Japanese Gangsters

When my Japanese grandmother found out I had tattoos, she smacked my hand and told me that was "Yakuza stuff." Turns out, it's true. If you have visible tattoos, the Japanese don't like to let you into their "spa" facilities, which are really communal bath houses (who really wants to go to those anyway?)

Additionally, the Yakuza also have a very strong presence throughout Japan. They are half gangsters and half mafia. Men in suits will often stand outside high-end bars, which US people have been told to avoid.

It's a little scary, but maybe more scary if you're a Japanese business owner.

There's a site here. It explains what the modern day Yakuza are like.