A small tattoo in Japan usually starts at ¥5,000–¥10,000, a postcard-size piece (about 10 × 15 cm, or 4 × 6 inches) at around ¥30,000–¥44,000, and bigger work is charged by the hour, typically ¥10,000–¥15,000. These figures come from the price notes of 275 tattoo studios listed on Tattoo Japan, plus the official price lists of 16 studios we checked in October 2026. Below you'll find prices by size, sleeves and back pieces, and the extra costs visitors often miss: deposits, tax and payment rules.
Key takeaways
- Small one-point tattoos: the most common starting price is ¥10,000 (104 of 218 studios), and about a quarter start at ¥5,000
- Median starting prices: ¥20,000 for cigarette-pack size, about ¥39,000 for postcard size and ¥70,000 for A4
- 143 of 164 hourly rates (87%) fall between ¥10,000 and ¥15,000. Tokyo's median is higher, at ¥13,000
- A full back piece in the Japanese traditional style starts at ¥300,000–¥800,000, depending on the studio
- 14 of the 16 studios whose price lists we checked ask for a deposit, often ¥5,000–¥10,000, and some keep it if you cancel or reschedule
- Find a tattoo studio in Japan
Tattoo Prices in Japan at a Glance
We read the price notes of every tattoo studio listed on Tattoo Japan and pulled out the starting price for each size (as of October 23, 2026). The table shows the "from" prices studios publish, so treat them as minimums.
| Size | Approx. size | Median start | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-point | Coin, up to ~5 cm | ¥10,000 | ¥5,000–¥10,000 |
| Cigarette pack | ~5.5 × 8.5 cm | ¥20,000 | ¥15,000–¥25,000 |
| Postcard | ~10 × 15 cm | ~¥39,000 | ¥30,000–¥44,000 |
| A4 | ~21 × 30 cm | ¥70,000 | ~¥56,000–¥80,000 |
| Hourly rate | Per hour | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000–¥14,000 |
The median is the middle value when all prices are sorted. The "middle half" leaves out the cheapest quarter and the most expensive quarter. We found 218 one-point prices, 135 cigarette-pack prices, 150 postcard prices, 58 A4 prices and 164 hourly rates.
In inches, a cigarette-pack size is about 2.2 × 3.3 in, a postcard about 4 × 6 in and A4 about 8.3 × 11.8 in. Sizes vary a little between studios: INSCRIBE TATTOO in Tokyo defines a cigarette pack as 5.5 × 8.5 cm, while Shadow Ink Tattoo in Osaka uses 8 × 5 cm. (Source: INSCRIBE TATTOO price list (Japanese); Shadow Ink Tattoo price list (Japanese))
Tokyo costs more. The median hourly rate is ¥13,000 at Tokyo studios (55 studios) and ¥10,000 elsewhere (109 studios). For one-point tattoos, the middle half of Tokyo studios start at ¥8,000–¥12,000, compared with ¥5,000–¥10,000 elsewhere.
How we counted
Tattoo Japan lists 396 open studios. We left out shops that only do temporary body art such as jagua or henna, which left 374 tattoo studios, and read the 335 that publish price notes. For each size we took the first price given (the lower end of a range such as "¥10,000–¥20,000"). Tax-inclusive and tax-exclusive prices are counted together, and each branch of a chain counts once. Prices on a listing can be older than the studio's current price list.
We also checked studios' own price lists on October 23, 2026:
| Studio | City | Smallest | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUCKY ROUND | Osaka | ¥5,000+ | ¥8,000+ |
| INSCRIBE | Tokyo | ¥5,000+ | ¥14,000 |
| LH ink | Tokyo | ¥8,000+ | ¥13,000+ |
| JP STYLE INK | Osaka | ¥10,000+ | ¥10,000 |
| Hohsenbori | Fukuoka | ¥10,000+ | ¥10,000–¥15,000 |
| Shadow Ink | Osaka | ¥10,000+ | ¥11,000+ |
| Red Bunny | Tokyo | ¥10,000+ | ¥12,000 |
| BARON TATTOO | Osaka | ¥10,000+ | ¥15,000+ |
| ICHI TATTOO | Tokyo | ¥20,000 | ¥20,000 |
Hourly rates usually apply to pieces larger than the size list or designs that need more than one session. INSCRIBE, LH ink and Red Bunny list prices before tax; Shadow Ink and ICHI TATTOO TOKYO include tax. The Shadow Ink prices are for its resident artists; its lead artist charges more (see below). (Sources, all Japanese: LUCKY ROUND TATTOO; INSCRIBE TATTOO; LH ink Tattoo Studio; JP STYLE INK; Hohsenbori; Shadow Ink Tattoo; Red Bunny Tattoo; BARON TATTOO; ICHI TATTOO TOKYO)
How Japanese Studios Set Their Prices
Most studios in Japan use two kinds of pricing: a size list for small and medium pieces, and an hourly rate for large work that can't be finished in a day. INSCRIBE TATTOO and LH ink Tattoo Studio, both in Tokyo, switch to hourly pricing for anything bigger than their size list or that takes more than one day. (Source: INSCRIBE TATTOO; LH ink Tattoo Studio, both Japanese)
Size and Time
Size matters most. Studios name their sizes after everyday objects: a coin, a cigarette pack, a postcard, a sheet of A4 paper.
LH ink Tattoo Studio gives these session times: about 30 minutes for a coin-size one-point, 1–2 hours for business-card size, about 3 hours for postcard size and 4–5 hours for A5. (Source: LH ink Tattoo Studio price list (Japanese))
Placement
Few studios have a separate price for each body part. NEEDLING TATTOO in Osaka says its list is only a guide and the price is set once the design, size and placement are decided. Hohsenbori in Fukuoka says fine detail and hard-to-tattoo areas can change the price. (Source: NEEDLING TATTOO; Hohsenbori, both Japanese)
Body-part prices mostly appear for large traditional Japanese work on the arms, chest and back (see below). None of the price notes we read had a separate price for just the thigh or just the back of the hand. For those, the size or hourly price applies. Wondering how much it will hurt? See our tattoo pain chart by body part.
The Artist
Prices can differ between artists in the same studio:
- Shadow Ink Tattoo (Osaka): coin size from ¥10,000 with resident artists, from ¥15,000 with lead artist EISHIN. Hourly from ¥11,000 or ¥13,000
- NEEDLING TATTOO (Osaka): ¥14,000 an hour for designs that take more than a day, from ¥15,000 with RINKU and ¥18,000 with TOMOYA
- Red Bunny Tattoo (Tokyo): ¥12,000 an hour for large work such as full back pieces, ¥15,000 with the artist Akatsuki
(Sources: Shadow Ink Tattoo; NEEDLING TATTOO; Red Bunny Tattoo, all Japanese)
A higher price doesn't guarantee a better result for your design. Look through each artist's portfolio for work in the style you want. You can search tattoo artists in Japan by area and style.
Color and Detail
Color usually costs more. Shadow Ink Tattoo adds 10–30% to its listed prices for color work. Enma Horiyu in Gunma explains that color takes longer than black because of the time spent changing colors, so its prices go up from the single-color black rates. INSCRIBE TATTOO notes that the level of detail and the number of colors can move the price up or down. (Sources: Shadow Ink Tattoo; Enma Horiyu; INSCRIBE TATTOO, all Japanese)
Prices by Size
Small and Coin-Size Tattoos
Of 218 studios that list a one-point or coin-size price, 104 (about 48%) start at ¥10,000 and 51 (about 23%) start at ¥5,000. About 90% (197 studios) start somewhere between ¥5,000 and ¥12,000. The lowest was ¥3,000 and the highest ¥25,000.
Studios define "small" differently. Gion Daruma in Kyoto charges from ¥5,000 for designs up to 4 × 4 cm. TATTOO STUDIO BETTY in Miyagi has an ¥8,000 minimum, even for a single dot. ICHI TATTOO TOKYO's minimum is ¥20,000. (Sources: Gion Daruma; TATTOO STUDIO BETTY; ICHI TATTOO TOKYO, all Japanese)
Looking for ideas? Browse small one-point tattoo designs.
Cigarette-Pack and Business-Card Size
For cigarette-pack size, the median starting price across 135 studios is ¥20,000, and the middle half start at ¥15,000–¥25,000. Examples: INSCRIBE TATTOO from ¥15,000, JP STYLE INK in Osaka from ¥20,000, NEEDLING TATTOO ¥25,000–¥35,000. A business-card size piece at LH ink takes about 1–2 hours. (Sources: INSCRIBE TATTOO; JP STYLE INK; NEEDLING TATTOO; LH ink, all Japanese)
Postcard Size
For postcard size (about 10 × 15 cm), the median starting price across 150 studios is about ¥39,000, and the middle half start at ¥30,000–¥44,000. Examples: BARON TATTOO in Osaka from ¥30,000, LH ink from ¥35,000 (about 3 hours), JP STYLE INK from ¥40,000, Hohsenbori from ¥50,000 and ICHI TATTOO TOKYO from ¥62,000. (Sources: BARON TATTOO; LH ink; JP STYLE INK; Hohsenbori; ICHI TATTOO TOKYO, all Japanese)
A4 Size and Larger
Fewer studios list an A4 price (58), and some switch to hourly rates from A4 up. The median start is ¥70,000, and the middle half start at about ¥56,000–¥80,000. Examples: INSCRIBE TATTOO from ¥65,000, Shadow Ink Tattoo from ¥80,000 (¥100,000 with EISHIN) and BARON TATTOO from ¥100,000. Beyond A4 or two days of work, INSCRIBE charges ¥14,000 an hour before tax. (Sources: INSCRIBE TATTOO; Shadow Ink Tattoo; BARON TATTOO, all Japanese)
Sleeves, Back Pieces and Japanese Traditional Work
Large Japanese traditional pieces (wabori) are often priced by area or by the hour. Examples from studios' price lists:
| Piece | Price | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder to elbow | ¥60,000+ | Juso Horitaku |
| Half sleeve | ¥200,000–¥250,000 | BARON TATTOO |
| Full sleeve | ¥250,000–¥350,000 | FLAT TATTOO ARTS |
| Full back | ¥300,000+ | BARON TATTOO |
| Full back | ¥500,000+ | Enma Horiyu |
| Full leg | ¥600,000+ | FLAT TATTOO ARTS |
The terms differ by studio. BARON TATTOO lists a one-arm piece to the elbow (gobu-sode) at ¥200,000–¥250,000, while Gion Daruma lists its own half-arm style from ¥60,000. FLAT TATTOO ARTS in Shizuoka lists a full sleeve at ¥250,000–¥350,000 and back pieces at around ¥300,000–¥400,000. Enma Horiyu lists a full back from ¥500,000 or ¥800,000 depending on the style (its list calls them nuki-bori and gaku-bori), quoted for black-only work. (Sources: Juso Horitaku; BARON TATTOO; Gion Daruma; FLAT TATTOO ARTS; Enma Horiyu, all Japanese)
Hourly studios add up session by session. Red Bunny Tattoo charges ¥12,000 an hour before tax for full back pieces, and Tennoji Horiharu in Osaka charges ¥15,000 an hour for large Japanese designs. TATTOO STUDIO BETTY charges ¥13,000 an hour and shows an arm piece that took 30–40 hours, depending on the size of the arm. (Sources: Red Bunny Tattoo; Tennoji Horiharu; TATTOO STUDIO BETTY, all Japanese)
Payment for big pieces is usually spread out. BETTY asks you to pay for the hours done each day. Enma Horiyu, which does not charge by the hour, asks for about half of the quote up front and the rest by completion. (Sources: TATTOO STUDIO BETTY; Enma Horiyu, both Japanese)
A full traditional piece takes many sessions, so it rarely fits a single trip. For the background on irezumi, hand-carving and what the words mean, see irezumi vs tattoo.
Extra Costs: Deposits, Tax and Payment
Deposits
Of the 16 studios whose official price lists we checked for this article, 14 ask for a deposit. Most are ¥5,000–¥10,000. Shadow Ink Tattoo asks for 50% of the tattoo fee, and Tennoji Horiharu takes ¥100,000 for a back piece and ¥50,000 for an arm. Deposits are usually taken off the final bill or returned at the end.
Some studios keep the deposit if you cancel or change the date. LUCKY ROUND TATTOO keeps it as a cancellation fee, and ICHI TATTOO TOKYO says deposits are non-refundable. If your travel plans might change, check the rule before you pay. (Sources: LUCKY ROUND TATTOO; ICHI TATTOO TOKYO; Shadow Ink Tattoo; Tennoji Horiharu, all Japanese)
Tax, Design Fees and Payment
- Tax: INSCRIBE TATTOO, LH ink and Red Bunny Tattoo list prices before consumption tax; Shadow Ink Tattoo and ICHI TATTOO TOKYO include it
- Design fees: Shadow Ink includes the design in its prices, and Red Bunny charges nothing extra for colors, needles, design or requesting an artist. Juso Horitaku charges a sketch fee from ¥10,000 that is not refunded once drawing starts
- Payment: ICHI TATTOO TOKYO takes cash in yen only. Red Bunny accepts credit cards with a 5% fee
- Touch-ups: TATTOO STUDIO BETTY fixes faded color on its own work for free for as long as the artist keeps tattooing
(Sources: studio price lists linked above; Juso Horitaku; TATTOO STUDIO BETTY, Japanese)
Tipping
Japan's national tourism organization (JNTO) says: "In Japan, it's not common to tip for services such as those provided in bars, cafes, restaurants, taxis, and hotels." (Source: JNTO, Tipping in Japan)
Booking a Tattoo in Japan as a Visitor
On Tattoo Japan, 116 of the 374 tattoo studios are marked as English-speaking and 119 as accepting walk-ins (October 2026). Each studio page shows its price notes, so you can compare before you contact anyone.
LUCKY ROUND TATTOO in Osaka has an English page that says: "Walk-ins are welcome based on tattooer's schedule availability. But we suggest making an appointment." (Source: LUCKY ROUND TATTOO English information)
Getting a tattoo is legal in Japan. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that tattooing by an artist without a medical license is not medical practice under the Medical Practitioners' Act. (Source: Courts in Japan, Sep 16, 2020 decision (Japanese))
FAQ
How much is a small tattoo in Japan?
Most studios start small tattoos at ¥5,000–¥12,000, and ¥10,000 is the most common starting price. Fine detail or color can push the price higher.
Are tattoos expensive in Japan?
It depends on the city and the artist. The median hourly rate is ¥10,000 across all studios we counted, and ¥13,000 in Tokyo. Large Japanese traditional work runs into hundreds of thousands of yen.
How much is a full sleeve in Japan?
FLAT TATTOO ARTS lists a full sleeve at ¥250,000–¥350,000. BARON TATTOO lists a sleeve to the elbow at ¥200,000–¥250,000. Hourly studios charge ¥10,000–¥15,000 an hour, and a sleeve can take dozens of hours.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Usually, yes. Expect ¥5,000–¥10,000 for most pieces, more for large work. Some studios keep it if you cancel or reschedule.
Should I tip my tattoo artist in Japan?
Japan's national tourism organization (JNTO) says tipping is not common for services in Japan. Its examples are bars, cafes, restaurants, taxis and hotels.
The Bottom Line
In Japan, a small tattoo starts at about ¥5,000–¥10,000, a postcard-size piece at about ¥30,000–¥44,000, and large work costs ¥10,000–¥15,000 an hour. Full sleeves and back pieces in the traditional style run from a few hundred thousand yen.
These are starting prices. Get a quote at a consultation, and check the deposit, tax and payment rules before you book.
Aftercare matters too. See our tattoo aftercare guide for what to do after your session.
* Some links include affiliate advertisements (PR).
This article is based on Tattoo Japan's studio listings and studios' official websites as of October 23, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with the studio before you book.
