The Best Japanese Tattoo Artists

4.9· 158 reviews · 109 verified japanese artists

Japanese (irezumi) tattooing dates back centuries and follows distinct conventions: bold outlines, flowing backgrounds of wind, water, or clouds, and traditional motifs like dragons, koi, foo dogs, and cherry blossoms. Japanese-style sleeves and back pieces are designed to wrap the body coherently, so artists who specialize tend to plan the full composition before any needle hits skin.

Our favorite japanese tattoo artists

Ayem.ink work 1
Ayem.ink work 2
Books open
Ayem.ink
Ayem.ink✓Pro Team
Clinton, MD
★ 4.9 · 80From $350
Satchmoe_Art work 1
Satchmoe_Art work 2
Books open
Satchmoe_Art
Satchmoe_Art✓Pro Team
Hyattsville, MD
★ 5.0 · 21From $600
Carmela_Bella work 1
Carmela_Bella work 2
Books open
Carmela_Bella
Carmela_Bella✓Pro Team
Hayes, VA
★ 5.0 · 15From $200
splattedby_BG work 1
splattedby_BG work 2
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splattedby_BG
splattedby_BG✓
Chandler, AZ
★ 4.5 · 11From $100
RZ_ink work 1
RZ_ink work 2
Books open
RZ_ink
RZ_ink✓
Warren, MI
★ 4.4 · 7From $150
inkbyt0ny work 1
inkbyt0ny work 2
Books open
inkbyt0ny
inkbyt0ny✓Pro Team
Atlanta, GA
★ 5.0 · 5From $200
AmenInkLLC work 1
AmenInkLLC work 2
Books open
AmenInkLLC
AmenInkLLC✓
Memphis, TN
★ 5.0 · 4From $75
Torian_Benns work 1
Torian_Benns work 2
Books open
Torian_Benns
Torian_Benns✓
Baltimore, MD
★ 5.0 · 4From $150
HoodInkedd843 work 1
Books open
HoodInkedd843
HoodInkedd843✓
Dillon, SC
★ 4.5 · 4From $30
William_Samaras work 1
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William_Samaras
William_Samaras✓
Visalia, CA
★ 5.0 · 3From $25
dna_arts work 1
Books open
dna_arts
dna_arts✓
Indianapolis, IN
★ 5.0 · 2From $100
graypaint work 1
Books open
graypaint
graypaint✓
Hampton, VA
★ 5.0 · 1From $100
inkboiz work 1
Books open
inkboiz
inkboiz✓
Brockton, MA
★ 5.0 · 1From $300
RoxkTouch work 1
RoxkTouch
RoxkTouch✓
Japanese
From $150
Tattz_by_Trav work 1
Tattz_by_Trav
Tattz_by_Trav✓
Mebane, NC
From $60
Trill.Tattoos work 1
Trill.Tattoos
Trill.Tattoos✓
Japanese
From $100
Visionaryinkstudios work 1
Visionaryinkstudios
Visionaryinkstudios✓
Japanese
From $150
Fishbonez_Tattoo work 1
Books open
Fishbonez_Tattoo
Fishbonez_Tattoo✓
Bethel, OH
From $50
16thRich work 1
Books open
16thRich
16thRich✓
Pinole, CA
From $1200
InkzByBacon
InkzByBacon✓
Japanese
From $125

In this style

japanese tattoos

Real japanese work from verified, bookable artists. Tap a piece to see the artist.

Japanese, Black & Grey, Illustrative tattoo by Satchmoe_Art Hyattsville, MD
Satchmoe_ArtSatchmoe_ArtHyattsville, MD
Illustrative, Color, Lettering, Japanese tattoo by William_Samaras Visalia, CA
William_SamarasWilliam_SamarasVisalia, CA
Japanese, Color tattoo by Carmela_Bella Hayes, VA
Carmela_BellaCarmela_BellaHayes, VA
Japanese, Neo-Traditional, Color, Black-work tattoo by 32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC. West Columbia, SC
32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC.32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC.West Columbia, SC
Anime, Pop Culture, Illustrative, Black & Grey, Color, Japanese tattoo by Arink_Tattoo Brooklyn, NY
Arink_TattooArink_TattooBrooklyn, NY
Japanese, Illustrative, Black & Grey, Color tattoo by yeahdatscjink Baltimore, MD
yeahdatscjinkyeahdatscjinkBaltimore, MD
Japanese, Neo-Japanese, Color, Black & Grey tattoo by 32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC. West Columbia, SC
32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC.32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC.West Columbia, SC
Japanese, Color, Black-work, Illustrative tattoo by RZ_ink Warren, MI
RZ_inkRZ_inkWarren, MI
Japanese, Traditional, Color tattoo by Vo_The_Drug Chicago, IL
Vo_The_DrugVo_The_DrugChicago, IL
Line-work, Illustrative, Japanese tattoo by LastWordArtistryInk Wallkill, NY
LastWordArtistryInkLastWordArtistryInkWallkill, NY
Japanese, Color, Illustrative tattoo by Carmela_Bella Hayes, VA
Carmela_BellaCarmela_BellaHayes, VA
Japanese, Color, Black-work tattoo by 32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC. West Columbia, SC
32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC.32_Incc_STUDIOS_LLC.West Columbia, SC
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01

Find Your Artist

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02

Pick an open slot

Choose an actual appointment time from the artist's real availability.

03

Describe your idea

Share your concept, placement, size, and references so the artist can prep.

04

Confirm with a deposit

Once the artist accepts, pay your deposit to lock the spot. It goes straight to them and counts toward your final price.

05

Show up & get inked

Get tattooed, settle the balance, and leave a review afterward.

Reviews

Recent tattoo reviews

5.0

Great experience. He communicated well the whole time, answered any questions I had, and made sure everything was what I wanted. He was professional, easy to work with, and did a great job. Definitely recommend him.

Maddox Wertz
Tattooed by dna_arts · Sep 30, 2026
5.0

I came to Eric with one main goal: I needed a name completely covered, and I honestly wasn't sure what could be done with it. I gave him a few ideas, but ultimately trusted him as the artist to create something that would actually work as a cover-up and I'm so glad I did. The difference is amazing. You cannot tell there was ever a name underneath the new tattoo. He incorporated my butterfly into the design and created a beautiful piece that looks intentional instead of looking like a cover-up. The detail, color, shading, and especially the blue butterfly came out beautifully. Eric was also straightforward with me about what would/wouldn't work, which I really appreciated. He wasn't just going to give me something because I asked for it if he knew it wouldn't translate well or hold up as a tattoo. I trusted his professional judgment, and the finished result speaks for itself. I'm already planning to come back so we can continue the piece and either enhance or rework my other butterfly. Definitely recommend Eric, especially if you're looking for an artist who can take your ideas and create something you'll love.

Regina Turner
Tattooed by Satchmoe_Art · Sep 27, 2026
5.0

Placed my piercing perfectly and was done quickly and not too painful! Will be back for another piercing soon

Aaliyah Cortez
Tattooed by William_Samaras · Aug 28, 2026
5.0

I’ve have been to Erick for three of my tattoos and everytime he never fails to exceed my expectations. Very professional and detailed in his work!

Chardale Folks
Tattooed by Satchmoe_Art · Aug 19, 2026
5.0

Amazing service it was good vibes in the shop as well as with the artist, goated experience.

Cameron Smith
Tattooed by AmenInkLLC · Aug 18, 2026
5.0

Satch is a phenomenal artist. He tattooed me at the Hampton tattoo convention and he did an incredible piece. He has a really light touch so even though it was a tattoo in a painful area (back of the knee) it wasn’t a terrible experience.

Mylon Blueford
Tattooed by Satchmoe_Art · Jun 20, 2026
5.0

Erick never misses. I’ve been going to him for years and was pleasantly surprised by how easy TattMe made it to book an appointment with him. Communication was great from start to finish, and everything was smooth throughout the process. I went into the appointment planning to finish an existing piece and somehow walked out with one of my favorite tattoos on a completely different body part. That’s what happens when you trust Erick and let him do his thing. One of the things I appreciate most is that he keeps you involved in the design process while still bringing his own creativity to the table. He made sure we were on the same page with the vision, but also wasn’t afraid to throw out ideas that made the tattoo even better than what I originally had in mind. His work speaks for itself. Every piece I’ve gotten from him has been solid, and this one is no different. If you’re thinking about getting tattooed by Erick, do it. You won’t be disappointed.

Kimberly Kelley
Tattooed by Satchmoe_Art · Jun 17, 2026
5.0

he did my mom’s tattoo she was overly pleased with the experience and the work

Sunni Wise
Tattooed by Ayem.ink · Sep 23, 2026
5.0

Carmela is amazing! Beautiful work and an amazing shop experience! Definitely a great choice for your next piece of art!

Matt Morgan
Tattooed by Carmela_Bella · Sep 19, 2026
5.0

Great experience!!! Difficult coverup, but great end result. My piece isn’t finished and I’ve received crazy feedback on my sleeve. I will definitely get more work done in the near future.

Aaron Haynes
Tattooed by Satchmoe_Art · Jul 2, 2026

FAQ

Japanese tattoos, answered

How much does a japanese tattoo cost?

Verified artists in this category list services ranging from about $25 to $5000, with the final price depending on size, detail, placement, and the artist's experience level.

How do I find the best japanese tattoo artist for me?

Browse the 109 verified japanese artists on TattMe, compare portfolios, and read client reviews. Look specifically for artists whose existing work matches the size, color palette, and level of detail you want — a great realism artist isn't automatically a great traditional artist, even within the same studio.

Where on the body does japanese work best?

Japanese can work almost anywhere, but the right placement depends on the design's complexity. Highly detailed pieces need enough surface area to read clearly — back, thigh, and full sleeves typically work best for intricate work, while simpler designs translate well to forearm, calf, or rib placements. Ask your artist for placement advice before you commit.

Does japanese age well over time?

Japanese ages best when the underlying technique is sound — clean lines, appropriate ink density, and placement away from high-friction or sun-exposed areas all matter more than the style itself. Verified TattMe artists publish their portfolios with healed work where available, so you can see how their pieces look months or years out.

Where can I find japanese tattoo artists near me?

TattMe lists japanese artists across multiple cities — top markets right now include Baltimore, Maryland, Atlanta, Georgia, Memphis, Tennessee. Use the city filter on individual style pages, or browse the full directory by city to see what's available in your area.