I think the way it works is when people spot someone with tattoos, they would report it to the hotel manager.

By the time you come back to your room, they would ask you to leave for the violation.

I have seen this happen in the past and it's usually not a fun experience for both customers and the hotel managers.

In my case, this American couple refused to leave so the local police had to escort them out.

Anyways, I'm getting tired of hearing about tattoo so please get tattoos at your own cost but don't expect people in Japan to accept it.

If you want to go to Onsen, go to the ones in Kuchan Hokkaido where lots of Australians go for snowboarding and onsen.

They have bad reputation up there but since the number of Australian visitors outnumber the local customers, whoever runs it don't care much about tattoos and all the screaming and yelling anymore.

No Japanese there but at least you can enjoy Onsen.

Hmm, maybe I was reading another tattoo thread in archives because I remembered more. In this the one it would be tommasi.

what if you have a moko?(hawaiin face tattoo)

I don't want to go too far out over the edge. In general, Japanese people see piercings and tattoos as graffitti on the beautiful body your parents gave you.

The young generation now does more piercing and tattooing than previous ones, but that image still exists to many Japanese, no matter where you come from.

I am sure customs at the airport is used to seeing tattoos on foreigners, but they don't need any reason to pull someone aside. Tattooes are not looked upon nicely at onsens and pools, as it can make other customers uncomfortable (some might even be offended) and they are associated with yakuza, though yakuza tattoos tend to be sleeves or whole upper body, and have distinct and traditional imagry, so no one is going to mistake you for being a yak with a I HEART MOM tattoo, but the rules are the rules.

There are many tattoo magazines and books in Japan, and the taboo nature is attractive to certain people, especially bikers and rockers.

I think I said someone would use this as an excuse to deny customers.

It's a Japanese way of telling someone without directly pointing out the real reason. Cos if you think about it, you would think small tattoos would be ok but once you start making exceptions, how far do you have to go?

All I meant to say was often the way Japanese people try to avoid direct conflict irritates foreign guest cos they are used to receiving honest direct feedback.

If you were merely stating that they might get discriminated upon by using the tattoos as an excuse you really need to be more careful about your choice of words and grammar. The impression you gave me is that you believe all tattoos will be considered evil to all Japanese and they will forever be banished for such a mark. And to tell me I know nothing of my own heritage, culture and surroundings just because I didn't agree with you is idiotic. Like I stated, I have 2 tattoos and never had a problem. Not everyone will have trouble in Japan and not everyone will go completely untroubled in Japan because of their tattoos.

If you're tired about hearing about tattoos then this is the wrong thread for you.

Anyways... So basically, if you're good enough you can actually be in the onsen with tattoos, if you just make sure the other guests don't see them. It would be a challenge though (and risky!).

It's not what I believe.

I'm just saying how it is.

And believe me, tattoo is considered bad if not evil and people who know about Japanese culture would agree with me on this.

Like I said, if you want to use 1% population who believes tattoo is ok, then you are completely lost.

And yes, Henbaka, I won't be responding to this thread anymore.

Because my honest feedback as a native Japanese means very little and I believe that's probably why some people who visit Japan run into problems cos they ignore and challenge how things are in Japan instead of respecting it.

Do as you want :)

It would be sad to lose your input, tommasi. Of course, do what is right for you.