Looking for some interesting Japanese tattoo words and phrases?
While most people end up getting something that doesn’t make sense…
…with this guide, you can get something that Japanese people know and understand. Phrases that weren’t awkwardly translated from English to Japanese.
I even include images with bigger size font to help your artist follow along.
So, let’s take a look. Maybe you’ll find your next tattoo.
Quiz to Help You Choose
You can scroll through all of these Japanese tattoo words…
Or, you can also take this quiz.
Based on your answers, you’ll get some suggestions on which words or phrases to choose.
Single Kanji
愛
- Romaji: Ai
- Meaning: Love
One of the most universally recognized Japanese kanji. It represents deep affection and emotional connection. Simple yet incredibly powerful as a tattoo.
夢
- Romaji: Yume
- Meaning: Dream
This kanji captures the idea of dreams, both the ones we have at night and the ones we chase in life. A reminder to never stop pursuing what you want.
力
- Romaji: Chikara
- Meaning: Strength / Power
More than just physical strength, this word represents inner resilience and the power to overcome. A popular choice for those who have been through hardship.
魂
- Romaji: Tamashii
- Meaning: Soul / Spirit
Refers to the essence of a person — what makes you who you are beyond the physical. A deeply spiritual word in Japanese culture.
絆
- Romaji: Kizuna
- Meaning: Bond / Connection between people
This word gained global recognition after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, when it became a symbol of unity and human connection. It represents the invisible ties that bind people together.
道
- Romaji: Michi / Do
- Meaning: The Way / Path in life
Found in words like Judo, Kendo, and Bushido, this kanji represents a journey or philosophy of life. It speaks to the idea that life itself is a path to walk with intention.
無
- Romaji: Mu
- Meaning: Nothingness / The void
A deeply Zen concept that goes far beyond the simple idea of emptiness. In Japanese philosophy, mu represents a state of mind that is free from ego, attachment, and distraction. A profound and minimalist tattoo choice for those drawn to Eastern spirituality.
忍
- Romaji: Nin / Shinobu
- Meaning: Perseverance / Endure
One of the most powerful and widely recognised kanji in Japanese culture, strongly associated with the samurai and ninja traditions. It represents the ability to endure hardship with patience and quiet strength. A popular choice for those who have faced — and survived — difficult periods in their life.
Words & Phrases
自由
- Romaji: Jiyuu
- Meaning: Freedom
A declaration of independence from constraints — social, personal, or otherwise. Popular among free spirits and those who have broken free from difficult circumstances.
平和
- Romaji: Heiwa
- Meaning: Peace
Represents harmony, both within yourself and with the world around you. A timeless and universally meaningful tattoo choice.
勇気
- Romaji: Yuuki
- Meaning: Courage
Not the absence of fear, but the strength to act despite it. A great reminder for those who push themselves outside of their comfort zone, eh?
運命
- Romaji: Unmei
- Meaning: Destiny / Fate
The belief that certain things in life are meant to happen. Often chosen by people who feel a strong sense of purpose or have experienced a life-changing moment.
武士道
- Romaji: Bushido
- Meaning: Way of the Warrior / Samurai code
The moral code of the samurai, encompassing honour, loyalty, discipline, and courage. A powerful choice for those who live by a strict personal code of ethics.
不動心
- Romaji: Fudoushin
- Meaning: Immovable mind / Unshakeable spirit
A concept deeply rooted in martial arts and Zen philosophy, representing a mind that cannot be disturbed by fear, anger, or outside pressure. It describes the ultimate state of mental composure — calm, focused, and unshakeable no matter what is happening around you.
侘び寂び
- Romaji: Wabi-sabi
- Meaning: Finding beauty in imperfection
A core Japanese aesthetic philosophy that finds meaning and beauty in things that are imperfect, incomplete, or worn with time. A profound reminder that nothing needs to be perfect to be beautiful.
物の哀れ
- Romaji: Mono no aware
- Meaning: The bittersweet beauty of impermanence
A uniquely Japanese concept that describes the gentle sadness of knowing beautiful things don’t last. It reflects a deep emotional sensitivity to life’s fleeting moments.
風の如く
- Romaji: Kaze no gotoku
- Meaning: Like the wind
Evokes a sense of effortless speed, grace, and freedom. It suggests moving through life fluidly, without being held back or weighed down.
Proverbs
桃栗三年柿八年
- Romaji: Momo kuri san nen kaki hachi nen
- Meaning: Achieving things takes time
The literal translation of this phrase is that “peach and chestnut take three years but persimmon takes eight.” It is referring to the length of time that it takes for these trees to bear fruit. It’s a great phrase that uses metaphors to show that success and achievement comes with time.
七転び八起き
- Romaji: Nana korobi ya oki
- Meaning: Fall seven times, get up eight
One of the most well-known Japanese proverbs in the world. It embodies the spirit of resilience and the refusal to stay down after failure. A perfect tattoo for survivors and fighters.
花は桜木、人は武士
- Romaji: Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi
- Meaning: Among flowers the cherry blossom, among people the warrior
A classic samurai proverb that draws a parallel between the cherry blossom and the ideal human being. Just as the cherry blossom is the most admired of all flowers — beautiful, pure, and unafraid to fall — the warrior is the most admired of all people. It speaks to living and dying with honour and grace.
散る桜 残る桜も 散る桜
- Romaji: Chiru sakura, nokoru sakura mo, chiru sakura
- Meaning: Falling cherry blossoms, the ones that remain will also fall
A haiku that reflects on the inevitability of death and the shared fate of all living things. The cherry blossom is Japan’s most beloved symbol of beauty and impermanence, making this phrase deeply poetic.
雨降って地固まる
- Romaji: Ame futte ji katamaru
- Meaning: After rain, the earth hardens
A beautiful proverb meaning that after hardship, you come out stronger and more grounded. It is a hopeful phrase for those who have weathered difficult times and grown from the experience.
出る杭は打たれる
- Romaji: Deru kui wa utareru
- Meaning: The nail that sticks out gets hammered down
Originally a warning about conformity in Japanese society, many people tattoo this ironically as a badge of pride for being different. It is a defiant choice that celebrates individuality over fitting in.
思い立ったが吉日
- Romaji: Omoitatta ga kichijitsu
- Meaning: The best day to start is now
If you always find yourself feeling like you can’t keep resolutions, this phrase is the perfect one. It means that the day you come up with an idea to start something is the luckiest day to begin. It’s a phrase that can make sure that you don’t procrastinate!
勝って兜の緒を締めよ
- Romaji: Katte kabuto no o o shimeyo
- Meaning: Don’t relax after winning, but prepare for the next
Kabuto is a traditional Japanese warrior hat. This phrase emphasizes that even if you win, you must continue to prepare for the next battle. It’s important not to get too proud after winning or being successful. The phrase means that you should stay humble and continue to work hard.
果報は寝て待て
- Romaji: Kahou wa nete mate
- Meaning: Luck comes to those who wait
It’s easy to start to feel anxious when things are not going the way you want them to. Since it’s not possible to control luck, this phrase means that it’s better to wait and let luck happen.
失敗は成功の基
- Romaji: Shippai wa seikou no moto
- Meaning: Failure is the basis of success
Shippai means failure and seikou means success. Although they seem like opposites, this phrase puts them together and reminds us that there is no success without failure. If you’re ever feeling down about a failure, this phrase can be uplifting to continue towards your goals.
初心忘るべからず
- Romaji: Shoshin wasure bekarazu
- Meaning: Don’t forget the feeling of being a beginner
This is a phrase that embodies the Japanese culture of focusing on the basics of any skill. Even if you become highly skilled at a craft or profession, it’s important not to forget the basics and the essence of when you started. The phrase is about staying humble and true to your roots.
Yojijukugo
花鳥風月
- Romaji: Kachoufuugetsu
- Meaning: Flower, bird, wind, moon
A phrase that captures the Japanese appreciation for the beauty found in nature and the changing of seasons. It encourages slowing down and noticing the world around you.
一期一会
- Romaji: Ichi-go ichi-e
- Meaning: Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur
One of the most widely tattooed Japanese phrases in the world. Rooted in the philosophy of the traditional tea ceremony, it teaches that every encounter in life is unique and can never be repeated. A deeply moving reminder to be fully present with the people and moments in front of you.
初志貫徹
- Romaji: Shoshin kantetsu
- Meaning: Seeing things through until the end
Shoshin means the original objectives and goals you have. Shoshin kantetsu expresses the meaning of going all the way through with your plans and goals. It’s a motivational phrase that means that you shouldn’t give up on what you started.
以心伝心
- Romaji: Ishin denshin
- Meaning: Understanding each other without saying it in words
This is a poetic phrase that represents a situation when you understand someone in a way that there is no need for words. It also uses the beautiful kanji character for heart or 心 twice in the phrase.
一生懸命
- Romaji: Isshoukenmei
- Meaning: Intense determination
This is a motivating phrase that represents an intense determination. The kanji characters isshou (一生), meaning life time, also adds to the phrase. It means that it is a determination that is so powerful that you are putting your life on the line.
一事が万事
- Romaji: Ichiji ga banji
- Meaning: Understanding one thing can lead to understanding everything else
This is a phrase which can be a good reminder to focus on one thing instead of being distracted by everything else. It can literally be translated to “one thing is ten thousand things.”
森羅万象
- Romaji: Shinra banshou
- Meaning: All that exists in nature and the universe
If you’re looking for an all encompassing phrase, this means everything in the universe and nature. It has a profound meaning that can make you conscious of the vastness of the universe and how small you are in comparison.
笑う門には福来る
- Romaji: Warau kado ni wa fuku kitaru
- Meaning: A place with laughter brings luck
This is a saying that means that laughter can bring luck. If you find yourself taking things too seriously, it can be beneficial to laugh things off and enjoy the moment.
天下無双
- Romaji: Tenka musou
- Meaning: Something unique that doesn’t exist anywhere else
Tenka (天下) means the world and this phrase describes something that is unique and doesn’t exist anywhere else. It is an important phrase to celebrate everyone’s individuality and distinctiveness.
無我夢中
- Romaji: Muga muchuu
- Meaning: Being extremely concentrated and absorbed in something
This is a phrase that describes being so absorbed in something that you forget yourself. It includes the kanji character nothingness (無) and dream (夢). If you’re passionate about something it is common to fall into a state of intense concentration forgetting about everything else except the task at hand.
悠々自適
- Romaji: Yuu yuu ji teki
- Meaning: Living true to yourself
It’s common to be distracted by outside influences, which can make you live a life that’s not true to yourself. This phrase represents someone who doesn’t get fazed by other people’s opinions and lifestyles, but continues to live according to their own values.
風光明媚
- Romaji: Fuukou meibi
- Meaning: The beauty of nature and landscape
This phrase expresses the beauty of nature and appreciating your surroundings. It uses particularly eloquent kanji characters such as wind (風) and light (光). Fuukou meibi can make you more conscious of being grateful for nature, even if you feel like your mind is cluttered with thoughts.
前途洋々
- Romaji: Zento youyou
- Meaning: A bright hope for the future
This phrase is ideal for those who easily become pessimistic and need a reminder to stay hopeful. It is brimming with positive energy and hope for the future.
Other Japanese Tattoo Phrases
If the above aren’t quite it…
I understand, tattoos are very personal things.
You can also check out my other articles for ideas:
- beautiful Japanese words
- unique Japanese words
- good luck in Japanese
- Japanese phrases for health
- Japanese sayings for success
- Japanese sayings for life
- Japanese sayings for love
- Japanese sayings for family
- encouraging Japanese phrases
- positive Japanese words
FAQ
Q: What kind of words and phrases are in this list?
The list is broken into four categories. The first is single kanji — individual characters that carry deep standalone meaning, like 愛 (love) or 忍 (endurance). These are compact and striking, making them ideal if you want something minimal.
The second category is words and phrases — multi-character expressions that capture uniquely Japanese concepts, like 侘び寂び (wabi-sabi) or 一期一会 (ichi-go ichi-e). These are ideas that often don’t translate neatly into English, which is part of what makes them so compelling as tattoos.
The third category is Japanese proverbs — traditional Japanese sayings that carry a lesson or moral, like 七転び八起き (fall seven times, get up eight). These tend to be longer but are among the most meaningful choices.
The fourth category is yojijukugo — Japanese idioms made up of exactly four kanji characters. Because they pack a complex idea into just four characters, they won’t take up much space on the skin while still carrying significant depth of meaning.
Conclusion
Now you know a whole bunch of Japanese tattoo phrases.
Interested in more? Check out this other Japanese tattoo phrases article here.
Or, you may be interested in getting some beautiful Japanese words as a tattoo – click the link to see 70+ words.
Which was your favorite?
Leave a comment.
– The Main Lingua Junkie
[…] For more Japanese tattoo phrases, check out my other article here: Japanese Tattoo Phrases. […]