Due to Japan’s rather old-fashioned approach to tattoos, this man won’t be able to spend some time in a spa, or even pop down to his local swimming pool. Thankfully he can, however, still stand and posture with them in the park.
Japanese tattoos in Tokyo
Taki says
Obviously a member of the Yakuza. They don’t mind you taking a picture?
Lee says
Nah, he’s not yakuza, just a bloke with tattoos.
I asked to take a picture of his back. He agreed. Took a few shots and we shook hands after. Nice man.
Volyund says
They are not allowed in public baths and pools, so that they don’t intimidate non-yakuza citizens… and cause problems for the establishments.
Lee says
Yeah, that’s totally understandable too. The trouble is the ban stretches to all tattoos, affecting a growing majority, because of a very small minority. I do accept though that it could be tricky to ban only certain types of tattoos.
Andrew says
Is that true for gaijin, too? Do they check before you get into a public bath?
Lee says
Yes, it’s the same for everyone. There are usually signs or posters, so it’s always pretty obvious if tattoos are not allowed, and I think it’s fair to say that generally they aren’t.
Nora says
This is news! Though the countless hours I spent watching Jdorama told me full bodied tattoo usually are Yakuza (I would have assumed the same for this man should you not clarified it, :D). But didn’t know they (people with tattoos) are not allowed in such areas.
Here there’s a muslim women gym (or all women gym), any chance there’s a tattoo friendly spa/bath in Japan?
Nora says
Oh… very beautiful tattoo by the way.
Lee says
Yeah, he has a full back tattoo, but not the (almost) complete covering associated with the yakuza.
I dare say there are places that don’t mind. Or at least more tolerant. But the majority aren’t.
Nathalie ( @spacedlaw ) says
I had no idea you could not get into a spa or swimming pool if you we tattooed! I can imagine this is a problem with tourists, who might not understand the reasons behind it.
Lee says
Often there are signs in English too. No doubt because there were such problems in the past. Or at the very least they want to avoid any in the future.
Hans ter Horst says
Great shot, I like the way you used the DOF to make this shot work.
As for tattoos, tourists and public baths and onsen, usually it is mentioned in tourists guides and it is one of the questions that pops up most often on the Japan-Guide question forum to which I occasionally contribute. Even though I don’t like the ban for precisely the reasons Lee mentioned, I ask people to respect them as I would hate to see a blanket ban for non Japanese introduced: I do love my onsen, the more remote, the better 🙂
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Very kind of you to say so.
Yes, it’s a tricky one, but I totally agree. Such customs/rules have to be respected, even if they do seem somewhat outdated. As for onsen though, I’ve personally never had a problem. There simply doesn’t seem to be the same aversion to tattoos.
Hans ter Horst says
I was almost refused access in Tawarayama Onsen with the excuse that I could not understand any emergency evacuation announcements if an earthquake struck, or so. My wife managed to convince that I did understand enough Japanese to manage and they let me in, felt a bit like a case of ã‚ã‚“ã©ãã•ã„, but I had a great time inside chatting away with some kind people form Kyushu.
Lee says
That’s a shame there was such a hassle, but glad to hear it was all sorted in the end. A concession that hopefully helped the next person who turned up sporting a tattoo as well.
El-Branden says
Lee and I have the same tattoo. http://www.flickr.com/photos/themystictraveller/3650585894/in/set-72157616540343574
Lee says
Yeah, he’s understandably a very popular subject.
winnie says
Nice Picture!
The tattoo of kannon is beautifully drawn. His tattoo artist must be good! 🙂
In my home country, tattoo is popular among ladies too!!
I thought of before but I could not find a nice art piece which I really love it.
Lee says
Thanks!
It’s the same in Britain too. Lots of women have tattoos. In fact when I go home, I’m amazed by how many people now have them.
Pixelkitty says
I’ve seen him with the rockabilly guys several times over the years. Last time in 2010. And he’s always been friendly to those who say hello 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, he seemed like a thoroughly nice bloke. Very polite, and more than accommodating when it came to me taking a photo.
Bellamy says
There is a bit of a ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ when it comes to tattoos in many places in Japan. I have a traditional Japanese sleeve done by one of the masters and it has only been a problem in a couple of places. Sure, you have to wear a rash guard at the local pool, but that is not really a big problem. I have found that if you ask about tattoos before you go in they will say no way, but if you just go in there is not really an issue, especially when you are a foreigner.
Not everyone who has a tattoo in Japan is a yakuza, and it is slowly becoming more common to see people wearing them more openly.
Lee says
That’s certainly been my experience at onsens. And at one spa they actually covered the offending artwork for me. On the other hand in places where I’ve seen a sign and asked, it has always been a resounding ‘no’.
Totally agree about their increased popularity. A change that will hopefully result in a change of attitudes too.