My Journeys to Japan: How Japanese Art and Culture Inspire My Tattooing

Japan has always been a huge source of inspiration for me, both as a person and as a tattoo artist. I've been fortunate enough to visit multiple times, and every trip has given me something different to take away.

From traditional Japanese artwork and mythology to the contrast between centuries-old culture and modern city life, there's always something new to discover. For me, these trips have never just been about sightseeing. They've been an opportunity to explore the culture behind the art I love, find inspiration for my own designs, and take a step back from everyday life.

As someone who specialises in traditional Japanese tattooing, I find there's always more to learn about the imagery, stories and artistic traditions that make this style so distinctive. Here are some of the places and experiences that have made my journeys to Japan so memorable.

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Tokyo: Where Tradition Meets the Future

Tokyo is one of the places I keep coming back to because of how much variety it offers. What I love most is how quickly the atmosphere can change as you move between different parts of the city.

In Asakusa, you can experience a more traditional side of Japan, surrounded by historic streets, temples and traditional shops. Travel to another part of Tokyo, and suddenly you're surrounded by towering buildings, bright lights and cutting-edge technology. Then there are the Pokémon stores, clothing shops and all the little places you stumble across along the way.

As an artist, Tokyo is also one of my favourite places to pick up books and art supplies. I'm always looking for new references, illustrations and ideas that I can bring back into my own work. Japanese prints and the stories behind them are a constant source of inspiration, and having access to so much of that material makes the experience even better.

It's a city that feels like it has something for every side of my personality, whether that's my interest in traditional Japanese art, my love of drawing, or simply enjoying everything the city has to offer.

Meiji Jingu Inner Garden: A Place to Reflect

Whenever I visit Tokyo, one place I always make time for is Meiji Jingu Inner Garden, in Shibuya Ward, close to Yoyogi Park.

Among the energy and constant movement of Tokyo, it's somewhere I can slow down and take everything in. There's a bench overlooking the lake where I enjoy sitting and reflecting. It's become a personal tradition whenever I return to Japan.

I often find myself thinking about life, how far I've come and the decisions that have brought me to where I am today. Being self-employed and dedicating so much of my time to tattooing means life can move pretty quickly, so having somewhere peaceful to sit and reflect is something I genuinely appreciate.

Those moments remind me that becoming the artist I want to be is a journey in itself. There's always more to learn, more to study and more to improve. That's a mindset I carry into my traditional Japanese tattooing, where the history, mythology and complexity of the imagery offer a lifetime of inspiration.

Kyoto: Stepping Into Traditional Japan

If Tokyo shows you the contrast between old and new Japan, Kyoto offers a different experience altogether.

For me, Kyoto is one of the best places to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture. The temples, historic streets and traditional shops create an atmosphere that feels worlds away from the modern side of Tokyo.

It's also a fantastic place to explore the things that interest me most as a Japanese tattoo artist. From samurai armour and traditional artwork to yokai, folklore and mythology, there's so much to discover.

I've always been fascinated by the stories behind Japanese imagery. A warrior, a demon or a mythical creature is rarely just an interesting image; these subjects can carry layers of meaning, symbolism and history. That's one of the reasons horimono appeals to me so much. The imagery has a depth that goes beyond aesthetics, and understanding those stories helps me appreciate the art even more.

Kyoto really brings that side of Japan to life. Exploring its traditional shops and seeing the culture around you makes you want to keep learning, keep drawing and keep looking for new ways to interpret these influences in your own work.

Osaka: Food, Drinks and a Different Side of Japan

Of course, not every part of a trip needs to be about art and history!

Osaka was a brilliant time for food, drinks and enjoying the more social side of Japan. Compared with the quieter moments at Meiji Jingu Inner Garden or the traditional atmosphere of Kyoto, Osaka felt like the place to let loose and enjoy yourself.

It's a great reminder that Japan isn't one single experience. Every city has its own personality, and that's part of what makes travelling around the country so enjoyable.

I think that variety is also what makes Japan such a fascinating source of inspiration. There's the history and tradition that initially draws you in, but there's also the everyday culture, the food, the people and the unexpected experiences that make each trip memorable.

Mount Fuji and Fuji-Q Highland: A Different Side of Japan

Another memorable experience was visiting Mount Fuji and having the chance to relax in a private onsen. After spending time exploring busy cities, it was a welcome opportunity to slow down and enjoy a different side of Japan.

I've also visited Fuji-Q Highland, the famous theme park near Mount Fuji. After temples, traditional artwork and quieter moments away from the city, the park offered a completely different kind of experience, with its huge rollercoasters, intense loops and steep drops.

I love that contrast. Japan gives you the opportunity to explore centuries of tradition one day and experience something completely modern and exhilarating the next. It's that variety that keeps me wanting to return, and every trip adds another layer to my appreciation of the country.

Sanja Matsuri: An Unexpected Introduction to Japanese Tattoo Culture

One of the most memorable surprises from my first trip was stumbling across the Sanja Matsuri festival in Asakusa, Tokyo.

The festival is famous for its lively atmosphere and traditional celebrations. It also has a connection to Japanese tattoo culture, with some participants displaying striking full-body tattoos.

As someone who dedicates their working life to tattooing, it was a particularly memorable experience. Traditional Japanese bodysuits, known as horimono, have a long and complex history, and seeing this side of Japanese tattoo culture in person gave me another perspective on the art beyond the designs themselves.

It's one thing to study Japanese tattooing through books, prints and photographs, but experiencing aspects of the culture in person adds another dimension to that appreciation.

Moments like this are part of what keeps me interested in learning more about Japanese tattoo history and the traditions surrounding it.

Bringing Japanese Art and Mythology Into My Tattoo Designs

Ultimately, my trips to Japan have helped strengthen something that was already a huge part of my life: my passion for traditional Japanese art and tattooing.

I'm particularly drawn to ukiyo-e artists such as Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Katsushika Hokusai and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. Their artwork, from powerful warriors and dramatic battles to mythical creatures and folklore, continues to influence the way I approach my own designs.

I love taking inspiration from these traditional images and exploring how I can interpret them through my own drawing style, compositions and colour choices. For me, it's not about reinventing the art or simply copying an old image. It's about understanding what makes the original work so powerful and finding a way to carry that spirit into a custom tattoo design.

That is a big part of why I want to keep developing my skills in horimono. The history, symbolism and visual language of traditional Japanese tattooing offer so much to learn from, and I see it as a lifelong pursuit rather than something you ever completely master.

When I'm designing a Japanese sleeve or a larger body piece, I want the imagery to work together as a whole. I want the composition to feel balanced, the background to support the main subjects, and the stories behind the imagery to have a place within the design.

My experiences in Japan continue to remind me why I started down this path and why I want to keep pushing myself as an artist.

Continuing the Journey

Every trip to Japan has given me a different memory, a new source of inspiration or another reason to keep learning. Whether it's finding an art book in Tokyo, exploring the traditional streets of Kyoto, discovering something unexpected at a festival or simply sitting quietly in a garden and reflecting, these experiences all become part of my journey as an artist.

I'm still learning, still drawing and still finding new ways to approach traditional Japanese tattooing. That's what makes the subject so rewarding for me: there's always another story to discover and another idea to explore.

At Wabori Nick, I aim to bring that passion into the custom Japanese tattoos I create, combining my own artistic approach with a genuine appreciation for the history and imagery that make this style so distinctive.

If you're interested in a custom Japanese tattoo, whether it's a sleeve, back piece or a smaller design inspired by Japanese mythology, I'd love to hear your ideas and help bring them to life.

Interested in a custom Japanese tattoo? Get in touch with Wabori Nick to discuss your ideas and start planning a design that's personal to you.