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I was living in Osaka for a year in 2019. I had a lot of Japanese friends who had tattoos. Seems like Tokyo and Osaka has very different thinking. Osaka for me was more relaxed.

Was really interesting to hear the older generation’s perspective. I was surprised to hear that many of them don’t actually like the idea of discriminating someone based on the tattoos they have, but are naturally inclined to think negative things because of the history of the yakuza.

I was in Japan in around 2008, and I am very heavily tattooed because I used to be a tattoo artist. The only reactions I remember was a ver6 old lady touching my arm at the train stop and smiling, and a girl in a shop who looked around to make sure her coworkers weren’t around, then lifted her hair to show me that she had a ton of piercings in her ears. It was a really cute moment, it made me feel good that she saw some kind of kindred spirit in me because of my tattoos.

I went to Japan last year and I expected that there are strict laws in Japan about Tattoos. My whole left arm and right legs are covered with Philippine traditional hand tapped tattoo. Tbh my whole stay was great and some people are asking my how beautiful my tattoos are especially for a girl like me. There was this old man asked me why I decided to get tattoos and I explained that I really don't plan to have tattoos but I got into a fire accident that burned my left arm and legs so after years of being ashamed of people constantly looking at my scars why not give something to look at. Since I'm getting my 1st tattoo why not get it from the living legend Apo Whang Od the oldest tattoo artist in the world. They said that if you died your tattoos is the only thing you can bring at the after life since it was etched into your skin.

That older gentleman had a very amazing answer to that question, probably the most frank and realistic view on Japan's cultural view of tattoos and weather or not it will be changed, even going on to say something that's as relatable to probably anyone in any country with the "If it does change, it'll be in 30 years"

I’m visiting Japan in two weeks and I’m heavily tattooed. My Japanese teacher (she’s a native) always says that I will be fine since I’m a foreigner. But seeing people still having rather negative feelings towards tattoos makes me a little worried. Well, I guess the worst that could happen is that I’m unable to visit any onsen 🙈

I love the older gentleman in the glasses had that random knowledge of Ariana Grande wanting to get rid of her tattoos. It was so random but so iconic. 😂

I have a lot of tattoos (even on my fingers). I visited Tokyo in 2018 and I didn’t have any problems. I even had an old man approach me and my husband (who is also tattooed) and he just chatted with us asking if we liked Japan and we’re having a good time and he told us a bit about his life. I had a very nice experience.

I have been to japan several times with tattoos, and have noticed a pretty huge change in the level of acceptance even in just the last five years compared to my first trip in 2017, when I was often asked to cover up and barred entry to certain places. I visited again only a few months ago and had no issues at all with my tattoos no matter the location, and even had a few comments from Japanese people admiring them - they really do draw a clear distinction between foreigners (who they know come from cultures where tattoos are accepted) and locals, and honestly that's a level of social awareness and consideration for others that I think is incredible.

I have been turned away from Sentous, onsens, gyms, and pools because of my tattoo and that is very frustrating. However I have also spent time at places that allow tattoos and I have certainly noticed that if you allow them, Yakuza will come. In fact they will come in groups. So I kind of get why banning tattoos makes sense for some businesses. That being said. There has to be a better way. I really don't deserve to be banned from a sentou because I have one six inch tattoo on my chest.

I’m kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiian) and I never had an issue with my polynesian tattoos whenever I visited Japan. It was actually an ice breaker because a lot of Japanese wanted to talk to me about Hawaiʻi and tell me how much they wanna come visit and love our culture. However, despite that, I did my best to cover up my tattoos, especially when I visited shrines because I did not want to offend or show any disrespect to Japanese culture and societal norms during my time as a visitor. I’m totally ok with having to cover up, no big deal.

I honestly want to get tattoos I think it’s cool but I would NEVER do that as long as I live in Japan.

It is kinda cute to hear that japanese people think the rules should be loosened a bit, but not for themselves but because they think foreigners might be discriminated against if they come to Japan and have tattoos.

The history of tattooing in Japan is absolutely fascinating and actually dates back to the indigenous people of Hokkaido and Okinawa.

I really liked the first two girls honesty when sharing their opinion on tattoos while also recognizing it could be discriminatory for those who do have tattoos to not have certain experiences :) I have a few big tattoos and would love to visit Japan, maybe fall/winter may be best so I can keep them covered.

It's a weird case for me because as a half-Japanese, half-Chinese born outside of Japan. I look Japanese and speak some Japanese, but if people just look at me, they will assume I'm Japanese and so I don't get the gaijin pass the way "foreigners" do. Because when natives speak of foreigners, they mean foreigners they can immediately recognize as foreigners of course.

I will be extremely sad if I go to visit Japan and I don't see Takashi doing interviews.

This is an insightful interview. Every Japanese citizen have their own thoughts and feelings in regards to body tattoos.

Hi Takashii! Thank you very much for your interesting videos