Want the tattoo.Worried about the pain?
Numb cream tattoos at inkly.
* Numb cream is optional, at no extra charge. It is applied by a doctor or nurse at our partner clinic inklinic, with a doctor's examination on your first visit. Some pain may remain even with numb cream, and sensation varies by individual.
INKLY TATTOO
A tattoo studio partneredwith a medical clinic.
If you're anxious about pain, you can choose numb cream applied by a doctor or nurse at our partner clinic (optional, no extra charge; a doctor examines you on your first visit). Some pain may remain even with numb cream, and sensation varies by individual. From design consultation to the procedure and aftercare guidance, we welcome you in an environment linked with medical care.
4,000+
as of September 2026 (our booking records)
TOTAL VISITS
total visits to date
FIRST VISIT GUIDE
Your first tattoo — start with what's on your mind.
DESIGN
I don't have a design yet
Start from a memory, your pet, a motif you love, or just a mood — we'll shape it together. Comparing real work and each artist's style helps the idea take shape.
ARTIST
I want to choose my artist
Pick an artist from their work and profile and nominate them. If you'd prefer a female artist, let us know in advance.
PAIN & HYGIENE
I'm anxious about pain and hygiene
If you're anxious about pain, you can choose numb cream applied by a doctor or nurse at inklinic, the medical clinic on the 1st floor of our building (optional, no extra charge; a doctor examines you on your first visit). Some pain may remain even with numb cream, and sensation varies by individual. Our hygiene practices are public too.
PRICE & VISIT
Total cost and how to visit
Once the design, size, and placement are set, we quote you in advance. See the pricing page for what's included and what costs extra. Walk-ins are welcome (reservations preferred).
TATTOO
What We Do
Tattoo
Black & gray, color, fine line, lettering, Japanese traditional — all genres covered.
Bring your own design, or build one from scratch together with your artist.
FULL CUSTOM
Full Custom Design
Even a rough idea is enough — build the design from scratch together with your artist.
BRING YOUR DESIGN
Bring Your Own Design
Bring a design as-is, or have it partially edited.
CONTINUE / COVER-UP
Continuation & Cover-up
Continuation of tattoos started elsewhere, and cover-ups of existing tattoos or scars, are welcome.
EPHEMERAL
The Fading Tattoo (Ephemeral Tattoo)
Made with special ink designed to fade gradually over six months to two years. Another option for trying a tattoo first, or enjoying one for a limited time. When and how much it fades varies by individual.
REASONS
Why do people get tattoos?
Real data from our intake survey (693 respondents, multiple choice, own research) — a starting point for deciding what to get.
* Multiple choice — totals exceed 100%. Pre-procedure intake survey (own research, 693 respondents, tallied Aug 26, 2026).
If you can't decide what to get
Start from a meaning that lasts
Commemorations, resolutions, love for family or pets — meaningful motifs grow on you over the years. Meaning-driven reasons are common at our studio, too.
When in doubt, start small and simple
Many start with a one-point piece and grow it later. Small done well is just as satisfying.
Still unsure? Try the fading tattoo first
An ephemeral tattoo lets you experience the real thing with ink designed to fade gradually over six months to two years (when and how much it fades varies by individual). Learning by wearing one is a perfectly good way to decide.
About ephemeral tattoos(opens in a new tab)
GUESTS
Who comes to inkly?
Honest numbers from our intake survey.
29
MEDIAN AGE
median age at visit
~1 in 4
MALE / AGE 40+
male guests — and guests 40+ — each about 1 in 4
GENDER
* Pre-procedure intake survey (own research; 693 gender / 691 age responses; tallied Aug 26, 2026). Ages are as of consent signing.
AGE DISTRIBUTION
Most guests are women in their 20s–30s — but about 1 in 4 is male, and about 1 in 4 is 40 or older. Many get their first tattoo as adults, for family, pets, or a personal milestone.
There's no need to hesitate over age or gender. We see many women in their 40s and 50s, and men are just as welcome — we work hard to make every generation feel at home, even on a solo visit.
STYLES
What is a tattoo style?
A tattoo “style” is like a school of drawing — defined by line weight, color, and motif conventions. The same motif can feel completely different in another style.
Fine Line
Delicate work in thin lines — refined and small.
Black & Gray
Shading in black ink only — a staple, strong in realism.
Color
Vivid color work — contrast with skin tone is key.
Japanese Traditional
Japan's traditional style of bold outlines and fields — ages gracefully.
SCIENCE
Why do tattoos last?
Understanding how tattoos stay helps you choose a design that lasts. (This is for regular ink — ephemeral tattoos use a different ink designed to fade.)
STEP 01
The needle carries ink into the dermis
The needle opens tiny channels and deposits ink; capillary action also draws ink down the channels into the dermis beneath the epidermis.
STEP 02
Immune cells capture the ink
Your body treats ink as foreign: macrophages engulf the particles — but the particles are too large to break down or clear easily.
STEP 03
Held in place across cell generations
Research in mice suggests pigment is handed over to new cells in place as old ones die; in human skin, cells such as fibroblasts are also known to retain pigment.
Ink caught in the epidermis, by contrast, is gradually shed with skin turnover. Colors settle from their fresh state, taking on the look of ink seen through a thin film of skin — the natural aging of a tattoo.
WHY INKLY
Why INKLY
Anxious about pain? You can choose numb cream
We partner with inklinic, a medical clinic on the 1st floor of the same building.
About numb cream
- It's optional. You decide whether to use it after talking with us.
- It is applied by a doctor or nurse at our partner clinic inklinic. On your first visit, a doctor examines you first.
- It is included in the tattoo price at no extra charge, including top-ups during the session.
- It is a cream applied to the skin, not an injection. If you use it, allow about an extra hour for it to soak in.
* Some pain may remain even with numb cream, and sensation varies by individual.
Safe and hygienic environment in partnership with a medical clinic
In partnership with our clinic inklinic, we maintain a safe environment with thorough hygiene management.
Partnered with inklinic
We partner with inklinic (1F, same building) — a clinic specializing in ink procedures such as cosmetic tattooing and tattoo removal. Numb cream is used under doctor and nurse supervision, based on a doctor's judgment, in a thoroughly hygienic and safe environment.
- Numb cream consultation based on a doctor's judgment
- Safety managed by doctors and nurses
- Thorough hygiene management
Medical Supervisor
Kosuke Suga
Physician / Certified Occupational Physician
Founder, inkly tattoo
After graduating from Keio University School of Medicine, he worked as a strategy consultant at A.T. Kearney across healthcare, entertainment, and energy. In 2024 he founded 'inkly tattoo,' Japan's first medically-partnered tattoo studio.
He provides a safe environment grounded in medical knowledge, including how numb cream is handled and rigorous hygiene, and is a leading figure in medical and scientific approaches to tattooing in Japan.
Experienced professional artists provide attentive care from consultation to procedure
Professionals experienced with numb cream procedures handle every step. We carefully guide you on design direction, placement, and all your concerns.
ARTISTS
Artists
Artists with distinct styles, all experienced in numb cream procedures. Pick an artist to jump to their profile.
Manato
マナトAmerican Traditional / Japanese Traditional / Lettering / Black & Gray / Color / Realism
View Profile
Leo
リオ看護師Fine Line / Minimal / Lettering / Floral
View Profile
Milan
ミランBlack & Gray / Lettering / Minimal / Tribal / Floral / Realism
View Profile
Hiko
彦Japanese Traditional / Black & Gray / Tribal
View Profile
Miyu
ミユウFine Line / Minimal / Lettering / Color
View Profile
Hibiki
ヒビキAnime / Black & Gray
View Profile
Mei
メイMinimal / Lettering / Floral
View Profile
Shiho
シホ看護師Fine Line / Minimal / Lettering / Floral
View Profile
Taiga
タイガTribal / Neo-Traditional / Color
View Profile
Mahae
マハエBlack & Gray
View Profile
Anna
アンナ看護師カートゥーン、ポップ、スモールリアリズム
View Profile
GALLERY
Recent Works
A selection of our latest work — all by our own artists.
PRICING
Pricing
Approximate prices by size. Varies with design complexity.
* Includes topical numb cream and custom design. Aftercare supplies carry a separate fee from visits on 1 September 2026 (no additional charge for visits up to 31 August 2026). Prices vary by design complexity.
ACCESS
Access
Address
〒110-0005
東京都台東区上野3-22-3
ジイドビル 2F
(Partner clinic inklinic: 1F same building)
Hours
11:00 - 21:00 (Closed: New Year holidays)
Walk-ins welcome (reservations preferred)
FAQ
FAQ
CONTACT
Reservations & Inquiries
Feel free to contact us about design ideas, pricing estimates, numb cream questions, and more.