Ryuto Kazuhara (数原龍友), a vocalist of the J-pop group GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, has tattoos on his neck, right chest and arms, and Japanese media list him among the artists who are open about their tattoos. In one TV frame, skin-colored tape can be seen on the right side of his neck. Here is what each tattoo shows, based on photos, his agency's official profile and Japanese news reports, and what is (and isn't) known about the tape.
Key points
- A lettering-like tattoo on the right side of his neck, one on his right chest, and several on his arms: lettering, the number 7, a skull-like design and "No Pain No Gain"
- "No Pain No Gain" is also the name of his clothing collaboration with 24karats, a streetwear brand from his agency's apparel arm
- In one TV frame, skin-colored tape can be seen on the right side of his neck. Neither he nor his agency has explained it
- We couldn't confirm the "DREAMERS" back tattoo that some websites describe
- We found no public tattoo ban at LDH, and EXILE's ATSUSHI and TAKAHIRO are also openly tattooed
Looking for similar designs? Browse lettering tattoo designs and quote tattoo designs on Tattoo Japan.
Who Is Ryuto Kazuhara of GENERATIONS?
- Name
- Ryuto Kazuhara (数原龍友; Kazuhara Ryuto in Japanese name order)
- Solo name
- KAZ
- Born
- December 28, 1992
- Hometown
- Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture
- Height
- 170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
- Agency
- LDH JAPAN
- Group
- GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE (vocals)
- @kaz_generations_official
- YouTube
- Hitomazu Microphone Oitemita.
Ryuto Kazuhara sings in GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, a dance and vocal group managed by LDH JAPAN, the agency behind EXILE. He reached the final of LDH's "VOCAL BATTLE AUDITION 2" in 2010, was picked as a GENERATIONS candidate in 2011 and became an official member in April 2012. (Sources: ORICON NEWS profile; Japanese Wikipedia)
GENERATIONS made its major-label debut in November 2012 with "BRAVE IT OUT." Kazuhara began releasing solo music in 2019, published a photo essay, "Tsuitekite," in August 2024, and that December released his first original album, "STYLE," under his solo name KAZ. (Source: LDH official profile)
The group performed as a seven-piece for most of its career. Performer Mandy Sekiguchi left on June 25, 2024, and GENERATIONS now has six members. (Sources: Daily Sports, April 30, 2024, in Japanese; LDH official site)
Ryuto Kazuhara's Tattoos: Designs and Meanings
These are the tattoos you can make out in photos:
| Placement | Design |
|---|---|
| Neck (right) | Lettering-like design |
| Right chest | Hard to make out |
| Left forearm | A line of English text |
| Arm | 7, stars, compass |
| Forearm | Skull-like design |
| Inner upper arm | No Pain No Gain, XXV |
We found no record of Kazuhara explaining what any of these mean or why he chose them. The meanings below are what these motifs commonly stand for in tattooing, not his own explanation. We only say left or right where the photos show it.
Neck: Lettering
The right side of his neck, just below the ear, carries a faint vertical tattoo that looks like lettering. The photo isn't sharp enough to read it.
The neck is hard to cover with clothes, and in one TV frame, skin-colored tape can be seen on the right side of his neck. More on that below.
Back: A "DREAMERS" Tattoo?
Some websites say he has the word "DREAMERS" tattooed on his back, but we couldn't confirm it in his own posts or in news reports. In a back shot he posted on Instagram in October 2019, with the ocean behind him, no tattoo is visible on his back. (Source: ABEMA TIMES, October 24, 2019, in Japanese)
"DREAMERS" is what GENERATIONS fans are called. (Source: THE FIRST TIMES, October 16, 2024, in Japanese) It is also the title of the group's 20th single, released on August 28, 2019. (Source: Real Sound, August 1, 2019, in Japanese)
Right Chest: Design Unclear
There is a tattoo just below his right collarbone that shows when he wears an open-necked top. The photo is too small to tell what it is.
Left Arm: Lettering
In this photo of him singing on stage, his left forearm, the arm holding the microphone, carries a single line of English text running from the wrist toward the elbow. The letters are too fine to read, and we found no record of him saying what it says.
Arm: The Number 7
One of his arms has a large number "7." The same photo shows a row of stars above it, and a compass-like design with the letter "W" beside it.
Below the 7 is a line in cursive that reads "... forget to appreciate." The first word is cut off in the photo.
GENERATIONS had seven members until June 2024, but we found nothing from Kazuhara saying whether the 7 refers to that. In general, 7 is seen as a lucky number, stars often stand for hope, and a compass for finding your way.
Forearm: A Skull-Like Design
One forearm carries a large piece with a lot of black ink. It looks like a skull, but the photo is too rough to be sure.
Skulls are commonly chosen as a memento mori, a reminder that life is short, or as a charm against bad luck.
Upper Arm: "No Pain No Gain"
The inside of one upper arm reads "No Pain No Gain" in decorative blackletter, with the Roman numeral "XXV" (25) underneath. We found no record of him explaining what the 25 stands for.
"NO PAIN NO GAIN" is also the name of a clothing collaboration between Kazuhara and 24karats, a streetwear brand from LDH's apparel arm. The series is themed on his lifestyle, and the fourth edition, in 2023, was built around camping. (Sources: EXILE TRIBE mobile, September 30, 2023; FASHIONSNAP, August 13, 2024; both in Japanese)
The collaboration shares its name with the tattoo, but we found no statement from him linking the two.
How Fans and LDH See His Tattoos
Fans
We found no news report that rounds up fan reactions to Kazuhara's tattoos specifically.
A June 2024 column in the Japanese women's magazine site Joshi SPA! names him alongside other LDH artists with tattoos, and argues that because so many of them have tattoos, most of their fans have probably already come to accept them. (Source: Joshi SPA!, June 17, 2024, in Japanese)
His Agency, LDH
We found no comment from LDH JAPAN about Kazuhara's tattoos, and no public statement that the agency bans tattoos.
Several other LDH artists are open about their tattoos. These are the examples we could confirm in news reports:
| Name | Group | What's been reported |
|---|---|---|
| ATSUSHI | EXILE | Tattoos from both arms to his chest |
| TAKAHIRO | EXILE | A sun and English text on his left arm, a woman on his right |
| Hiroomi Tosaka | Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS | Started around 30, after his grandparents died |
(Sources: Modelpress, February 17, 2026; Smart FLASH, July 21, 2026; Modelpress, October 21, 2023; all in Japanese)
TAKAHIRO is reported to have had tattoos since before he joined EXILE. Hiroomi Tosaka, who also performs solo as OMI, said at a 2023 event for his photo essay that his tattoos are messages to people who matter to him.
Does Ryuto Kazuhara Cover His Tattoos on TV?
In one TV frame, skin-colored tape can be seen on the right side of his neck, in the same spot as his neck tattoo. The tape appears to be there to cover the tattoo.
No Official Explanation
We found no explanation from Kazuhara or from LDH about why he wore the tape.
Covering Up Is Common on Japanese TV
Tattooed performers on Japanese TV often keep their ink out of sight. The singer Yuuri is reported to wear long sleeves on music shows to cover his tattoos, and an entertainment reporter quoted by Smart FLASH said that Yuya Tegoshi used to wrap tape around his ankle when he was a regular on the variety show "Itte Q!" (Sources: Smart FLASH, October 10, 2024; Smart FLASH, October 21, 2024; both in Japanese)
The October 10 article names Kazuhara among a growing number of artists who are open about their tattoos, while noting that Japan is still not ready to fully accept them. The tape on his neck may reflect that climate, but he hasn't said so himself.
For background on why tattoos are so often hidden in Japan, see the history of tattoo bans at Japanese facilities.
Covering a Tattoo in Japan
If you are visiting Japan and want to cover a tattoo for a while, skin-colored tape or cover stickers are the easiest option, and arm sleeves work for larger pieces on the arm. Whether a covered tattoo is allowed differs by hot spring, pool or gym, so check with each place first. The links below go to Amazon Japan (amazon.co.jp).
* Some links include affiliate advertisements (PR).
Foundation Tape — Standard
Tattoo cover tape, 7.5 × 9.5 cm. Compare five shades with one sheet of each.
View on Amazon
Hadakakushi Cover Sheets — Regular
A four-color trial set for tattoos and dark scars. Applies without water.
View on Amazon
Hadakakushi Arm Covers — 1 Pair
Long arm covers for covering tattoos. The linked option is a black pair.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions About Ryuto Kazuhara's Tattoos
Are Ryuto Kazuhara's tattoos real?
He is reported to have disclosed his tattoos, so they appear to be real. (Sources: Smart FLASH, October 10, 2024; Joshi SPA!, June 17, 2024; both in Japanese)
When did he get his tattoos?
We found no record of him saying when he started. In a back shot he posted on Instagram in October 2019, no tattoo is visible on his back. (Source: ABEMA TIMES, October 24, 2019, in Japanese)
Does he hide his tattoos?
In one TV frame, skin-colored tape can be seen on the right side of his neck, which appears to cover his neck tattoo. See "Does Ryuto Kazuhara Cover His Tattoos on TV?" above.
Has he had his tattoos removed?
We found no statement from him and no news report saying he has had them removed. Sometimes you can't see the tattoos around his neck on TV, as in the photo above, but since tape has been seen on his neck in at least one TV appearance, the screen alone doesn't tell you whether they are gone.
Does LDH ban tattoos?
We found no public statement that LDH bans tattoos. Several of its artists, including EXILE's ATSUSHI and TAKAHIRO and Hiroomi Tosaka of Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS, are open about theirs. See "His Agency, LDH" above.
Summary: Ryuto Kazuhara's Tattoos at a Glance
Ryuto Kazuhara's tattoos include a lettering-like design on the right side of his neck, a piece on his right chest, a line of English text on his left forearm, a 7 with stars and a compass, a skull-like design, and "No Pain No Gain" on the inside of an upper arm. He hasn't explained their meanings, but "No Pain No Gain" is also the name of his collaboration with 24karats.
In one TV frame, skin-colored tape can be seen on his neck, apparently to cover the tattoo, but he hasn't explained why. If you are thinking about a lettering or number tattoo, compare designs first, then talk it through with a studio.
*Based on publicly available information as of October 2026.
