Little Tokyo prides itself on its quality service, creativity, tattoo relics and memorabilia collected from around the world. LITTLE TOKYO is a custom design and walk-in tattoo studio, tucked away in a light-filled studio in Surry Hills, Sydney. We pride ourselves on our friendliness, cleanliness and our down to earth attitude- Everyone is welcome!
Our studio is a treasure-trove of tattoo relics, tattoo memorabilia and just plain old cool shit! Every inch of every wall is covered in art and sculpture, collected from around the world over decades of travel. Despite our name, we don't just do Japanese style tattooing, we cover all styles from black and grey, realism, geometric/dot work to traditional Americana.
Our studio is a treasure-trove of tattoo relics, tattoo memorabilia and just plain old cool shit! Every inch of every wall is covered in art and sculpture, collected from around the world over decades of travel. Despite our name, we don't just do Japanese style tattooing, we cover all styles from black and grey, realism, geometric/dot work to traditional Americana.
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How long have you been tattooing? I started taking tattooing seriously in 1990; I was 17. I got my first tattoo at 15, then began hanging around the tattoo shop from then. I did my first tattoo 16. 2. Where did you start tattooing? I'm originally from Melbourne and began tattooing with Tattoo Charlie in Reservoir.
Start spreading the news, Little Tokyo is in the press. Explore some of the press our artists have received over the years from publications like Australian Ink, Tattoos Down Under, Inked Magazine and more. Find out what our owner Rhys Gordon had to say about tattoo culture, the industry and his experiences for yourself below.
Originally born in New Zealand, Megan was raised among a family of artists where creativity was always encouraged. While studying at the School of Fine Arts (ELIM) in Auckland, she discovered a world of comic books, tattoos, club flyers and graffiti, which inspired her to seek out a tattoo apprenticeship.
Cole Dawson is Sydney-based tattoo artist and a resident Little Tokyo artist. Having honed his tattoo skills in Australia for several years, Cole Dawson also spent time perfecting his craft in Vancouver, Canada, in 2018 when he spent time as a guest artist at Monkey King Tattoo Studio. Cole specialises in traditional Japanese tattoos, using bold, vibrant colours, paired with traditional imagery, to bring authenticity to each and every tattoo.
I've always loved tattoos. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting, I made the jump to tattooing. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE STYLES TO TATTOO? WHO/WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES tattoo, art, music. Renaissance art. My work is highly influenced by Renaissance Masters i.e. Caravaggio, Leonardo, MichelangeloRock 'n' Roll music.
Reviews (10)
Dial Yoshioka
Jan 20, 2022
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Artists employed here may or may not be decent but the store staff are constantly messing up, surprising pathetic and play dumb. This business is defiantly not LGBTQ+ friendly. EDIT: Wow Rhys, you know this 100% not true at all, you're an outright liar. I would recommend you talk to your staff front desk and also Megan to get your facts first.
Pierce White
Jan 20, 2022
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Josh Stevens
Jan 13, 2022
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Sara Syd
Dec 29, 2021
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Went in two weeks ago for my first tattoo. I have social anxiety and feel pretty awkward with people in general. From the very first emails I sent the studio staff was super considerate of me and Nikita made me feel comfortable through both the consultation and the tattoo.
P.S. Nikita did a complimentary retouch of the coloured section for me earlier this month. I'd also like to give a shout-out to Marie for her help with my right helix piercing.
P.S. Nikita did a complimentary retouch of the coloured section for me earlier this month. I'd also like to give a shout-out to Marie for her help with my right helix piercing.
Diane Lin
Dec 21, 2021
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This was my first tattoo and I really didn't know what to expect but I was absolutely blown away at the professionalism, quick (and beautiful!) work and friendly atmosphere of the parlour. Had a walk-in tattoo done by Lance who was absolutely amazing! Loved how it came out and it was exactly how I wanted it. Do note that the parlour takes cash only so bring cash with you (or withdraw it from the Woolworths Metro nearby). The entrance was a bit hard to find but the shop itself was spacious and beautifully designed. Thank you so so much! Would love to come back in future.
Daniel Broers
Nov 23, 2021
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So.. Little Tokyo came highly recommended by another tattoo shop on account of their wonderful piercer, Marie.
I walked into the semi-derelict looking hallway on Elizabeth St that leads you to an elevator completely coated with graffiti - by prolific Sydney painters (which is a vibe). This takes you to the top floor of this vertiginous, dystopian sci-fi style industrial-kinda building that is in varying states of urban decay and is just stunning. The shop itself is gorgeous (sorry all my other tattoo mates) but this is probably the most well appointed shop I've been in and I've been in a few.
I walked into the semi-derelict looking hallway on Elizabeth St that leads you to an elevator completely coated with graffiti - by prolific Sydney painters (which is a vibe). This takes you to the top floor of this vertiginous, dystopian sci-fi style industrial-kinda building that is in varying states of urban decay and is just stunning. The shop itself is gorgeous (sorry all my other tattoo mates) but this is probably the most well appointed shop I've been in and I've been in a few.
Caitie Johnson
Nov 20, 2021
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Brian Yazbeck
Nov 13, 2021
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Dilum Bandara
Nov 05, 2021
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Sarah Lukowski
Jul 19, 2019
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Fabulous tattoo shop for my first tattoo! I got my first tattoo here a few weeks ago and this was a great place to go. I was originally going to go to another place down the street but I had a change of plans and that one was closed on that day (Monday) and while I was already in the city I decided to just go ahead and got my tattoo. I called this place last minute as a walk-in and the lady at the front was super nice and accommodating.
I studied abroad in Sydney for four months and I wanted to get a tattoo commemorating my time in Australia before I left back to the US later that week. And I
I studied abroad in Sydney for four months and I wanted to get a tattoo commemorating my time in Australia before I left back to the US later that week. And I
