Tattoos in Japan

I'm asking this for a friend I'm travelling to Japan with- she has a whole sleeve and some leg tattoos. None offensive, mostly ships/ocean themed and some animals.

I know tattoos aren't widely accepted in Japan, she's happy to cover them all of the time but I just wondered if Tokyo is a more accepting place compared to rural Japan for tattoos? It will be late September when we visit so possibly hot and humid.

I've read that tattoos have been associated with the Yakuza but I wondered how relevant that is today with the rise of tourism in Japan, and the fact that she will quite blatently look like an English tourist?

We will use common sense- not go to onsen, not have them on show in temples. She won't want to flaunt them but I just wondered if taking off her jacket on a hot day in tokyo will cause a problem.

Even in the modern age, Japan remains very traditional. She should be okay taking her jacket off if she's just wandering around Tokyo (like you said, not in onsen or temples), but she should absolutely expect some stares. Locals understand that foreigners don't have the same link between tattoos and organised crime, so unless she looks Japanese that shouldn't be a concern. But she will stand out, so make sure she's prepared for that.

Tatoo still reminds Yakuza(Japanese mafia or gang) for elderly people, young people accept as a fashion and culture but not for elderlies.
Just cover the tatoo with scarf or bandage where it's necessary to do so. Onse is not welcomed with people tatoo on. Yakuza used to come to onsen and caused problem there before.

a considerable percentages of Yakuza are foreigners, mostly Koreans and Chinese.
probably you don't know the action, that a Yakuza member asks ordinary people to borrow money with showing his tattoo, could be a crime in Japan.

To answer your question, I don't know how many people feel that foreign tattoos remind them of yakuza, but I think it's universal that people are intimidated when they see something they're not used to, moreover if they knew it was done by someone who'd go through the pain of needling half her/his human body.

So I don't really think it means much to know if cities are any different from rural areas. It's more up to your friend to try smiling while taking off her long sleaves and see how people react. At least she won't get stones thrown at or anything.

That said, sometimes long sleaves can be more comfortable in hot climate than short sleaves, because they shade and bring in the right amount of breeze. Fabrics like linen are quite effective. There are also many new fabrics which make you comfortable in heat. Either way, I personally can't go out without carrying a big scarf in summer, because the air-conditioning is often too harsh.

Hope you have fun in Japan, whatever mode you wear!

Thankyou all for the help, it's very insightful and I'm glad to be learning new things about Japan's history and culture. :)

Girlfriend (japanese) has one palm-sized tattoo. Covered it reasonably well for a trip to the Toshimaen waterpark/ theme park (Tokyo) but the guards caught a glimpse of the tiny corner of it and escorted us all the way out of the park. Zero tolerance sucks; the guard actually seemed sad about it. Similar thing happened at the nearby onsen. Were able to re-enter at different times with proper taping. The city water park near Kawagoe had "NO TATTOO" signs literally every ten feet; she donned a surfing rash guard for that.
That's just her worst experiences though; outside of the big cities it seems to be really pretty lax. (And everyday life that does not involve you getting wet or naked should be no problem anywhere) Had zero trouble with tattoos in onsens in Hakodate (Hokkaido), Gunma, Aomori etc. Not sure about Hakone; would love to hear experiences from others.off topic -I personally like japan Koi http://tattoo-journal.com/30-breathtaking-photos-of-koi-fish-tattoo-de... with dream about tinny on my leg

A non-Japanese person with tattoos will have no problems while visiting Japan. You probably won't even be noticed.

I am a tattoo artist in Tokyo. I have a full sleeve tattoo, like your friend, so I always wear long sleeve shirt when I use train because I am Japanese. People always see my tattoo, face then whole body. I am not comfortable with that, that'S why I wear long sleeve.

Foreigners with tattoos are more acceptable than Japanese tattooed people. My friend who is a tattoo artist working in US was wearing short sleeve shirt when it was hot. There was no problem!

This is educational for me and the second tattoo post I read. From my neck to my butt is completely covered with a tattoo. I get compliments on them. I also have these ribbons that appear like they have been sewn in my skin; A true work of art. Now I'm curious about reactions to piercings?

Japan is still, overall, quite conservative, and tattoos are still associated with the Yakuza. Small tattoos on foreigners are fairly accepted now as the Japanese understand that foreigners regard tattoos differently. However, I would be wary of showing off huge amounts of tattoos like you describe.

As for piercings, I'm not sure, but I would assume again that anything over-the-top will be treated as unusual.

I have my cheeks, nose, a Marilyn Monroe on my face. I have a bachelor's degree and working on a master's degree. I'm looking to start my own business though.

"are fairly accepted"
strictly saying, it is not accepted. the presence is ignored, because foreigners (and tattoo's Japanese) are out of the society.
not saying anything does not mean to be accepted in the society.

Your education and job prospects is irrelevant to what Japanese people think of your tattoos.