Get a tattoo in Japan. We'll match you with the right artist.
Tell us where you'll be and what you'd like. We know tattoo artists across Japan, and we match you with one who fits your style, dates and budget.
¥15,000 deposit, charged when you apply. Full refund if we can't match you.
Matched, not searched
You don't scroll through a list. We pick the artist for you.
- We know the artists
- We film and list tattoo artists across Japan through Tattoo Tour Tokyo and tattooers.jp.
- Matched to your trip
- Your style, size and budget, and the days you're free in each city.
- Ready for visitors
- Artists who welcome guests from abroad. Messages are translated when needed.
Who we are
We're Tattoo Tour Tokyo, the team behind tattooers.jp.
Japan has some of the best tattoo artists in the world. Most work by appointment, post only in Japanese, and are hard to reach from abroad. We visit their studios, film them at work and talk with them every week. That's how we know who would be right for you.
A tattoo stays with you for life. We built tattooers.jp so people can choose one with confidence, and matching visitors with the right artist is the same work.
- 100K+
- followers on Instagram and TikTok
- 50+
- artists we've interviewed in person
- Japan-wide
- Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and more
- Your deposit is protected
- Payments run on Stripe. The deposit is charged when you apply and refunded in full if we can't match you. The refund rules are on this page.
- A team in Japan, on your side
- We handle the back-and-forth in Japanese. Before and after your session, you can always ask us.
- Artists we've checked
- Every artist on tattooers.jp is reviewed by our team before they're listed.
- Reviews from real clients
- On tattooers.jp, only people who were tattooed by the artist can leave a review.
How it works
Full refund if we can't match you with an artist.
- 01
Fill in the counseling form
Your idea, placement, size, budget and reference images. About five minutes.
- 02
Choose your dates
Every city on your trip, and the days and times you could get tattooed.
- 03
Pay the deposit
¥15,000, charged when you apply. Full refund if we can't match you.
- 04
We message you on Instagram
Within 48 hours, from @tattootourtokyo: your artist's work, the date and a price range.
- 05
Get tattooed
Finalize the design with your artist in a group chat. Pay the rest at the studio.
Getting a tattoo in Japan: the basics
Short answers to what visitors ask us most.
Is it legal to get a tattoo in Japan?
Yes. On 16 September 2020, Japan's Supreme Court ruled that tattooing is not a medical act, so tattoo artists don't need a medical license. Visitors can get tattooed legally. Source: Supreme Court of Japan, decision of 16 Sep 2020
How old do I need to be?
18 or older. Many prefectures prohibit tattooing anyone under 18, and some studios ask for 20 or older. Bring your passport to the studio on the day.
Can I walk in to a tattoo studio in Japan?
Rarely. Compared with many other countries, few studios in Japan take walk-ins, and most work by appointment only. Book before your trip.
How far ahead should I book?
As soon as you know your dates. Small pieces can often be booked a few weeks ahead. Popular artists and large Japanese-style pieces can take months.
Can I find an English-speaking tattoo artist in Japan?
Yes. With more visitors coming to Japan, many studios now work in English. Choose "English, please" in our form and we match you with an artist who speaks English.
Do all Japanese tattoo artists do irezumi?
No. Wabori, the traditional Japanese style also called irezumi, is a specialty that only a limited number of artists practice. If you want it, we choose carefully among those artists.
Can I go to an onsen after getting a tattoo?
Not right after. Even at baths that allow tattoos, soaking a fresh tattoo is bad for hygiene, so stay out of baths until it heals, usually two weeks or more. If you plan to visit an onsen, go first and book your session for the end of your trip.
Why do many onsen in Japan refuse tattoos?
Mostly because of history, not hygiene. Tattoos have long been linked with the yakuza in Japan, and many bathers still feel uneasy around them. Some baths now allow tattoos, and private baths are always an option.
What is tebori?
Tebori is the traditional Japanese hand-poke method, done with needles on a hand-held rod instead of a machine. It is slower and often costs more. Tell us in the form if you want it.
How do I pay the rest?
You pay the balance to your artist at the studio on the day. Many studios in Japan take cash only, so we tell you how to pay when we confirm.
How much a tattoo costs in Japan
Starting prices from artists listed on tattooers.jp, by city.
| City | Typical starting price | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | ¥10,000 | ¥5,000–¥22,000 |
| Osaka | ¥10,000 | ¥5,000–¥30,000 |
Starting price is the price each artist lists for their smallest size on tattooers.jp. Typical is the median; the range leaves out the cheapest and most expensive 10%. Larger pieces cost more and are often priced by the hour. Your artist sets the final price once the design is fixed.
Cities
Visiting more than one city? Send your whole itinerary.
What you pay
One fixed deposit. The rest goes straight to your artist.
- Deposit, charged when you apply
- ¥15,000
- Goes toward your tattoo
- ¥10,000
- Matching fee, non-refundable once matched
- ¥5,000
- At the studio, on the day
- Final price − ¥10,000
The final price is set with your artist once the design is fixed. Example: a ¥60,000 tattoo. You pay ¥15,000 when you apply and ¥50,000 at the studio.
Before you book
Plan it near the end of your trip.
- No baths or swimming until it heals
- A fresh tattoo shouldn't go in onsen, pools or the sea, usually for two weeks or more.
- 18 or older, with ID
- Bring your passport to the studio on the day.
- If plans change
- No artist found, or you cancel before we confirm: full refund. Cancel 7+ days before: ¥10,000 back. Later or no-show: the deposit goes to the artist. If the artist cancels: a new artist or a full refund.
Questions
Can I choose a specific artist?
No. We match you with the artist who fits your request. Share artists or styles you like, and we'll use them as a guide.
Do the artists speak English?
If you choose "English, please" in the form, we match you with an artist who speaks English. We tell you their English level when we confirm.
What if no artist is free during my trip?
We ask whether you can change dates or details. If it doesn't work out, we refund your deposit in full.
How is the final price decided?
You get a price range when we confirm. If it's above your budget, we ask you before booking. The artist sets the final price once the design and size are fixed.
My piece needs more than one session.
Book the follow-up sessions directly with your artist. There's no fee for those.
How will you contact me?
By Instagram DM from @tattootourtokyo, with a copy by email. Follow us first so our message doesn't land in your requests folder. No Instagram? We'll use email.
When is the deposit charged?
When you finish the form. If we can't match you with an artist, we refund the ¥15,000 in full.
Where will you be in Japan?
Three steps, about five minutes: your idea, your dates, then the deposit. We message you on Instagram within 48 hours.
Full refund if we can't match you.