Japan Info Swap Blog

Even before I came to Japan, I’d heard stories about tattoos being a no-go if you wanted to go to an onsen (hot spring) or public bath and a definite no-no for getting a job. As far as the Japanese were concerned, the only people who had tattoos were yakuza (Japanese mafia).

But, oh my goodness, so not true (except for the part about them being socially unacceptable). Once I arrived and started talking to people and doing a little …