Yuuri (優里), the Japanese singer-songwriter behind "Dry Flower" and "Betelgeuse," has a heavily tattooed right arm, the kanji 壱 on his upper back, a logo on his left ankle and a small Saturn and moon behind his ear. He started getting tattoos around 2022 and has said he adds one whenever something becomes a milestone for him. Here is what each design shows, what is known about its meaning, and how Yuuri explains them himself, based on his own videos and posts and on Japanese media reports.
Key points
- His right arm has the kanji 詩 ("poem"), two snakes with a flower, flowers inspired by his hit songs and a tiger on the shoulder
- 壱 on his back comes from his first album; the ankle logo celebrates "Dry Flower" topping Billboard Japan's 2021 year-end chart
- He had five tattoos by September 2022, and more have appeared on his right arm since
- He says he promised his grandmother he would only tattoo his right arm
- Japanese media report that he wears long sleeves to cover them on TV music shows
Looking for similar motifs? Browse snake tattoo designs, tiger tattoo designs and kanji tattoo designs on Tattoo Japan.
Who Is Yuuri?
- Name
- Yuuri (優里), sometimes spelled Yuri
- Born
- March 23, 1994
- From
- Chiba Prefecture (his official profile says Makuhari, Chiba)
- Label
- Ariola Japan (Sony Music)
- Major debut
- "Peter Pan," August 9, 2020
- YouTube
- 優里ちゃんねる【公式】 (Yuuri Channel)
- @yuuri__music__official
- X
- @yuuri_official
Yuuri was the vocalist of the four-piece rock band The Bugzy until it split in May 2019, then started performing on the street, mainly in Tokyo. His self-released song "Kakurenbo" came out in December 2019, and he made his major-label debut with "Peter Pan" in August 2020. (Sources: Yuuri official website, profile; Wikipedia)
His breakout hit "Dry Flower," released in October 2020, finished No. 1 on Billboard Japan's 2021 year-end Hot 100. (Source: Yuuri official website, profile)
He also runs a popular YouTube channel, Yuuri Channel, where he has filmed a tattoo session and talked about his tattoos several times. Those videos, in Japanese, are the main source for what he has said about them.
Yuuri's Tattoos at a Glance
These are the tattoos that can be confirmed from photos, videos and reports:
| Placement | Design | First seen |
|---|---|---|
| Right forearm | Kanji 詩 ("poem") | Jul 2022 |
| Right arm | Flowers for his songs | Aug 2022 |
| Upper back | Kanji 壱 ("one") | By Sep 2022 |
| Right upper arm | Two snakes, a flower | Sep 2022 |
| Left ankle | Logo for a No. 1 hit | By Sep 2022 |
| Right shoulder | Tiger | Sep 2024 |
| Right arm | 叶 – I AM A | Aug 2023 |
| Right arm | Undisclosed kanji | Feb 2023 |
| Not confirmed | Devil, "Happy End" | Aug 2023 |
| Behind the ear | Saturn and moon | Aug 2024 |
"First seen" is the earliest date a photo, video or design post shows it, not the date he got it.
Yuuri has explained the meaning of only two of these himself: the 壱 on his back and the logo on his ankle. Several designs are by the calligraphy artist Airi Hara, who has shared the words behind them on Instagram. For the rest, we describe what the motif commonly stands for in tattooing, not his own reasons.
What Each of Yuuri's Tattoos Means
Right Forearm: The Kanji 詩 ("Poem")
The inside of his right forearm carries 詩, the kanji for "poem" or "poetry." It is already visible in a photo on his Instagram from July 20, 2022. See the post on Instagram (@yuuri__music__official)
It is the same character as in the title of his cover album "詩-80's," but that album came out on October 4, 2023, more than a year after the tattoo first appears in photos. (Source: Japanese Wikipedia, discography)
We found no record of Yuuri explaining why he chose 詩.
Right Arm: Flowers for "Dry Flower," "Betelgeuse" and "Peter Pan"
His right arm has a mostly floral design that works in three of his hit songs: "Betelgeuse," "Dry Flower" and "Peter Pan."
It was designed by the calligraphy artist Airi Hara, who announced on Instagram on August 26, 2022 that she had designed a tattoo for Yuuri. She titled it 万里夢中, combining 万里 ("thousands of miles") and 夢中 ("lost in a dream"), and wrote that it puts into words his drive to keep chasing his dreams. See the post on Instagram (@airi_hara1002)
Airi Hara is the designer, not the tattoo artist, and her post does not say who did the tattooing. The Japanese weekly Josei Jishin also reported, citing a music-industry source, that the floral design references those three songs. (Source: Josei Jishin, October 10, 2024, in Japanese)
Upper Back: 壱 ("One")
A large 壱 sits across his upper back. It is taken from the title of his first studio album, "Ichi" (壱), released on January 12, 2022. 壱 is a formal way of writing the number one. (Source: J-CAST News, October 4, 2022, in Japanese)
Right Upper Arm: Two Snakes and a Flower
Two snakes and a flower wrap around his right upper arm. He filmed the whole session for a video titled "優里がタトゥーを入れました" ("Yuuri got a tattoo"), posted on September 30, 2022, at a tattoo studio in Shibuya, Tokyo. Watch on YouTube (Yuuri Channel, in Japanese)
The video description credits the studio SUNSQLIT TATTOO and the artist NIHEI. If you want work done in the same city, you can search tattoo studios in Tokyo.
The linework took about two hours, and the shading was added two weeks later. Near the armpit, he said, "This spot is seriously brutal. I thought I was going to die." Asked why he chose snakes, he answered, "I'm never telling." (Source: J-CAST News, October 4, 2022, in Japanese)
Because snakes shed their skin, they are commonly chosen to stand for rebirth and change.
Left Ankle: A Logo for "Dry Flower" Hitting No. 1
His left ankle carries a small logo-like tattoo. He got it to celebrate "Dry Flower" finishing No. 1 on Billboard Japan's 2021 year-end Hot 100. (Source: J-CAST News, October 4, 2022, in Japanese)
As for the design, in the September 2022 video he says he marked the No. 1 with the mark of CHIMERAZ, the creative team that arranges and produces his music and that he made the song with. The image above is the logo on CHIMERAZ's YouTube channel. (Sources: Yuuri Channel, around 12:30; Japanese Wikipedia)
In the same video, he recalls that back when he got the ankle tattoo, he was saying he would not get any more.
Right Shoulder: A Tiger
A large tiger's face covers his right shoulder. It shows clearly in a photo he posted to Instagram on September 23, 2024, at a sushi restaurant, along with the snakes on his upper arm and the flowers on his forearm. (Sources: Josei Jishin; Smart FLASH, both October 10, 2024, in Japanese)
He has not said when he got it or why he chose a tiger. In tattooing, tigers usually stand for strength, courage and protection from bad luck.
Right Arm: 叶 – I AM A
On August 15, 2023, Airi Hara posted a brush-lettering piece titled "叶 - I AM A" on Instagram, tagged #優里 (Yuuri) and #タトゥー (tattoo). The brush lettering below the snakes in the photo above appears to be this piece. See the post on Instagram (@airi_hara1002)
叶 means "to come true," as in a wish. Her caption adds three lines: so you never lose sight of who you are, so you can always remember to smile, and that making things come true matters more than being right or wrong. It ends with an open line: "I am a ____."
Right Arm: The Kanji He Won't Reveal
In a February 7, 2023 video titled "新しいタトゥーを入れました。" ("I got a new tattoo"), his staff pointed out that his right arm had a new one, and he admitted it. Watch on YouTube (Yuuri Channel, in Japanese)
He would not say which kanji it was: "I'm not saying." Instead, he wants fans to hunt for it: "'Where's Waldo?' was huge when we were kids, right? I want to be something like that." (Source: J-CAST News, February 11, 2023, in Japanese)
There are other designs on his forearm. Some sites list them as an eye, the Earth, Mars and a whale, but we found nothing from Yuuri or Airi Hara confirming that, so we don't identify them here.
The Devil Design, "Happy End"
On August 16, 2023, Airi Hara posted a brush painting of a horned devil titled "幸末 - Happy End," again tagged #優里 and #タトゥー. Her caption speaks of seizing a fairy-tale happy ending and turning even the devil into happiness. See the post on Instagram (@airi_hara1002)
We could not confirm from photos where on his body this design is.
Behind the Ear: Saturn and the Moon
In August 2024, Yuuri posted photos from a meal after a concert in Sapporo, and a Saturn-and-moon tattoo behind his ear was visible. (Source: Pinzuba News, August 20, 2024, in Japanese)
When he got it and what it means are not known.
Photos of Yuuri's Tattoos
His right arm shows best in photos where he wears short sleeves or a tank top.
Why Does Yuuri Get Tattoos?
A Tattoo for Each Milestone
In the September 2022 video, he said, "I get a tattoo when something becomes a milestone for me." The ankle logo for "Dry Flower" and the 壱 for his first album are examples. (Source: J-CAST News, October 4, 2022, in Japanese)
In the same video, he says that looking at them brings each memory back, so they work like a record he is glad to have. (Source: Yuuri Channel, around 11:40)
One Tattoo Led to a Full Arm
On why his right arm filled up, he said, "Putting one on my right arm was where it went wrong. I started feeling like, 'It's weird having just this one spot done.'" (Source: J-CAST News, October 4, 2022, in Japanese)
"I Haven't Really Felt Restricted"
He also said, "People always say tattoos come with restrictions, but honestly, I haven't really felt that," adding that there are saunas that let you in just fine. (Source: J-CAST News, October 4, 2022, in Japanese)
If you are visiting Japan with tattoos, that is only half the story. Many onsen, sento, saunas and gyms still turn away tattooed guests, while others welcome them, so check each place's rules before you go.
Yuuri's Promise to His Grandmother
In the February 2023 video, when his staff joked that he couldn't stop getting tattoos, he pointed to his right arm: "No, I've decided it's only this side. I promised my grandma." (Source: J-CAST News, February 11, 2023, in Japanese)
He had told her, "Don't worry, from now on I'm only getting them on my right arm. It's not like I'm getting my whole body done." Her reply: "But you've got one on your back." He laughed that he had forgotten about it because he can't see his own back.
His grandmother came up again in October 2024. On October 11, his official X account shared a message from her: people were saying the tattoos had hurt his image, but his image was bad to begin with anyway. See the post on X (@yuuri_official)
As of reports in May 2026, his left arm still has no tattoos. (Source: Smart FLASH, May 26, 2026, in Japanese)
Does Yuuri Hide His Tattoos on TV? What Reports Say
According to Smart FLASH, which quotes a weekly-magazine reporter, he wears long-sleeved outfits to cover his tattoos on TV music shows, while he shows them openly at his own concerts. The article does not name a specific program. (Source: Smart FLASH, October 10, 2024, in Japanese)
The same month, the sushi-restaurant photo above spread on X with posts calling it too scary. In an October 16, 2024 video, Yuuri said he heard about it from his grandmother and shrugged it off: "Well, I figure people who don't like it just don't like it. So there's nothing really for me to say." (Source: J-CAST News, October 18, 2024, in Japanese)
Covering Tattoos in Japan
If you are traveling in Japan and want to cover an arm tattoo for a day, an arm sleeve or skin-tone tape does the job, the same idea as Yuuri's long sleeves on TV. Some onsen, pools and gyms accept tattoos that are covered, but not all do, so check first. The links below go to Amazon Japan (amazon.co.jp).
* Some links include affiliate advertisements (PR).
Hadakakushi Arm Covers — 1 Pair
Long arm covers for covering tattoos. The linked option is a black pair.
View on Amazon
Foundation Tape — Standard
Tattoo cover tape, 7.5 × 9.5 cm. Compare five shades with one sheet of each.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions About Yuuri's Tattoos
Does Yuuri have tattoos?
Yes. Most are on his right arm and shoulder, and he also has the kanji 壱 on his upper back, a logo on his left ankle and a Saturn and moon behind his ear.
When did Yuuri get his first tattoo?
He hasn't given a date. His ankle tattoo marks "Dry Flower" topping Billboard Japan's 2021 year-end chart, and in a 2022 video he recalls it as one of his early ones. The 詩 on his forearm shows in an Instagram photo from July 20, 2022, and by September 2022 he had five: three on his right arm, one on his left ankle and one on his back. (Source: J-CAST News, October 4, 2022, in Japanese)
What do Yuuri's tattoos mean?
He has explained two: 壱 on his back is the title of his first album, and the ankle logo celebrates "Dry Flower" reaching No. 1 for 2021. Airi Hara has shared the words behind the designs she made for him, such as 万里夢中 (chasing his dreams). He has declined to say why he chose the snakes or which kanji he added in 2023.
Who did Yuuri's tattoos?
His September 2022 video, in which he gets the snakes on his right upper arm, credits SUNSQLIT TATTOO in Shibuya and the artist NIHEI in its description. Airi Hara designed several pieces but is a calligraphy artist, not a tattooist. We found no public credit for the others.
Does Yuuri have tattoos on his left arm?
No, according to reports as of May 2026. He has said he promised his grandmother to keep them to his right arm.
Is Yuuri still getting new tattoos?
Yes. The Saturn and moon behind his ear showed up in August 2024, and Japanese media reported tattoos near his side in a photo he posted from Shanghai in September 2025. (Source: Smart FLASH, September 15, 2025, in Japanese)
Summary: Yuuri's Tattoos and What They Mean
Yuuri's tattoos are mostly on his right arm: the kanji 詩, two snakes and a flower, flowers for his hit songs, a tiger on the shoulder and calligraphy by Airi Hara. He also has 壱 on his upper back for his first album, a logo on his left ankle marking "Dry Flower" hitting No. 1, and a Saturn and moon behind his ear.
He says he gets a tattoo whenever something becomes a milestone, and that he promised his grandmother to stick to his right arm. If one of these motifs speaks to you, compare designs first, then talk it through with a studio.
*Based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Quotes from Japanese sources are our own translations.
