Tattoos in Japan - What You Should Know

[@yoanhartono8691]

Miss this TLDR format, the stool, and just seeing your videos in general!

[@marineboy4181]

And hi sexy heha.😍😘

[@SpidermanandJeny]

So one thing is that in very recent times, the Government is pleading with onsens and ryokans to not apply the no tattoo rule to foreigners. The government wants more tourism and most Japanese ppl know that tattoos in Western countries are almost entirely a fahion thing. They know that some girl with blonde hair, drinking her Starbucks drink and going around Japan or going to an onsen isn't a Yakuza member because she has a star tattoo and/or a butterfly tattoo.

[@Dynera]

I know this is an oldish comment, but yeah, and especially since the 2020 Olympics are coming and they don't want all those tourists to view Japan in a bad way. Also the rules don't really help, bc they only inconvinience tourists and don't stop the Yakuza from entering if they really want to. I mean, if a true to life Yakuza walked into a ryokan/onsen, would they really refuse his entry?

[@joculp8514]

Is that JoJo reference?

[@eatyourkimchi]

What's it like having tattoos in Japan? We'll tell you all about the legal issues involved in the first of this week's videos.

[@margaretc931]

Loved the video! Will you guys be doing any meet ups in Tokyo in the next few months??

[@Tokyodrew]

VERY WELL done video guys. Living here for 12 years in an office setting i cover, but at times I do not and it is acceptable..I guess because I am the boss? lol Either way....well done! Hope to see you guys on Saturday at Yoyogi

[@danielcreaturo9446]

Thanks for this video! Going to Japan for a little over half a month in December and I have my arms full sleeved and one of them is Japanese Traditional. Planning on getting a tebori tattoo while im there!

[@RayMak]

Japan will not make tattoos illegal, but they will make it extremely inconvenient for people with tattoos.

[@SitoraMulloqand]

That’s the Japanese way, they won’t talk $hit to your face but will for sure make your life miserable behind your back😂

[@misstanger1030]

I don’t have tattoos and I don’t think I’ll get one but BOI DO I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AND I’M HAPPY TO SEE YOU EVERY TIME AND TO LISTEN TO YOUR PODCAST AND WATCH YOUR LIVE STREAMS okay sorry I got excited

[@eatyourkimchi]

Ha! Thank you for also listening to our podcasts!

[@pandabearsamm5823]

I have several tattoos on my body. I went to Japan for a three week stay and my homestay grandma was so intrigued by them that she asked to feel them. She really liked them too and said she wish could get a flower done. Lol

[@StretchReality]

What if that guy was actually in the yakuza but he just thought your tattoos were cute

[@tashatoddman7492]

That'd be dope and cute

[@hifromthestudio]

I think in term of "protecting children and elderly" from tattoos there are other bigger concerns to worry about. With Asian parents who live in America, I used to think that tattoos were bad. But as I have grown older and have asian family members who have tattoos that have so much meaning to them, I see tattoos as a way to mark a period in someone's life. They signify moment of happiness and joy and that is the art of it itself. Thanks for making this- I have really missed seeing you guys talk in your kitchen!!!!

[@lutacos]

pro tip; if you're watching this before the video of Simon explaining his tattoo, watch that first so you can get the cries out then watch this to bring your mood back up

[@stargirl7646]

Saskia Darn, I watched this first! Gotta prepare myself now... 😬

[@lutacos]

::star girl:: good luck 💕

[@Chellizard]

agreeed

[@lutacos]

im so sorry ;~;

[@lutacos]

me too! D:

[@zionlioness10]

I'm Polynesian so tattoos are part of culture. It wasn't until Christianity came in a band it seem like tattoos are from devil. I have two tattoos but are working to get more.

[@jordini3381]

Wierd since a lot of Christians get cross tattoos or Latin prayers now

[@melissamariee710]

@@jordini3381 some Christian's still follow old testament laws even tho we have a new testament that makes it so we dont have to sacrifice animals and do other old rituals anymore. So many interpretations of the laws!

[@marineboy4181]

@@jordini3381 🙂 true

[@marineboy4181]

@@melissamariee710 yea right and cool pic bruh

[@melissamariee710]

Thanks!

[@ClearYourMindset]

OMG the moment I saw the background set up and the pigstool and the music I just got the overwhelming exciting nostalgic feeling from like...8 years ago!!! AHHH!!!

[@zoidoehrer4768]

Same!! I hope they bring back TL;DR more often! Also, Martina, I love your Japanese Toronto blue jays shirt! The perfect blend :)

[@dreamstategaming9589]

Dude I totally agree

[@kalpic11]

8 years?!

[@marineboy4181]

😍

[@kimberlyallan1671]

My mum is Japanese and when I expressed an interest in getting tattoos she said she would never travel to Japan with me 😂😂 so it's definitely still a thing with her

[@booytoyy69]

Kimberly Allan it's still a thing just not for them there outsiders

[@kimberlyallan1671]

Simba Perkins yeah I figured as much. But I think being only half Japanese makes me enough of a gaijin 😂

[@ameliacrisp8482]

Meeee hahaha I feel you. Still gonna get a tattoo. Still gonna go to Japan. My Japanese mum is still gonna be very un-proud.

[@kimberlyallan1671]

Amelia Crisp haha I'm still getting one too and still going to visit my family there 😂 we'll both have fun I'm sure!

[@marineboy4181]

😋😍 hi konnichiwa beautiful

[@MeggieKay]

I have very small tattoos, one behind my ear and one on my hand that doesn't look like a tattoo so I don't really count it. While working at my schools in Japan, I cover my tattoo with my hair whether that is wearing it down or in a side braid. This is more for the sake of looking "professional" since it can be a fairly conservative environment (which is also the reason I remove my nose piercing at work as well) even though no one has explicitly told me it's not allowed. Outside of school, I don't worry about it. All the comments about my tattoo and piercing have been positive. It comes up at work drinking parties and most people say it's cool. Even earlier this week, my principal said it was very "oshare" of me to have the tattoo and piercing. My students know I have them because I live in a very small town and it's impossible to escape them but they know I cover up at school and won't let them see it at school. Even as an English teacher in Japan, tattoos are not something I'm overly concerned with.

[@emalinel]

Meggie Kay umm....what does "oshare" mean?

[@eatyourkimchi]

It was the same for us as teachers in Canada and Korea. When we were in teacher's college our friends had to remove their nose piercing and eyebrow rings which I always thought was silly, because it's not like students are going to respect you LESS because you are "cool" 🤣 But in Korea I just straight forwardly hid my tattoos on my feet and neck as much as I could with hairstyles or socks, and Simon wore basketball sleeves over his tattoos.

[@Kikuye]

Emaline L. おしゃれ is kind of like fashionable, eye catching style.

[@katana00711]

Thank you so much for commenting this! I’ve been wanting to get a tattoo for awhile but I’m hoping to come from Canada to Japan to teach in a few years and I was nervous how limited my experience would be by it or if it would be harder to get a position. I’m so excited now!

[@MeggieKay]

It might depend on the company how strict they are with the tattoo thing. From my experience with the JET Programme, it's really not an issue as long as it can be covered (or at least you do what is possible to cover - I've heard stories of tattoos popping out of sleeves accidentally) while at school. They ask on the application and I said I had tattoos and it never came up again. They didn't ask about it in my interview or anything.

[@VictorianKTV]

HOLY SHIT the setup, the music, the EYK NOSTALGIA. ♡ I am in the Navy stationed in Japan, and I have quite a few tattoos. (Along with 99% of the people I'm stationed with haha we're Sailors, it's practically historically required to be inked.) No one has EVER given me funny looks or comments on them, including the people in very small towns with no foreigners. If anything, most people love them and think they're cool. I also had someone try to scrape the "paint" off my arms hahaha. It was charming. ♡

[@paigeanderson326]

Are you still currently stationed? If not, where were you at?

[@1uckyl3mark]

I'm a former sailor and I've been tattooing in Japan for 25 years. If you're ever in Sasebo, look up Lucky 13 Tattoo Sasebo.

[@eatyourkimchi]

Also, NOTIFICATION SQUAD! How are Tattoos perceived in your country?

[@youhavemyshares6040]

Simon and Martina I’m from Australia so tattoos are pretty common

[@MrsInAbox]

Simon and Martina still expected to be covered in a 9-5 white collar setting for the most part, but becoming more and more common, so there’s less assumptions now than before.

[@martinnguyen5690]

coool

[@jenne7782]

My grandparents can't help their comments but that's generational lol...but there are places in customer service that won't hire you if they can't be covered :/

[@spenserpruden805]

You have my shares, same here! Gold Coast represent! Everyone I know has a tattoo, and even my old 80 year old customers are getting fresh tatts ❤️

[@jenicdarling9690]

Lolol "Oh is this paint?! *touches arm and smudges the paint artwork that wasn't actually a tattoo* ...."Yes! Yes it WAS!" LOL

[@dearydarling]

i love when i encounter someone who's brain just takes it to the next place lol .. i would never have pictured this outcome but i feel like i should have! Good job Jenic Darling's brain!

[@marianarengifo6567]

HA! Exactly what I thought XD I was thinking "Yes, and it cost a lot of money and time"

[@emalinel]

Whoo I did not know tattoo is considered a medical procedure in Japan. The fact that you need a doctorates degree to give tattoos is definitely overkill. Of course there's the whole needle and infection prevention but even that can be easily trained in a few months without the 5-6 extra years of curriculum >.> Artistry, I agree, cannot be trained for in that small amount of time. So if there was any degree I'd like a tattoo artists to have at all I'd say graphic design or art or...anything within that realm. Or just have a healthy amount of practice on the side too

[@b.3432]

Or maybe they could open a new faculty alltogether, specifically for tattoes... where you learn both the art and technical aspect s of tattoing AND the basic knowledge you need to treat and heal a person's skin?

[@MissBelovedBunny]

Tattooing is still around the world one of those professions where you still need to apprentice under another tattoo artist to learn everything you need to learn. Anyways that’s how it is in Canada. You also need to follow quick courses in blood born pathogens and proper sanitization but most of your training is your mentor who takes care of it and I think that’s my favourite part about tattoos.

[@sassysly555]

I'm kinda sad, i came looking for simon story of his tattoo and its gone! i'm aware they are no longer a couple but that video brought so much happiness to my life and i just wanted that feeling of rewatching it :(

[@Daniel-dl6cu]

same

[@Naru_2kawaii4me]

not gonna lie, I also miss the TL; DR segment But I am so glad that you both are also posting on podcast too, so I could listen to your podcast channel while I'm doing activities

[@alhassan5623]

2kawaii4me what does TL;DR stand for?

[@Naru_2kawaii4me]

Alhassan Too Long Doesn't Read or (Didn't) ,,, it's an old segment way back in South Korea, was firstly made, when they're still teaching while doing KZbin.

[@azdgariarada]

Don't worry Simon. You'll always have a red mohawk in my mind.

[@KIMYOKITTEN]

I don’t have any tattoos but I think tattoos are a work of art but on skin😊People have a misconception about people with tattoos. I think this is changing slowly. You’re so cute❤️ Hope you had a great Easter 🐣 🐰

[@ceirojram]

I just got my first tattoo. :)

[@jgw5491]

If you want to know about the reasons for the prejudice against tattoos in Japan, try googling "Burakumin and tattoos". (There is a good article in "The Asia-Pacific Journal") Search "Burakumin" on You Tube. The Burakumin are a historically oppressed caste in Japan. They are the people who historically have done jobs that involve death like people who work in slaughter houses, tanneries. or do other jobs that were "unclean" by Buddhist and Shinto standards. This caste in the past were forcibly tattooed, as were criminals. Yes, many people belonging to crime families are Burakumin and are tattooed.. As oppressed minorities in other countries do, some Burakumin enter the criminal world when other doors shut in their faces. And although the caste system was abolished over one hundred years ago, there are many people who still consider people with Burakumin family names or who live in Burakumin communities off-limits. And businesses still may quietly discriminate against them. As recently as the 1970s there was sold a directory of Burakumin names and communities so that Japanese businesses could avoid hiring people from the caste. The tattoo taboos have their roots in this. My guess is that your tattoo artist might well be Burakumin.Yeah, it's part of the Japanese culture but not one I admire, as much as I admire many things about Japan.

[@MarcelWilsonLynch]

Well I agree tattoos are a form of art. The tattoo artist is in fact an artist however it is also a kind of medical procedure in that they need to use sanitized equipment and are puncturing the skin and there is risk of infection so your tattoo artist should know what they're doing. I'm not saying that requiring them to have a doctorate is right. In just saying it can be considered a medical proceedure.

[@babitferreira]

MORE TL;DR!! It's so good, it's how I found your channel 7 years ago! You should do more of these!

[@cinnastyle3260]

I really hate when the government imposes stupid laws like the ones that restrict tattoo artists in Japan and South Korea. The Yakuza aren't even that prevelant anymore compared to their size and power they had two to four DECADES ago, their hayday is long gone and even in their prime, tattoo artists giving tattoo's wasn't MAKING more people join the Yakuza. It was completely pointless to make laws that targetted the artist. That's like if 1940's United States had targeted suit tailors and prohibited them from making zoot suits simply because it was a popular style among the Italian mafia.

[@rodyinjapan]

dayum how tall is simon xD

[@saypinecone]

What happened to Simon's video where he explains his tattoo?

[@jasminechim3636]

I MISSED THESE TLDRS😭😭 THANK YOU💖

[@sheikahchic]

I finally just got my first tattoo not long ago, and had it done by a Japanese tattoo artist, that had to move here to the USA in order to do tattooing, without all those laws. We had a very healthy discussion on it, while he was inking me, and I learned a lot about the whys and past and present on all these laws and sanctions on tattoos and tattooing, in Japan. I believe, that it is very archaic, and that the law on needing a doctorate and being able to just raid tattoo parlors, needs to be abolished. However, I know there's a lot of legal red tape around the whole topic, and that sort of law change doesn't just happen overnight. I knew about the court case, and followed it very closely. I've spread word as best I can, and brought the entire thing to my friend's dad, who is a high ranking government official in Japan, and he had me do a research paper on it, which I was informed, was brought to Prime Minister Abe's attention. Nothing is going to be done, just like that, but I was told that the current government does want to see these old laws die. So hopefully, we'll see some turning of the tide in the not terribly distant future.

[@blondbabe16]

Seattle Sheikah Thank you so much for sharing this. ❤

[@marineboy4181]

😚☺

[@MissJaedeykins]

Wow thanks for your work!! I'm sure your research paper has at least hastened the process of this much needed change!

[@TheFrigidsnow]

Whats the research paper?

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

r/thathappened

[@BooksBeforeAll]

I. . . . I watched the other video first. I am laying in a puddle of angsty tears. . . THANK YOU FOR THE HAPPY IN THIS ONE. 😭😢

[@kmah88]

i have several tattoos (9) but all but one are pretty small. i've been to japan twice and have had zero troubles in relation to them. i even used the onsen that was in one of the hotels i stayed at. i had asked the front desk ahead of time and they told me that as long as the other guests weren't offended by it, it was fine for me to go. it's unfortunate for me that i'm not able to enjoy all the onsen freely but i'm just a visitor in japan. my problem isn't with the culture and longstanding views some people have with tattoos. my problem is with the people that visit and think all these rules should be instantly changed to suit them. maybe one day, views and rules in japan regarding tattoos and public display will ease up but change comes slowly. making a fuss only makes the rest of us tattooed foreigners look bad. (for the record, i'm am NOT saying that by posting this video, or by any other action, simon and martina are being "those foreigners" making trouble. neither am i calling out anyone in particular. i'm merely saying that those type of people exist and that i don't like their approach.)

[@sashawiellette984]

They shouldn't be changed to suit foreigners, they should be changed because they're stupid. Japanese people are actually the ones affected by them the most. Sorry not sorry, the rules need to change for the sake of Japanese people having the freedom to do what they want with their own bodies. Hell, I wouldn't be butthurt if someone came to America and said we should have more freedom.

[@leah6929]

I don’t have a tattoo but I think that your tattoos are really cool. Excuse me I need to prepare myself for Simon’s emotional tattoo story :) PS: glad to have the tldrs back. I missed them! And love the good old kitchen settings ;)

[@quentinx6514]

I'm a kiwi who got tattooed in saitama prefecture about two years ago,very underground studio but extremely hygienic and professional artist, I respect the Japanese rules but they are starting to become more relaxed. I had an older japanese couple that wanted to see my tattoo and they were fascinated with it. But an awesome experience which I hope one day to do again. Keep up the awesome work S & M.

[@paigeanderson326]

Hey that's amazing, I hope to live in Saitama in the near distant future. I have two tattoo's but nothing crazy I just want to be able to absorb the culture without any repercussions

[@ShadowLynx516]

We have no issues with tattoos here in the Philippines! i love the old tl;dr theme you guys!

[@tigerlily1255]

Ooooo I'm from the Philippines too but I'm now living in England 😊

[@kahlil.alcala]

Filipino fam

[@elisehurkenscaliguiran7915]

ShadowLynx516 I am half Filipina :) however I live in the Netherlands. I have 2 tattoos, both I got them in the Philippines

[@ShadowLynx516]

Jelomae Ollet my cousin lived in london then migrated back in 2013..she said she missed the sun

[@ShadowLynx516]

Kahlil Alcala yey pinoy nasties!

[@CarlGorn]

Ah, returning to the old Bucheon format. That always spoke the most to me, because that's when you were yourselves the most. Gotta love the classics. ♥

[@andieethechibii]

No issues with tattoos here in New Zealand. Especially cultural tattoos etc are embraced fully in the Kiwi culture

[@horpicow]

it's surprising, but there are still some occupations that need you to cover up your tattoos as a part of the dresscode. I work in a near-minimum wage retail job, and the dresscode states we have to cover tattoos. I have one halfway down the underside of my forearm, which my store manager knows about and says I don't need to cover it up; it's the higher-ups who have enforced this rule. They also dislike hair dyed unnatural colours, but that's not on the dresscode and a whole 'nother topic lol

[@nadaleex3]

This felt like an old school “in Korea” kitchen video with the cute cupboard stickers. My heart is so full.

[@YosuaNangin]

This reminds me of your Korean days.

[@andreamartin2000]

The nostalgia in this video.. You guys are still so amazing. thank you for your continuing sunshine and strength!!

[@redviolet3286]

"Honey senpai voice" made my day hahahaha

[@sugarbrushh]

Hi Simon and Martina! Longtime fan reporting here (I got flashbacks to when you guys used to do the TLDRs all the time), I've actually done an entire research paper about tattoo culture and the view of it (specifically to North America). I personally have tattoos (I plan to be tattoo artist actually) and definitely, tattoos are ingrained into many cultures. Not just Japanese but also Filipino, Samoan, African, Pacific Islander, the list keeps growing! Historically, in most cultures, these tattoos can symbolize multiple things like coming of age, a symbol of power, status. Basically, tattoos were meant to be viewed in a positive and empowering way. And interestingly enough, the oldest body to be found that has tattoos (mainly dots and lines) is hypothesized that these tattoos were actually used for healing and therapeutic purposes! Tattoos are an alternative but beautifully explored art form. The time we live in right now is very progressive and open to new things, that's why things such as dyed hair, piercing, and definitely tattoos are becoming more prevalent and popular. It's no longer just tolerance, it's acceptance. People today are understanding that tattoos do not automatically mean there is a negative connotation with it (gang affiliation, violence, etc.). While it disheartens me to see countries like Japan having a negative view on tattoos, I can understand why. However, I'm glad that attitudes towards them are changing and people are growing more accepting of it! :)

[@berangerel.haynes578]

I'm so nostalgic of TL:DR ^^ I'm so happy, I hope you will do more videos like that now that you know more about Japan :3

[@ness894]

Oh man for that first min there I thought I accidentally hit on an old video hahahahaha

[@lutacos]

ive missed this type of videos omg

[@DPortain]

I love that you revived your old format!

[@MtzCherry]

i don't have any tattoos but i think it shouldn't be banned in onsen/gym coz it's also a representation of the person's individuality, which should be respected :) (miss this TLDR format!!!!!)

[@CodeProvider]

cute comment lmao

[@freekitten00]

勝手な事を言うのは勘弁してくれ。事実刺青の観光客に許容するのと比例して日本人客は減ってるんだ。

[@ameliacrisp8482]

I agree they should not be banned! :)) Unfortunately tattoos are not banned because people are trying to express themselves, but because tattoos themselves have become a negative stigma surrounding dangerous people and situations. It was probably a defensive thing to be honest, but this has all changed now and I hope to get my own tattoo some day too!

[@freekitten00]

We are sick and tired of imposition of western values.

[@Troyisful]

It's another culture. Either get used to it or don't go. It's as if Koreans tried to impose eating dogs and cats for our daily meals in the western world. Sorry, not happen. Here they are part of the family. :/

[@JacobLehmann]

I LOVE the return of the TL;DR format!!! I would love more videos like this but IN JAPAN!

[@Aport418]

I LOOOOOVE how Martina said “ちょよまってくれさい！” 😂😂😂 it was so cute 4:56

[@sereiatiger]

I can totally see how bigger city-type areas are more open towards tattoos, and I hope that mindset eventually seeps into the countryside where I live! People here are not so exposed to foreign culture and latest trends. They are very friendly but also very conservative in many aspects. Coming as a tourist to Japan I agree that you don't have to be so fearful about your tattoos being seen. However, if you are coming to work with a company (such as an English teacher), tattoos are a big no-no, no matter where you go. Not just for you but for the company you represent as well. On a side note, it was actually interesting when the Disney movie Moana was released, I barely saw any advertisement or merchandise for it. I don't know if it's the area I live in, but usually my students are all about the latest Disney movie, but hardly anyone knew about Moana, and I wondered if it was because of Maui's tattoos. I think tattoos are beautiful but unfortunately the stereotype of people thinking they are taboo is true in my area, probably because there is no exposure to them (they're like mythical evil unicorns that people have only heard whispers about, lol!). ANYWAYS, sorry for the long post and this comment about tattoos in companies is probably a whole other can of worms anyways. Not saying anyone's wrong, this is just my personal experience. Love your videos and am always looking forward to the next one!

[@eatyourkimchi]

No, thank you for sharing! This is a really good point, when we were working in Korea as teachers we had to be very careful to make sure our tattoos were always covered up. I even wore socks on my feet in the summertime with my sandals to make sure my students didn’t see them by mistake.

[@sereiatiger]

That must've been hot in the summer! I just have to be careful with what color blouse I wear. If it's a light color, I need to wear a darker color t-shirt/undershirt and problem solved. I think teachers that have to go extra lengths to cover up (especially in the heat) (even though it's necessary) are amazing! \(^o^)/

[@AliFinNoble]

I'm hoping to go to Japan for my honeymoon and would love to add to my studio Ghibli sleeve!!! Thank you for this

[@TheRealHappyG]

Man, I missed these videos and the old music! Love to see you refreshing the old content and bringing it back!

[@aveonaida]

TL;DR???!😄

[@alemunnoz]

I do think it is necessary to have a license to do tattoos, just to show your clients you know how to do them right and clean, and safe. But a doctor license is way too much time/work if you plan to be an artist, because it's a license you don't really wanna make use of, like, actually make use of. I don't have any tattoos but I do want some. I've always been worried about having them before I go to Japan, y'see, my veganism is already spoiling a lot of places for me, and I wouldn't want to be left out of many more because of my tattoos :( I hope this changes for the best in the next years. This video was fun, you guys should do more of these :) e

[@tdelioncourt1268]

TL;DR are back !!? :O In France no problem, even though some people will get judgimental, a friend with a little tattoo was dating a guy who said something like "oh yeah I saw it but it's ok" just like it was a flaw. x) But when it comes to working most people will hide them, just like piercings or pink hair that "don't look proffessional" ^^

[@tdelioncourt1268]

Actually I say a guy on a TV show who was covered from head to toe with tattoos and he was a teacher (with 8-9 years old children) he said he had waited to get tenured (I think that's the word...not sure) before getting his tattoos and most people were surprised at first but everybody's ok with it and children call him "the cool teacher". I think it is cool haha

[@kirkris7563]

Always come back to you when I’m suffering from anxiety relapses xxxxx from 18 to 25 years old !! I’ll be coming to Japan end of the year hopefully ! Love you

[@claranyman5708]

I recently visited Japan (Tokyo), I have a tattoo at the nape of my neck and I got the advice to try and go to "sentos" instead of "onsens". The difference between them is (as far as i know) that onsens must have "real" hot spring water while sentos are less regulated and are more like "public baths". Sentos seem to be much more lax about the tattoo rule and can be just as nice as onsens!

[@eatyourkimchi]

Thanks for sharing! : ) We have a few sentos near us in Kichijoji but I was worried they would be MORE stressed out about tattoos because they're just locals chilling out at their local "spa" rather than tourists visiting a famous onsen. Anyone else have experience with this? 🤔

[@claranyman5708]

I stayed in Akihabara and visited two onsens, neither of them cared about my tattoos or (nipple piercings). ^^ From what I've heard from my friend who's lived in Japan for about a year, onsens are "safer" for people with tattoos.

[@victoriazwergmaus9813]

Clara Nyman do you know the names of the onsens? Always good for others! 👋🏽👍🏽

[@blackcrusader47]

Yay! I love the return to your old style (not that I dislike the new style)~ It's so nostalgic and makes me really happy! Keep up the awesome work~

[@jodie12347]

A TLDR *-* ive missed them so much

[@jodie12347]

Ps is that the lazy oaf hello kitty dungarees ?

[@Kewpiepie]

I've missed these kind of videos! I love the amount of information and research and anecdotes you always provide :')

[@yessymarianaym]

Japanese Traditional tattoo is so cool and beautiful. It look like a painting.

[@HashTheGrappler]

I love their tattoos, even have a japanese sleeve

[@B4NDllKOOT_]

This is what I don’t understand their tattoos were part of their culture/tradition thousands of years ago

[@kinoshostar]

when that intro started i got such a wave of NOSTALGIA and I gasped like "OMG is this TL:DR?!" and then immediately started grooving in my chair. PLEASE bring back that sweet _sweet_ jam more often! If you're able to get a new animated intro too that'd be great, if not i will still be grooving to it in my chair.❤️

[@lasersax847]

love you guys!!!

[@winshervanhohenheim5494]

Sames found that in Tokyo people wanted to even see my tattoo and many saying that they consider it art now esp in the last 10yrs

[@Tinamachina]

I am LIVINGGG for this tldr throwback 😭💖 the theme song, the kitchen backdrop, the piggy stool. Everythaaaang. I still love all the content your produce, and I will always enjoy your adventures and support your work but this was a nice little callback to the video you use to create. Not saying I want you to go back to the old style, you've changed and the viewers have changed along with you, so obviously not all those videos would anymore. But it is fun seeing a little bit of the old mixed in with the new 😊

[@SakuraiIruka]

YES YES YES RIGHT ON TIME!! That TL;DR OPENING OMG SO NOSTALGIC T___T

[@RachyMitch]

I'm so happy you all posted this! I'm traveling to Japan this summer for the first time (also my first time ever traveling outside of the US) and I have a few visible tattoos. I had heard some rumblings about the tattoo culture there and it all pretty much circled around to that I would be shunned for my tattoos. So I'm just happy to hear it from people who 1) live there and 2) have a better understanding of the current culture there about how the people over there really feel about tattoos (if that makes sense).

[@blueberrypie471]

THE DARK SIDE OF KICHIJOJI DUN DUN DUNNNNN (I love your podcast guys omg they always make my day)

[@chelseahetrick2039]

I got both of my tattoos in Okinawa Japan and it is definitely art!!!💙💙💙

[@--Paws--]

I keep forgetting they were teachers, the way they elaborate must've made an amusing class.

[@msvampire808]

I love your guys videos much. I live in Hawaii, so tattoos are also a big part of my culture and heritage. I got my tattoo at 15 as a rite of passage, a symbol of all the ups and downs in my life. So thank you for sharing this video. Love from the 808 state.

[@interlude7569]

i wish japanese laws were more open about tattoos. i am half japanese, but i do not live in japan (i visit once every couple of years to see family) and i have multiple discussions about tattoos with my mum (who is full japanese) and i tell her i've been thinking about these tattoo designs for years and now i want them. her argument against me was "if you get a tattoo, i will never let you go to japan again, i will never let you see our family in japan again, you can get a tattoo when all of your japanese relatives die" which is such a horrible thing to say, and it just shows that my mum is too afraid of who will think what of me because i have japanese in my blood. mind you, i am 20 years old, basically an adult, and because of these japanese laws and my mothers fears, i have not been able to get art on my body. i could easily rebel against her and such but i respect my mums opinions and japanese laws too much and i'm too scared at this point AND I DON'T EVEN LIVE IN JAPAN ????crazy

[@irielion3748]

Go get one. jUST cover up around mum.

[@sophiayamagughi]

Go get one if you want one.

[@WeeklyGoodies]

Please keep doing TL;DRs like these again! These are honestly my favorite kind of videos from you guys that I miss. :)

[@SiroccoDream]

I don’t have any tattoos myself, and frankly, I don’t get why they’re popular, BUT I don’t think badly of people that have them. It’s your body, it’s your money, and if you want to get tattooed, go for it! I do think of tattoos as an art form, particularly the Japanese massive tattoos like the few you showed. I hope the Japanese government could be convinced that this cultural heritage should be preserved and celebrated. Provided the tattoo is fully healed, I don’t see why they should be prohibited at the bath houses!

[@Ringohime_]

I'm Japanese.I like this channel!Happy me fall in love with Japan.🤣

[@turnerwright]

Good to see you two in TLDR mode again.

[@eatyourkimchi]

Thanks Turner! :) We had to learn and observe Japan for a couple years before we felt like we could do legit TL;DRs again. I feel like it took us many more years to start them when we were in Korea but by our last few years we were digging through the internet, watching the news, reading articles and just ripping into hardcore topics about Korea like the Drunk Driving, the Kpop Industry, Single Moms, Prostitution, Overwork in the Drama industry...we'll see if we're here long enough to tackle these topics in Japan. 🤔

[@narii87]

Very interesting video, I also want to thank you for that previous onsen video which is very useful and kinda soothing for someone like me who hasn't travelled in Japan yet and has many tattoos. I was almost resigned to not experience onsen, and felt so sad about it but you gave your audience practical informations and that's amazing because I couldn't picture myself discussing this sensitive topic on site when I don't speak japanese at all. Also (sorry this is going to be a awfully long comment), I'm subscribed to a french speaking channel (ici japon) and the guy, who openly admitted that he didn't know anything about tattoos, interviewed a local tattoo artist about the ban going on in Japan... and what confused me is that the tattoo artist himself couldn't really explain why tattoos are so problematic, he said things about being looked down by elders, or seen as kind of delinquants ( which are stigmas that can be heard everywhere) he also talked about the hygiene issues but nothing precisely yakusa related. At first I thought he was being secretive on purpose but then I realized he didn't know the actual origin of the ban. He was pretty young, maybe 25 or so and I wondered if japanese youth is aware of why tattoos are forbidden. I was almost in the impression that the interdiction and taboo were so heavy and intricated in japanese everyday life, that people were beginning to loose the memory of why it happened in the first place. Did you observe that too? Or was this tattoo artist an exception? It would be sad if something so unique ( whether you agree with it or not) was disappearing from collective memory.

[@TheGeliz]

I'm traveling to Japan in a few weeks and would like to get my first tattoo in Japan. Any tips??

[@MissAppear1O]

I'm in the exact same situation 😅

[@olivia83035]

Watching this made me realize how much I miss the TLDR format. I remember I used to binge watch the old TLDRs what I first started watching you guys 5 years ago. They're ADDICTIVE !!! I love the information and the little stories you put in these :)

[@ChikitokaChan]

ahem CHOTTO MATTE KUDASAI lmao love you Martina

[@najibar.1135]

I literally thought that I was watching an old video because I always binge watch and fall into a never ending spiral of Simon and Martina videos. I only noticed it was a new video when they acknowledged it 😂😂

[@nanakitano]

Most Japanese people are totally ok with tattoos! Glad you made that video and clarified it 😁Yakuza have a certain type of tattoos so you can actually easily distinguish between a pretty decorative normal tattoo and a yakuza one! The yakuza tattoos are usually orientated around the traditional tattoos! I think they look absolutely stunning, such a pity that many disagree. They are definitely art in my opinion.

[@Freakforphotos]

Tattoos are definitely art! When I go to a studio, I may have an idea of what I want, but I leave a lot of the decision making up to the tattoo artist. They're the one who understands color theory and where certain shapes will look better on my muscular structure, etc. And I think of it as kind of being a walking art studio -- each artist has a certain style and a vision for what they think will look best, and I love to help make that vision come to life. FREE THE TATS!

[@jessicatorres1327]

Aw the pig stool 🙌🙆🙋 who remembers the pig stool

[@ccross04]

You two are such relationship goals. I love watching y'all interact.

[@wolfietaurus]

I wish I had a few friends(or one) to move to japan with me😥😢

[@boionoio3806]

Wolfie_Taurus I SHALL BE YOUR FRIEND AND GO

[@norrenee]

I went to language school there for a year, lived in a house with japanese people. I made a lot of friends that way! I had the same problem, where no one wanted to travel with me to Japan. So I went there by myself. I travelled there twice by my self. And I’m going back to stay at my bf’s apartment in Autumn for 2 months. If no one is able to go with you, go by yourself! You learn so much more that way, and it’s easier to make friends. :)

[@cascas2284]

Just come here and make new friends ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@paulinewilliams517]

I will be your friend because I'm planning to go too.

[@marineboy4181]

I would move to Japan with you baby girl. :-) let's get it it cuz 500 or $600 to go to Japan where I'm from I'm from VA Virginia

[@elizabethle2237]

Omg I hope you guys can do more videos like this that are reminiscent of your old videos! Love it!

[@HappyGnoux]

I agree that it's a traditionnal/ancestral art of japan and that would be too bad if it was stopped because a few bad people do have tattoos. It's like japanese pottery masters had to stop doing pottery because some bad people are eating out of japanese plates and bowls... Maybe they should have a sort of a months (or so) workshop on clinical safety...Etc. that tattoo artists would have to follow in order to have the "ok" to practice. Like in france, some craft (like ceramic/pottery for instance) have a part on safety in what is taught for the exam and you need to master this theoretical part in order to have your diploma. (I'm sorry, I'm tired and I have trouble translating what I want to say in english^^ hehe hope you get what I mean^^) . Anyway, maybe, like that, it would be a good way to make everyone happy. Like a middle way! That's true that it's something that can cause infections and other health related problems (with the type of ink/pigments used...Etc.) so that would be like a compulsory safety course of a few hours to a few weeks, maybe with a little exam at the end, so people would be able to prove they understood the safety rules and then,they would have an official license to practice given by the government.

[@emalinel]

Holly Craft! I agree too. We don't have legal restrictions on the practice eof tattooing in the US but I bet I'd feel a lot more comfortable getting a tattoo if the person giving me a tattoo had a training session in medical safety/prevention (which can usually be covered in a few weeks at most) and be certified by the district/state they practice in

[@SoryWearsPrada]

In Europe we have something like that for tattoo artists! It’s like a small workshop about health safety and hygiene on the shop. It’s really easy to study and you don’t need to spend years studying medicine. I think the rest of the world should have something like that. It works really well!

[@vikkilooper4075]

Emaline L. If they are a licensed tattoo artist in the United States they have to take classes on safety, biohazard materials, and blood borne pathogens classes before they receive a license. If they're not licensed they take a chance on getting in trouble and never being able to receive their license in the future.

[@emalinel]

Vikki Looper good to know! Thanks, Vikki

[@vikkilooper4075]

Emaline L. I live in South Carolina. In recent years tattooing finally became legal. I have friends who are tattoo artists and shop owners. They have to be certified through the state board of health. Tattoo is art but has to have some medical knowledge only to make sure things are safe and sterile to prevent passing diseases. So as far as Japan's stance it's a little bit of medical but I think obtaining a doctorate is overkill.

[@lifebyara]

I looooooooove TLDR!!! I'm so happy you decided to make one again. I really hope you can make more because, although it's fun to see you guys go on adventures, I miss this kind of videos where you share your insights. It's so interesting to hear your opinions and experiences on more serious topics, not only amazing food, restaurants, and places to visit. I'm so happy! Thanks for the video!

[@onepotato19]

argh the nostalgic intro song omg!!!!

[@vpeake88]

Really missed TL;DR posts! Love this format so much better. Keep it up guys!

[@ThatsMyChad]

Amen. I work in a Japanese tattoo shop as a translator. My bosses are clearly in my local syndicate. I go out to drink with them after, and even though we all have tattoos they get treated differently than I do. Lol when you’re foreign, no matter if you even work with the dark side, you’re never considered an underworld member lol (I do not work for the group outside my translation, but still). I also live in Kyushu and never had a problem with getting into a onsen with my big dragon tattoo on my side haha So moral of the story, just don’t be a dick and you’ll probably survive japan.

[@anne-se8hw]

What studio do you work in ?

[@katco7181]

i love this TLDR format!! i miss them so much :') awesome video guys!

[@JTMcAwesomeFace]

I don't have any tattoos but that's super annoying that you have to cover them up.

[@rachelchen9943]

I love the video topics that you guys choose! Always so interesting, engaging, and so informative!

[@足立太郎-r9g]

タトゥーを入れるのは個人の自由だし、さすがに法律で規制するのは少し時代遅れだと感じる。 ただタトゥーを入れている人に対してどう感じるかもその人の自由ではあると思う。 人種など変えることのできない物に対しての偏見等は無くされるべきだけど、タトゥーみたいな個人の判断で入れた物に対して受け入れを強要するのは価値観の押し付けでしかない

[@Amy-so9ph]

Great video guys! Im from Australia and I dont have a tattoo but I want to get one very soon, just trying to figure out what I want and where. Tattoos are art and it makes me sad that people in Japan are missing out on a rich piece of their history as well as the amazing art and meaning that comes from tattooing. Thanks again for an awesome video, I've been watching you guys since 2014 and I loved seeing your old tldr format!

[@misstanger1030]

By the way, I always work out and swim in full gear since I wear a headscarf and I just got used to it haha although I still wear cute swimsuits in women’s only pools 🙆🏻‍♀️🙆🏻‍♀️🙆🏻‍♀️

[@marigolddicer1049]

I feel so nostalgic! TL;DRs are what I started watching religiously on youtube (before it became every single video of yours). I would really like to see more of you guys sitting in front of a camera and just discussing a topic of the week/fortnight/month. I know I get that in the podcasts and in the livechats, but I still miss this format :) love you both!

[@Mikeztarp]

You should wear a swim cap on your chin!

[@Petitephysiquebarre]

Mikeztarp the guys at the butcher shop have a beard hairnet they have to wear so somebody must be able to figure out a swimming version, lol

[@haeandbutter]

I miss TLDR. I learned alot about S. Korea because of your TLDR videos. So excited for future Japan TLDR! We are still hustling to afford traveling to Japan.

[@tokyojoe7163]

In Japan it has been disciplined from parents since childhood. “It is unfilial piety to hurt yourself the body awarded from parents”. The young generation has less resistance to tattoos. However, middle-aged and elderly people feel it uncomfortable. Because Japan is an aged society, the tendency to become more and more negative will become stronger.

[@RAGDEGANJAGANJA]

Old history in Japan, sinner was tattooed by central government. Because people can recognize who is sinner. And many Japanese Yakuza has tradition having tattoo. So, tattoo is not art in Japan. But who cares your chioice and your life. But it is cool to know Japanese tattoo history.

[@ohhthatskellie]

my favorite days are when simon and martina upload... but today's extra special because they uploaded TWICE :,)