Same to me, though I wasn't alive in the late 70s
Always wanted to go, so a friend and I have decided this year to save up what we can and go. Flights are looking to cost £650, hence trying to keep costs down elsewhere.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 9:51, 3 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I understand food & drink etc cost rather a lot when you are there.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 9:53, Reply)

I'll third this
Japan is very high on my must-visit list of places. The culture and history is fascinating
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 9:54, Reply)

Where do you stand on Japanses gangster tattoos?
Brilliant, but for Japanese gangsters only and a bit sad on a Westerner? I think that's my stance, it'd be like me getting a load of LA Latino gang tattoos and then going to my mother's for Pimm's and scones.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 10:02, Reply)

Gangster tattoos are only 'cool' on the appropriate gangster
That said, Japanese body suits are fucking amazing, and whilst tattoos in Japanese culture are often symbols of the Yakuza, there are very few (if any) specific Yakuza tattoos, whereas LA gang and Russian Prison tattoos are extensive and meaningful. By that I mean Japanese style tattoos aren't necessarily 'gangster', plus nowadays a fair few Japanese artists are seeing an increase in demand for American style hot-rod culture tattoos.

It's a shame that Japanese culture associates ALL tattoos with the Yakuza, it means I won't be able to visit traditional bath houses.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 10:07, Reply)

On Louis Theroux's investigation into US white power chaps
I saw a fucking beautiful full back neo-Nazi tattoo - all jesting aside it was the best tattoo I've ever seen.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 10:13, Reply)

Best for artistic talent, or best for imagery?

( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 10:17, Reply)

Both. The design was excellent and executed superbly.
It just looked brilliant. It was just 'black and white' or whatever the term is.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 10:23, Reply)

Black and grey
If I earned Swipey levels of money I'd definitely be covered in amazing tattoos by now, I'd have no problems dropping a grand on a chest piece or sleeve.
Sadly I have to save hard to get that amount of disposable income.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 10:26, Reply)

The Japanese gangster tattoos are decorative, whereas the La latino tattoos aren't, if memory serves me correct.
And only a few people would be able to point out the tattoos as Japanese gangster so I don't really see a problem.
( girlinthehole, Thu 10 Feb 2011, 10:07, Reply)