A visit to the sentoSentō (銭湯) is a type of Japanese communal bathhouse where customers pay for entrance.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Sentō
People with tattoos are banned from most onsen (hot springs), sento (public baths), ryokan (traditional inns), pools, gyms and even capsule hotels.
Laws against tattoos were enforced in 1936 after the war between Japan and China broke out, banning tattoos entirely. The Japanese government thought people with tattoos were problematic. It wasn't until 1946 that tattooing became legal again.
Owing to the onsens' deep connection with history and Japan's association of tattoos with illegal activities, many onsens prohibit the use of the baths to guests who sport tattoos on any part of their bodies.
Besides booking yourself a private onsen (which can be costly), you can purchase body stickers and skin-coloured patches to conceal your body art.
Although the number of tattoo-friendly onsen and sento is growing, many still do not allow tattooed guests. Etiquette is important to Japanese bathing culture and crucial for a relaxing onsen experience. Inked visitors should avoid these facilities and instead find one of the many that do allow tattoos.
Tattoos: legal issues
In Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, it's a criminal offence for a tattooist to do tattoos for someone under 18 years. In the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, teenagers under 18 years need to get their parents' permission for tattoos.
But before going into the details, the simple answer to the question posed in the title of this article is: Yes, you can absolutely travel to Japan if you have a tattoo.
Actually, tattoos are fine in Japan. They're not illegal in any way. You may even see some people walking around with fashion tattoos, especially in Tokyo.
-- And tattoos are considered unacceptable. Traditional Japanese tattoos, which cover large swaths of skin, are commonly associated with the yakuza, the country's organized crime syndicates. And people with body art are often turned away for fear of scaring off others looking for a quiet soak or a restorative ritual.
The Japanese have perfected the art of onsen, or hot spring baths, for centuries. Traditionally, men and women would bathe together in the same facility, but these days the baths are segregated by gender. Today, konyoku (mixed-gender onsen) are hard to find, with places like Tokyo having bans on such establishments.
The elderly, children and physically challenged persons should avoid bathing alone. Around 3 to 7 days or so after starting onsen cures, some persons may experience bath reaction, feel unwell, or suffer from insomnia, digestive symptoms or dermatitis.
China bans tattoos for minors, forbidding anyone from offering the service to teens. The State Council directive also bars advertisements and online or broadcast content that depicts tattoos. A Chinese player sports tattoos during the men's basketball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2021.
Japan has a longstanding taboo against tattoos, which remain associated with organized crime. Many beaches, hot springs resorts and gyms do not admit people with tattoos. Companies often expressly prohibit applicants who are inked.
Not many beaches in Japan ban tattoos outright. Some do, though, so do research on where you're going if you're inked. Typically, if there is a ban, you can still enjoy the beach as long as your tattoos aren't visible, so cover up with a t-shirt or your swimming gear. Small tattoos are generally overlooked.
It is usually not unlawful for Australian employers to discriminate against employees with tattoos. This means some employers will continue to have in place dress or appearance codes which, for any number of reasons, reject what seems to be a growing movement to allow visible tattoos in the workplace.
Meanwhile, in Australia, tattoo and body art inks remain largely unregulated. The EU new law, which came into force this week, limits the use of chemicals that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) says are hazardous.
Tattoos: You can donate plasma (and show off your new ink!) straight away after a tattoo, as long as it was done in a licensed tattoo parlour in Australia. But, you'll need to wait four months to give blood or platelets, no matter how big or small the tattoo is — that means cosmetic tattoos, too.
If your tattoo is small
Is your tattoo small enough to be covered by a plaster? Then just cover it up, and you're fine. Many onsens even offer them to guests. It may not even be necessary to cover them up, but if you want to be sure, plasters seem to be a surefire way to get around any tattoo rules.
Employees engaged in direct patient care must ensure that all visible tattoos do not breach the NSW Health PD2015_049 Code of Conduct.
A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Cosmetic tattoos (including microblading of eyebrows only) applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable.
Common Airline Tattoo Policy
Most airlines have a similar policy when it comes to tattoos. They allow pilot tattoos as long as they are not visible while on duty and do not contain any offensive content. This means that any tattoos on the hands, neck, or face must be covered up while on duty.
Doctors do not recommend using onsen at all while menstruating. But, if you absolutely cannot avoid it, use a tampon. Even if it's a “light” day, nobody wants blood or bodily fluids floating around in the shared bath water. Using a tampon will also help protect against water entering through your cervical opening.