opinions about foreigners with tattoos in japan..?

[holdfast]

i was watching something today and there were some tattoo artists from japan who said that they can't even go to a public pool or bath house because of their tattoos - they get kicked out. i understand a little bit about why tattoos are not accepted in japan, but i guess i didn't realize it went to that extent. is that true - are people with tattoos in japan completely outed from general society?

also, i have A LOT of tattoos. will this be a problem if i go to japan? what is the general opinion about westerners with tattoos in japan?

thanks~~

[Jessi]

Hmm, I don't know about "outed from society", but I think tattoos are pretty rare here (some people might still think yazuka when they see tattoos). If you have a lot of tattoos, I don't think it's going to be a problem, you might just get a lot of scares. I'm pretty sure you won't be allowed into any onsens/bath houses (maybe pools too)