An Australian mum has discovered her upcoming trip to Japan may look different than expected after learning of a common rule that could dictate where she is welcome in the country.
Japan has become one of the most popular destinations for Aussie travellers, with around one million visiting last year alone.
Jaymee-Lee Hitchcock is covered in tattoos, and only recently discovered that body art is not as well-received in Japan as it is in her native Gold Coast.
The mum-of-two told Yahoo Lifestyle she had already booked a family holiday for a Japanese summer when she found out about the restrictions.
“I freaked out,” she said.
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“My mind went automatically to, ‘I need to get out of here and see if this is correct’ because the travel agent hadn’t given me any information like that.
“People need to know this sort of stuff.”
She is staying in and around Tokyo for a month — keen to explore the city and theme parks, like Disneyland.
Australian travel agent Alex Stragalinos, from Jamberoo Cruise and Travel, told Yahoo Lifestyle that “Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea state on their website that they ban ‘inappropriate apparel and tattoos’.”
So will Jaymee and other tattooed Aussies have an issue getting in? And where else could they face issues?
Why does Japan frown upon tattoos?
The cultural history of tattoos in Japan is very different to countries like Australia.
The link between tattoos and organised crime dates back centuries, with groups that would eventually evolve into the yakuza adorning their bodies in elaborate, full-body tattoos as a sign of loyalty and identity.
Alex Stragalinos said the association with the underworld meant tattoos have been viewed as intimidating or anti-social in public settings.
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Travel agent Alex Stragalinos said tattoos in Japan have a deep and difficult history and that’s why they aren’t viewed favourably in the country. Source: Alex Stragalinos
“The government prohibited tattoos of all kinds to help give Japan an appearance of civilisation and sophistication around the mid-to-late-1800s,” Alex said.
This was lifted in the mid-1900s but Alex said there’s “still stigma around them”.
Businesses continued to impose restrictions on people with tattoos, and some still linger today.
“Tourists with tattoos are often banned from entering some public spaces such as onsens, beaches, gyms, and public pools,” Alex said.
Where can’t you travel in Japan with tattoos?
Onsens, which are popular Japanese hot springs and bathing facilities, typically don’t allow people with tattoos.
Some might allow you to enter if you can cover the ink, but others might flat out refuse.
But there is also a growing number of onsens that can be privately rented out for those with tattoos.
Travellers can also face outright bans at traditional sites or religious spaces, and some restaurants could also have signs telling visitors that tattoos aren’t welcome.
There are some places in Japan that will not let you in if you have tattoos. Source: Getty/Samurai Tours
Gyms can also be a place that enforce strict tattoo policies.
While Tokyo spots might be more forgiving towards ink, rural areas are more conservative and there could be far more places that turn you away.
But there are some other fashion-forward locations like Harajuku and Shimokitazawa where tattoos are much more common.
Alex told Yahoo Lifestyle that some places might have signs about tattoo entry policy, but they might not necessarily enforce those rules.
“My advice for those travelling to Japan is be sensible when it comes to displaying tattoos,” he told Yahoo Lifestyle.
“If you are able to cover them whilst out in public, then do so out of respect.
As for the theme parks, Alex said it is “a rarity” for the bans to be enforced.
But he said it’s wise to err on the side of caution if you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of Aussies planning to visit the hotspot.
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“If you are able to cover your tattoos in public, then do so.
If you have larger tattoos and can’t cover them, be prepared to potentially be turned away from some establishments. Simple as that,” he said.
Jaymee said she won’t be visiting onsens, but was surprised her travel agent didn’t explain the rule when she was booking the trip.
Had she been told, she would have thought harder about whether it was worth going.
“I would have really questioned it more,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle.
“I just don’t want to be judged.”
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