Detours Gay Travel Blog

Inked in Japan: What Travelers with Tattoos Need to Know

• Detours
• Mar 13, 2025

It seems that when I walk down the street on any given day, I spot a creative piece of artwork (well… maybe not always artwork 🙈) permanently etched onto someone's skin. As if paintbrushes are so last century and skin is now the preferred canvas. 🎨

In western culture, skin is a blank canvas ready to be decorated with bright colors and designs. And which generation is donning the most ink these days? Millennials. Millennials, born between 1981–1996, are by far the most tattooed generation with 29% reporting to have at least one tattoo! And speaking as someone who is a millennial and has two tattoos — albeit very small — I have a hard time denying it.

When I hang out with a small group of my peers, I have no doubt in my mind this is true. Most of my friends have multiple tattoos; some have nearly 80% of their bodies covered. 😱 For those of us living in western cultures, tattoos are now the “norm” and have made their way into pop culture. In the past it would be nearly impossible to get a job if you had a visible tattoo. And now, it’s weirder if you don’t have a tattoo.

Tattoos Abroad

Tattoos in the west are a means of self-expression, creativity, and dare I say, rebellion. They are widely accepted. But what happens when you travel to other countries where tattoos aren’t so socially accepted? Places like Japan for instance? 🤔

As someone who has tattoos AND traveled to Japan, I can tell you first-hand that tattoos are taboo in Japanese culture. Japan is known to be a conservative culture, but its roots in disliking tattoos stem farther back than you may have guessed.

Stigma of Tattoos in Japan

Tattoos in Japan carry a lot of stigma and for good reason. Tattoos were at one point used to mark criminals! This practice even has a name: “irezumi kei” which translates to tattoo penalty.

Branding criminals with tattoos occurred during the Edo period (1603–1868) as a way to identify and punish them. The location and type of tattoo was determined based on the crime committed by the criminal. For example, murderers were given tattoos on their heads, and thieves were given tattoos on the arm.

Because only criminals were tattooed during this time period, tattoos are directly correlated with criminals in Japan. Even though this practice was banned in the Meiji period (1868–1912), the stigma still stands today. However, Irezumi, the historical word for tattoo in Japanese, wasn't always linked to punishment. Before the Edo period, Irezumi was linked to the historical art of Japanese tattooing.

"If you have tattoos and plan to visit Japan, it's good to be aware of how they might be perceived differently than in the West," says Brandon, one of our Detours trip leaders in Japan.

Indigenous Tattooing Practices

The Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan, practiced a tradition of facial tattooing that was exclusive to females, including the tattoo artist. According to Ainu myths, tattoos were brought to the earth by the Ancestral Mother, who was the sister of the Creator God.

For the Ainu, tattoos were a prerequisite to marriage and the afterlife. However, Japanese authorities banned the use of tattoos by the Ainu, likely as a way to separate them from their traditional cultural practices. However, these tattooing practices extend as far back as 10,000 BC. Tattoos were applied by hand using wooden handles and needles attached by silk thread. Tattoos for the Ainu were a means of cultural expression although the tradition no longer occurs today.

Tattoos and the Yakuza

Today, the criminal stigma of tattoos still exists which is perpetuated by the infamous Yakuza. Similar to what we would call the mob or cartel, the word Yakuza refers to Japan’s mafia.

This organized crime group continues the practice of tattooing which perpetuates its association with crime. But if you think you’ll see them walking down the streets with full tatted sleeves visible for everyone to see… think again! The Yakuza believe that tattoos are private. Some commit to full tattooed body-suits that can’t be seen above any collars or cuffs; to the untrained eye, they don’t have any tattoos.

Tattoos as a Tourist

By now I feel you have a pretty good idea as to why tattoos are heavily stigmatized in Japan, so it probably doesn’t come as a shock to know that showing them off in public isn’t necessarily welcomed. 🙅🏻‍♀️ As a traveler looking for an authentic Japanese experience, the likelihood of people shaming you about your tattoos is very unlikely as Japanese people do not tend to be confrontational. But you may run into problems if you are planning to visit an onsen or a gym and you risk offending some locals.

"If you're worried about your tattoos at an onsen or gym, consider covering them with bandages, seeking out tattoo-friendly bathhouses, or rent out a private onsen which your trip leader can help with" our trip leader Clay suggests.

We're often asked "can I wear clothes in the onsen, to cover my tattoos?" In most traditional onsen (hot springs) in Japan, wearing clothes, swimsuits, or even towels in the water is not allowed, even for covering tattoos.

Japan’s Bath Houses

If you’re looking for an unforgettable and uniquely local experience while in Japan, visiting an onsen should be at the top of your list.  For those of you who don’t know, an onsen is a public bath house and the water comes from a hot spring. Japan has over 25,000 hot springs throughout the country, many of which are converted into bath houses. 🚽

The water from natural hot springs is said to have healing and stimulating properties, not to mention a serene and peaceful ambiance. 🧘🏼 But, if you have tattoos and are planning to visit an onsen, it's possible you might be rejected. 😭

Times are Changing

Despite the cultural stigma surrounding tattoos, Japan’s younger generations seem more open-minded when it comes to tattoos. They don’t carry the same ideologies around tattoos as say their parents or grandparents because they are more influenced by western culture.

A 2021 survey found that 60% of Japanese individuals aged 20 and younger think regulations on tattoos should ease up.

Whether you agree or not, it is important to remember that the world is a diverse place with different cultural ideologies that may differ from your own. 🌎

"Respecting local customs, even if they differ from your own, will make your travel experience more enriching and enjoyable," notes Brandon.

Plan your Trip

Lucky for you, as a gay group travel company that offers gay tours to Japan, we know how to navigate these hot waters—pun intended. Also, it’s important for us to share the cultural differences of the diverse destinations we travel to.

And what kind of trip leader would I be if I let you walk around Japan with your tattoos on full display? Not a very good one! 🤣

So if you’re looking for an adventure with a small group of like-minded individuals, why not consider joining us for one of our upcoming trips to Japan?