Aussie barred from Japanese tourist attraction over strict tattoo rule

By JOANNA HYNDS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 03:14, 20 August 2026 | Updated: 03:29, 20 August 2026 An Australian traveller was shocked when she discovered her tattoos meant she was banned from a Japanese theme park. Brisbane travel content creator Sam Todd, who frequently showcases the tattoos on her hands and arms, said she ran into an issue during a visit to Seibuen Amusement Park, near Tokyo. 'It's a retro Shōwa era theme park, where you basically step back in time into 1900s Japan,' the 31-year-old told Yahoo News. While buying a ticket, she spotted a section which said people with tattoos or 'gangsters' would be denied entry.  Todd said the disclaimer was 'oddly specific' as it identified 'persons with sticker-type tattoos', which is a design similar to the images she has.  Japanese laws banned tattoos in the 1800s before they were permitted again from the 1950s.  Todd said the rule was ironic given the retro era that park is designed to recreate. 'I think they should let me in. But at the end of the day, it's not my country. It's not my rules,' she said. Sam Todd (pictured), a travel content creator with visible tattoos on her hands and arms, was banned from entering a retro-themed park in Japan  Seibuen Amusement Park says 'persons with tattoos' will be denied entry to the park  Ms Todd said she previously encountered a ban on tattoos during a visit to a traditional spring and advises travellers to seek out tattoo-friendly places  Japan has a long-standing stigma around tattoos, stemming from their historic association with organised crime. Travel expert Alex Stragalinos said tourists should expect restrictions across the country due to tattoos' association with the Japanese mafia, the Yakuza.  'If you are able to cover them whilst out in public, then do so out of respect,' he said. Todd has visited Japan at least 15 times but said she has only had a similar encounter once before. 'I only ever had one bad experience with tattoos in Japan,' she said on social media, referencing a visit to an onsen, a traditional Japanese hot spring. While many ban people with tattoos from entering, she said staff made an exception for her only if she completely covered the images. 'I had to bandage every single tattoo on my body, including my fingers, just to be able to walk around the hotel,' she said. 'Even with all the bandages on, I was not allowed to use anything as it was considered a breach of policy for me to be there.' Todd told her followers she recommends travellers with tattoos seek out private onsens or establishments that specifically advertise themselves as tattoo-friendly. 'If you have tattoos, don't be scared to visit Japan as long as your tattoos are not gang tattoos or anything offensive,' she added.