1. Why are tattoos often not allowed in Japanese hot springs? Tattoos have a complex history in Japan. Traditionally, tattoos were associated with the yakuza, Japan’s organized crime syndicates. For decades, the sight of a tattoo in a public bathhouse was enough to cause alarm among other bathers, as tattoos were seen as a sign of criminal activity. This stigma is deeply rooted in Japanese society, particularly among older generations who grew up when the yakuza were more prevalent. However,…
