Getting a Sakura tattoo has been on my bucket list for a long time, along with getting inked in Japan. But I was never quite sure if the price would be worth it—and I hadn’t found the perfect design that truly felt like “me.” So I kept putting it off for years.
Tattoos were once heavily frowned upon in Japan. In fact, people with tattoos were often not allowed in public onsens—or if they were, they had to keep their ink completely covered. This stigma stems from tattoos being historically associated with the Yakuza, Japan’s organized crime syndicates.
But times are changing. Perceptions are gradually shifting, especially among younger generations and in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, where tattoos are increasingly viewed as a form of self-expression rather than a mark of criminality.
Knowing this long-standing stigma, I was a bit unsure if getting a tattoo in Japan was a good idea—or if I could even find a tattoo shop that wasn’t operating underground. I initially thought about getting a minimalist piece in Korea, but since I had my heart set on a Sakura design, it felt only right to get it done in Japan. I’ve always been drawn to Japanese aesthetics and philosophies, so it just made sense.
Why a Sakura Tattoo?
I already have five minimalist tattoos, each with its own symbolism because I’m very particular about what I choose to make permanent on my body. If you know me well, you’d know that I adore Sakura (Cherry Blossom) so much, so needless to say, I’ve been wanting one for a long time. I just wanted it to be done somewhere special. Just like with my first tattoo, I told myself that if I was ever going to get one, it should be something meaningful and worth the pain. And needless to say, my very first tattoo was done by no other than the oldest Mambabatok, Apo Whang Od. Check out my article if you want to know more about that experience.
I was torn about whether to go for a colored Sakura tattoo, knowing they tend to fade over time. But since I decided to get it in Tokyo, I figured I might as well go all out and make every Yen count!
The Meaning Behind the Kanji
Since I was already in Japan, and many Japanese concepts like Wabi-Sabi, Ikigai, and Oubaitori resonate with me, I thought it would be fitting to include one as a tattoo. After reading more about different Japanese philosophies, “Ichigo Ichie” spoke to me the most. This Japanese phrase captures the idea of treasuring each moment as one-of-a-kind, reminding us to stay present and appreciate every experience as it comes. Each encounter is unique and will never happen the same way again.
Sakura and Ichigo Ichie
Sakura only bloom for a short time each year, which makes people pause, appreciate, and celebrate them while they last. They’re a reminder that beautiful moments are temporary and fleeting. Ichigo Ichie encourages us to enjoy the moment while it lasts, as every experience is unique. Together, these two concepts highlight the beauty in impermanence, making them a perfect pair for expressing mindfulness, presence, and the appreciation of life’s passing moments.
After months of contemplation, I eventually settled on a Sakura tattoo with a splash of pink watercolor, paired with the Japanese phrase “Ichigo Ichie,” which beautifully captures the idea of embracing life’s impermanence. With the design locked in, the search for the perfect tattoo shop in Tokyo began.
Finding a Tattoo Studio in Tokyo
Three Tides. A quick Google or Reddit search for tattoo shops in Tokyo will easily lead you to Tokyo Three Tides. Located in Harajuku, this studio is known for being foreigner-friendly—most importantly, they have English-speaking tattoo artists. This is a huge deal if you don’t speak Japanese, since clear communication is so important when you’re getting something as permanent as a tattoo.
I checked out their Instagram account and found their work impressive—mostly bold, colorful, and highly detailed designs. While it was a bit different from the minimalist style I was going for, I figured they could easily adjust to something simpler. They prefer email for appointment requests, so I reached out to them that way. Walk-ins are welcome, too, but since we had limited time in Tokyo, booking ahead felt like the smarter choice.
Studio Muscat. I discovered them on Reddit and saw great reviews. I checked their Instagram and was impressed by their awesome tattoos, including some beautiful Sakura designs, which was a plus for me. They also have Instagram highlights showcasing all their tattoo artists and their work, giving potential clients a good idea of each artist’s style and specialization.
I limited my search to just two tattoo studios, since most of them take a day or two to respond to emails—which, by the way, is their preferred way of handling appointments. I sent both studios my preferred design, placement, and estimated size. While deciding, I did some due diligence by researching and watching reviews on YouTube for both tattoo studios.
They both got back to me with quotes, which, as expected, were quite pricey compared to getting inked in the Philippines. Each had its own pros and cons, but I eventually went with the one that was more responsive and offered more flexible payment terms. By the way, I started messaging tattoo studios three weeks before my planned trip to Tokyo. I highly suggest booking in advance—about a month ahead of your planned tattoo would be ideal! 
Tokyo Three Tides, Harajuku
Pros:
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More affordable. They quoted me ¥25,000–¥35,000 for a cigarette box–sized tattoo, including all the design elements I wanted.
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They accept walk-ins, though I wouldn’t really recommend it unless you have a lot of free time in Tokyo.
Cons:
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They accept PayPal for the downpayment, but the remaining balance must be paid in cash—they don’t take credit cards.
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They scheduled me for 4:30 PM, which was a bit late for me since we had other plans later that day. I was hoping for something earlier.
Studio Muscat, Shibuya
Pros:
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More responsive to my inquiries.
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Accepts credit card payment for the remaining balance.
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Offered me an earlier time slot at 12 noon, which fit better into our itinerary.
- They assigned me to Mizuki, an artist who specializes in Sakura designs — definitely a plus!
Cons:
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More expensive than Tokyo Three Tides. Their quote ranged from ¥34,650 to ¥40,427.
After weighing the pros and cons, I went with Studio Muscat. I paid the ¥22,000 down payment, signed a Tattoo Release Form, and received the final tattoo design six days before my appointment.
Tattoo Day
We headed to Shibuya early in the morning since I wasn’t too familiar with the location of the tattoo studio. It turned out to be a bit farther from the usual Hachiko Exit I know well. We grabbed breakfast at Shark Coffee in Shibuya while waiting for time to pass. An hour later, I checked the address that David (the person I was emailing with) gave me and explored the other side of Shibuya.
Found Studio Muscat office, thanks to Google Maps and Google Street view. We arrived at around 11:17AM and just waited for my appointment schedule. At 12:00nn, Mizuki met me and showed me the design of the tattoo and gave me the final cost, which is ¥39, 270, inclusive of the ¥22,000 down payment I made. In Philippine Peso, that’s about 15, 650.43 as of this writing (April 2025).
Apparently, their main office—where they welcome clients—is different from the actual tattoo studio, which is just next door. After confirming the design and cost, we moved to the other building to begin the session. Unfortunately, companions aren’t allowed inside the enclosed room where they do the tattooing, so I don’t have any nice photos or videos.
The whole session lasted about 1.5 hours. Since the tattoo was on my right forearm, I had to lie flat on my stomach with my arm resting on the tattoo tray. It felt a bit uncomfortable at first, but I eventually got used to it—and was even tempted to fall asleep. Mizuki and I didn’t really talk during the session (she’s Japanese, so that’s kinda expected), but I actually preferred the silence. She’s a really nice and cool girl though!
After the tattoo session and once I was happy with the result, we moved to a separate room where Mizuki asked if she could take a photo of my tattoo. I actually wanted to ask for a photo with her too, but figured she might be a private person, so I didn’t push it. She gave me a sachet of Hustle Butter tattoo aftercare ointment, applied a clear film over the tattoo, and explained when to change it. She also handed me two extra sheets along with the aftercare instructions. I settled the remaining balance via credit card—and as a nice little bonus, I got some free stickers too!
So, Was It Worth It?
Definitely! If I had the money, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Though next time, I might try Tokyo Three Tides—just for the experience.
Did it hurt? Not too much. It only stung a little when she worked on the colored part. It was my first time getting a colored tattoo, so I was surprised to see some oozing or “weeping” from the tattoo a day or two after—but turns out, that’s totally normal. Overall, the experience was great. I especially love that I got my Sakura tattoo done in one of my favorite countries, and that my Kanji was inked by a Japanese artist. Super happy with how the Kanji turned out!
