Tattoos In Tokyo

[kuru]

I've been looking around places like Harajuku and Shibya for tattoo artists - but I just can't seem to find any.

Would anyone here know of any, maybe the name or location, maybe a website?

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

I've been looking around places like Harajuku and Shibya for tattoo artists - but I just can't seem to find any.

Would anyone here know of any, maybe the name or location, maybe a website?

Well dont get a gaijin to do it. The guy most people recommend is a dick and I would avoid him as best as possible. As if he did a shity job and you would complain he would likely punch you.

[Maths Dude]

Have you thought of selling space on your forehead? Im sure this site will give you some cash:

http://WWW.FUCKEDGAIJIN.COM

[cstaylor]

I've been looking around places like Harajuku and Shibya for tattoo artists - but I just can't seem to find any.

Would anyone here know of any, maybe the name or location, maybe a website?

Guess you aren't planning on visiting any onsens or gyms after your tattoo?

[Pencilslave]

I've been looking around places like Harajuku and Shibya for tattoo artists - but I just can't seem to find any.

Would anyone here know of any, maybe the name or location, maybe a website?

Guess you aren't planning on visiting any onsens or gyms after your tattoo?

I'd heard that some onsens and sentos won't admit customers with tattoos.
I didn't know gyms did the same thing. How prevalent is this practice?
Reason I ask, is because I'd thought of getting a small tat of either the two kanji for Kaibutsu or Kaiju in a out of the way place like on my inside calf right above the ankle.

[Mini_B]

It depends how much you want to spend and what kind of tattoo you want. If you want some little tweety bird or some sailor artwork the good artists won't accept you. They don't tattoo anything. There are a couple places in Harajuku that will take walk-ins though. I think one is called Scratch and the other is called Spider something.

If you have a tattoo you will not be allowed in public onsens..but private ones are fine. I've been to both with my yakuza style tattoo to the wrist and nobody said anything.

My girl got kicked out of the gym for having a little tattoo on her back that showed once in the Yoga class. They cancelled her membership. I always wear a long sleeve shirt so no problem for me. After she got kicked out I saw some queer Japanese guy wearing a tanktop in the gym with his tattoo showing plain as day. I asked why he was allowed to have a tattoo in the gym and why my girl got kicked out. They said that he was a member before the rule was in place...so he was allowed to have it. The funny thing is - I got a notice that this gym (AXIA Ikebukuro) will be closing in August. It serves them right for turning down business for such a STUPID rule.

[oyajikun]

I've got a Sakana tatoo covering my calf and a another on my back but I have never been turned away from an Onsen. I know a really good artist in Fussa if you don't mind the train ride.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Even Gold's Gym in Japan forces you to keep your tats covered while working out. But at least they let you stay.

[Taro Toporific]

Even Gold's Gym in Japan forces you to keep your tats covered while working out. .

Tats are becoming more mainstream in Japan, but most community pools and onsens have no-tats signs up that aren't reinforced EXCEPT for yakuza. I'm glad I never got any back in 70s when it the edgy thing to do but now is mullet-mainstream, hee, hee. Besides, I've got enough scars to scare most folks anyway: Scars, life lived to the max.

[drpepper]

I got fairly decent sized tats on both arms and have no problems with public gyms, onsens, or public pools. I always got the "you are a gaijin so it's ok line" when asking about it.

[Mini_B]

These are my boys from Miami coming out with a new series airing from the 19th of July on TLC: http://www.miami-ink.com

If you know tattoos then you probably know a couple of these guys. They tattoo in Japan quite a bit.

[ichigo partygirl]

bringing back the thread from the dead...
I've got a small tatoo i want to get done when im in Japan next month. I wanted to know if anyone knew of good places either in Tokyo-Kanagawa area or in Nagoya??Thanks

[kamome]

These are my boys from Miami coming out with a new series airing from the 19th of July on TLC: www.miami-ink.com

If you know tattoos then you probably know a couple of these guys. They tattoo in Japan quite a bit.

Wow, I completely forgot about this post. Miami Ink is pretty big hit on TV. Does Mini B still post anymore? I'd like him to talk about his connection to those guys.

[Phoenix_stu]

bringing back the thread from the dead...
I've got a small tatoo i want to get done when im in Japan next month. I wanted to know if anyone knew of good places either in Tokyo-Kanagawa area or in Nagoya??Thanks

Well, you can check out Tokyo Hardcore Tattoo in Kouenji. There are a couple of good tattoo artists there. I used to work there bodypiercing. Look for Shin.
In a couple of weeks look for Roy too. He is from Amsterdam. He is a great artist. He has done alot of my work.

An earlier post said that a guy has a lot of tatts and can get into gyms. I would like to know where this is. I am almost covered almost 60% of my body including my head is tattooed and I can't get into anywhere. Who the hell gives them the right to deny someone's need to stay healthy and fit.

[hundefar]

Who the hell gives them the right to deny someone's need to stay healthy and fit.

It is called "private property" and is the most important principle of civilization.

[Phoenix_stu]

What is your deal dude?

[jingai]

He's defending civilization from tattooed barbarians- it's a hard job.

[hundefar]

What is your deal dude?

I just don't see that is a right to enter other peoples premises. If they don't like tattoed people, then it is fair enough that they tell them to keep out, in my opinion. I can see how that is annoying for you, but hey..its not your gym.

Didn't mean to offend you if you got offended.

[Phoenix_stu]

Sorry to the dude who asked the original question as this is a bit off topic.

You know man, you didn't offend me. I see where you are coming from and yes I know it is private property. That just isn't right. That is just plain BS. Just because I have tatts does not make me some Yakuza prick or a bad person. I mean come on people we are in the 21st century. To be more specific, most Yakuza would not even take a gaijin just because he is tattooed. Anyway, I don't have to argue with you but this is another example of what I am talking about.

The wife and I are looking for a bit bigger place since our kid is now working on 2 and we need some room. We have one of our friends at the real estate introduce us to another real estate in another area. Anyway. Her and the wife went to discuss with the real estate about seeing the place. After they finished, me, my wife and our friend went to look at the place. The place was great. When we left, my wife and our friend went back to the real estate to discuss the details, I stayed back and didn't go, because of the tatts of course.
A few min. later they came back and everything was good, they said ok and gaijin no problem. The wife got all of the documents to bring home to fill out.
Well, just as we got back to our station, we stopped by our real estate to sign some papers to give one month notice when the manager of our current real estate said that the other real estate called to cancel with us. I asked why. They said that someone saw me and because of my tattoos.
This is the kind of stupid shit that I am talking about with the gym. I really love this country however, these people are really pissing me off. We have plenty of money to pay but they are just too good to accept it.

Too much bigotry.

Whatever.

[Iraira]

I mean come on people we are in the 21st century.

Not in Japan we ain't.

[Phoenix_stu]

It truly is a shame though.

[Samurai_Jerk]

It truly is a shame though.

It's bigotry but you chose to look the way you do so I don't really feel bad for you.

[jingai]

It's bigotry but you chose to look the way you do so I don't really feel bad for you.

That's a good point and what would distinguish it from discrimination based on skin color for example.

Tattoos are a way of distinguishing oneself from the rest of society- in Japan tattoos apparently started as brands on criminals and were eventually adopted by gangsters as marks of honor and a commitment to *permanent* estrangement from the mainstream. Maybe this way of thinking is in some ways archaic, but I think that this and other permanent forms of body modification still carry some of that "outsider" meaning both in Japan and in the States. Exile from parts of society seems like part of the deal.

[Phoenix_stu]

That's a good point and what would distinguish it from discrimination based on skin color for example.

Tattoos are a way of distinguishing oneself from the rest of society- in Japan tattoos apparently started as brands on criminals and were eventually adopted by gangsters as marks of honor and a commitment to *permanent* estrangement from the mainstream. Maybe this way of thinking is in some ways archaic, but I think that this and other permanent forms of body modification still carry some of that "outsider" meaning both in Japan and in the States. Exile from parts of society seems like part of the deal.

I would have to totally agree. This is the life that I choose. Also, I understand being somewhat of an outcast. This I really don't mind at all. However, I have lived many places in the states and never had any problems anywhere I choose to live as long as I could pass their credit check in some cases and as long as I could pay the bills.
I can understand to an extent the public pools, onsens, some bars, and gyms. But you know. Eveyone needs a place to live. I may not be Japanese but my wife and my kid are. Yet, we still face this problem.

I know this can go on and on about who likes/dislikes tattoos and people can do what they want. But come on let's be reasonable, why is it so hard to find a place to live.

[jingai]

I guess you need to find a landlord with tattoos.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I would have to totally agree. This is the life that I choose. Also, I understand being somewhat of an outcast. This I really don't mind at all. However, I have lived many places in the states and never had any problems anywhere I choose to live as long as I could pass their credit check in some cases and as long as I could pay the bills.
I can understand to an extent the public pools, onsens, some bars, and gyms. But you know. Eveyone needs a place to live. I may not be Japanese but my wife and my kid are. Yet, we still face this problem.

I know this can go on and on about who likes/dislikes tattoos and people can do what they want. But come on let's be reasonable, why is it so hard to find a place to live.

You'd still have the same trouble if you looked like Joe Whitebread. Just not to the same extent. The only one I feel sympathy for is your daughter. Your wife on the other hand chose to marry someone who is tattooed and pierced in a society that isn't particularly accepting of such things. It does suck that you can't find a place to live, though.

BTW, how many people on here who are in the position to hire someone would hire a guy with piercings and visible tattoos? I know I wouldn't. Not because I care, but because my clients would.

[Phoenix_stu]

You know, I do feel for my daughter. However, I am teaching her about how not to be bias of people no matter what the reason. If only more people could do that.

I will have to say that jobs are difficult here. And, exactly as you say, even if you are not bias, some if not all of your clients would be. I completly understand. Luckily, I am a bodypiercer and I have a couple of businesses that keep me going.

I have met many tattooed people in my career and I would have to say that only about 1/3 of those people were not decent people. The most in my career are quite knowledgeable and great pople overall.
When will it ever be about what you know or can do rather than your looks. I am dreaming of course. But it is always in the back of my head.

[GomiGirl]

When will it ever be about what you know or can do rather than your looks. I am dreaming of course. But it is always in the back of my head.

AMEN brother - and not just for people with body art.

[Phoenix_stu]

Glad to see that someone is on my side. Also, to add to that... Most everybody loves art, I just like it in a different form rather than that of a standard canvas. I don't have just your run of the mill gang bang tatts. Every tattoo has a story and meaning behind it.

[Doctor Stop]

Tattoos aren't only a problem in Japan. Try getting a job in Germany with a gyaku manji on your forehead.