Job Discussion Forums

princess buttercup · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 3 Location: toronto

hello,
i understand from reading discussions here that tattoos and piercings are quite taboo in japan.
i'll be going there this fall and i am wondering if i should just remove any visible piercings and keep my tattoo hidden or if i should discuss things with my employers and see what they say....
i am somewhat tempted to just push the envelope a bit... show up with the tattoo and tongue ring and see if anyone says anything... is this a bad idea?
i feel like employers must be used to seeing their western teachers with such decoration and are a bit more open minded?

Lowly Rollie · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Toronto, Ontario

I don't know about the public school system, but the bigger eikaiwa will hire you with piercings, but will tell you that you have to remove them while working in Japan. I worked with people who had nose piercings that they took out while teaching. Guys who had one or both ears pierced had to remove the earrings while at work. I have five ear piercings, and that never caused a problem (well, except once, but that was a trainer ~looking~ for something to complain about!), because I usually wear small earrings.

Tattoos.....the general population doesn't really accept them, even still. The younger generation might, but they're not running the show - yet. I worked with people, both male and female, who had tattoos and they had to ensure that they were covered. One guy I worked with had Moomin tattoo on his upper arm, and even though Japanese people love Moomin, the students were shocked, shocked I tell you!, that he had such a tattoo.

There are some on-sens that won't let you in if you have tattoos. Others will, so you have to check beforehand.

The employers might be used to seeing their western teachers show up with tattoos and piercings, but they're not getting any more open-minded.

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

Never had a problem with my tatoo in 5 years here in any onsen I've been too all over theis country!!

This one is largely a myth!!

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

That's true but who would say no to these dudes?

I once went to a sento in Kagoshima that must have been 50 years old!!

There was a guy in there with a "shirt" format tatoo covering his entire upper body to the wrists neck and waist.

A real Yak but this was the kind of down to earth place that couldn't have cared!!

ellie · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 14 Location: Japan

Hello I know quite a lot of people who have tattoos and employers are not concerned as long as they can be hidden. Visible tattoos are a no-no though. You wont be able to join a gym unless you can somehow cover it up at al times.
Im pretty confident that all employers would ask you to remove a tounge ring. Earrings on girls are ok but thats pretty much all thats allowed.

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

This is a culture that still relates Tattoos to membership in Yakusa or other criminal organizations. Although, in recent times many young Japanese in the heavy metal and hip hop scene, to be fashionable, are getting tattoos and piercings to emulate their favorite stars.

I lived in the Chigasaki area and there are many onsens that refuse people with tattoos. Several of my coworkers were turned away for that reason. There are still many onsens where foreigners can not go tattoos or not. Most schools require that tattoos had to be covered and those who had piercings were required to remove them while teaching. After hours, during your own time you can do what you want. .... well as long as you don't do anything that reflects badly on the school image.