rejected from an onsen or pool personally, I don’t go often to begin with.
    I would chalk my experience up to depends on what you have tattoo’d on you. Mine are relatively unassuming, not too big, and also kinda cutesy; so most of the time people would compliment me and be shocked to see a little miffy on my arm lol.

24. Got both forearms, one upper arm and one thigh covered, planning to get more.

    So far I had no specific problems with it, but I live in Okinawa, where it’s much more relaxed. The locals probably assume I’m american/military most of the time.

    Work-wise, I’ve had little issues so far, but I work in research, in a mainly international environment, so it’s very relaxed when it comes to dress code and expectations. And I did teach a course in Ryudai, but the professor never asked me to cover up, though I was wearing short sleeves when I met him so he was very aware of the tattoos (if he had asked me to cover them I would have resigned from the gig, it’s too hot here for me to keep them covered all the time). The students were very open about them, mostly curious and wanted to know how many I had, where I got them, if it was painful etc.

    I did have one visiting professor from mainland grab my arm without warning and ask me if they were real during a work meeting, which was… weird. Especially the question… I was thinking “no, lady, I draw them on every morning because I have so much free time”. (Also had an old lady grab me in a similar manner in Makeman once, which quickly prompted me to let go of my belief that Japanese people were respectful about personal space).

    I’m guessing if I want to pursue my career further in Japan after I’m done with my current position, it might be harder, like trying to be an assistant professor or such in a mainland university, but I’ll cross that bridge when and if I ever come to it. As someone else mentioned, though, I’m not sure I would be interested in working for someone who has a negative opinion of tattoos.

    I can’t go to pools I guess, though I haven’t really tried it except once, going to the beach here is not a problem though I still cover them because my skin and the sun aren’t on the best of terms. On mainland I have to check for tattoo-friendly onsen but I don’t go that often so it’s not too much of a bother.

    So no, not regretting them at all. I’ve only been here for a year though, so it might change in the future, who knows?

25. I cover my tattoos when I go to a onsen. I go to Anytime Fitness after 11pm when there are no staff, so far no one has reported me. My first job I got fired because a student saw my tattoo outside of the school, and he/she told their parents.

    I do regret getting tattoos a bit, but Japan had nothing to do with it.

26. I’m Asian with a video game character on my calf. It’s only visible when I wear shorts. I never show it at work. But when i go out shopping or anything and wear shorts, no one says anything or gives me looks. Actually, when I went to buy a laundry machine at Yamada Denki, the middle aged sales rep said he loved it because he played it too (Chrono Trigger). My SO is also heavily tatted and no one says anything or gives him looks.