Are tattoos popular in Japan like it is in the US?

[9Tails]

How do people in Japan view tattoos and is it popular like in the US?

 

[tokkyo]

Tattoos are not very acceptable in visible areas if you intend to have a serious job. It doesn't really have anything to do with being a 'yakuza', it has more to do with sticking out and being different (in contrast to the American attitude of "Look at me I'm a special snowflake"). In that sense, no it's not popular like it is in the US. I daresay some tattoos, such as kanji tattoos, are more popular in the US than in Japan.

 

[nahadef]

Among the right people, tattoos are super-popular. Not good for a majority of jobs, and much of life in Japan, but you could have a very fun night in the nightclubs in Tokyo.