Hot-spring resorts tackle tattoo debate ahead of Rugby World Cup

They have female and male times for baths, just make an extra time for tattooed people

Crikey, it’s 2019! Tattoos are more than an accessory for crooks!

Just educate the locals on the cultural significance and personal choice for those with tattoos. Economically banning people (overseas tourists etc) with tattoos will be bad for business.

This is easy to solve (given the reason / excuse as to why the rule exists).

"Do you have tattoo's"?

"Yes"

"Are you Japanese"?

"No"

"OK welcome to our friendly, non-xenophobic establishment".

"Do you have tattoo's"?

"Yes"

"Are you Japanese"?

"Yes"

"Sorry, but we do not accept Japanese with tattoo's because you might be a Yakuza, Bosozuku or other anti-social Japanese group member"....

Beppu seems to have a good strategy. Others should follow.

Maybe we need a good dose of xenophobia and small mindedness in a large dose put on us.

Maybe NHK can stick it on the telly. These “uncomfortable people” can shove it. I’m also not perfectly acclimatized to everything, nor do I agree with all customs, but forbidding entrance because someone isn’t like you encourages small mindedness.

Shame

The Rugby World Cup and Olympics would be a perfect opportunity for Japan to not only showcase its country but to also roll out the welcome mat to people of all backgrounds, even those with Tatts!

And no, I don’t have any :)

@cracaphat

When you say “generally” you are speaking about your limited circle and not the general amount of people within the world right? Because there are many cultures where tattoos carry symbolic meanings and are revered. I’m pretty sure many in those cultures don’t find tattoos ghastly to look at.

Furthermore, while I don’t have any tattoos, I have never seen any I felt were ghastly to look at.

Tattoos express something for most people. Same way some people express themselves with other forms of art or clothing.

I think it is a good idea to enforce establishments to display whether or not tattoos are permitted as the first step.

Personally I find it quite ridiculous that people are scared of drawings on people's bodies but that's just the way it is.

Isn't the real problem to solve is shutting out gangs and organized crimes? Cause from the looks of it, Japanese are still afraid and they should not be living in fear of them.

@crapchat, Do you seriously believe that tattoo ink leaks out into the water ??? Yes you can choose to get a tattoo or not, but having already got one you can’t choose to get rid of it just because a country has some weird ideas completely at odds with the rest of the world. If you want to host modern sporting events for the rest of the world to come and see, you need to be more tolerant and flexible. Be like the bamboo, don’t fight the wind, move and let it pass by. As for ghastly..... you might want to rethink your ideas of dental care ??

Personally I find it quite ridiculous that people are scared of drawings on people's bodies but that's just the way it is.

They aren’t scared of the drawings, they are scared of the people who have the drawings.

Once an Onsen becomes popular with yakuza, it will obviously put many local people off, particularly if they behave in a gang-like and territorial manner (which gangsters tend to do).

Instead of male and female divisions, go for gendered mixed bathing (may reduce the amount of gropers and pervs as some studies suggest). Mixed bathing without tattoos one one side and mixed bathing with tattoos on the other. Many would probably welcome the mixed bathing.

It just seems unbelievable stupid that a modern day, educated human, who lives in the third largest economy in the world can think that one thing (a tattoo) can equal another (mafia). Really? This is a joke, right? How about a tattoo of Mickey Mouse or Spider-Man, or 'Mom'?

Tatts are generally ghastly to look at,so polluting the water with ink is naturally not wanted. 

Tatts under the skin polluting the water, seriously?

I would be much more scared by hair dying - which is very popular in Japan even for males - instead!

Japan, are you ready for the Olympics 2020? Coz this is one of the things you should be getting ready for. After all, it was you who wanted people from all over the world to come visit.

Research about a country before you go.

I agree. Japan should have done some research about the outside world and their cultures before inviting everyone in.

These “uncomfortable people” can shove it. 

What's wrong with abiding by the traditions and customs of the host country? If you do not agree with it then do not go there.

In New Zealand MOST tattoos are Maori style images, so they are culturally based designs.

Significant to the wearer and to the country.

Tattoo removal businesses are flourishing in all many countries where the tattoo has become popular so many peole must have second thoughts/regrets. It's interesting that you never see 'Important people" with tatts so either they hide them to protect their reputations or they don't have any. Many people still see the tattoo as the preserve of the disreputable/low life in their society. And so it is in Japan.

Ah_so

particularly if they behave in a gang-like and territorial manner (which gangsters tend to do).

Enough hand-wringing. It's not like you have any idea about "how gangsters behave". :P

seadog538

> It's interesting that you never see 'Important people" with tatts so either they hide them to protect their reputations or they don't have any.

Teddy Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Justin Trudeau, George Shultz, Caroline Kennedy, millions of celebrities, and more. These individuals proudly showed and spoke about their tattoos and what they mean to them.

It's interesting that you never see 'Important people" with tatts

And that my friends is a prime example of confirmation bias.