travel ban tattoo

Which Countries Ban Tattoos? A Global Guide

Hey friend! Have you ever considered getting inked, but worried whether your dream tattoo would get you into trouble abroad? As a fellow ink enthusiast, let me walk you through the complex global landscape around banning tattoos.

From Japan to Jamaica, attitudes about body art vary drastically across cultures. While tattoos are surging in popularity in many places, other countries remain surprisingly strict – even calling tattoos illegal!

Let‘s dig into the regulations and taboos against tattoos worldwide so you can avoid any painful penalties. Here‘s everything you need to know before getting that sweet new tatt!

The Global Tattoo Map

Globally, around 20% of adults now have tattoos – up from just 5% in the 1990s! However, acceptance is far from universal. Here‘s a snapshot of tattoo bans worldwide:

Red = Tattoos fully illegal. Orange = Partial bans. Green = Tattoos legal.

As you can see, the strictest bans exist in the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Africa. However, even "tattoo friendly" areas like North America and Europe have age restrictions. Let‘s explore the key prohibitions country-by-country!

Religion Rules the Middle East

Islamic law forms the basis of many bans across the predominantly Muslim Middle East. Ancient scriptures prohibit altering Allah‘s creation – making tattoos haram (forbidden). Today, several countries enforce full tattoo prohibitions:

• Saudi Arabia – Illegal under Sharia law . Punishable by fines, prison, or deportation.
• Iran – Associated with "western cultural invasion" since the 1980s . Tattoo shops raided and shut down.
• United Arab Emirates – Dubai allows tattoos; Abu Dhabi prohibits them under Sharjah law.

Other majority Muslim countries like Egypt, Pakistan, and Syria discourage tattoos – especially visible ones. When traveling here, cover up tattoos and avoid getting new ones.

Asia: Gangs and Stigma

To understand Asia‘s tattoo taboos, you have to look at culture and history:

• Japan – Tattoos became associated with the underworld Yakuza gangs as far back as the Edo period. While popular among rebels, many bars, baths, and beaches still ban inked patrons today.
• China – Once symbols of criminality , tattoos are now trendy among Chinese youth. But the elder generation frowns on them as low-class defiance. The government recently censored celeb tattoos on TV and banned tattooing minors.
• Korea – Tattoos remain controversial as decorating skin breaks traditional values. Only doctors can legally tattoo and army men cover up. The young push boundaries!

While not outright illegal, it‘s wise to keep tattoos discreet in most Asian nations. Avoid cultural scripts and symbols without deep knowledge.

Strict Laws of Oceania

The Pacific region takes a firm stance on permanent ink:

• New Zealand – It‘s illegal for non-natives to get traditional Maori ta moko tattoos without permission, to prevent cultural appropriation. You must earn the right.
• Australia – No tattoos allowed under age 16 . Ages 16-18 require parental approval. Each state and territory regulates parlors.
• Samoa – While not illegal, tattoos remain rare as they don‘t align with traditional values . They‘re also permanent markers of an impermanent life according to Pacific beliefs. Proceed respectfully!

If getting inked down under, research cultural meaning and know your rights. The law sides with customs.

Europe‘s Changing Attitudes

You might think progressive Europe welcomes tattoos with open arms. But pockets of opposition remain:

• Denmark – No tattoos on the head, face, neck, or hands since 1966. Denmark also restricts laser removal to preserve Viking era artifacts!
• Germany – Tattoos are legal over age 18 but require consultation 24 hours in advance to ensure informed consent.
• Russia – No tattoos depicting profanity or extremism . Russian criminal code prohibits offensive ink and laser removal.

Across Europe, workplaces can refuse to hire visibly tattooed individuals if detrimental to their image. Discrimination persists.

Tattoo Taboos of Africa

Inked skin remains largely taboo across Africa:

• Ethiopia – Tattoos are associated with outlaws and Satanism by the influential Ethiopian church. The rare tattooed face public scorn and suspicion.
• South Africa – While legal, tattoos stir controversy in South African culture. The Zulu tribe uses sacred tattoos, making them inappropriate for outsiders.
• North Africa – Nations like Morocco, Egypt, Sudan follow Islamic tattoo taboos. Some Berber tribes accept tattoos but mainstream culture rejects them.

Post-colonial attitudes remain conservative across much of Africa. Seek wisdom before appropriating traditions.

The Americas: Trendsetters Turn Tide

The New World has shifted global attitudes about ink:

• United States – All states allow tattoos over age 18 with parental approval. Restrictions exist on minors and certain designs. Prison tattoos provoke stigma.
• Canada – Illegal for minors under 18. Provinces require parlors have doctors on staff to meet health codes .
• Brazil – Tattoos are mainstream in Brazil‘s style-centric culture. however, some limit visibility at work or religious functions. Catholicism rejects tattoos.

Celeb ink-lovers like Rihanna, Post Malone, and Justin Bieber showcase personal expression through bold body art.

Health Dangers of Underground Tattooing

What dangers arise when tattoos go unregulated? Let me share some troubling statistics:

• Over 10% of tattoo customers worldwide acquire bacterial infections from unhygienic tattooing.
• Hepatitis C rates are 2-3 times higher among people with tattoos, especially those on correctional inmates .
• 1 in 5 tattoos done illegally show "clinically relevant complications" like swelling, itching, and burning.
• Unsterile tattooing spreads blood-borne diseases at alarming rates according to this WHO study .

When tattoos go underground, safety suffers. That‘s why legal, licensed parlors matter.

Data Source: BMC Public Health

Can Cultural Acceptance Spread?

"The tattooed person is a pariah; he has no place in decent society", declared Life magazine in 1936. My, how far we‘ve come!

Last year, 78% of Americans said society should accept tattoos – up from just 42% in 2012 according to Harris polls. Millennials embrace body art far more than past generations. Still, 1 in 3 people feel tattoos reduce attractiveness . Discrimination endures.

Tattoos become more socially acceptable over time. Source: Harris Poll

Can stigma against tattoos fade worldwide as cultures blend in our globalized society? Or will traditions maintain taboos? As technology evolves, virtual reality tattoos may provide compromise. For now, cultural education and open minds pave the path to empathy.

Until we reach full enlightenment, I‘ll be here guiding fellow tattoo voyagers like you on safe travels. Never hesitate to reach out with questions as you map your body art journey! Just mind the bans abroad and stay true to your roots.

Wishing you smooth sailing and happy inking,

Terry "Tatted" Williams

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Authored by Dan Hunter

To much of the developed world, especially in recent years, travel tattoos are seen as beautiful/trendy additions to one’s personality, with many tattoos succeeding in telling interesting stories about a person’s past.

But in some countries, tattoos are still seen as extremely taboo. Exposed tattoos in such countries can commonly result in arrests, and where a traveler is concerned, sometimes deportation.

So the following is a list of countries where you should be extra careful about flaunting your ink – otherwise you may end up in more trouble than previously thought!

Many countries in this list might not have an outright ban on tattoos, and in these cases we have explained exactly what you can get into trouble for (ie Nazi symbols will land you in hot water in Germany).

Pro tip:  If you’re truly worried about your tattoos in the country you’re visiting, consider booking a vacation home instead of a hotel, where you’ll have more privacy. Check out Plumguide.com for finding one.

 Illegal Ink – 11 Countries Where Showing Your Tattoos Could Get You Kicked Out!

Germany, France & Slovakia

Each of these three countries practice specific laws that prohibit the display of any tattoos symbolizing or otherwise glorying Nazi culture. Exposing any such tattoo can lead to arrest and potential deportation.

The attitude towards tattoos in Germany, France, and Slovakia in general is totally accepting, but if you have anything that symbolizes or even looks like it supports the previous Nazi regime, you’re going to find yourself in a  lot  of trouble.

Sri Lanka & Thailand

Sri Lanka has seen many arrests within the last decade due to travelers and expats exposing or showing their Buddha/Buddhist tattoos in public.

Sri Lanka as a country has extremely strong Buddhist beliefs, and as such, the government is very sensitive about their religion being defaced in any way – especially when an ‘outsider’ is seen displaying a tattoo that marks something so symbolic within the country.

Like Sri Lanka, Thailand is also cracking down on tourists who expose religious-themed tattoos. The Thai government states that they believe religious tattoos to be culturally inappropriate and that they erode the respect of the native religions.

Non religious tattoos in these countries are typically fine, and as both countries have established themselves as leading tourist destinations, locals are typically pretty accepting of foreigners who have tattoos.

Japan is surprisingly strict when it comes to tattoos, especially considering that it is often seen by many as one of the original birthplaces for the art form.

In recent history, tattoos have carried negative connotations throughout much of the country, and officials are strongly opposed to any exposed ink that can be perceived as being shocking or offensive. This is especially if it relates at all to any organized crime gangs within the country.

Many public areas within Japan ban entry if you have visible tattoos. Popular places that regularly ban tattoos include bath houses, gyms and resorts. A recent government survey discovered that 56% of hotels and inns actively ban tattooed visitors from their public bathing areas.

North Korea

Although some tattoos are allowed within the country, they’re subject to very strict regulations. All tattoos exposed within North Korea must show praise towards the Kim (leaders) family or otherwise have some kind of approved political purpose attributed to them.

If you’re found to have tattoos unrelated to these specifications then you could potentially be deported or even sentenced to hard labor in prison.

Tattoos once had a stigma in Vietnamese culture; they were viewed as being associated with criminal and illegal activity, and operating or owning any kind of shop/studio within the country was banned.

But influenced by international trends, the Vietnamese people have become more receptive to the concept and the tattoo industry is growing fast.

If you’re traveling outside the main cities, and find yourself receiving negative attention for your tattoos, this could be a result of old mindsets and attitudes. Which still exist among older generations and more traditional communities. So have something on hand to cover up with if you have exposed tattoos.

If you’re travelling with a brand new tattoo, and the healing process becomes problematic, try and reach a specialized tattoo studio in one of the main cities. But always prioritize looking looking after your tattoo  to prevent any potential infections.

Getting tattooed or showing tattoos in public has become a touchy subject in this country in recent years.

Government officials and country leaders have publicly stated that they believe the practice of tattooing is associated with devil-worshipping, and that being tattooed is seen as a sign of Westernisation, which is strongly opposed.

If going to Iran, be extremely careful about exposing any kind of ink – especially anything based around religion.

Although tattoos are not currently illegal within the country, Turkey’s top officials have become increasingly hostile towards body art in recent times.

Earlier this year for example, the top religious body in Turkey issued a request for all Muslims with tattoos within the country to either repent or have the tattoo surgically removed.

Although tattoos can be seen as extremely positive means of self-expression in many areas of the world – you must remember that other countries dissimilar to the ones you know best may not see them this way.

Always be wary when travelling to new countries when carrying tattoos, and always do a little bit of research on how your ink may be perceived within any new country that you’re thinking about entering.

Your Feedback

Have feedback or updates re the information in this post? Leave me a comment to let me know! I would love to hear about your experiences, and will happily make edits to reflect the most up to date information.

Read more  unusual travel articles  on GoNOMAD.com Travel. Get their  daily travel article  in your email.

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Dan, a Master of Fine Arts and a participating member of the tattooing community for over 10 years is the resident writer at AuthorityTattoo .

While no longer as active in the tattooing community, Dan still attends many tattoo conventions around the country and is here to help educate, teach and advise readers on all things tattoo related.

134 Comments

I never knew this- that’s so crazy. I’ve been to many of these countries but I suppose the laws are more aimed at locals than tourists. Very good to know.

Definitely more of a list aimed at *could* rather than *will*, but we’ve had a couple travelers write in with their experiences that many countries have been reasonably tolerant of tourists in regards to their laws. Still a law so not something I would like to risk personally though :)

to right my bro

Of these I was aware only of the situation in Japan which I’ve chatted love visited a few times. Because of that yakuza association, tattoos have a very negative connotation. That said most Japanese do appreciate that this is not the case for foreigners and their tattoos. I think it’s really just the shared bathing where it’s an issue for visitors. I’ve seen people suggest that those with tattoos they can’t cover easily should luck places that offer family baths which can be booked privately. Lucky for me I’m too scared of needles to have had a tattoo!

Thanks for sharing your experiences from Japan … Seems to be across the board that countries with these kind of laws or attitudes are at least willing to accept that tourists may have tattoos for different reasons :)

Booking an experience at a family bath is a great way to get around the shared bathing issue. Thanks for the tip!

Wow! I am amazed to see some countries on this list. Muslim nations are understandable, even a military regime like North Korea but hearing that countries like Japan and some other Asian countries are also not happy with tattoos!! Good info to know for future travels.

Do not presume that North Korea is tolerant of visitors’ tattoos, they are not even tolerant of visitors. NK visitors are at the whim of their ruler, he can kick someone out or detain them for any reason he dreams up.

NK is definitely a country I wouldn’t be willing to break even the slightest law in. Not a tattoo related story, but recently an American student got sentenced to 15 years of hard labour for stealing a propaganda sign from his hotel. Yikes right!!

The Iran one is bollocks. Tattoos are frowned upon but not viewed as “devil-worshiping” at all. The only “forbidden” (= you might get refused service in a restaurant but aren’t going to jail either) tattoos are names of prophets or their families and verses of the Qur’an or hadith.

Knowledge about tattoos does not equal knowledge about the world.

I’d be wary of the North Korea “info” as well: this paragraph smells the same as the crappy “Only certain haircuts are allowed in North Korea or else you go to prison!” story the media ran a few years back. We know very, very, very little about North Korea; almost all information about it is shared by people who have an issue with it — defectors, enemies etc.

Very interesting and informative.

I’m glad you enjoyed the post :)

Oh wow I didn’t know this. I am headed to Vietnam soon ,so this comes at a good time. I need to ensure I carry clothes that cover my ink – I def dont wanna stand out in any way. I hope bigger cities are more accepting/open about tattoos though with the country attracting so many tourists.

We’ve heard from a couple of people who have traveled throughout Vietnam since publishing, who have said they haven’t had any issues with standing out. But I would take clothes to cover it up just in case you’re in a really regional area or something does come up about it :)

Happy travels!

I would advise you to uncover your tatoo in big cities in Vietnam. Yes, local people might think you are not a peaceful person, but the thief and back snathcers will stay away from you. (they might thnk you are even a more fierce gangster). Is that a good point?

That’s actually a really good point! Keeping that in mind lol maybe I’ll employ that tactic in a couple of other places as well :)

Most of these countries are fine with tattoos excluding Iran and North Korea I’m covered in tattoos and have never had a problem.

Glad to hear it Mark! Thanks for sharing your experiences :)

I knew about Sri lanka and Germany but others are news to me. I strongly believe we must respect each country’s faiths and beliefs!

Absolutely Indrani! I’m also a very big believer in respecting the cultural climate in each new country we travel to :)

Specifically in Germany it is the Nazi ones though. My husband is German and he and I are fully sleeved with space or animal themes. No issues accept from older generation. Even then they just gave us strange looks. Many of the younger generation don’t care or have tattoos.

I’m a world traveler and only places I did not show were in Muslim countries. Vietnam was no issue at all.

Absolutely Volker, I have a small tattoo on my back and didn’t have any trouble in Germany either. Glad to hear that the country overall is on board with heavier sleeves as well :) 100% behind the banning of Nazi symbols though, obviously given the context.

I got really shocked to see Slovakia on top of the list! But it is true that any symbols propagating nazist ideology, even symbolically, are forbidden and for a good reason as we have a terrible history during the WWII and even currently there are groups supporting this kind of ideology. Howwever, a normal tattoo is no problem, many of my friends are inked and except for older people, nobody bats an eye. Great article!

Absolutely Karin, normal tattoos are no problem :) I think a lot of people have skimmed through our list quickly and assumed that we mean all tattoos for each country Dan listed, but it’s usually a specific type of art or image which is prohibited.

As you said, completely understandable that anything promoting or endorsing Nazi ideology would see this kind of law in place.

Interesting article..I just got a Sak Yant tattoo in Thailand by a monk and had NO idea! it could be a problem in the future traveling.

My understanding though is that Sak Yant tattoo’s are culturally appropriate, where-as the tattoos Thailand is cracking down on are religious-themed tattoos which are offensive in nature.

Me too but it’s fine I’ve got one on my hand and have never had a problem in Thailand

Awesome Mark, I think Thailand has become pretty tolerant overall now that tourism is such a huge part of the economy, and they’re interacting every day with people from all walks of life. Glad to hear you’ve never had a problem :)

This is useful information. Of course as travelers we need to be sensitive to the culture and traditions of the countries we visit and respect their laws and traditions.

Absolutely Sandy N Vyjay :) It’s always about respect when we’re visiting someone elses land. Thanks for stopping by!

I never really thought about it before, though I did know that you can’t have tattoos if you visit an onsen in Japan. It’s very important that we try to respect the laws of the places that we visit. If they prohibit tattoos, we should try our best to cover them up!

Absolutely Lauren, it’s always about respect and acknowledging that different parts of the world have different cultures, beliefs and laws :)

I have to say, I’ve spent a month or two in several of these countries and had almost none of the issues described. In Japan there are plenty of public onsen you can go to with tattoos, and most accomodation with a public bath you’ll be the only one in there so nobody will notice. I definitely had no issues in Vietnam or Malaysia, we were welcomed into people’s homes, dinners etc, I can only assume people weren’t horribly offended. My tattoos aren’t religious (or Nazi!) so I can’t comment on that. But frankly, most westerners will stand out as differrent in Asia anyway, so unless your tattoos are potentilly offensive in their design I really wouldn’t worry too much. And I definitely wouldn’t wear a massive poncho in 35 defree heat, which you’ll encounter in plenty of these places. Wear a light cotton shirt if you must.

Thanks for sharing your experience Kristie – a couple of people above have mentioned running into the no entry with visible tattoos in Japanese onsen, but that’s a great point that accomodation with a public bath is usually a private experience :)

A lot of people have commented since we published and shared that their experiences in many countries have been reasonably tolerant of tourists in regards to tattoos. As you said, you’re going to stand out anyway, but carrying a light cotton shirt or something of the sort is a great idea if anyone does run into issues.

I am in Vietnam and see that we Vietnamese has a different feeling about tatoo. For us a person with tatoo is a fierce person. More tatoo in body will lead a person to the rank of gangster. Many offices do not recruit a person with tattoo. So, we also have many services like clear tattoo without scar.

Really interesting, thanks for sharing your local insight Long. I wasn’t aware they were able to remove tattoos without leaving a scar, so that’s neat!

Wow, Japan is surprising! I’ve never even thought about this. I need to tell a few friends, ha. Thanks for sharing :)

Because of that yakuza association, tattoos have a very negative connotation in Japan. But Kavey mentioned in her comment above that from chatting with locals most Japanese do appreciate that this is not the case for foreigners and their tattoos :)

Wow, this seems really surprising. We haven’t had ourselves inked so can’t comment but hadn’t heard of it being a problem. Always good to know!

I have one on my lower back (lol a tramp stamp if you will), but this has always been very easy to cover up.

I have lived in Japan off and on for about 3 years and I definitely feel the negative vibe around tattoos occaisonally, even as a foreigner. During my first visit I studied Japanese at a language school and decided to get a part-time job to even out my income a bit. My first interview was for a cleaning company (nothing glamorous, obviously, but considering my limited Japanese at the time, I was happy anyway) and I was hired on the spot. Mind you, I showed up completely covered so none of my ink was showing. However, I wasn’t paying attention to the uniform I’d be wearing at work so I showed up the first day relatively unprepared for the fact that my work-uniform would have short sleeves. Only one of my tattoos (a small one on my wrist) was visible and I tried my best to hide it, but of course they spotted it anyway. Still, they didn’t say anything to me the first 2 days, so I thought it was okay anyway.. Until day 3 when my manager came into the lunch-room during my break, apologizing profusely and giving me some excuse about how they’re not allowed to hire foreigners all of a sudden. Considering how they knew I was a foreigner several days before my interview, I knew that that wasn’t really the case and that my tattoo was what had ultimately given me the boot – a Japanese friend agreed with me.. Kinda sucked because I really loved the people I worked with there, but at the same time I knew about the taboo before I even arrived in japan the first time so it didn’t necessarily surprise me. As a rule, I always try to cover up whenever I am in Japan. While most people I’ve met there seems to be totally fine with tattoos, or even curious about them, I feel like it’s just easier to cover them and “act normal”. As a foreigner, you stand out like a sore thumb anyway. I love the country, but I really wish they would put that taboo to rest.. If nothing else, then for the fact that Japanese tattoo art is so famous world wide that I think they should actually be a really proud of it. It’s such a shame that they’re not..

Hi Niko, thanks for sharing your experience with us. So sorry to hear that you were fired over such a small tattoo. It’s interesting though that they won’t admit that this was the reason, or at least tell you to cover it up first. That sucks :(

I agree with you that it’s just easier to cover them up … even if most people are fine or even curious about them, no need to cause unnecessary offence when we don’t have to.

Hopefully the taboo is something which will die out over time with the older generation. I think it’s one of those things where you can’t really change the ideals of people who have held them for decades, but the younger generation is usually more open to new ideas and change.

Iran doesn’t surprise me – my dad was born there. However, Japan and Thailand do! Really interesting read, thanks for sharing :)

Glad you found the post interesting Lauren :) Yes, Japan surprised me too with it’s tattoo taboo!

Meg, the more we travel the more we learn! In Thailand is offensive to have tattoos or wear t-shirts with Buddha’s head. It is actually written in many places that Buddha’s head on any prints or accessories is a crime. Ok fair enough…than we flew to Nepal and Buddha’s head is everywhere, in every souvenir shop hahaha We are heading to Sri Lanka next, after India, looking forward to see what is happening there. :)

I have 2 small tattoos, and unless I am wearing a bikini, people can never see them. Rule number one for any traveler: on the first day observe how the locals dress up. That always works for me!

Have you had any issues before?

Absolutely Telma! Always learning as we take in new cultures, ideas and ways of life … that’s a great idea to spend the first day observing how locals dress. I really like that tip :)

I haven’t personally had any problems, mine like yours is very small and only shows if I’m wearing a swim suit … mine is on my lower back, a “tamp stamp” if you will lol!

Hope you have a wonderful time in Sri Lanka! It’s a beautiful country with really welcoming and friendly people :)

the more we venture to every part of the more we learn! In Thailand is hostile to have tattoos or wear shirts with Buddha’s head. It is really composed in many spots that Buddha’s head on any prints or embellishments is a wrongdoing.

Absolutely Jasmine :) I figure the whole point of traveling is to experience new cultures, ways of thinking and open ourselves to new ways of life, and part of that is respecting the values and beliefs of the countries we’re immersing ourselves in :)

I’m from Austria and here it’s forbidden to show Nazi-themed tattoos in public (as in Germany). Apart from that, showing tattoos is totally normal and accepted in Austria, at least in your leisure time. :)

Thanks for sharing info on Austria Victoria :) Yes, completely understandable the prohibition on Nazi themed tattoos.

Would it be problem.. If I have a tattoo of Karma… Is it offensive in any country….. Pls reply

Hi Rajat, I am not aware of Karma being offensive in any country. However if you’re traveling to a country where tattoos in general are offensive, be sure to cover up :)

Awesome Environment Awesome people GREAT GREAT ARTISTS

Glad you enjoyed the post

I hope the USA is next

I highly doubt it – tattoo culture in the US is probably one of the strongest in the world.

Hi everyone, I am Turkish nation and lived many years in different city such Ankara (capital) – Istanbul – Izmir – Antalya and in this country people use to go without any restriction to public area with tattoos such as gym centers – hotels – pools – beaches. Please feel free to visit – do not hesitate :)

Hi Murat, thanks for sharing your local knowledge on Turkey – we loved our time in Istanbul recently, and can’t wait to get back to explore the country further :)

what about exceptions ? If the tattoo is small like 2 to 3 inches, will these countries allow?

Because I am not aware of this and had tattoos on my hand few days back, which is clearly visible, it is hardly 3 inches. Just 3 letters of my wife.

Hi Naren, it will depend on the country you’re going to – most of these countries are fine with tattoos in general, for instance Austria, but won’t allow specific tattoos, like Nazi Symbols. So a lot of the time it’s more of a ban on tattoos which are offensive or symbolize violence.

But if you arrive and start noticing that your tattoo is causing negative or unwanted attention, maybe you can have a bandage on hand to cover it up.

I wouldn’t let it stop you from traveling, but once you choose a destination, do some quick research on the attitude towards tattoos and how they’re perceived by the local people, and you should be able to gauge whether you’ll need to cover it up.

Hope that helps!

This post is outdated; not only have I gotten multiple tattoos in Vietnam in the last five years (most recently November 2017), but there are many award winning tattoo shops there and I have had people on the street express admiration for my tattoos.

Hi Eric, thanks for your feedback, I’ll update the section on Vietnam based on your info. Fabulous to hear that the locals you’ve encountered have appreciated your tattoos and that really good shops are starting to pop up :)

My pleasure, Meg! Happy to help! Eric

I recently travelled through japan in the warmer months. I have some forearm tattoos which are hard to cover in the hot weather. Tried to be respectful as possible, covering up most of the time, though noticed a strong reaction from a lot of people whenever they spotted them. Mainly in businesses and from older people. Went to 3 gyms wearing a long sleeve shirt before 1 let me in. They all asked if I had tattoos and the size of them. I really like Japan though it is a very traditional culture, which can be good and not so good.

Thanks for sharing your experience Steve, I’m glad to hear you made every attempt to be respectful as possible, sorry to hear you did run into problems though. Yes, I think the younger population in Japan might be becoming more tolerant of it, but it definitely still provokes strong reactions from the older generations and more traditional communities. I had to bandage my lower back before I was admitted into any onsen while I was there.

I have a question. I have a crucifix with rosary tattoo in my arm and a dream catcher in my legs.. is it forbidden in Thailand and Korea?

Hi Sherry, if you’re heading into North Korea I would make sure they’re covered at all times as they are very against religious tattoos. But if you’re heading into South Korea it’s more tolerated.

For South Korea I would still cover them up if you can because you’ll notice that people might become apprehensive about being around you – many Koreans often associate tattoos with gangsters. But they’re not ‘forbidden’. People are generally more understanding towards foreigners but you still might get stared and leered at, especially if you’re visiting conservative parts of the country.

For Thailand, it’s now so touristy that you shouldn’t have an issue, but I wouldn’t flaunt it. Take clothing with you that will cover them both and you can then gague the atmosphere once you get there.

Hope that helps! Have an amazing trip :)

I have a Ganesh tattoo on the back of my leg, would that be an issue in Sri Lanka or Vietnam?.

Hi Linus. I would just wear long pants to cover it up and you definitely won’t have an issue :) I’ve been told that attitudes in Vietnam over the last couple of years has become more tolerant of foreigners tattoos, so that one you can probably gauge when you get there, see what the reactions are towards you, but easiest way to avoid any trouble is just to wear long pants :)

I have a tatoo of my girlfriend name on my chest.is that be a problem? In such countries like dubai,malasyia,sharja and such arab countries

Hi Gokul, if it’s on your chest I would just make sure it’s covered with a shirt and then you won’t have any trouble. Have a great trip!

From my experience, in Malaysia, will not put you in any trouble. Dubai is also a very developed country with many Europeans (who have tattoos) are traveling to. My advice is to always ask a local who have _lived_ in the country and has inside insight.

Great advice Merry, thanks for sharing your input :)

This blog is a reminder to all us. We must be careful at all times to avoid conflict.

Absolutely Darryl, always about being mindful. Glad you enjoyed the post :)

Denmark. Ever since 1966, Danes have been forbidden from getting their face, head, neck.

Thanks for the heads up John! One we didn’t know about yet :)

Many of the information on this topic is outdated. I have lived in both Iran and Malaysia for many years. My uni lecturer at University was covered in tattoos from head to toe. Seeing people in the street with tattoos is very common as well. In Iran as well many have tattoos and has become a norm.

Hi Merry, thanks for the feedback. We’ve been updating the information in this post as people leave comments based on their most recent experiences, so I’m happy to hear that the stigma around tattoos has been changing in both Iran and Malaysia.

Thanks for reading and leaving your feedback :)

I’m Malaysian and have never heard of tattoos being banned in the country. Only when we enter government buildings, we should cover up (in general, more for decency rather than because of the tattoos). In fact, the aborigines here are known for their traditional tattooing techniques.

You really should update your post and remove Malaysia from it.

Thanks for sharing your feedback Diane, I have updated the post to remove Malaysia from the list :)

And thanks for the feedback. But I want to know about south korea. In south korea foreigner worker like eps examer people who have tattoo they are allowed or not.

Hi Prabin, tattoos aren’t illegal in South Korea, and it’s a lot more tolerated than other parts of Asia. I would still cover them up if you can because people could become apprehensive about being around you – many Koreans often associate tattoos with gangsters. But they’re not ‘forbidden’. People are generally more understanding towards foreigners but you still might get stared and leered at, especially if you’re visiting conservative parts of the country. So you can play it by ear when you get there, but if it’s easy to cover it up just do that :)

Your information about Iran is totally incorrect.

Hi MJ, as you can see here, we are very on top of keeping the article up to date, so if you have actual constructive feedback to share beyond just bashing the post, you are welcome to contribute with your actual experience. Otherwise your comment doesn’t serve any purpose.

Well, I was not aware of these facts, truly. As far as my observation or knowledge, I am shocked to see the name of Thailand and Malaysia because people are highly excited about body arts in those countries. If such a situation continues to prevail, it will be quite troublesome to travel to foreign countries with tattoos that are banned in that country. I feel that getting tattoos should never seek any validation from society and nor from any religion. It should be barred from any such restrictions; after all, it’s a form of art and art should not be suppressed.

The laws in Thailand are mainly around religious tattoos, a lot of the time a country might not have an outright ban on body art, but more about the type of tattoos you can / can’t get.

I agree with you that body art is a personal choice, and it’s quite rough to restrict that freedom, but at the same time I also completely understand decisions in country’s like Germany to ban Nazi tattoos, given the terrible history. So I think it’s about balancing freedom of expression while being respectful of other country’s histories and cultures :)

So Is it illegal to have Buddha head tattoos or not ?? If this is the case I won’t be able to revisit Thailand, and I feel the tattooist should advise you and should not be allowed to tattoo these tattoos,

Hi Vanessa, the actual law around Buddha tattoos is very vague, but I would cover it up at all costs.

Locals see these type of tattoos as highly offensive (because his image is sacred), and the government is doing everything they can to stop foreigners who have them. I have a friend who landed in BKK and was taken out of the security check line because he was covered in tattoos. They requested he show them all tattoos and kept saying “No Buddha” … Once they had seen he had no Buddhist tattoos they let him enter the country.

In Thailand, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, so being that this is what you have, I would make sure you wear a shirt, or a sleeve, and always keep it covered. You should still be able to visit with no problems just as long as you don’t display it.

Hope that helps :)

Ya, in Thailand I’ve never heard of any legal issues regarding tattoos.

Thais can be very conservative about imagery of the Buddha, and sak yant tattoos are meant to be respected, but I’ve never heard of anything worse than someone casting a negative opinion. I imagine you’d have to have a grotesquely offensive religious tattoo to get in trouble in this country.

Sri Lanka on the other hand I have heard of Buddhist tattoos being against the law.

Thanks for sharing your expertise and experience Ryan, very helpful! :)

Thank you so much for your work.It’s very helping to me.give me some advice.I will wait for your reply

Glad the post was helpful for you Md. Happy to give you advice, though will need more specifics from you. Let me know what your question is and if I’m able to answer it I can :)

It’s truly very difficult in this active life to listen news on TV, so I simply use internet for that reason, and obtain the latest information.

Absolutely, the internet is a lot more reliable for factual information without a media bias or political slant :)

I never knew that so many nations are conservative about tattooing, which simply rejuvenates outer appearance, and helps people express their innermost emotions. However, I believe your information regarding Thailand is incorrect. The legal age for getting tattoo in this particular Southeast Asian country is fifteen years, and there are numerous studios, which invite people from all across globe to get inked.

A lot of the time, it’s about banning specific tattoos as opposed to being opposed to tattoos in general. For instance in the section about Thailand, we’ve outlined that it’s just religious-themed tattoos that cause offence.

Is this the information that you’re referring to as incorrect? Because my understanding is that religious themed tattoos are still very taboo despite the country being accepting of ink in general.

What about USA??

Hi Moncy – tattoos are widely acceptable in the USA, you shouldn’t have any problems :)

Thanks Luce, glad you enjoyed the post :)

For Malaysia only to the muslim. For non muslim, nobody give a damn about it.

Thanks for the info Emily, that’s a great note, and I’ll add it into the post :)

I think Malaysia could market tattoo-free resorts and beaches. It really sucks that here in Moscow, so many of the prostitutes have these hideous stains on their bodies. Thanks for the suggestion!

Many people view tattooing as a beautiful form of art, in fact I have one myself. It’s a personal choice for each individual, but ultimately if you’re a traveler too you need to be aware of the cultural challenges this can present for you.

Thanks for reading :)

hi , i need to know that tattooing in arab countrys is a problem ? will they reject our visa due to this tatoo ?

Hi Praveen. Which Arab countries in particular are you visiting, and what is your tattoo? I haven’t personally had experience in the middle east, but it will vary depending on the country and your specific tattoo. They won’t reject your visa because of a tattoo, as there’s no way for them to really tell that you have tattoos when they’re assessing a visa application (unless it specifically asks, which I haven’t ever come across), but any potential issues will arise once you land.

Hi this is great to know I’m a New Zealander with cultural tattoos on my arms would this be a problem if I travelled to Afghanistan and Malaysia…

Hi Jacqueline, thanks for reaching out :) We originally had Malaysia in our main list, though removed it after recent feedback from travelers and locals who have advised that there’s no issue with tattoos in the country. So based on the most recent feedback we’ve had, you should be totally fine in Malaysia. I always personally like to err on the side of caution, so take a sleeve to cover up just in case, but our readers have left many comments saying there is no issue in Malaysia.

Unfortunately I don’t have direct experience with Afganistan, if you have an embassy in your country this would be the place I would start – it would definitely be worth giving them a call and they would have the most accurate info. Failing an embassy, it looks like these travelers have travel guides to Afganistan, so I would say you could probably shoot them an email with the question and see if they’re able to shed any light for you, or drop a quick comment on the following posts – they all seem to respond pretty quickly:

– Alex from https://www.lostwithpurpose.com/afghanistan-travel-guide/

– Nicki from https://adventuresoflilnicki.com/afghanistan-travel-guide/

– Angela from https://www.chasingtheunexpected.com/travel-afghanistan/

Im going to be heading to ho chi Minh City this September, do you by chance have any advice for me I have three medium-sized tattoos across my shoulders none of them are colored in or offensive in any way but I am a smaller woman and I do have piercings which I will be trying to tone down for the trip but my boyfriend has explained to me that I need to be careful so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas

Hi Savannah, you’ll have a fabulous time in HCMC, I was there in June last year and it’s an exciting city! I would tone down your piercings as much as possible, and if you can cover up your shoulders, even with a light airy Tshirt that would be the best option.

Major cities in Vietnam like HCMC are pretty tolerant towards tattoos and the industry is a lot more accepted than it once was, but if you’re traveling outside of the city into rural areas I would definitely aim to cover them, and if you find you’re getting negative attention because of your tattoos in the city, having a shawl or a light shirt to cover up is going to come in really handy.

Hope that helps! Have an amazing time in Vietnam :)

Thanks So much for sharing this info

You’re welcome! Glad it was helpful :)

It is ridiculous though!! As in this modern era who doesn’t get tattooed a person must not be excluded frm the benifits of anything just because of a tattoo

I accept it as a cultural difference between what is valued in other countries – much of the time as we’ve outlined, it’s not always tattoos themselves that are banned outright, but more targeted to specific tattoos that are culturally provocative, ie Nazi tattoos in Germany, religious tattoos in Thailand etc. Some countries for sure, have a long way to catch up to the rest of the world in terms of acceptance of body art, but the traveler in me explores other countries to be exposed to different ideas, perspectives, and ways of living, so I try to keep an open mind about their lifestyle choices, and hopefully they can too, keep an open mind about mine!

Oh COME ON!!! I am Iranian and I live in Tehran, people are getting tattoos everyday and it’s fine! Just if you have a big black tattoo with some religious meaning, cover it with your clothes in the crowd or in front of the police! It’s ok with people! Considering the fact that women should wear hijab in this country and men also cant go out with shorts, not many tattooed areas are gonna be seen anyway! You’re gonna be Ok!

Hi Roya, thanks for making the distinction between the police and the people. What you’ve said is quite in line with our above description for Iran – we noted that Government officials have spoken out against tattooing, so it’s a touchy subject, and that you should be cautious when exposing them – especially religious tattoos.

That’s a great point you make on the cultural dress code covering most typical tattoo-ed parts of the body anyway :)

Thanks for reading!

What about Hindu religious symbols like the swastika? Are swastika tattoos allowed?

Hi V, if you’re traveling through Germany, France, or Slovakia, with a swastika tattoo, or any of the countries surrounding, you’ll need to cover it and keep it hidden. While it might be a Hindu religious symbol, in this part of the world it symbolizes the Nazi regime / culture.

Having tattoo on body is Not crime !! If Person having tattoo , then he might be art lover… Every country have their own culture And they proud their culture … If our tattoo meaning is against their culture then its inappropriate in my opinion …..

Absolutely, it’s always important to respect another culture, even if it is of a different view to our own, or takes offense to things that we may not, and vice versa :)

Yes, I heard I do not know why tattoos are not allowed in some countries. they have their reasons so we must follow the instructions. nice information

Simply a cultural difference in how different societies view them. Glad the post was helpful :)

I do not know why tattoos are not allowed in some countries. can u share reasons why some countries are not allowed tattoos.it will help my business. thanks for the information.

The reasons for each country banning certain tattoos are listed above under each subheading. If you would like more information on any specific country let us know and we would be happy to provide some resources :)

Hey I think you should totally remove Turkey part of your article. Cause it is one thing but totally untrue!!! I am so surprisingly shocked how people can spread fake info and based on nothing. I as a Turkish women have many tattoos and have no problem anywhere so a traveler should have nothing as well. I advise people to get a new tattoo at their new trip glaciale price use it’s very effective and there are a bunch of great tattoo artists as well especially good on portraits and finely be work! Cheers

Hi Zeynep, thanks for sharing your local experiences. Every country included in this article needs to be read with the context of the information included. For instance we have not said that tattoos in Turkey are not allowed, what we said was:

We are committed to keeping this post up to date, so if you find inconsistencies with this specific description do let us know. But as you can see we have included specific religious examples, so it is not based on nothing, nor untrue.

Yes I have to agree with you Zeynep; it gives the wrong impression of Turkiye. I have been living in Turkiye for 9 years and I have seen more people in my area with tattoos than back home in England. Beşiktaş has loads of tattoo studios. Tattoos are commonplace in Turkey. My 19 year old son came on holiday to Turkiye this July from England and had his first tattoo in Istanbul. :)

Thanks for sharing your local experience Jim, that’s fantastic to hear that the cultural attitude towards tattoos is now very welcoming :)

Thanks for this excellent article! Your research enhances cultural awareness for me.

You’re welcome Jeanie! Thanks for reading and taking interest :)

This list is not correct. Tattoos are NOT illegal in Japan. They are, however, frowned upon in public spaces. Tattoos are illegal in China though, which I’m surprised is not on the list.

If you read the context of the article, she states that not all the places have a ban on tattoos but that there are restrictions to content in some and are still majorly taboo in others. I agree though that it’s surprising to not see China on the list where they have been known to hand out severe sentences to tattoo artists.

I wonder how Japan would feel about my Pokémon tattoo? Pokémon is extremely popular in Japan. I also have a tattoo on my shoulder from another Japanese game.

Interesting question! I guess the way to find out would be starting out with shoulders covered but perhaps asking those you’ve connected with as friendly once you’re in the country :)

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Which Countries do not allow tattoos? 7 Countries

• by Ebubechukwu Isaiah
• October 3, 2023
• 4 minute read

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Imagine planning a trip to a beautiful foreign country, only to realize that your tattoos might get you into trouble upon arrival.

This is a reality for many tattooed tourists and citizens in various countries worldwide, where tattoos are not allowed due to cultural, religious, or legal restrictions.

In some nations, the limitations are on the act of tattooing itself, making it illegal to operate a tattoo parlor or perform tattooing. In others, having visible tattoos can lead to issues, especially if the tattoos are deemed offensive, politically sensitive, or religiously inappropriate.

But this also doesn’t deter the fact that tattoo have a historical and cultural significance in many parts of the world.

For instance, in places like New Zealand and Samoa, tattoos are an integral part of the local culture and heritage. However, in other nations, tattoos are viewed with skepticism and concern, often associated with criminal activity, gangs, or rebellion.

Now, let’s get into the list of these countries that don’t allow tattoos:

Are there Countries that Completely Ban Tattoos?

It’s difficult to pinpoint countries where tattoos are entirely illegal as tattoo regulations can often be complex and multifaceted, falling into gray areas of law and societal norms.

Generally, countries might not have explicit laws banning tattoos altogether, but they can have stringent restrictions on tattoo artists and parlors, effectively making it almost impossible to get a tattoo legally.

For example:

• North Korea : While it might not be explicitly stated in their law books that tattoos are illegal, the government’s strict control over personal expression and appearance makes it nearly impossible for citizens to get tattoos legally. Those with tattoos might face severe punishment.
• Iran : Here, tattoos are seen as a symbol of Western influence and are therefore frowned upon. The government has enforced regulations that prohibit tattoo parlors from operating. Individuals with visible tattoos can face scrutiny, discrimination, and legal issues. If you’re traveling to Iran, it’s advisable to cover your tattoos to avoid unwanted attention or problems.

Even in countries where tattoos are not explicitly illegal, individuals with tattoos might still face societal discrimination, judgment, or exclusion from certain public places and facilities, as seen in places like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

It’s important to note that even if a country does not have a nationwide ban on tattoos, certain states, provinces, or cities within that country might impose their own restrictions or bans.

Additionally, even if tattoos are legal in a country, there might be specific laws and regulations regarding the age of consent for getting a tattoo, the licensing of tattoo artists and parlors, and the types and styles of tattoos allowed (for example, tattoos of religious or culturally sensitive symbols might be prohibited).

10 Countries that Don’t Allow Tattoos (Grey Area Countries)

China does not have a nationwide ban on tattoos, but there are restrictions.

For example, the Chinese government banned tattoos from being shown on television as part of a move to ensure the media represents “core socialist values.”

Additionally, individuals with tattoos may be barred from joining the military and certain government positions. Public attitudes towards tattoos in China can also be quite conservative.

2. South Korea

In South Korea, the art of tattooing is technically legal but heavily regulated. Only licensed medical doctors are legally allowed to tattoo individuals.

The heavy regulation effectively renders most traditional tattooing illegal, and anyone caught getting inked from an unlicensed artist could face fines. Despite the growing popularity of tattoos among young Koreans, the legal and social stigma remains.

3. United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, tattoos aren’t technically illegal, but cultural norms and religious beliefs strongly discourage them.

Public display of tattoos, especially large or offensive designs, may be frowned upon. It’s suggested that tattoos be covered in public to respect local customs and avoid potential issues.

Now, onto Japan – a country known for its rich tattoo history, but also for its modern restrictions.

Tattoos in Japan are closely associated with the Yakuza (organized crime).

Many public places like gyms, swimming pools, and onsens (hot springs) often ban individuals with tattoos from entry. Although this is slowly changing, particularly with the influx of tattooed foreign tourists, it’s still something to be mindful of when visiting Japan.

5. Singapore

In Singapore, tattoos are legal, but there’s a significant social stigma attached to them.

This small Southeast Asian nation holds conservative views on self-expression, and tattoos are often associated with gang affiliation.

While you won’t face legal repercussions for having tattoos here, be prepared for potential societal judgment and exclusion from certain public facilities.

6. Malaysia

Here, tattoos are seen as a symbol of Western influence and are therefore frowned upon.

The government has enforced regulations that prohibit tattoo parlors from operating. Individuals with visible tattoos can face scrutiny, discrimination, and legal issues. If you’re traveling to Iran, it’s advisable to cover your tattoos to avoid unwanted attention or problems.

7. Sri Lanka

The government has enforced regulations that prohibit tattoo parlors from operating.

Individuals with visible tattoos can face scrutiny, discrimination, and legal issues. If you’re traveling to Iran, it’s advisable to cover your tattoos to avoid unwanted attention or problems.

While it’s challenging to find countries with total bans on tattoos, many nations have restrictions, regulations, and societal norms that heavily discourage or limit the practice of tattooing.

It’s always essential for individuals, especially travelers, to be aware of and respect these laws and cultural norms to avoid potential legal issues and cultural disrespect.

Ebubechukwu Isaiah

Alongside being the owner of one of the biggest driving communities, Ebubechukwu Isaiah is a big fan of all things travel. In StrangerMiles, he shares his experience on the dos and donts of travelling.

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Home » For You » Tattoos

List Of Countries Where Tattoos Are Banned

Tattoo restrictions around the world: Where to think twice before getting inked.

Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from... more

Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has work... more

Manjari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over three years of experience in writing across different niches, including beauty, health, wellness, and technology. She first discovered her passion fo... more

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In certain corners of the world, the freedom to express oneself through tattoos faces unique challenges. Tattoo-banned countries refer to a list of places where the practice of body art encounters legal restrictions. As tattoos continue to be a globally embraced form of self-expression, it is intriguing to explore the cultural and legal landscapes that lead some countries to impose bans on this age-old tradition. In this article, we will delve into the list of countries where tattoos are prohibited and attempt to understand the various reasons behind such restrictions as well as the implications for individuals who seek to adorn their bodies with ink. Let us uncover the diverse attitudes and regulations surrounding tattoos across the globe.

In This Article

Countries Where Tattoos Are Illegal

In recent years, the act of displaying tattoos or getting inked has become a sensitive issue in Iran, where leaders and government officials openly associate tattoos with devil worship and consider them symbols of Westernization, vehemently opposing such practices. The country has implemented a ban on tattoos and spiky haircuts, considering them in direct contradiction to Islamic regulations. Visitors to Iran are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution in revealing any form of ink, especially if it holds religious connotations, as authorities rigorously enforce strict interpretations of Sharia law.

While tattoos are not against the law in Türkiye, the country’s leading authorities have grown more unfriendly toward body art lately. The top religious body in Turkey has issued a religious ruling, known as a Fatwa, advising Muslims with tattoos to either get rid of them or ask for forgiveness from God if they cannot remove them.

The Religious Affairs Directorate of Türkiye, referred to as Diyanet, stated in its declaration that all types of body art, such as tattoos and the removal of facial hair or eyebrows, are prohibited according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

Even though tattoos are popular in officially secular Türkiye, particularly among young people in urban areas, there is increasing disapproval from top officials and religious authorities.

3. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

In the UAE, especially in Dubai, there exists a diverse expatriate community. Although tattoos are not strictly prohibited, guidelines emphasizing public decency are in place. Some public spaces may necessitate covering tattoos , and certain designs, particularly those featuring religious or offensive symbols, might lead to complications. While foreigners are generally not penalized for getting tattoos under the Islamic dress code policy in the UAE, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment views tattooing as a form of self-harm and permits it only when performed by a licensed doctor. Furthermore, tattooed tourists who violate federal laws in the UAE risk a potential lifetime ban from visiting.

4. North Korea

While certain tattoos are permitted in North Korea, there are strict rules to follow. Any visible tattoos in the country must either express admiration for the Kim family (leaders) or have an approved political significance. If you have tattoos that don’t meet these criteria, you might face deportation or even be given a sentence of hard labor in prison.

5. South Korea

In South Korea, there’s more freedom compared to North Korea, but both countries have similar rules about tattoos – technically, they are considered illegal. According to local laws, only doctors were allowed to do tattoos, but now, certified beauticians can also apply permanent make-up tattoos due to recent changes.

6. Sri Lanka

When traveling in Sri Lanka, it’s essential to be mindful of tattoos featuring Buddhist symbols, as they can be considered offensive. Tattoos depicting elements of Buddhist culture or the Buddha himself may be seen as culturally insensitive and blasphemous, leading to serious consequences, including arrests. Sri Lanka holds strong Buddhist beliefs, and the government is particularly sensitive to any perceived defacement of their religion, especially when it involves outsiders displaying tattoos with significant cultural and religious symbolism.

7. Thailand

Similar to Sri Lanka, Thailand is becoming strict with tourists displaying tattoos related to religion. The Thai government considers religious tattoos culturally inappropriate and believes they disrespect native religions. However, non-religious tattoos are generally acceptable in both countries, as they have become popular tourist destinations, and locals are usually welcoming and accepting of foreigners with tattoos.

In the past, tattoos in Vietnam were linked to crime, and having a tattoo shop was banned. However, influenced by global trends, attitudes have changed, and the tattoo industry is growing. In rural areas, older mindsets may still view tattoos negatively, so covering up might be wise. If your new tattoo has healing issues while traveling, seek a specialized studio in major cities to prevent infections. Despite past stigmas, Vietnam is becoming more accepting of tattoos, especially in urban areas influenced by international trends. Always prioritize taking care of your tattoo to avoid potential problems during your travels.

In Denmark, there is a strict rule: avoid getting tattoos on your face, neck, and hands. This law has been around since 1966 to prevent people from having visible or unattractive tattoos in these areas. The government is worried that tattoos on these parts might give an unprofessional appearance, affecting social life and job opportunities. However, there’s a movement to change this long-standing law, led by the Social Liberals. Some people are already getting tattoos on their faces, necks, or hands, or they travel to neighboring states to get inked in those areas despite the existing ban.

10. Germany

In this country, there are strict tattoo laws against showing tattoos that represent or celebrate Nazi culture. If you have such a tattoo, you could be arrested and even deported. While Germany is generally accepting of tattoos, anything that looks like it supports the past Nazi regime can get you into serious trouble. It’s important to be aware of the specific rules regarding tattoos related to Nazi symbols to avoid legal consequences in this country.

Navigating the global landscape of self-expression through tattoos, the concept of “tattoo-banned countries” sheds light on places where legal restrictions challenge this form of art. The list of countries prohibiting tattoos, including Iran, Turkey, and North Korea, reflects a complex interplay of cultural, religious, and political factors. In Iran, tattoos clash with religious beliefs, while Turkey witnessed a shift in the attitudes of the authorities. The UAE and Thailand have not outright banned tattoos but imposed guidelines reflecting cultural sensitivities. Sri Lanka and Vietnam showcase restrictions tied to cultural and religious sentiments, emphasizing respect for local beliefs. Denmark and Germany, with nuanced regulations, illustrate the ongoing dialogue between personal expression and societal norms. The intricate tapestry of tattoo bans globally underscores the need for travelers to navigate diverse cultural landscapes with awareness and sensitivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries reject visas for having tattoos?

No official documentation from any nation explicitly declares visa rejection due to tattoos. Yet, it’s crucial to recognize that certain countries hold conservative views and attitudes towards tattoos, potentially causing complications in visa applications due to differing cultural perspectives on body art.

Are tattoos illegal in Japan?

Despite being considered a historical hub for tattoo art, Japan has surprisingly stringent regulations on tattoos. Negative associations persist, and authorities strongly discourage any visible ink deemed offensive, particularly if linked to organized crime. Numerous public spaces like swimming pools, hot springs, etc. in Japan restrict entry for individuals with visible tattoos due to cultural sensitivities.

Key Takeaways

• Tattoos face strong opposition in Iran due to their association with devil worship and Westernization, leading to a ban enforced under strict interpretations of Sharia law.
• Tattoos face disapproval in Turkey as the top religious body issues a fatwa advising Muslims to remove them, citing prohibition based on Prophet Muhammad’s teachings.
• Tattoos in the UAE are subject to decency guidelines; certain tattoo designs may pose complications, and tattooing is permitted only when done by a licensed doctor, according to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs.

Discover the intriguing world of tattoo restrictions in Japan! This video explores the cultural nuances and places where tattoos are banned. Ready to unveil the reasons behind the ink taboo? Watch now and gain insight into Japan’s complex relationship with tattoos!

• Fact-checker

Pahul Nanra Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Shatabdi bhattacharya associate editor, manjari uppal beauty & lifestyle writer, related articles, 25 best japanese tattoo designs with meanings, 32 most beautiful eyes in the world of 2023 (#21 is stunning), clenbuterol for weight loss: benefits, side effects, and dosage, 6 reasons that will make you avoid fat burners for weight loss, fish pedicure – benefits and safety concerns, top 42 japanese hairstyles for women – 2023, 10 serious mustard oil side effects you should be aware of, mangosteen: 7 unexpected side effects of the tropical fruit, all the 69 most beautiful miss world winners from 1951-2021, 33 awesome hairstyles to hide or cover up big foreheads, latest articles, 8 auspicious and charming good luck tattoo ideas.

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World’s least tattoo-friendly countries

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 Favorite

Although tattoos can be seen as positive means of self-expression in many areas of the world, there are some countries that do not consider tattoo as a form of art.

When you leave the country sporting tattoos, it’s important to know what to expect in your visiting country.

While the general trend in favour of tattoos is a global phenomenon, there are countries where tattoos are still considered taboo, offensive or illegal.

Have a look at six countries around the world whose attitudes toward tattoos might complicate your future travel plans.

United Arab Emirates

The tattoo laws in Dubai make tattooing illegal and visible tattoos usually have to be covered in public. United Arab Emirates (UAE) Islamic dress code policy will not penalise foreigners for getting tattooed.

However, The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment considers it a form of self-injury and thus it is forbidden unless performed by licensed physicians. Also, the tourists can be banned for life if their tattoo is offensive under the UAE federal law.

Japan made tattooing illegal during the Meiji period in 1872, but currently Japan doesn’t ban tattoos or tattoo content. However, Japanese stores have forbidden tattoos on customers on a wider scale than any other country that doesn’t have tattoo laws.

The public swimming pools, bath houses, gyms, hotels, resorts, bars, restaurants, and some retail stores ban tattoos that are visible on customers. This self-imposed Japan tattoo ban by most of the businesses is a rare but shocking surprise to tourists.

Iran has outlawed tattoos as well as spiky haircuts and the use of sun-beds on the grounds that they imply “devil worship”. The conservative Iranians see these movements as a sign of westernisation, which violate the Islamic system’s regulations. Iran is governed by a strict interpretation of Sharia law, with agencies expected to act on every individual case of violation in public life.

South Korea

South Korea has far more relaxation than North Korea, but when it comes to the contents of a tattoo, they have the same rules: technically, they’re illegal.

The local laws dictate that one needs to be a physician to apply a tattoo, although recent changes have made it possible for certified beauticians to apply permanent make-up tattoos.

Sri Lanka & Thailand

The tattoos that depict Buddhist imagery can be considered offensive in Sri Lanka, so be sure not to display any while travelling. 

Any tattoos depicting elements of Buddhist culture or, more grievously, the Buddha himself, could be seen as blasphemous and culturally insensitive – to the point of condemnation. The offenses are more serious in Sri Lanka than Thailand, where they are not enforced as often.

Both of these countries are major tourist destinations, somewhat tempering the potential punishment that might await an unsuspecting traveller.

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Countries Where Tattoos Are Illegal Or Limited: Where Can a Tattoo Get You In Trouble?

The popularity of tattoos has never been this high. In the past few decades, almost 30% to 40% of all Americans received at least one tattoo. Nowadays (before the coronavirus), hundreds of thousands of people attend tattoo conventions across the Western world.

So, it is safe to say that tattooing is widely accepted in the countries of the Western world, like European countries, North American countries, and certain cultures around the world.

However, there are still places where having or getting a tattoo can get you in a lot of trouble; in some cases, people are even thrown in jail for getting inked. In some regions, tattooing is considered blasphemous or linked to crime and crime-related organizations.

So, in case you were wondering where having or getting a tattoo could get you in trouble, you’re at the right place. In the following paragraphs we’ll take a look at countries where tattoos are illegal, banned, and punishable, so let’s get started.

Countries Where Tattoos Are Illegal or Limited

It is illegal in Islamic countries, like Iran, to get a tattoo. Under the claim that ‘tattooing is a health risk’ and ‘forbidden by God’, people who get a tattoo in Iran are at risk of being arrested, fined heavily, or even retained in prison . It is even a common practice to ‘parade’ the arrested people through the city, in public, so that the community can shame the person for having a tattoo.

What is interesting is that tattoos weren’t always illegal in Islamic countries and Iran. However, Iranian authorities, under Islamic law, have made tattoos illegal and punishable. It is believed that tattoos are done by criminals, thugs, or people who are not in Islam, which is considered sinful in itself.

Other Islamic countries with the same or similar tattoo prohibition are ;

• Saudi Arabia – tattoos are illegal due to Sharia Law (foreigners with tattoos must cover them and they should remain covered until the person leaves the country)
• Afghanistan – tattoos are illegal and banned due to Sharia Law
• United Arab Emirates – it is illegal to get tattooed by a tattoo artist; tattoos are considered a form of self-injury, which is forbidden in Islam , but tourists and foreigners don’t have to cover them unless they’re offensive. In such a case, people can be banned from UAE for life.
• Malaysia – tattoos showing religious quotes (like quotes from the Quran), or illustrations of god or the prophet Muhammad, are strictly forbidden, illegal and punishable
• Yemen – tattoos aren’t strictly forbidden, but a person with a tattoo can be subjected to the Islam Sharia Law

When it comes to these countries, foreigners, and tourists who have tattoo must cover them in public at all times, otherwise, could face fine or punishment in form of being banned from the country, especially if the tattoo is offensive to the local people and religion in any way.

South Korea

Even though tattoos aren’t illegal per se, in South Korea tattoos are generally frowned upon and deemed unsafe. The country does have some extreme tattoo laws; for example, some tattoo laws outlaw tattooing unless you’re a licensed doctor .

The reasoning behind such laws is that ‘tattoos aren’t safe for the public due to numerous health hazards’. These health hazards are, however, anecdotal and based on a handful of stories where tattooing ended in a health-endangering occurrence, like a tattoo infection.

Luckily, many have seen through the act of medical and tattoo companies in South Korea who promote these ridiculous laws for the sake of getting rid of the competition. People are increasingly getting tattooed in South Korea, especially the younger generations.

But, it is incredible how by deeming a practice unsafe when not performed by doctors, chances are that any other practitioner of the same thing will be put out of a job, especially when deemed dangerous for the health.

Also Read:  Are Tattoos Illegal in Korea, The Answer May Surprise You

North Korea

In North Korea, the situation is pretty different from the South Korean tattoo laws. Tattoo designs and meanings are regulated by the North Korean Communist Party. For example, the Party is allowed to ban certain tattoos , like religious tattoos or any tattoos that might depict rebellion of some sort. Until recently, the Party even banned the word ‘love’ as a tattoo design.

However, what the Party does allow are tattoos showing one’s dedication to the Party and the country. Quotes like ‘Guard the Great Leader to our death’, or ‘Defense of the Fatherland’, aren’t just allowed, but highly popular tattoo choices for the local people. The word ‘love’ is also allowed only when used to express one’s love towards North Korea, Communism of the leader of the country.

Countries with similar or same politics and practices include ;

• China – tattoos are associated with organized crime, and tattoos depicting any religious symbols or anti-Communism quotes are banned. Tattoos are frowned upon outside large urban centers, but in the cities, with the arrival of foreigners and tourists, tattoos have become more acceptable.
• Cuba – religious and anti-government/system tattoos aren’t allowed
• Vietnam – just like in China, tattoos in Vietnam are associated with gangs and organized crime. Tattoos depicting gang affiliation, religious symbols, or anti-political tattoos are banned.

Thailand and Sri Lanka

In Thailand, it is illegal to get tattoos of certain religious elements and symbols. For example, tattoos of Buddha’s head are completely forbidden, especially for tourists. The law prohibiting this kind of tattooing was passed in 2011 when tattoos depicting Buddha’s head were deemed completely disrespectful and culturally appropriative.

The same tattoo prohibition applies to Sri Lanka. In 2014, a  British tourist was deported from Sri Lanka after getting a Buddha tattoo on their arm . The person was deported under the claims that the tattoo ‘was disrespectful to others’ religious feelings’ and insulting to Buddhism.

Even though it’s been decades since tattoos in Japan were deemed gang-related, the public opinion about getting inked hasn’t changed. Even though people can get tattoos without being punished or banned, they still can’t do normal activities like going to the public swimming pool, saunas, gyms, hotels, bars, and even retail stores if their tattoo is visible.

In 2015, any visitors with visible tattoos were  banned from nightclubs and hotels , and the prohibitions just keep piling up. These prohibitions and limitations are self-imposed by the Japanese public narrative and, as of recently, even law.

The reason for this lies in the long tattoo history in Japan where tattoos were primarily worn by Yakuza and other gang- and mafia-related people. The Yakuza are still powerful in Japan, and their impact isn’t ceasing or diminishing. That is why anyone with a tattoo is considered potentially dangerous, hence the prohibitions.

Read More:  Are Tattoos Illegal in Japan? (A Guide to Visiting Japan With Tattoos)

European Countries

All over Europe, tattoos are pretty popular and common among all generations and ages. However, in certain countries, particular tattoo designs are forbidden and can get you deported or thrown into jail. For example;

• Germany – tattoos depicting Fascist or Nazi symbolism and themes are banned and can get you punished and banned from the country
• France – just like Germany, France finds tattoos with Fascist and Nazi symbolism, or offensive political themes, unacceptable and bans such designs
• Denmark – in Denmark it is forbidden to get a tattoo on the face, head, neck, or hands. However, it was believed that the Liberal party in this country would impose changes regarding the prohibition under the claim that every individual has a right to decide where they want to get a tattoo. That was in 2014, and unfortunately, the law still hasn’t changed.
• Turkey – in the past few years, Turkey has introduced a set of strict laws against tattoos. There is a ban on tattoos in schools and colleges , and the overall education system , despite their populary among the youth in Turkey. The reason for this ban is the Islamist AK Party governemnt, that is imposing religious and traditional practices and laws.

Things To Do To Avoid Trouble

As an individual, all you can do is get educated and respect other countries’ laws. You must be aware of the things a certain country is sensitive to, especially the country’s law, which could get you in serious trouble.

People get banned or deported from countries because they have a tattoo that is offensive or culturally appropriative . However, ignorance cannot be a justification for this because all the necessary information is available on the Internet.

So, before you get a tattoo, make sure to do thorough research on the design origin, cultural/traditional significance, and whether it is deemed offensive and disrespectful by any people or country.

However, if you already have a tattoo, make sure to keep it either well hidden or check if you could get into trouble because of its design or for exposure in a certain country.

So, to summarize, here’s what you can do to avoid potential trouble;

• Get educated and inform yourself on tattoo laws and prohibitions in other countries
• Avoid getting potentially offensive or culturally appropriative tattoos in the first place
• Keep your tattoo(s) well hidden while in a foreign country where tattoo laws or prohibition exists
• If you’re moving to a certain country, consider tattoo laser removal

Final Thoughts

However ridiculous it may seem, certain countries take tattoos pretty seriously. As travelers, foreigners, and tourists in other countries, we are supposed to respect other countries’ laws and traditions.

We cannot just parade our potentially offensive and insulting tattoos, or keep them exposed when the law strictly prohibits such behavior. So, before you embark on a journey to a foreign country, make sure to get educated, informed, and stay respectful.

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Bella Jiang is the founder and editor of Tattoo HQ, an online authority site for tattoo enthusiasts and artists. After graduating from art school in China in 2010, Bella worked as a designer before pursuing her passion for tattooing full-time in 2015.

Driven by a lifelong fascination with body art, Bella overcame social stigma to become a tattoo artist. She opened her own private studio in Hangzhou a few years later.

In 2018, Bella launched Tattoo HQ to share insider knowledge with both first-timers and veteran collectors looking to expand their ink. She covers topics like tattoo history, artistic styles, safety tips, design inspiration, and more.

Bella aims to inform and inspire fellow tattoo lovers through the site's wealth of resources. She also promotes tattoo acceptance in a culture that often misunderstands the art form.

When she's not writing or managing Tattoo HQ, Bella connects with fellow artists and aficionados at conventions. She currently lives and tattoos in Hangzhou.

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Are Tattoos Illegal? What You Need to Know Before Travelling

The tattoo industry is no longer as bad as it seemed before. In fact, there are countries that don’t consider tattoos taboo anymore. However, if you are a frequent traveler, you should keep in mind that there are still areas in the world that don’t accept tattoos.

Tattoos are widely accepted in the Western world and European countries. However, having tattoos in some states and countries under the Islamic Law like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirat es can put you at risk of getting shamed, penalized, and jailed.

Planning a trip but unsure whether tattoos are legal there? Don’t worry! We’ve rounded up a quick list of the countries where tattoos are illegal and what designs to avoid.

Countries Where Tattoos are Limited or Strictly Forbidden

Tattoos and body art have gained immense popularity worldwide for the past few decades. What used to be rebellious and vulgar, is now viewed as a form of self-expression in this generation. 

To give you an idea of how much the tattoo industry has grown, approximately 30-40% of Americans are inked. Pre-pandemic, tattoo conventions had hundreds of attendees including tattoo artists and audiences.

However, there are still several countries that find tattoos culturally inappropriate or blasphemous. Few of these have specific laws that make it completely forbidden. Take a look at the list below:

Tattoo and body art procedures are illegal in Iran under the Islamic Law and Sharia Law. According to them, having tattoos is sinful because it is mostly performed among organized crime groups and non-Muslims. Plus, they insist that getting a tattoo is highly dangerous to one’s health.

Being a tattooed person in Iran is not a fun experience. When caught with visible tattoos, you could get arrested, fined, and kept in prison for longer than necessary. Even worse, Iranians like to parade arrested people in public to shame them. 

Interestingly, the tattoo industry in Iran has not completely shut down because of its high demand among young people. In fact, Iranian tattoo artists have an underground tattoo community where tattoo shops and body piercing studios are kept out of the public’s judging eyes. 

Other Muslim countries where tattoos are illegal under such laws include:

• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• Afghanistan

2. South Korea

Unexpectedly, South Korea is not a big fan of tattoo artists and body art. Although it is not banned outright in the country, South Korea has pretty severe tattoo laws .

For instance, one public health law in 1992 states that only a licensed physician can perform body art procedures to ensure ‘safe practices’.

That’s right. If you want to get tattooed in South Korea legally, you’ll need to visit a hospital instead of a tattoo shop. Although it doesn’t make any sense, attempts to overturn this law are repeatedly shut down. Hence, tattoo artists are forced to operate secretly.  

It’s easier to find a skilled South Korean tattoo artist through social media. Most tattoo shops don’t set up signages, so unless you know the exact address then you’ll definitely miss these gems. In Hongdae for instance, there are a lot of tattoo parlors hidden in plain sight. 

Having visible tattoos isn’t much of an issue in South Korea, but it could attract a lot of dirty looks from local people. But if you’re planning on becoming a licensed tattoo artist in the country, then we suggest you think twice.

On the brighter side, South Korean artists and celebrities such as HyunA and Jay Park have been open to having tattoos in hopes to eliminate the stigma. So let’s hope to see some law changes in the future!

3. North Korea

In North Korea, the North Korean Communist Party runs the game. They regulate tattoo designs as they see fit and can ban religious symbols, rebellious signs, etc. They’ve even banned something as trivial as the word ‘love’ at one point! 

What they do encourage though are tattoos that express love and dedication towards their leader, the Party, and North Korea.

4. Thailand

In Thailand, having religious tattoos is illegal. Most especially, having a tattooed image of Buddha’s head. A la w passed in 2011 recognized this act as an insult to Buddhists, regardless if you’ve done it as a sign of faith. It’s mostly the same case in other Buudhist-dominated countries like Sri Lanka. 

Basically, it’s similar to how Muslim countries ban tattoos under the Islam or Sharia Law. So if you’re a liberated Buddhist with a tattoo of Buddha’s head on your back, then you might want to keep them hidden under your clothes during your Thailand or Sri Lanka trip. 

Tattoo Designs that Could Cause Serious Trouble

One crucial part about getting a tattoo is making sure that you won’t regret choosing that design in the future.

For instance, a sleeve tattoo of your ex’s face, or a mistranslated Chinese character that meant nothing close to what you thought it was. Not only is that extremely embarrassing, but also a huge waste of money and space.

Now there are certain tattoos that will bring you something way worse than shame. Being careless about your new tattoo could get you caught up in tattoo laws and jailed.

The government might misjudge you as a member of an organized crime group, and worse, you might even get deported for it. 

Here are some types of body art designs that you’ll want to avoid:

• Religious Symbols

Religious iconography is strictly forbidden in some countries. Most especially, in Muslim or Buddhist countries as they view this as immense disrespect to their religion. Hence, you might encounter a few body art practitioners refusing to do religious tattoos or suggesting a different design. 

• Nazi Symbols

Another controversial tattoo that is inappropriate to have are Nazi or White Pride tattoos. Getting inked with these designs glorifies the Nazi regime and all the traumatic events that occurred in the past.  These designs are illegal in Germany, France, and Slovakia despite them being generally accepting of tattoos.

• Face Tattoos

Although these won’t cause as much trouble as the previous two, face tattoos are also banned in some states like Georgia. According to their law, it is illegal to get tattoos around the eye socket, regardless if it is a cosmetic tattoo.

Tips to Avoid Trouble

You won’t lose anything from being kind. If you want your first tattoo to be a memorable one, then it’s best to do some research before getting inked. Some designs might look cool, but you won’t want to risk offending anyone.

It’s the same case if you’re planning to go on a trip to tattoo-sensitive places like Sri Lanka or Iran. Getting stares from local people is certainly bearable. However, you might end up in jail or deported because of certain tattoo laws. 

So if you already have an existing tattoo that might seem offensive to certain cultures or groups, then it might be best to keep it hidden to avoid unnecessary issues. 

Here are some tips for tattooed travelers who plan to visit the aforementioned countries:

• Do Some Research

Study the tattoo laws in the country you’re traveling to. Be familiar with what’s tolerable to them and which designs are taboo. You may also want to dive into their views on other types of body art as well, such as body piercing and cosmetic tattoo. 

• Avoid Getting a Controversial Tattoo

If you’re still planning on getting a tattoo then we suggest getting a tattoo that won’t offend any culture or religion. As mentioned earlier, some countries have state law that bans certain types of tattoos like religious images, cosmetic tattoos close to the eye, and Nazi symbols. So you’ll want to avoid these if you travel a lot!

• Wear Clothes that Hide Your Tattoos

Unlike when you’re in New York, you can’t keep your existing tattoos and body art out and proud in these countries unless you want to be sentenced to a class B misdemeanor case. Hence, as a tattooed traveler, it would be best to wear clothes that keep your tattoos out of sight for the meantime.

• Consider Getting Your Tattoo Removed

Now if you’re planning to migrate to a country where tattooing is illegal, then you might want to consider tattoo laser removal. Tattoo laws aren’t very friendly although most of these claim to be for environmental control. Thus, being tattooed in these countries might affect your relationship, career, and overall living conditions.

It might be a shame, but definitely better than the consequences!

Tattoo is both an art and a responsibility. We can’t expect everyone to conform to our beliefs especially if we are just visitors in their country. The world is a diverse place and if we want to be respected, then we should do the same. 

So if you plan to fly to a different country as a tattooed traveler, then take some time to sit and see if there are tattoo restrictions there.

If not, you’re lucky! But if they do, then it’s best to be open-minded and keep your art hidden for the meantime. As we said, you’ll never lose anything from being kind and sensitive.

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Visiting Japan with Tattoos: Manners/Etiquette

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

Any traveller visiting Japan will wonder what Japan’s current stance on tattoos really is. And they will likely ask themselves many questions like “Are tattoos illegal in Japan?” “Can I expose my tattoo in public?” and find out that having tattoos makes things more complicated for them, namely if they want to use a pool, spa, gym or enter traditional environments like a ryokan. Here is a guide to help you understand the inky world of tattoos focused on the manners/etiquette that you may want to prepare yourself for the next trip to Japan.

How Do Japanese Perceive Tattoos?

Irezumi, or traditional Japanese tattooing goes back many centuries with evidence of tattooing for spiritual and decorative purposes since at least back in the Jōmon period (approximately 10,000 BC). Beginning in the Kofun period (300–600 AD), tattoos began to be used as a punishment for criminals, leading to negative connotations. At the beginning of the Meiji period, the Japanese government outlawed tattoos due to their association with criminal gangs and this stigma remains today. As a result of a dominant, anti-tattoo view and Japan’s fraught history, tattooed people are often stereotyped as a criminal/anti-social people/yakuza/gangsters and are far more of a rarity in Japan than abroad.

Stereotypical image of a wabori tattoo that is more associated with the negative connotations and what yakuza would curve onto their body

Nonetheless, Japan has gradually become much more open in recent years concerning the topic of tattoos, compared to the past few decades. Especially among the young Japanese people, there are an increasing number of youngsters casually getting a tattoo as a fashion statement or lifestyle choice—a rather global trend.

Tattoo as a fashion

Still, the old perception of "tattoo equals bad" is not entirely gone just yet and only a very small minority of onsen (hot springs), pool, spa, gym, ryokan etc. allow tattooed guests. Even if the facilities allow tattoos, there are cases where they would ask the guests to cover it up with tapes to pay respect to those who haven't got one. With more tourists visiting Japan, it remains to be seen whether places and society as a whole will relax their rules and attitudes to tattooed individuals in the future.

Tattoo cover sticker

On trial basis, some hotels distributes stickers to cover tattoo and made a rule that people can take onsen, go into spa, swimming pool and public spaces only if they can cover their tattoo with a single sticker of 8cm✕10cm. If you have sleeve tattoos and or yours is really big, it is highly recommended to contact the facility prior to your visit to check to make sure your entry is allowed or not.

"SUHADA SEAL" (one example of a tattoo cover sticker)

This sticker can be purchased from its online store . But there are other types of tattoo cover stickers which are sold at drug stores in Japan too so it would be wise to go look for the one that best fit with your tone of the skin and the size of your tattoo.

Basic Things to Know about tattoo in Japan

If you are in Japan and have tattoos, here are some things you should know. Or otherwise, you may want to call ahead and check for tattoo policies prior to your arrival especially at any gym, bathing facility or ryokan (Japanese style inn).

1)Tattoos are banned at most bathing facilities If you have a tattoo you will be banned from pretty much any public bathing facilities. There will be a sign strictly warning to prohibit the entry of those with a tattoo. Even if you somehow get in to take a bath, it is likely that someone will let the staff know and kick you out. 2) Some swimming pools and beaches bann tattoo In some swimming pools, the facility either completely banned guests with tattoos or asks to cover it up with a shirt or something. Disobeying the rules will cause not just embarrassment and distress to you but to others as well and will likely to bring about a confrontation. In the worst case, you may be asked politely to leave. 3)Many ryokans (Japanese inns) will not accept tattooed guests Ryokan tends to be more in the countryside where there is an abundant volume of onsen, and heading to rural Japan is the quintessential way to experience a ryokan stay. However, in such traditional environments, tattoos are not looked on favourably. In order to avoid being turned away when you show up at your ryokan, it’s best to know their policy, and to cover your tattoos for good measure. Even if you are accepted to stay, it is best to keep your tattoos covered in any public areas of the inn to respect other guests who dislike tattoos. Alternatively, it might be wise to book a ryokan with kashikiri-buro, or private baths, which are available at larger onsen and many ryokan. This may also be an appealing option for those who’d rather not bare all in front of multiple strangers. However, kashikiri-buro or not, still, if you are accepted to stay, you would need to cover your tattoos to respect the others. 4)At temple or any other sacred places, cover your tattoos As a sign of respect, it is much appreciated to cover tattoos at temples, shrines or any other sacred places. However, it is rare to find signs that ban tattoos at these places so this is purely up to the person to do so. But, if you can, do it.

Tattoos at amusement parks

Strictly speaking, on the official website of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea it bans “inappropriate apparel and tattoos” but it is a very rare situation to get the visitors being asked to cover it up or asked to leave. Same goes for Universal Studios Japan and many other amusement parks.

Tattoo Friendly Locations

In 2018, Tattoo Friendly Website was launched to help those with tattoos to find tattoo friendly ryokan (inns), onsen (hot springs), sentō (public baths), gyms, pools and beaches across the country rating them by how open they are to those sporting tattoos. Not every location listed on the web page is lenient with the tattoo policies however, it is clearly marked from lenient — “unrestricted” and “covered tattoos accepted” — to those that are a little more strict, with only smaller tattoos or tattoos with “special conditions” allowed.

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All You Need to Know About Traveling in Japan With Tattoos and Japan's Tattoo Culture

• Lucy Dayman

The relationship between tattoos and Japan is very rocky. The country has been known to be less welcoming than many others when it comes to visitors with inked skin, but in recent times things are changing. The common misconception about tattoos is that it represents yakuza (Japanese mob) connections, but in fact, that's not the case. Japan’s relationship with tattoos is one that’s been part of the nation’s history since the beginning of recorded time. If you will be traveling in Japan with tattoos and want to know where tattoos are banned in Japan, or are simply curious about Japan's tattoo culture, read on to learn the truth of tattoos and Japan.

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Do Japanese People Get Tattoos? The Prehistory of Tattoos in Japan

Japan’s relationship with the tattoo dates back to the Jomon period (14,000 - 300 BCE). The first records of tattoos in Japan were discovered to be around 5000 BC. Historians found famous clay figures from the era with faces and bodies adorned with tattoo imprints or scarification.

The nation’s tattoo culture was first recorded in written form around 300 AD. In a text titled History of the Chinese Dynasties, it was reported that Japanese men covered their faces and bodies with tattoos.

Tattoos and Japan: When Tattoos Became a Method of Punishment

The first record of tattoos being used in Japan as punishment was in 720 AD. Criminals who committed the most serious offenses would have their foreheads tattooed for civilians to witness the severity of their crimes. This technique evolved over time, but continued to be a mark of a criminal, marking the start of Japan's complicated relationship with tattoos.

During the Edo period (1603 - 1868), tattoos started to emerge as a fashion statement in part inspired by the Chinese novel Suikoden (Water Margin), which features characters with bodies covered in ink. This point in time was considered the nation’s golden age of tattooing.

It was a time when many forms of art flourished, like kabuki, ukiyo-e painting, woodblock printing, and tattooing. All of these creative outlets cross-pollinated, with one form inspiring another. It is said that at this time, many woodblock artists converted their prints into a tattoo style so that fans could become become part of the art. During this time, both woodblock painters and tattoo artists in Japan adopted the term hori (to carve) as a way to explain their work.

Does Japan Hate Tattoos? The Outlawing of Tattoos in Japan

Rulers of the Edo period tried to ban tattoos in Japan, largely due to its association with the tale of Suikoden. In the story, the heroes were the underdogs; they were tattooed men who challenged the suffocating rule of authority. This ideology didn’t sit well with the figures behind the military dictatorship that ruled the Edo era.

The influence of Western culture in the 19th century was the next significant turning point for tattoos in Japan. While other parts of Asia were succumbing to colonization, the Japanese government at the time outlawed tattooing. They feared it might make the nation seem barbaric or backward in comparison to its Western counterparts.

The laws against tattoos in Japan at this time were reportedly held much stronger in the areas of Hokkaido and Okinawa, regions more susceptible to invasion. They were also areas where female tribal style tattooing was culturally ingrained. On the other hand, the laws were more relaxed in mainland Japan, but despite the lax enforcement, they still succeeded in pushing the culture underground. The laws remained until 1948 when U.S. occupation forces lifted the ban.

Does Japan Hate Tattoos? The 1960s Gangster Resurgence

Following the tattoo ban lifting in 1948 came the popularity of yakuza films, most notably during the 1960s.

Rather than a direct cause and effect, the tattoo and yakuza culture, although nuanced, spread in an art-imitating-life type fashion. Young wannabes, bad boys, and aspiring mob members saw the heavily inked bodies of their on-screen heroes in violent films like "Showa zankyo-den" (Brutal Tales of Chivalry, 1965). This influence of tattoos in the narrative history of Japan is one of the reasons many folks of the baby boomer generation believe that tattoos mean bad news.

While it's changing at the moment, given the depth and breadth of the tumultuous history the nation has had with tattoos, the hesitation around them seems more understandable.

How Common Are Tattoos in Japan Today? Are There Tattoo Shops in Japan?

As Japan has become a more globalized nation, the popularity of tattoos solely for fashion has grown as well. While no exact numbers on how many inked people there are in Japan are available, a simple online search will reveal plenty of tattoo shops across the nation, primarily in the capital cities.

To get a better idea of how much of the population might be inked, head to one of the more popular beaches outside Tokyo in Chiba, Hayama, or Enoshima! Alternatively, check out some of Japan's traditional festivals , such as the Sanja Matsuri.

Visible Tattoos in Japan at the Sanja Matsuri in Tokyo

Each year on the third week of May, Tokyo hosts the Sanja Matsuri, a massive celebration set around the most iconic temple in the city, Sensoji. It’s also one of the biggest showcases of tattoos in Japan.

During the festival celebrations, inked patrons proudly brandish their traditional Japanese style tattoos. Most of the tattoos you’ll see cover large parts of the wearer’s body, from the shoulders down to the ankles and knees. While these styles of tattoos are commonly associated with the yakuza, this event is simply a showcase of the delicate artisanship that goes into these intricate designs.

Where Are Tattoos Banned in Japan?

A question many tattooed travelers have when coming to Japan is, "Do I have to cover my tattoos?" The short answer to this is "sometimes."

Many onsen baths still don't allow patrons to use the facilities with exposed tattoos. If you have a smaller tattoo that is easily covered by a bandage or plaster, this is typically allowed, but it's always best to check ahead to avoid any problems. If you have larger tattoos and you desperately want to try an onsen, then go to an explicitly tattoo-friendly one. There's a list of such places on this website . We also have a guide on tattoo-friendly baths here .

While some may argue that this ideology is archaic and unfair, many businesses of this type don't want to upset their regular - typically older - clientele. Unlike other countries where tattoos of all types are simply fashion statements, tattoos - especially larger ones - are still commonly associated with the yakuza and other "bad" organizations in Japan. In fact, there are two different words used to describe tattoos in Japan: "tattoo," which refers to smaller tattoos done as a way to express oneself, and "irezumi," which refers to larger tattoos often done by the yakuza.

Amusement parks may also turn you away for any tattoos that are deemed inappropriate. Some beaches and public swimming pools may prohibit tattoos as well, but there’s no blanket rule. It varies from location to location, so it’s best to Google before you go. In general, however, beaches are usually more lenient than swimming pools.

Traveling in Japan With Tattoos

One of the best tips for tattooed travelers is to use online resources to scope the situation. If English-speaking patrons have visited a place and tattoos weren’t allowed, chances are someone would have left a review warning others. 

The Tattoo Friendly site is also an excellent source of information for those who want to visit a bath. Bring plasters with you to cover up if need be; it’ll save you time having to go out and buy some. Alternatively, you can visit an onsen with a private bath, then you’ll have nobody to offend! 

Also, if you plan on staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), it’s worth checking their tattoo policy before you book. Many of these establishments are still hesitant about allowing tattooed guests. Many ryokan have public baths, so hiding tattoos can be difficult. 

In general, cover the tattoos as much as you can without feeling too uncomfortable. It’s clear you’re not part of some criminal gang, and given the upcoming major international events, it’s an unavoidable reality that more people will be exposed to tattooed guests. As long as you’re friendly and polite, you shouldn't worry about it too much. In fact, you just may change the attitude of some more old-fashioned locals who hold negative images of tattoos!

Japan's Tattoo Culture Is Slowly Changing

The question of what Japanese people think of tattoos today is one that comes up often but has no clear answer. Older folks - those of the baby boomer generation - may have a level of prejudice against tattoos due to the history of yakuza films and to holding more conservative values in general. Regardless, the country is seeing signs of changing, and although there’s always going to be resistance to change, it's undeniable that there is a growing trend of acceptance towards tattoos in Japan that is likely to continue to spread in the coming years.

If you want to give feedback on any of our articles, you have an idea that you'd really like to see come to life, or you just have a question on Japan, hit us up on our  Facebook ,  Twitter , or  Instagram ! Header image credit: Eyesonmilan / Shutterstock.com

The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.

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Are Tattoos Illegal In Japan? Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting

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You may have heard that tattoos aren’t allowed in Japan. So if you have tattoos and you’re planning to visit Japan, you may have some questions about what’s legal and what to do if you have visible tattoos.

While tattoos most definitely aren’t illegal in Japan, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re travelling to Japan and you have tattoos. Some traditional places still won’t allow visitors with tattoos to enter (especially onsens), but there are tons of alternatives available.

But don’t worry! Tattoos in Japan aren’t as big of a deal as a lot of people make it out to be. In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know before travelling to Japan if you have tattoos.

Are Tattoos Allowed In Japan?

Tattoos are not illegal in Japan, but there aren’t allowed everywhere.

Walking on the street with a visible tattoo in Japan won’t cause any problems . At temples and shrines, there usually aren’t any tattoo bans either. However, these more “traditional” places often appreciate it if you cover up.

The “issue” arises when you want to visit an onsen (Japanese hot spring), pool, beach or gym. These places often have a tattoo ban, which means you cannot enter if you have a tattoo – even if it’s very small. While some of these spots are okay with you covering up your tattoo, this isn’t always the case.

A survey from 2015 showed that there are still some issues with allowing foreigners with tattoos to bathe in onsens. Out of the 3,800 hotels and inns questioned, around 600 sent in a response – 56% said they would refuse people with tattoos to bathe in their hot spring facilities. 31% said they wouldn’t refuse them, and 13% said they would allow it but only if the tattoos were covered up.

This doesn’t mean you’ll have to miss out on trying a Japanese hot spring though! Some public onsens allow you to enter with tattoos – onsens in Beppu , for example, are known to allow tourists with tattoos. And there is always the option to book a private onsen or ryokan with onsen – that way, you can bathe in private and there won’t be any issues if you have a tattoo.

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Where Are Tattoos Banned In Japan?

While tattoos aren’t illegal in Japan, some places have rules that don’t allow visible tattoos.

Most of the following places will have a tattoo ban in Japan:

• Public onsens
• Bathing houses
• Water parks.

For these places, it’s best to assume tattoos are banned unless stated otherwise. You can often find a “No Tattoo” sign near the entrance of these spots – but even if you can’t find it, it’s always better to ask beforehand to avoid any issues.

If you are asked to leave because you have visible tattoos, please be respectful and listen. While it may make no sense since tattoos are so widely accepted elsewhere, try to be respectful of the culture.

To avoid any issues, have a look at Tattoo Friendly Japan’s website . Here, you can find a lot of tattoo-friendly alternatives for onsets, sento, gyms, pools, beaches and ryokans. This article also has a host of tattoo-friendly onsens you can check out.

How To Travel In Japan With Tattoos

You can easily travel to Japan with tattoos and not have any issues. You may not even have to cover them up, depending on what places you’d like to visit. Here are some tips that can help you travel in Japan with tattoos:

• Do your research . If you’re planning to visit a ryokan, onsen, gym or beach, check the website or enquire before booking. It’s always better to check and avoid any uncomfortable situations. You can even see if there are low attendance hours where tattoos are allowed (this can be the case for gyms and pools).
• Use Tattoo Friendly Japan’s website to find places that allow tattoos.
• If shared baths don’t allow tattoos – which is often the case – you can opt for a private onsen instead. Even though this is a little more expensive, you can still enjoy the onsen without having to worry about your tattoos showing.
• Cover your tattoos if necessary. You can bring a scarf 
• Buy some “ Tattoo cover seals ”. These are essentially big bandages and are an easy way to cover tattoos. You can find them in convenience stores in Japan or order some on Amazon before your trip. If you’re planning to visit an onsen, do check with them beforehand – some places still won’t allow you to enter even if your tattoo is covered.

How Do Japanese People React To Tattoos?

Traditionally, tattoos in Japan can be associated with the Japanese mafia (the yakuza). To avoid having mafia members enter these public baths, they banned people with tattoos. But even though times have changed, these rules often haven’t. 

Sharmeleon, a Canadian YouTuber who lives in Japan, and her friend ​​Candie made a video sharing their experience as someone who has tattoos in Japan:

“ I really haven’t had many negative experiences coming from having tattoos. Of course, I cover them up when I’m at work or during a job interview .”

“ You won’t get anybody who’s offended by the fact you have tattoos, so you don’t have to worry about it. ”

A recent study even showed that more and more younger people think that people are too sensitive towards tattoos. On her YouTube Channel, YouTuber “Miku Real Japanese” spoke to many locals in Osaka to learn their views on tattoos – and the responses were very positive:

If you have tattoos and you’re travelling to Japan, people may look but they also understand that it’s common to have tattoos in other countries. If you’re a foreigner, the Japanese tend to be a bit more lenient. 

However, being a foreigner doesn’t give you a free pass . If you’re asked to leave because you have visible tattoos, please do so. Rules are strict in Japan, and, as we explained above, there are a lot of alternatives for places that don’t allow tattoos. Make sure to bookmark Tattoo Friendly Japan’s website , too.

Conclusion – Are Tattoos Illegal In Japan?

No, tattoos aren’t illegal in Japan . You probably won’t run into any issues if you have tattoos in Japan, apart from entering an onsen, pool or gym. Some places have a tattoo ban (onsen, beaches, pools and gyms, for example), however, there are often tattoo-friendly alternatives to these places.

When it comes to visiting an onsen with tattoos, it’s best to assume most onsens won’t allow it. You can always check beforehand, but it’s a good idea to book a private onsen instead (or check this list of tattoo-friendly onsens in Japan). 

Nele (Nay-la) graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with an English and Creative Writing Degree and has lived in the UK for nearly 10 years. She has had an interest in Japan and its culture for as long as she can remember. Since her first trip in 2018 surpassed all expectations, she has continued to return to Japan to explore more of all it has got to offer. You can read her full story here .

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If You're Traveling To These Countries, You Might Want To Cover Your Tattoos

Getting a souvenir from a favorite trip or vacation is practically a requirement, and while plenty of people get postcards, t-shirts, and jewelry, some go for something more permanent — a tattoo . One particularly unique amenity that some hotels offer nowadays are tattoo artists who give guests the opportunity to get a tattoo during their stay. The  Moxy Times Square is where celebrity tattooist JonBoy had a set up shop, and Walker Hotel Tribeca brought in a tattoo artist for a Mother's Day event, according to  Travel + Leisure .

Then there are destinations where tourists like to get tattoos . For instance, 60% of those who get a tattoo in Hawaii and in Cairo, Egypt are tourists. It's 70% in Bangkok, Thailand, and Sydney, Australia, 80% in Tahiti and Miami Beach, and a whopping 99% of all those who get tattoos in Denpasar are tourists (via  Insider ).

Some hotels and travel destinations embrace tattoos, and tattoos in general have become less of a big deal around the world, particularly with more people visiting. While you might get more attention for having tattoos in some places than others, there are some places where you'll want to consider covering up your body art if you're traveling there. 

Be respectful of each country's culture in regards to tattoos

In Sri Lanka, a tourist got deported for having a Buddha tattoo, according to the  BBC . Sri Lanka's not the only Buddhist country that doesn't appreciate guests having tattoos of Buddha. In Thailand, getting a Buddha tattoo is seen as offensive, particularly if it's below the waist (via  Culture Trip ). So, if you've got a Buddha permanently inked on you somewhere, you may want to make sure it's covered up when you visit these countries.

India is another place where you may want to keep your tattoos under wraps. "In countries where staring is already a real problem (I'm looking at you, India), I take extra care to make sure I'm covered up as best as possible by bringing long-sleeved shirts, and always having a scarf or shawl I can throw on," said one female tattooed traveler on Go! Girl Guides .

Another travel blogger noted that she felt a lot of judgment for her tattoos in Jordan, and said, "it is definitely not a place where tattoos are readily accepted" (via Seattle's Travels ). So, she recommended covering up there as well. Also in Japan, having tattoos have traditionally been seen as being connected to the Yakuza — an organized crime gang — and you might be banned from beaches, gyms, hot springs, pools, and bathhouses with visible tattoos, according to Japan Rail Pass . 

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Would you travel to thailand for a tattoo.

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Sak Yant is an ancient tattoo ritual in Thailand that has seen a resurgence in recent years.

As travellers increasingly seek transformative wellness experiences, Indigenous cultural practices have entered the mainstream. From the commercialization of ayahuasca retreats to Mexican sweat lodges (known as a temazcal, it’s now easier than ever to access ancient modalities of healing on your next trip. But many of these cultural practices are divorced from their origins, eliciting criticisms of cultural appropriation . Subsequently, travelers pursuing a more ethical and regenerative approach to travel look to go to the source for their next culturally rooted wellness experience.

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel offers guests the rare opportunity to be tattooed by the famous master ... [+] Ajarn Neng Onnut.

In Thailand, one such ancient practice that is attracting travelers is bamboo tattoos known as “sak yant.” While the exact origins are not clear, the tattoos are believed to date back centuries ; first used by Holy men and later by Buddhist monks across Southeast Asia in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Translating to “magic tattoo,” they’re believed to hold magical powers; ward off evil spirits and bestow the wearer with strength and courage. Due to their role in providing protection and good fortune, they are only to be applied by a spiritual master who can impart their energy in the application process. As a result, sak yant masters in Thailand are in high demand, and can develop an international following for their practice, particularly when they ink celebrities .

Translating to “magic tattoo,” sak yant tattoos are believed to hold magical powers; ward off evil ... [+] spirits and bestow the wearer with strength and courage.

Now travellers can access one of the most coveted sak yant masters, Ajarn Neng Onnut at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. A master and teacher in the art of sak yant, Onnut has over ten years of experience applying sak yant tattoos to over 10,000 people, including celebrities like Brooke Shields and Ryan Phillippe. As the first hotel in the country to provide sak yant, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel has already seen guests fly from Europe and the United States specifically for the service.

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The tattoo is applied with a traditional khem sak, a metal rod designed to replicate the shape of a ... [+] bamboo stick which is often passed down through generations from a preceding sak yant master.

In Thai, “sak” means “to tap,” describing the method of tapping the ink onto the skin using a traditional khem sak, a metal rod designed to replicate the shape of a bamboo stick which is often passed down through generations from a preceding sak yant master. Perhaps even more important as the application process of “sak” is the ritual that surrounds it. At Anantara, master Onnut consults the guest the day before the inking to learn about the guest’s life and goals in order to decide on the most appropriate yant, which can range from the most famous Haah Taew five-line yant to larger designs like the Twin Tigers. In becoming learned in sak yant, master Onnut studied the intricate artwork of the tattoos—which consists of almost 1,000 graphic images—and learned to read and write the entire Khmer and Pali scripts, memorizing the tattoo’s associated prayers, chants and mantras.

At Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, guests have a consultation with the tattoo master prior to receiving ... [+] the treatment.

“Yant” means “yantra” which is originally a Sanskrit word and meant to describe the mantra element of the practice. Before and after inking the tattoo, the master performs a ceremony to bless both the body and art. Incense play an important role in the process—in Thai culture the number of incense sticks burned is believed to signify different meanings. The burning of three sticks suggests success in life, for example, while four sticks are to be avoided. The incense sticks and associated mantras can be used by guests who do not wish to have a tattoo but want the sacred blessings element of the service.

“Yant” means “yantra,” to describe the mantra and blessing element of the Sak Yant practice.

While the experience of getting inked in North American or Europe is typically transactional in nature, this doesn’t mean tattoo wearers are uninterested in spirituality—tattoos almost always hold meaning to the wearer. The spiritual experience, then, of having a sak yant master impart the tattoo with your intentions is a unique one that caters to the rising demand for more authentic, transformative travel experiences.

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Traveling with Tattoos in Japan

A challenge to the japanese hospitality .

Japan has been fostering a complex relationship with tattoo, especially since it was long associated with crime and exclusion from society. Nowadays, however, most of the travelers who proudly sport one or more tattoos, and are eager to visit the archipelago, do not imagine they may disturb the omotenashi traditional hospitality, dear to the Japanese hearts.

In 2015, and in view of the organization of great international sports events such as the Rugby World Cup (2019) and the Olympic Games  🏅 ( 2020 2021), the Japanese government conducted a survey targeting the tourism industry regarding tattoos and how the numerous foreign visitors would be received, especially if they were tattooed. The Ministry of Tourism’s survey found that more than half of the responding establishments , be they hotels  🏨 or ryokan traditional inns, still bore a negative perception of tattooed individuals and refused them, regardless of their origins, on the assumption that they may be related to organized crime.

Tattoo was indeed for several centuries an ignominious mark to publicly brand criminals . The art of tattooing in Japan mainly developed during the Edo period and was widespread in every classes of the society. It was however strictly banned during Meiji era and until 1948. The golden age of yakuza movies in the 1960-70s, in which tattooed bodies were largely shown, certainly contributed to the association of tattoos with the mafia in the public’s mind (even though nowadays yakuza tend to avoid distinctive marks such as tattoos).

Inked tourists may therefore be taken aback by the strong persistence of this prejudice , whereas they think of their tattoos as an artistic feat, a personal choice or a tradition.

Is tattoo illegal in Japan?

Having a tattoo is not illegal per se in Japan. However, tattoo artists tend to work under-the-radar as their job, as every occupation involving needles are legally subject to owning a medical degree. The tables are turning however, since in September 2020, the Supreme Court of Japan ruled in favor of a tattoo artist who was prosecuted for illegal practice of medicine.

As a consequence, very few tattoo parlors have a noticeable storefront , and working tattoo artists (aside mafia) have a long waiting list, sometimes of several years. Those who want to have their body inked in Japan should take this information into consideration! After finding your ideal tattoo artist on the social networks or thanks to a search engine, it is necessary to contact them long enough before the trip to be able elaborate the project and evaluate the number of appointments required, or even if the project is doable during your trip. Some criterias are indeed incompressible, such as the tattoo artist’s availability, or the healing time, etc.

In any case, it is very unlikely to get a last minute appointment once in Japan. The fact is that language can also be a hurdle, as many artists do not necessarily master the English language. However, a professional Japanese-speaking guide might help you book an appointment, and even quickly find one depending on their network.

How do Japanese people react to a tattoo?

Generally, and based on most of the testimonials, tattooed foreign tourists are often warmly welcomed, and they attract curiosity, but rarely disapproval.

On the contrary, a tattooed Japanese person will easily face criticism. As a matter of fact, it is more difficult to find a job in Japan when tattooed, especially in big corporations or in the administration. The mayor of Osaka even stole the spotlights in 2012 when he threatened the city’s tattooed employees: he urged them to have their tattoo erased or to find another job.

However, the acceptance of an inked body may vary , and one must always bear in mind that a Japanese person may be uncomfortable, or feel strong unease before a tattoo, for very deeply rooted cultural reasons. Japanese customers in onsen   ♨️ do not think twice when they find that one of the other customers is inked and go complain to the establishment . The size of the tattoo, its location as well as its design are various factors to take into account for its acceptability.

Depending on the place, people’s reaction will vary:

• In the street or in public spaces : there is no problem in general. Tattoos can even be admired, depending on the situation.
• At temples and shrines : there is no specific ban, but in the same manner as a proper attire is required for the visit, it is possible that the covering of visible ink is asked.
• In sento public bath : the rules may vary according to the establishment, but they are usually welcoming with tattooed persons.
• At the beach   🏖 : tattoos are not necessarily forbidden, but they must often be covered.
• At the onsen : tattooed individuals are frequently denied entry. A few onsen permit admission as long as tattoos can be covered.
• At the ryokan ’s baths: the same as the onsen , if the baths are shared, tattooed individuals are denied most of the time.
• At the swimming-pool / aquatic park : most of the times visible tattoos are strictly forbidden.
• At the gym : the same. However, smaller gyms or neighborhood gyms may be more forgiving than the largest ones.

When tattoos are forbidden, it is usually clearly advertised with signs stating 入れ墨禁止 ( irezumi kinshi, "No tattoo") and negotiation is useless .

How to travel comfortably with tattoos in Japan?

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do": if a foreign appearance often helps slipping through many Japanese social rules, it will not help regarding tattoos. The language gap and cultural habits may provoke at the very least uncomfortable moments, or at worst very unpleasant or offensive situations. In Japan, the rule comes first!

Take the lead to make sure your inked travel in Japan is planned in the best conditions:

• Ask / Check if tattoos are allowed and within which limits when booking a ryokan , or at the entrance of onsen , sento and aquatic parks.
• Book private baths when shared baths do not allow tattoos.
• Choose the low attendance hours for the bath, gyms and pools that allow tattoos. Some places even offer such specific arrangements.
• Bring items to cover the inked parts : clothes, scarf, towel, bandage, wetsuit, etc. for the baths, the beach, sport, aquatic parks and even for visiting traditional places. It is quite easy to find "arm covers", a kind of arm socks whose initial purpose is to protect from the UV radiations, but they can hide a tattoo all the same.
• If possible and depending on the circumstances, hide the tattoo before being asked, to adjust to the thoughtful and respectful approach that the Japanese call 思い遣り omoiyari .

One must also accept being turned back from a place because of a tattoo and leave without making a scene or trying to negotiate. It is certainly unpleasant, and even absurd from our travelers’ point of view, but it is the way Japan works. It is also an experience of the cultural difference and part of the trip.

How to recognize tattoo-friendly places?

To spot more easily onsen , sento and ryokan that do not refuse inked customers, some websites and apps are available:

• Tattoo Friendly, in English and in Japanese. The Website also displays a list of tattoo parlors in Japan.
• Tattoo Spot, in Japanese.

However, these sites are not necessarily updated so in any case, it is safer to check directly with the place you want to visit to avoid any disappointment. Some places, such as in Kusatsu, can directly state if they are "tattoo-friendly" or if they accept "body art", as long as it is not related to gangs.

Note that some touristic attractions strictly forbid any kind of tattoo , be it temporary (decal, henna), permanent or traditional (for example Maori tattoos). Visible tattoos are forbidden in:

• Yomiuriland’s swimming pool,
• The Aquatic Park in Hamana-ko Pal Pal,
• Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Tokyo (that will definitely close down on 2021, September 5), and more surprisingly,
• Tokyo Dome’s Spa LaQua!

And you’d better not trying to cheat, as if the tattoo is not completely covered by the swimsuit or the attire required by the establishment, you will be expelled from the facility without refunding of the admission fee!

That is why it is important to carefully plan the visits, either by booking baths / private places to avoid speaking of one’s tattoos, or in selecting the places where they are allowed.

How to ask if tattoos are allowed?

To ask if tattoos are allowed, say :

• Tattoo wa daijobu desu ka? (タトゥーは大丈夫ですか)

If they are not allowed the answer will be:

• O kotowari desu (お断りです) or O kotowari itashimasu (お断りいたします),
• Dame desu (ダメです).

If they are allowed:

• OK (okkei) desu (オッケーです),
• Daijobu desu (大丈夫です).

If you are asked to cover the tattoo:

• Tattoo wo kakushite kudasai (タトゥーを隠してください "Please cover your tattoo"),
• Tattoo kabaa shiiru wo tsukatte kudasai (タトゥーカバーシールを使ってください "Please use a Tattoo Cover Seal to cover your tattoo").

A Tattoo Cover Seal , (also called foundation tape , hada kakushiito , skin cover sheet ) is a kind of bandage that looks like a second skin, made of a skin colored , waterproof material that can cover small size tattoos. It is quite easy to purchase from most of online shops, at affordable prices (on average ¥1,000 for 4 patches). The skin tones are however limited.

We recommend ordering your covering patches before going to Japan , as it can be difficult or time consuming to find such items when in the country. They are sold by large chains such as Don Quijote (Donki), but not all the stores have skin cover sheets in stock. You can supply at stores specialized in cosplay items (such as Animate) provided you find one on your sightseeing itinerary.

In Japanese, several words are used to say "tattoo". Irezumi (入れ墨) and horimono (彫り物) are frequently used and usually refer to a traditional Japanese design tattoo. The English word "tattoo" (タトゥー) tends to encompass all the other tattoos styles. The traditional Japanese tattoo has also several naming for the ink depending on the body part it covers. A few examples:

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What You Need To Know Traveling With Tattoos in Japan

• Posted by by Jonathan Mcnamara
• August 26, 2023
• Updated September 13, 2023

Have you heard that tattoos in Japan are practically banned? Or maybe you’ve been told you won’t be able to visit a range of popular and awesome places, that you’ll be left out in the cold cause of the ink under your skin.

We are here to clear the air and separate truth from fiction. If you are heading to Japan with tattoos or just curious, we’ve got the answers to ensure you know what to expect culturally and how tattoos could affect your trip.

Table of Contents

Are tattoos legal in Japan?

Tattoos are legal.

The good news: There isn’t a ban on tattoos in Japan! Tattoos are not illegal , and you are likely to see people walking around with fashion tattoos. Both foreigners and Japanese people are to be seen showing off their tattoos in public.

Negative image and banned in certain places

The bad news? Lots of people have a negative image of tattoos stemming from the 1960’s era of gangster films. During the era, Japanese films depicted yakuza members (Japanese mafia) with large, full or near full body covering tattoos. In copycat fashion, young wannabes, “bad boys”, and aspiring gangsters copied the style, feeding into the ethos that tattoos were connected to Yakuza, crime, or delinquency in some form.

Because of the perception tattoos are connected to the underworld, tattoos have been seen as a reason to keep out undesirable people, especially in places where your body might be seen. Such places, such as hot springs (onsen) and gyms, often have signs in English and Japanese clearly marking their tattoo policy . At times, the signs themselves feed into the mythos by showing tattoos reminiscent of the yakuza films.

You won’t be viewed negatively personally

Even though there are negative views towards Japanese tattooed people , the majority stemming from older people, as a foreigner the same view will not necessarily be taken of you . People are aware that tattoos have a different meaning abroad, especially in western culture. Tattooed Foreigners are often treated with curiosity , and younger generations are likely to think the tattoos are cool.

If you happen to feel uncomfortable, or are worried about stares, you could do what Japanese people do and cover up your visible tattoos. Wear clothing that completely covers the tattoo, arm covers, or if the tattoo is not large, a small bandage, etc. Just to be clear, we are not suggesting you should or must cover your tattoos. As we said, it is unlikely you will have a problem because of your tattoos unless you are visiting somewhere tattoos are explicitly prohibited.

Where can and can’t I go with visible tattoos in Japan?

Hot springs.

Unfortunately, there are Japanese hot springs that prohibit people with tattoos from bathing. There are also many tattoo friendly onsen.

Rules for some hot springs

Sometimes the rules are very straightforward, with an English and Japanese sign stating that all tattoos are not allowed. Others are more lenient.

It is not uncommon for a hot spring to allow small tattoos, while a really small tattoo could simply go unnoticed. Others only forbid exposed tattoos or otherwise visible tattoos. Then again, others only prohibit large tattoos. It completely depends on the establishment.

It’s always best to look for a sign, and if in doubt, ask the staff at the front desk or email ahead . If you have a small enough tattoo, slapping a bandaid or bandage on it is almost always enough to satisfy any establishment.

The rules are relaxing

Many of the famous hot springs are allowing tattoos without question these days. Some hot springs that allow tattooed visitors are

• Zao Onsen Dai Rotenburo in Yamagata
• Yamata no Yu in Chiba
• Sekizenkan Onsen in Guma
• Funaoka Onsen in Kyoto

Plus, there are many more!

Honestly, I traveled fairly extensively to onsens throughout the country with foreigners who had tattoos, and it was not much of a problem. Part of that was knowing where to go and calling ahead, and partly that regulations are relaxing, especially when it comes to foreigners. In fact, some of the biggest, most popular hot spring destinations don’t have any regulations at all anymore.

So, as far as hot springs are concerned, don’t let it worry you too much. You won’t miss out on the Japanese experience.

Research ahead

When you travel to Japan , if you’re worried about a location and tattooed guests, there are likely reviews online that will speak to the issue. If a place does not explicitly state it online, someone has probably left a review for their fellow travelers. You can also email locations and request information regarding their tattoo policy.

Visiting Ryokan

Ryokan are a kind of traditional Japanese inn that often have hot springs attached. Some of the most beautiful and potentially romantic locations in Japan are the scenic views from ryokan onsen pools.

Ryokan can be more traditional than other locations, and might have stricter policies regarding tattoos. Again, regulations are relaxing for Ryokan, too, so it’s not a given tattoos are still not allowed.

Often Ryokan offer private hot springs you can rent. In this case, there are no restrictions as no one but your private party will see you. Private onsen are often a way around the regulations if you don’t mind paying a bit more. Private experiences are also a recommend whether or not you have body art you wish to hide. Something else to keep in mind to try!

Sento public baths

The sento public bath is an establishment existing for the purpose of hygiene. Stemming from the rapid population growth and urbanization of the boomer period, they feature large baths and a multitude of wash stations.

Other than generally being less for relaxation, thus having a different atmosphere, they also don’t use the natural hot spring water that would classify them as onsen. On the other hand, they at times can be quite elegant, featuring many pools, earning the name “super sento.”

Because of the more local and traditional mindset of the sento, many sento are likely to have signs banning tattoos. It is possible to find sento that allow tattoos, but less likely than onsen.

The Gym and swimming pools

Gyms and swimming pools are more likely to forbid tattoos . Fellow gaijin (foreigners) report that regulations for these establishment are not going the way of the Japanese onsen. The rules are there to stay, for now at least.

For many of the gyms, inked patrons may find they are not allowed to use the sauna or other bathing facilities, but may still workout . Others may be allowed as long as you cover up your tattoos.

Amusement Parks

No, Disneyland isn’t going to kick you out for having a tattoo. Foreign tourists are aplenty at the large parks, and you are undoubtedly going to see some larger tattoos, even. Not allowing tattooed guests at similarly sized parks would be a financial loss and difficult to imagine happening.

However, if rumors have got you worried, be safe and wear long sleeve coverings. If in hotter weather, try a wind breaker.

You might want to be more careful at water parks . While not a given, the tattoo taboo could extend to some of the aquatic themed locations. At the very least, staff is likely to request you cover your tattoos.

If you already read through our guide on the best time to travel to Japan , you know how beautiful the beaches there are.

Some beaches have signs prohibiting showing tattoos, and others do not. It is often unclear if these signs are a law or a strong suggestion . In either case, you are bound to see a Japanese person or two, or more, ignoring the sign.

Japanese people are sometimes a little bold with rules and foreigners. If you decide to go to the beach uncovered and have tattoos, don’t be too surprised if a Japanese person points out the rules to you.

Shrines and temples

This is more a question of etiquette. It is rare to find signs explicitly banning tattoos at temples or shrines. If asked, a Japanese person would likely tell you that you should cover your tattoos out of a sign of respect.

Counter point: It is difficult to imagine worrying about this at all if you were to visit somewhere like Kyoto on a hot summer day, for example. The immense crowds combined with the humidity and heat don’t create an atmosphere for worrying about tattoos on a foreign person.

However, if visiting smaller temples where you are more likely to stand out, you might consider covering up your tattoos as a sign of etiquette.

What are some tips for covering tattoos?

Many places are becoming tattoo friendly. Still, there can be times in Japan you might cover up the body art. Here are a few tips to consider if you find a need to cover up tattoos in Japan:

• Smaller tattoos may be covered with a bandage or bandaid.
• Arm covers, such as a long sleeve shirts or arm “jackets”, work fine for sleeves.
• Aqua tattoo covers are another method for medium to large tattoos.
• Liquid tattoo covers.
• Makeup for tattoos.
• Scarves work well for the neck area.

How can I get a tattoo in Japan?

If you are visiting Japan, it is now possible to find a Japanese tattoo artist , unlike pre 2020 when, for legal reasons, tattoo artists and parlors kept to themselves. While many artists still work by word of mouth only, tattoo lovers can search for tattoo shops online in areas such as Tokyo.

The change in the law

A law existing since the days of the American occupation forces stated t attoos could only be performed by those with a medical license as tattoos require needles. However, in 2020 a Japanese tattoo artist who was not medically licensed challenged the edict after the Japanese government raided his house. The case went all the way to the supreme court, where the judges ruled in favor of the tattoo shop .

Since 2020, certifying organizations have sprung up in Japan offering training and hygiene standards, further standardizing and expanding the legitimacy of the tattoo art form and tattoo artists.

Finding a tattoo artist in Japan

You can now find artists online fairly easily before visiting Japan. A quick search of “tattoo artists in Japan” will reap hundreds of options , many within Tokyo. Even more than individuals, there are now even chains of tattoo parlors in Japan having multiple locations, multiple artists, and are accepting of foreigners.

Some of the websites have straightforward pricing based on tattoo size and English options for navigation. Featuring hundreds of rating from both foreigners visiting Japan and Japanese clients, you are bound to find a talented artists that’s the right match for you.

What is the history of tattoos in Japan?

The art of tattooing, called irezumi, most closely associated with Japanese society began in the Edo period some 250 years ago . A famous woodblock print of a Chinese novel, Suikoden, released in 1757 that featured men covered in intricate designs of animals and fantastical beasts. The print started something a of a craze and demand for the illustrations as tattoos.

The tools originally used were the same as those to create woodblock prints. Woodblock printers were also some of the first Japanese tattoo artists. Some scholars believe tattoos started becoming a symbol of wealth due to the the time consuming and labor intensive work require of traditional Japanese tattoos. Others believe many common folk were among the first tattooed men in Japan.

Fast forward a hundred years, and we come to the opening up of Japan and the Meiji restoration . Now concerned with their international reputation, the Japanese government criminalized tattoos, forcing the traditional Japanese style tattoos underground.

Since the Meiji times, irezumi has retained its association with the underworld, specifically the yakuza, despite being legalized in 1948. However, many of the younger generation are fascinated with tattoos, or at least accepting. A survey in 2021 found that 60% of those in their 20’s favored relaxing the rules around tattoos, and an increasing number of young people are open to the idea of getting a tattoo. The younger generations often associate tattoos with fashion statements versus criminality.

In modern Japan, it is possible to find both traditional Japanese tattooing and modern methods of creating the art in a tattoo parlor.

How many Japanese people have tattoos?

Recent data in English being sparse, we’ve turned to the Japanese side. A 2021 report from Japan Tend Research ( 日本トレンドリサーチ ) asked 1200 Japanese participants evenly distributed across age groups about their tattoos and feelings regarding tattoos.

Percent of people with a tattoo in Japan

First, according to the survey, about 3 % of Japanese people reported having a tattoo . While that number itself is a fairly small, another 10% on top of that number reported they had considered getting a tattoo in the past. So, while the the number of people with tattoos may be small, i ts fairly common in Japan to be interested in getting a tattoo.

Youth perception of tattoos in Japan

As mentioned earlier, people are beginning to view tattoos in a more positive, or at least neutral, light. In response to the question, “Do you think the rules should be relaxed for tattoos?” 60% of those in their twenties and 41% of those in their 30’s answered in the affirmative.

Some of the reasons given for answering in the affirmative were

• It’s the same as having a piercing
• The times have changed. Tattoos are about making a fashion statement
• It (having tattoos) is cool
• Having tattoos don’t mean someone is a bad person

Tattoos in Japan are generally accepted on foreigners, and except for some specific establishments, are unlikely to be of any concern. There are plenty of ways to either cover a tattoo, or alternative locations that are open to tattoos in the case of popular destinations, such as onsen.

The most important thing is that you enjoy your trip, tattoos or not. And if you interested, getting your next tattoo in Japan could be part of your adventure.

Enjoy your travels and adventures in Japan.

If you’re a smoker, you’ll also want to check out our guide on smoking in Japan as well.

Jonathan Mcnamara

Jonathan is a veteran of the Japan and Korean expat life. He lived in Japan and Korea for almost 10 years, and speaks Korean and Japanese. A blogger, a writer, website maker who's had his share of relationships while living abroad, he's now turned his attention to helping others navigate traveling, living, working, and relationships in Japan.

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• August 24, 2023
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Tattooing Was Illegal in New York City Until 1997

The New-York Historical Society’s newest exhibit delves into the history of the city’s once-turbulent ink scene

Jennifer Nalewicki

Travel Correspondent

In 1961, it officially became illegal to give someone a tattoo in New York City. But Thom deVita didn’t let this new restriction deter him from inking people. The day after it was put into law, the tattoo artist quietly opened the doors of his tattoo shop in Alphabet City, then one of the grittiest neighborhoods in the area. He limited himself to just five clients per day, working late at night when many other people were asleep. While these may seem like temporary measures for such a vibrant city that seldom sleeps, it wouldn’t be until 1997—36 years later—that it would finally lift the ban.

This is just one of the many interesting facets of the city’s storied ink history covered in “Tattooed New York,” an exhibition dedicated to epidermal art and its history that is on display through April 30 at the New-York Historical Society Museum and Library . The show contains more than 250 objects, artworks, photographs, videos and other documents stretching from the early 1700s to now, including Thomas Edison's electric pen, the percusor to the tattoo gun, and a Norman Rockwell oil painting of a man getting inked.

So what exactly caused the city to crack down on tattoos in the first place? After all, isn’t New York City where people go to express their individuality—and arguably, what better way is there to do so than by getting a tattoo?

“From the research I’ve done and the tattoo artists I’ve met from that era, there are various reasons [behind] why the ban took place,” Cristian Petru Panaite, assistant curator of exhibitions at the historical society, tells Smithsonian.com. “[The city claimed that there was] an outbreak of hepatitis B, while others suspected it was because the city wanted to clean up before the [1964] World’s Fair. There’s also supposedly a love story involving a city official and one of the tattooer’s wives, and that kind of turns into a personal vendetta.”

Panaite organized the exhibition in chronological order, beginning with Native Americans, specifically the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) tribe, who resided on the same land where the city now sits. Tribal members believed that tattoos had healing powers and provided protection from evil, and they would apply them by cutting into the skin and sprinkling soot or crushed minerals into the wound. They also used tattoos as a form of identification, a common thread that comes up several times throughout the exhibit.

Sailors, for example, another group of tattoo aficionados, started getting their initials inked onto their skin at some point in the 1700s. These distinctive tattoos were then recorded in their personal Seamen’s Protection Certificates , which were used as identification and to help stave off impressment. Fast forward to 1936, the year in which the U.S. government introduced Social Security Numbers, and some citizens came up with a clever way to remember their information.

“People were trying to figure out what to do with their numbers, and the government told people to keep them safe,” Panaite says. “So quite a few people thought the safest place would be on their skin.”

One piece of history that is often overshadowed, and on which the exhibition focuses, is the popularity of tattoos among women. During the Victorian era, fashionable women would discreetly invite tattoo artists to their homes to get inked, often commissioning designs in areas of their bodies that could easily be hidden, such as on a wrist, which could be covered by a bracelet. The famous New York writer Dorothy Parker, for example, had a small blue star tattooed on the inside of her bicep. A report by the now defunct newspaper New York World even claimed that by 1900 more women than men in New York City sported tattoos. And the popularity only grew from there.

Soon, more visibly tattooed women began working on the sideshow stage in places like Brooklyn's Coney Island and at dime museums along the Bowery, flaunting their bodily canvases. It was not only a way for them to make a living, but also, Panaite argues, a source of empowerment.

“Over the years, the story of the tattoo industry has been more male-centric,” Panaite says. “But I noticed in my research that women kept popping up and were making these strong statements.”

Panaite refers to Mildred (Millie) Hull, born in 1897 and said to be the first woman to open a tattoo shop on the Bowery. For practice, Hull would tattoo herself, eventually acquiring more than 300 such inks.

Today, tattoos are no longer seen as the taboo that they once were, and have become firmly planted within American society. Everyone from teachers to lawyers to museum curators sport them (yes—Panaite admits to getting two while curating the show). New York City is home to more than 270 tattoo studios today, and as part of the exhibition, the historical society has invited several tattoo artists to conduct live demos as part of the show.

"You get to see artwork being made," Panaite says. "It's pretty amazing."

And after seeing the exhibition, you too may be inspired to get inked.

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Jennifer Nalewicki | | READ MORE

Jennifer Nalewicki is a Brooklyn-based journalist. Her articles have been published in The New York Times , Scientific American , Popular Mechanics , United Hemispheres and more. You can find more of her work at her website .

Seattle's Travels

Adventure Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Travelling With Tattoos

As someone who travels frequently with– shall we say –a somewhat inked-up exterior, I can’t help but take notice of varied reactions in different regions around the world.

I’ve written about getting tattooed while travelling , my own travel tattoos and other travel themed tattoos that I like. But, I’ve never talked about what it’s like to actually explore the world being quite obviously partially covered in tattoos. After a recent trip with a few more stares than usual, I decided to finally make it into a post.

No, I don’t have a full body tattoo by any means–but I’ve got a sleeve in the works, several noticeable designs on my wrists, arms, hand, back and feet, as well as a rather prominent thigh piece ( and who knows how many more to come )–so it’s safe to say there’s no hiding my ink, unless I’m fully covered, including gloves.

I don’t personally feel like I’m too heavily tattooed–I know plenty of people with way more ink than me–but as soon as I get somewhere that they receive a lot of attention–it feels like BAM — tattoos everywhere .

My visible ink makes for some very interesting observations around the world. No two countries are the same; some locals embrace tattoos as an art form and happily approach me to compare mine with their own, while others look down upon ink or are simply confused by it.

I’ve grown to expect a reaction and know how to adapt to it in each location, but I’d like to give my fellow tattooed readers a heads up of what to expect before your next big trip.

Below I am going to start an on-going list of the reactions I get, personal experiences  ( which could vary from your own ) and feelings that I have after each country that I visit around the world. The list will be updated frequently, so please come back occasionally for new stories;

The people of Aruba didn’t seem to pay too much attention to tattoos. Some of them had some, I noticed a few tattoos shops around the Island, but it didn’t seem to be a big culture. I certainly never felt singled out for having them, even when walking around with all of them on display in a bikini. There are plenty of tourists there with ink, and it is an accepted lifestyle.

Just make sure to put lots of sunscreen on them!

Oh Canada, my beloved home country. We Canadians are becoming increasingly inky and are going to be one very tattooed generation of old people come 2050. Tattoos are very popular here and you are likely to see at least one person with more tattoos than you on a daily basis. Everyday feels like a walking art show in the big cities, and I am just one of the instalments.

In Canada, I have gotten tattoos at Seven Crowns Tattoo  in Toronto,  Sacred Heart Tattoo  in Vancouver,  Immortal Impressions  in Keswick,  Dawg Pound Tattoo  in Niagara Falls and  New Tribe Tattoo  in Toronto.

Colombians seemed to accept tattoos pretty well. There were a few looks here and there, but never any negative interactions. There was a bit more of a tattoo culture in the larger cities, but I didn’t notice too many tattoo shops around myself. I heard of some great artists in Bogota and Medellin, so I will try to set aside some more time for that on my next trip.

While I didn’t come across that many Ticos with tattoos themselves, they were very accepting of my tattoos. They never stared or took a second glance–the most attention they received was in the remote village of Tortuguero–and many people even complemented them. I did see more tattoos in Jaco than anywhere else, but more so on non-local surfers. I got a tattoo at Anchor’s End in Jaco.

Czech Republic

Prague is home to some of the world’s best tattoo artists–like abstract artist Musa –so it’s no wonder that much of the country wears them proudly. No one bats an eye in the big cities, and only offer a slightly drawn glance out in the countryside. I got my Jim Morrison tattoo at Tribo Tattoo .

Dominican Republic

While I was surrounded mainly by North Americans on the resorts, the locals were intrigued by my tattoos when I travelled from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata by public transportation. There were no frowns thrown my way, but definitely a few second glances. I never felt the need to cover up and could dress with comfort.

It was hard to tell if tattoos were accepted in Finland, as I spent most of my time heavily clothed in winter gear. But, during the times that any of my ink was showing, it didn’t feel like anyone paid much notice. There are a lot of tattoo shops in Helsinki and I got my Wanderlust foot tattoo at Paradise Tattoo + Piercing .

I went to Lake Atitlan with a group of friends, and several of us have many tattoos. Lake Atitlan is a fairly touristy area, so no was one too put off, but we certainly got a lot of looks. On the other hand, many locals stopped some of us to ask about our ink, requesting to hear the stories behind them and to learn more. They were curious and inquisitive, but not judgmental.

While Hawaii is not a country, it differs from mainland USA. Hawaiians have a very strong tattoo culture and a long history in the art of tattooing. In my experience, it was rare to meet a Hawaiian without a tattoo, and they were all excited to check mine out. While some countries treat you negatively for ink, I felt like I was put ahead of other non-tattooed visitors just because I had tattoos. It was a really interesting change to experience. Perhaps this is why Maui is my second favourite destination in the world. I got my Hawaii foot tattoo at Island Ink  in Paia, Maui.

Show those tattoos off as much as possible in Hawaii!

Iceland is another one of those cold countries where you will probably cover your tattoos up on most occasions because of the weather alone, but ink is proudly displayed inside a warm house or bar. There are plenty of great tattoo shops in Reykjavik, and I keep meaning to get some work done each time I visit. Next time–I swear .

Vikings.. tattoos.. it just fits ;]

After my experience in Jordan ( read below ), I fully expected Israel to look down on me for my tattoos. But, I was happily surprised to learn that Israelis are quite accepting of ink. I initially covered up when travelling around the country (more so out of respect at religious sites), but found that it was perfectly fine to wear shorts and T-shirts in general public areas.

Pack to cover knees and shoulders for religious sites, but regular clothing for the rest.

Locals seemed to have mixed reactions of my tattoos; they didn’t look displeased–more so incredibly curious and many people literally wanted to touch them while asking several questions. Once we spoke, they expressed how much they liked them, although no one seemed to know who Jim Morrison was, which made my thigh difficult to explain. Someone even asked if it was me 😐

If you want to avoid the attention, I would advise to pack lightweight long sleeves and pants that you can wear in the heat.

I arrived in Japan expecting to be judged and ridiculed for my tattoos. Everything I have ever heard or read has pointed to the fact that tattoos are looked down upon in Japan. You can imagine my surprise when quite the opposite happened during my two weeks in Okinawa.

Not only were locals quite interested in looking at my ink, and asking questions about it, but I noticed many people with their own tattoos. There were plenty of tattoo shops in Naha, and there wasn’t much of a stigma against them.

There was only one incident ( not involving myself ), when the guys that I was travelling with were turned away from a public gym for having tattoos. It was interesting to note the differences between old traditions and new.

Unfortunately, Jordan is the place that I felt most scrutinized for my tattoos, especially from other young women. I understand that it is disrespectful for a woman to show a great deal of skin in this region of the world, and I would never dress inappropriately because of this. However, I felt pretty bad about myself on the day that it was 35C in Jerash, I was wearing long sleeves and pants, with only my feet showing ( in flip flops ) and a group of school girls surrounded me, talking about my feet tattoos. Some of the girls looked at me from my eyes to my feet with a look of disgust, until I smiled, got up and walked away. I absolutely love Jordan–it’s one of my favourite countries–but it is definitely not a place where tattoos are readily accepted.

Do your best to cover up completely, even if your tattoos are on highly visible areas.

I felt some stares in different parts of the country, from Nairobi to the National Parks, but nothing highly judgemental. People were inquisitive but never lingered. I wouldn’t even suggest covering up too much, only dressing how you feel comfortable.

I never felt out of place, even in small town Mexico. Plenty of Mexicans have tattoos of their own, so wouldn’t give yours a second glance. Mexicans also seem to have a huge love to Jim Morrison, so I got countless compliments on my thigh piece. Dress conservatively if you plan to visit a Church, but regular dress is fine otherwise.

Morocco may be in north western Africa, but it has a Middle Eastern culture and you should always dress respectfully. While tourists aren’t expected to fully cover themselves in public areas, it is always advisable to cover your knees and shoulders, whether they are tattooed or not. I felt a few more eyes on me the days that I didn’t wear leggings under my shorts, and always felt more comfortable when I had more layers. The locals weren’t too swayed by the presence of ink, more so briefly curious.

Pack to cover shoulders and knees.

Norwegians seem to like tattoos, but love piercings just a little bit more. At first I thought that it might just be the preference of my friends, but after observing strangers around the city, it was obvious that they had a lot of piercings. Tattoos were certainly popular, just not as popular.

Thailand has been perhaps the best country ( outside of North America ) to travel with tattoos, so far. The Thais have a very rich tattoo culture and many are heavily tattooed themselves. I felt completely comfortable walking around with all of my tattoos on display in even the most rural areas and big cities alike, and never felt any judgement from a Thai person. Of course, I was respectful to religious sites and covered my legs and shoulders, but was free to dress as I pleased in public. I got a Sak Yant tattoo  from a Monk at Wat Bang Phra.

Pack pants or a long skirt for temple visits, as well as a T-shirt or shall.

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinis seem to love tattoos, and have plenty of their own. I’ve been to Trinidad four times now–from having one tattoo the first time, to more than a dozen on my last trip–and have felt no more attention than each previous visit. Sure, I get a few stares as the tall pale girl strolling through a town void of tourists, but it has nothing to do with the tattoos. I tend to cover them up a bit, just to downplay my differences, but it’s certainly never necessary.

*Update* After my fifth visit, I travelled with my boyfriend who is heavily tattooed with a full sleeve and large chest piece. It was much more noticeable this time (I also had some more myself), and it seemed like every other person wanted to see and compliment his tattoos–starting from the moment we walked out of the airport. Trinis sure do love their ink :]

The US is much the same as Canada when it comes to tattoos, though possibly more diverse in different regions. On a whole, the country loves ink, but there are also some regions that are a little less accepting than others. There are highs and lows, but it’s a great country for tattoos nonetheless.

In the end, I love my tattoos no matter what other people think. But, I will continue to be respectful of other cultures and traditions around the world by keeping covered when I need to. I am a visitor in these countries, and I would never expect them to change their beliefs or opinions just because I see tattooing as an art form. I hope that this list will help you in planning what to pack and what to wear on your upcoming travels.

Have you had different experiences in these countries?

Have any countries/experiences of your own to add, comment below…, about seattle dredge.

Seattle is Lake Erie born, Lake Ontario educated, and is now living on Lake Huron. And no, she's never been to Seattle. After studying geology in Toronto, Seattle spent several years travelling the world on a full time basis, from Colombia, Morocco & Iceland, to Nicaragua, Jordan & the Philippines--and just about everywhere in between. Eventually, Seattle settled in Southampton, ON, and now spends her days going on local adventures, while continuing to pursue photography & videography around the Bruce Peninsula, and of course regular trips abroad.

for reading

March 15, 2014 at 2:52 am

Love your travel tats Seattle! I may steal your plane and world map ones!

Shaun http://www.thislifeintrips.com Shaun recently posted.. A Couple Dam Hungry Birds – An Amsterdam Foodie Tour Review

March 15, 2014 at 5:47 am

Thanks! Haha–dooo it, we could make up some sort of secret tattoo twin handshake.

March 23, 2014 at 7:30 pm

Great post! I’ve often wondered how tattooed women are received around the world. I don’t have any tats of my own yet, but there may well come a time. Steph | A Nerd At Large recently posted.. Foto Friday: U Are Alive

April 27, 2014 at 8:27 pm

Thanks! It’s definitely different everywhere. You’ll have to get some ink to see for yourself ;]

April 3, 2014 at 4:32 am

Wahoo… Very nice. Like your blog and tattoos.

April 27, 2014 at 8:39 pm

April 20, 2014 at 11:01 am

It would be great to see you go on a trip to Japan and post about onsens that allow tattoos. They’re not quite ready for tattoos in Japan, because it is associated with the Yakuza, but they are slowly getting used to it. Normally, some will walk around with a little tattoo on the shoulder, but they cover up if it is a sleeve or full-body. I could totally see you getting a traditional tattoo done there too! 🙂

April 20, 2014 at 11:29 am

Yes, I have always wondered about that myself! I would definitely dress conservatively, as I wouldn’t want to offend anyone. But, I would love to go to Japan :]

April 21, 2014 at 3:36 am

On your body tattoos are like shinning stars in dark 😉

April 27, 2014 at 8:28 pm

best. ever.

April 29, 2014 at 2:30 am

Love your thigh piece! I´ve always had a soft spot for The Doors..most recently I got a bit deeper into Jim´s poetry — leaves me in awe every time..Mr. Mojo Risin´:)

July 14, 2014 at 11:09 am

Thanks! aah yes, I am always in awe of his words :] Seattle Dredge recently posted.. Dry Tortugas National Park

May 4, 2014 at 1:06 am

The countries I have been to so far have been pretty positive experiences. I went to Ukraine a few years ago and I was surrounded by younger people, mostly in their 20’s-30’s and teenagers since I was working at a youth camp. Tattoos are not very common there, but the people I interacted with were very interested in my tattoos and it was a great conversation starter. A woman I was taking to said that the older generation would look down on them but the younger generation is becoming more accepting of them. She was excited that she can say that she now has one friend with a tattoo. I also went to Rwanda and Uganda this last year and while tattoos are not common amongst them, they were interested in asking me about mine and seemed positively intrigued.

However, I have heard there are some countries where tattoos have a really negative connotation (or at least diid at one time). One such country I’ve heard of is Japan. I’m wanting to go to Japan someday and I hear that over there tattoos are highly looked down upon since they have a negative stigma of being affiliated with gangs. I hear that they will even deny people access to the public bath houses if they were to have tattoos. I’m not sure if there is a difference in how they are viewed on foreigners, but since I am wanting to work as an english teacher while I am there, I am definitely going to have to cover them up for the majority of my time.

July 14, 2014 at 11:17 am

Wow, that must have been interesting. I didn’t realize that tattoos weren’t so popular in Ukraine, but I suppose they’d be even less common at a youth camp. I guess the younger generation is becoming more tattoo friendly almost everywhere these days. I love when people are simply curious in a positive manner about tattoos, without being intrusive/negative. I’m heading to Japan on Saturday and cannot wait to experience the reaction. I’ve heard a lot of stories about them being viewed negatively, but I hope to prove that wrong. I know that it’s related with the Yakuza/gang members, but surely they’ll know that I do not fit that demographic. I also hope to find a place to get a traditional Japanese tattoo there. I’ll let you know how it goes! Seattle Dredge recently posted.. Dry Tortugas National Park

June 22, 2014 at 2:17 am

I went to Dubai two years ago and they were surprisingly cool with my piercings (didn’t have tattoos back then). Also, they really don’t mind tattoos or piercings in England / Scotland because most of them are tattooed as well. I can’t wait to see the reactions in Spain but I’m almost positive my piercings / tattoos won’t be a problem 🙂

I love your blog, btw.

July 14, 2014 at 11:10 am

I haven’t been to Dubai yet, but I imagine the city itself to be quite modern and accepting of it. I find most of Europe to be not only accepting, but as you said, have them themselves :] Seattle Dredge recently posted.. Dry Tortugas National Park

March 19, 2015 at 2:58 am

A really helpful article! You’ve visited such a diverse group of countries. I’ve visited Jamaica a few times; that was fifteen years ago and I had no highly visible tattoos. I love Jamaica enough to wish to visit there again, and it would be interesting to see the reactions to my five pieces. I don’t mind answering questions about them, and it’s always fun to compare with others.

July 11, 2016 at 10:37 am

Your blog was just what I was looking for, I am heavily tattooed and traveling across northern Morocco for 3 weeks. I want to be respectful and comfortable, your advice and experience is much appreciated!!

April 26, 2017 at 1:01 pm

If you’re ever in Canada, specifically Toronto you have to hit up The Village Ink, Toronto’s best Tattoo & Piercing Shop. http://www.thevillageink.com . It’s my fav place and in a great area.

June 10, 2022 at 9:26 am

Thanks for this, I have been researching Jordan for a trip this year and these are good notes. !

I (42F) have about 18 tattoos including wrists/feet that are hard to cover & can weigh in on 2 more countries. In South Africa white skin with dark tattoos will have men completely in love with you. Even in front of my husband there was almost this “My queen” kind of attention – not bad just unexpected. I also was shocked that the one place in the world I have been warned or asked to cover up a tattoo was in Ireland of all places. They seem to totally accept tattoos there but I have one of a crown on my wrist and while in a separatist neighborhood was advised to “cover up that crown” before going to the pub so I didn’t invite unruly arguments politically.

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Home » Budget Travel » Travel Tattoos: A Guide to Getting Inked on the Road (2024)

Travel Tattoos: A Guide to Getting Inked on the Road (2024)

Tattoos and international travel have been connected since the unholy start of times. 

I’m sure ya’ll are familiar with sailor tattoos. For seafarers, tattoos were badges of honour that allowed them to showcase their travels like human log books. No tramp stamp was without meaning! Hula girls meant you’d been to Hawaii, HOLD FAST knuckle tats brought good luck on stormy seas, and 5,000 nautical miles sailed earned you one swallow.

Nowadays these traditions have been picked up by modern nomads and gap-year kids prancing around the planet. For many travellers, tattoos show their journey – just like with our old-timey sailor friends.

Almost all of my tattoos are souvenirs: only my first one is a keepsake from my native Finland. The rest of the collage I’ve picked up from here and there.

So with the great authority of someone who has been travelling and gathering tattoos from all over – and some contributions of the generally very-tattooed Broke Backpacker family – here are the ins and outs of getting inked on the go. Is it safe? Will you get banned from Japan? Will your family disown you if you come back covered in art? 

Let’s find out.

Why You Should Get a Travel Tattoo

The experience of travelling with tattoos, how to get a travel tattoo, how to take care of a fresh tattoo while travelling, tattoo taboos – can you get in trouble traveling with a tattoo, life is short – get a travel tattoo.

The neat thing about travel tattoos is that they’re not just pretty pictures – they’re souvenirs. (The easiest ones to carry, too, if you don’t like overloading your packing list !)

Travel-inspired tattoos are a great memory from a place you once loved.

On the other hand, they also preserve some part of an older version of you. Your 2.0 might not choose the same tattoos now as you did before your figurative software update, but they’re still nice reminders of where you’ve been and how far you’ve come. From home – or mentally.

They can serve as mile markers on your discovery into your beautiful self and the lessons you’ve learned on the road.

Shocking plot twist! Travel tattoos can also have a totally opposite meaning to travel – they can be reminders of home. Sailors used to get compass roses and nautical stars tattooed as symbols that they could always find their way home. For me, it’s the Big Dipper on my arm that makes me think of Finland. (I do also have a compass rose but fuck me if I know how to read it. The thing might be broken.)

As lifestyle hobos, it’s sometimes good to remind ourselves of where our roots lie.

But hey – tattoos don’t actually need to mean anything at all. People love to ask me ‘but WHAT DO YOUR TATTOOS MEAN??’ And I don’t regret that I don’t have a deeper answer than: ‘flower :)’.

Tattoos are dope, and they look dope, and how cool is it that whenever you want to see art, you can just gaze down at your own skin? You’re carrying around a whole art gallery and if that’s the only meaning behind your tattoos, that’s already pretty damn epic.

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As told by Ziggy, the Vice-Head of Hand Tattoos and Resident Ink Master of The Broke Backpacker Team

The more prominent your tattoos are, the more you stand out. Dems the breaks!

Even in Western countries, particularly unusual tattoos (hand tats, neck tats, etc.) garner you extra attention. This is increased tenfold in countries where foreigners already stick out like… well… a neck tat.

I’ve had strangers unprompted begin stroking my tattoos. I’ve been asked to flash gang signs in selfie-photoshoots with locals to feature my hand tats. And I get asked ‘what my tattoos mean’ way too often (there is no question in the world that shits me up the wall as much as this one).

BUT there is an upside! Tattoos can form a rather darling point of connection.

In countries where tattoos are uncommon, locals with their own tats will go out of their way to initiate a conversation with you. Most dealers will also pretty openly offer drugs to anyone with some wicked psychedelic tats. (Just be savvy when taking drugs while travelling!)

And sometimes, it’s really goddamn helpful to look like a foreigner. My hitchhiking experiences in Palestine can attest to that: none of the Arabs think you’re Jewish while none of the Jews think you’re Arab.

Overall, I wouldn’t say that being a rather painted human interferes with your travel experience excessively so. Perhaps it just modifies it a touch. There can be some negatives, but usually the experience is positive, or at the very least, quirky.

So now that you’re convinced that you cannot go a day more without decorating your skin, it’s time to hop onto the next step of the process. Lads and ladies, let me present to you: choosing your tat, finding an artist, and taking care of it so well that you won’t get a skin infection and die.

How to Choose Your Travel Tattoo

How do you communicate with just your skin that you’re SO COOL because you’ve TRAVELLED?

Will you go for the compass?

The coordinates to your favourite city?

Will you go big because travelling is so fun you’re definitely not going home and get the map of the whole world tattooed on you?

Well, you don’t actually HAVE to get a travel-themed travel tattoo.

I mean, you can, if you want. No judgement here. (Judgement will only be dealt out for racist and live, laugh, love tattoos.)

I only have one travel-themed tattoo: a compass rose I picked up in Lisbon, and a couple of others inspired by the places I’ve been to. The rest of it just came from random synapses of thoughts in my head forming an idea and my brain going, ‘OOH, PRETTY’. 

There are myriads of iconic symbols for travel tattoos if you wanna take the road way well travelled. A good place to sus out some spicy inspiration is Pinterest. Or, if you’re feeling brave, you can always just march into a tattoo shop and pick something that tickles your pickle from their flash sheets.

Tattoos don’t necessarily have to be meaningful. They don’t even have to be unique! But they do have to be something you enjoy looking at.

Choosing a travel-inspired tattoo can be a tough choice. You don’t actually need to get a tattoo if you’re not sure what to get. Ideas tend to flow and if a good one comes to you, it will. But if you get a tattoo just for the sake of getting a tattoo, you might end up with something that you won’t vibe with in the future.

How to Find a Kickass Tattooist While on the Road

My preferred method of hunting is through Instagram. There’s much to be said about how terrible Instagram is, but it is unbeatable for finding and contacting tattoo artists. It lets you see their style and spy if they consistently do good work. Often artists also post pictures of healed tattoos. It’s the simplest way to make sure you’re getting a quality tat.

The most important thing is to pick an artist that does the style you want and is experienced in it. When I went to get my mountain tattoo in Macedonia, I knew that the artist had done a few neo-traditional pieces, but mostly she worked in watercolours. It still looks awesome – but the discrepancy in style in my soon-to-be traditional sleeve arm is something people keep pointing out.

(I was also hungover as hell that day and the tattoo bled A LOT. First rule of tattooing, kiddos: do not drink before. Drinking is a big travel problem so it’s better for you to lay off the booze for one night.)

Of course you don’t need all that fancy schmancy research if the experience of getting a tattoo is more important to you than the tattoo itself. I’ve run into many a wanderer with their skin full of little doodles by some half-scrupulous hostelside stick-and-poke tattooer. (I’ve heard of a guy doing it for a plate of tacos in a place here – immediately added that to my list of things to do in Canggu .)

Many tattoo shops also accept walk-ins if one day you wake up in the mood to upset your mama.

However, if you value guaranteed quality and an easy healing process, finding a reputable artist might be a worthwhile idea.

How Much Do Tattoos Cost?

You’ll hate me when I say: it depends.

Obviously it depends on the style and the size of the tattoo but often on the artist, too: someone with a booking list the length of an ancient scroll is gonna want a bit more cash money than the guy in the corner.

One of the biggest reasons I love getting tattooed while on the road is actually the price. I’m from Finland where all the fun things cost a pretty penny. In countries where the general cost of living is lower, you can also expect services to have a smaller price – including tattoos. My favourite country to get tattooed in has been Brazil: many people are tattooed so excellent studios are all over the place, plus it’s very cheap.

You miiiiight end up paying a “tourist tax”, though. Foreign passport = multi billionaire, apparently, according to some people in some countries. Not naming names but, uh, I’m pretty sure Iranians don’t pay 100 USD for a tiny tattoo. That’s what I was quoted, and why I turned it down.

Granted that tattooing is illegal in Iran, but still…

There’s always a chance that as a foreigner, you’ll pay more than locals do. Fair enough – I’m well aware that as a Western traveller, I have some loose cash to toss around. It kinda stops being fair when the mark-up enters ridonkulous territory.

Here’s the catch, though: you should never argue with a tattoo artist about the price of the piece. There are better ways to save while budget backpacking. Often there are hidden costs you don’t even think about: the hours spent designing the piece, studio rental, taxes… There’s a reason why the artist values themselves at the price they want from you.

Not to mention that arguing will probably just piss the artist off. Most tattoo artists I’ve met have been lovely. Some do have the kind of egos you would expect from people who are legally allowed to stab others in the name of art.

If it’s too expensive for you, fair enough. Save up some more money, get a different tattoo or go somewhere else.

You gotta remember that a tattoo is an open wound. A pretty wound fo sho but an open one anyway, and you gotta treat it like that. Apparently experts recommend that you let your new tattoo heal for at least two weeks before travelling. Hah! Those are normal people experts. The backpack nation doesn’t get to take two weeks off from adventuring.

I’ve never had any trouble healing my tattoos even while travelling but it’s good to sprinkle in a little extra care!

Is It Safe to Get Tattooed While Travelling?

If you’re worried about keeping it clean, then sure, that’s a valid concern. Tattoo aftercare is very important but not terribly tough – kinda like remembering to brush your teeth twice a day.

But if you find yourself asking, ‘Is it safe to get tattooed abroad?’, then my sweet summer child, you’re getting misguided.

“Abroad” isn’t some one-size-fits-all hellhole outside the bounds of your homeland. Actually suggesting that just because something is foreign it would be dirty and unhygienic is kinda xenophobic.

Sure, some countries have, uh, more lenient legislation when it comes to hygiene. Still, in most countries you’ll still be able to easily find a studio that follows all the same hygiene practices as the studios in your home country.

Make sure the artist is using new needles and that the studio looks clean. Make sure you know how to tell if a tattoo artist is bad . Or don’t – a lot of the normal precaution explodes into space if you’re getting one of those famous bamboo tattoos in Thailand or a stick-and-poke from some hipster in the hostel.

Don’t drink before. Do NOT surrender to the hostel bar’s happy hour the night before your tat. Alcohol thins your blood which means that you bleed a lot more while getting tattooed, and it can affect the quality of it. And being drunk or hungover doesn’t make the pain any easier – it can make it worse.

If you’ve avoided crappy craftmanship, then voilá! The hardest part is over and the healing process is generally easy-peasy, as long as you don’t pick on the picture. While travelling, you have to take a little extra care of the fresh ink since you’re likely to be more active than when healing a tattoo at home. Avoid extreme exercises and super-stunts until the tat is healed.

I remember hearing a story about a guy who decided to tackle Bolivia’s Death Road with a day-old tattoo. He fell and managed to basically scrape off the entire tattoo. OUCHIE.

How to Keep Your Tattoo Clean While Travelling

• Every artist will give slightly different care instructions re: keeping the plastic on, putting on cream, which cream to put on… Et cetera into infinity. If it’s your first tattoo, it’s best to do what the artist recommends, even if you’ve read something contrary on the interwebz.
• Protect extra well from sunlight and sea water.
• Can you fly after getting a tattoo? Absolutely yes. Pack some tattoo-friendly cream and wipes into hand luggage and wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Protect a fresh tattoo from dust/sunlight/prying hands of curious little children. For a few hours after getting it, cling wrap is your pal. Afterwards you can shield it from the elements with a (clean and washed) bandana if your clothes don’t cover it.
• Don’t pick at it. I repeat: DO NOT PICK AT IT. You risk messing up the lines if you paw at it. (Open wound, remember?)
• If a tattoo gets infected, it’s more likely due to shoddy tattooing than your half-hearted aftercare. When your cool new tat tries to kill you, it’s important that you have a good travel insurance policy in place . At The Broke Backpacker, we recommend World Nomads insurance . With good insurance, it won’t cost you a penny for a doctor to judge you for getting a back-alley tattoo.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: perchance don’t get a nazi tattoo. In Germany, it will get you arrested and anywhere else, probably the shit kicked out of you.

Moot point, anyway – I trust that TBB readers are better than that.

Having a tattoo still carries a bit of a stigma anywhere in the world. Even in the grand West where almost half of millenials are tatted up, there’s always a disgruntled suburban mum who thinks that tattoos automatically make you a hooligan. In countries where tattoos are fairly uncommon, they’re almost non-existent on women which surely shines an even bigger spotlight on a gal on her own. Just another fun aspect of the solo female travel experience !

In general, people everywhere are pretty chill about tattoos.

Take Middle East for example. Islam prohibits tattoos so you won’t run into too many tatted up locals around those parts. But people are not dumb: they understand that your culture is not their culture. Seeing tattoos on a foreigner doesn’t carry nearly the same weight as it would on a local, and tourists generally get a free pass.

Actually, having tattoos is usually a great ice breaker since people who are not used to seeing them are pretty curious about them. And the ones that have tattoos themselves love connecting with you over your shared love of ink. Travelling with tattoos wasn’t a problem for me even in Iran where the whole craft is illegal.

And as a woman (and I guess as a man, too) in the Middle East, most of the time you’re so covered up anyway that your tattoos can hardly cause a scandal.

Religious Tattoos

Most religions seem to be pretty chill about using their symbols as decorations. (Never saw any Christian mums come for teenage girls during the Great Cross Fashion period of 2011.) However, with Buddha tattoos you have to be very, very careful.

In the Grand Place in Bangkok, Thailand, souvenir sellers are shaded by giant umbrellas with the words scripted on them: Buddha is for respecting; Not decoration; not tattoo.

Sri Lanka takes it one step further. Tourists have been arrested and deported from Sri Lanka for sporting visible Buddha tattoos. There isn’t a specific law banning tattoos of his jolly curvy figure but authorities take any perceived disrespect very seriously.

I don’t want to comment on the ethics of getting a religious tattoo or what I think of it: your body, your temple, literally, I guess? Just know that religious symbols are extremely holy to many people and some people might find religious tattoos offensive.

Travelling to Japan with Tattoos

Japan might be the most notorious of all tattoo-taboo countries. Traditionally, tattoos in Japan were only reserved for the members of Yakuza – the Japanese mafia – and so a tattooed person was automatically assumed to be a criminal. Onsens and tattoos don’t mix: Many of them have signs telling tattooed people to kindly fuck off.

Again, though, rules are different for foreigners. Your imagination has to stretch pretty far out to believe a blue-eyed, pink-haired, 5’4 Finnish girl with zero Japanese skills to be a part of the local mobsters. (You’d be more likely to mistake me for an anime character.)

Besides, the tattoo taboo has been loosening in the recent years as young people and celebrities have started getting tatted up. Getting a tattoo in Japan is not illegal (but it might be expensive).

From what I’ve heard, most tattooed tourists don’t face any trouble in Japan. Some onsens do restrict access to us tatted up folks but there are many others that don’t have a problem with a little ink on the skin. In an emergency (you know, the kind of when you just NEED to go to hot springs, I guess), smaller tattoos can be covered up.

Unique Travel Tattoos Connecting People

My second tattoo was a unicorn on my bicep. It’s a badass thing, charging down my arm mid-attack all furious glory and epicness. I got it done in London in 2016.

Months later, I was in Brazil for an exchange semester and decided to take a photography course. One of the Brazilian girls in my class came to chat with me and praised the unicorn on my arm. ‘It’s so cool!’ she told me. ‘I saw something similar a while ago and saved it on my phone, hold up.’

She pulled out her phone and showed me a screenshot – of the Instagram post my tattoo artist had made of my tattoo . Tens of thousands of miles away on the other side of the world, and this random Brazilian girl had had a picture of my arm on her phone long before we met.

It’s a small world and it seems like we’re all connected in the strangest of ways.

With absolutely zero scientific evidence, I feel very confident to say that travellers tend to be more tattooed than an average person. When you’re around people like that long enough, you might start thinking that you should get a tattoo as well. It’s the famous peer pressure your teachers always warned you about! Although instead of crack cocaine, it’s cool ass tattoos.

You don’t NEED to get a tattoo just because everyone else has one. Sure, it’s really cool, but if it’s not your style, there’s no reason to rush into it.

On the other hand – getting a tattoo is really not such a big deal. People make it out to be so. Countless tattoos later, my mum still won’t stop reminding me that they’re permanent (so are children, Mother dearest, and still you keep hounding me to have those?).

People worry what happens if they get sick of their tattoos. What do you do if you get sick of the shape of your nose? Tattoos become a part of your everyday looks so much that I barely even notice mine. 

The day I realised I could decorate my body the way I wanted was the day my life changed. As a serial expat, my body really is my only permanent home, and I love that I’m able to put on tattoos like someone else might hang up a painting. And with every new picture it feels like I’m becoming more myself. My tattoos are not only memories and keepsakes, they also tell the world something about who I am as a person.

In the grander scheme of things, nothing is permanent. Life is short: get a travel tattoo. For the memories – or for shits and giggles.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Elina Mattila

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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