I just moved to Yamato, Kanagawa from California for work and I’m curious how living here has been for westerners. The move was last minute so I didn’t have too much time to research the culture, but I’m a 6ft redhead with a lot of visible tattoos. I was raised to be courteous and respectful, and I know that’s a big thing here, but is there anything else I should know to help make friends and break stereotypes of Americans?
18 comments
No one cares
Although the tattoos on the other hand may raise a few eyebrows/restrict access to certain places
It’s funny because your tattoos are the thing that’s going to give you the most trouble so don’t get offended if you get denied services because it will probably be because of the tattoos.
Red hair is not a big deal although expect some comments. The tattoos will act as a repellent to some people though – they will think you are “bad” and up to no good even if you are well mannered.
Especially when working with Japanese, you should probably cover your tattoos with long sleeves. You can’t go in many Osens and possibly some beaches.
You’ll always stick out in Japan and the assumptions that people make about you will not change after 30 years. Basically watch how people behave in public and follow it. People are quiet in elevators, trains etc
Yamato is not a bad place, 20 or so minutes on the Soetetsu line to Yokohama and 30 to the sea at Enoshima. What more could you ask for?
No one will care about your red hair, but the visible tattoos will get you denied entry to gyms (unless you are able to cover absolutely all of them), onsen, some beaches. It’s a lot better these days about the general attitude of tats especially near bigger cities, but you will find a lot of people are still very adverse to them and make them feel uncomfortable. Just follow the general rules of society (even if it doesn’t make sense to you) and you should be fine. I would encourage you to also find the expat community in your city or surroundings too to make friends and get involved in things. It’s great to try and immerse yourself in Japanese society and meet Japanese people, but for a lot of newcomers it’s easier said than done and you might find yourself lonely if that’s the only route you take.
I’m a redhead, but closer to strawberry blond, but they don’t even think my hair is red, they just call it blond, no matter how dark it gets in the winter.
Fellow redhead (and lightly tatted) person here!
Like others have said, your hair is not going to be a big deal. I’ve gotten MAYBE three comments since I’ve been here (one from a girl who’d bleached/dyed her hair close to my natural color) and they’ve all been nice.
My tattoos are all mostly covered, but when they are visible, no one really bats an eye. Most of my Japanese neighbors and friends actually have told me they look nice! I do think the key factor is that my tattoos are on my back/lower thigh, so almost always covered.
I wouldn’t worry too much, honestly! Have coverings ready for work/gym and just always look ahead to see if onsens are tattoo friendly.
I’ve never had any issues with my red hair here, I think it would be more your tattoos than anything that you need to be more aware of.
Yamato as in Nara?
You’ll stick out but they’re used to tourists.
The tattoos are the problem, not the hair.
On the Japanese staring/racist spectrum the whiter you are the safer you are, and red heads are white as hell so by that logic I assume it’s fine.
The trick is to not be TOO white, then you’re a blonde haired girl and you’ll cross the racism border into weird Japanese stalker men territory.
Yamato in which prefecture? How to break the stereotype? just smile at people and learn to say konnichiwa arigatou sumimasen. Friendliness is key
Hoards of elementary children will scream “Haroooo!!!” at you.
I’m a redhead. Lived in a very small town in Hokkaido. Everyone said I was blond. They think redhead means red the colour. I had people touch my hair without asking.
Ha. I used to live in Yamato, briefly, in the only high-rise apartment building (at the time). Just kind of a Tokyo bedroom community. If I remember correctly, the people there loved tall redheads. Hope all goes well for you.
People will stare at you, old men and middle aged men will creep on you, try not to seem too vulnerable in public and be wary of men watching you because they can easily become stalkers. Many men here are obsessed with western women so just be careful, I’ve had all of the above and I’ve only been here three months.
No one cares. Other foreigners more likely to poke a bit of playful fun rather than the Japanese.
Well if you’re 6ft then you’d be towering over most people. So most people would probably find you intimidating. Moreso if you have a lot of tattoos. I don’t think there’s much stereotypes about white American women other than that you’re a foreigner. It wouldn’t really matter if you’re a redhead. Overall there’s not much bad stereotypes about white American women. I think they’re seen as pretty neutral. Most Japanese people don’t go out of their way to make friends with foreign people. There are some minority that have interest in foreign cultures.
People with tattoos are viewed as “scary” and “dangerous” here. Even foreigners, though to a lesser extent. That is a much larger issue that your hair colour
Unfortunately your appearance alone is enough to reinforce the stereotype. People who don’t like tattoos won’t change their mind just because you’re polite. Just be yourself and don’t think too much into it 🙂