Est. 2002 · San Jose Japantown
State of Grace Tattoo
Authentic, professional, and beautiful tattooing — by appointment, in the heart of San Jose's Japantown.
The Shop
“If we made it 20 years, we made it there because of them.”
State of Grace Tattoo was founded in 2002 by Takahiro “Taki” Kitamura. For over a decade the shop has called San Jose's Japantown home — one of only three surviving Japantowns in the United States. It's a neighborhood with an unusually strong local character, and joining it was never just about the address.
To be in a neighborhood, you have to be an active participant. The shop has grown alongside its community, shows up for local events, and is building relationships that outlast any single tattoo.
Tattooing is never a singular act. It's cooperative — between artist and client, shop and neighborhood. Twenty years in, State of Grace is as much a product of its community as it is its artists.
The Story, in Taki's Own Words
Services
Custom Tattooing
Every piece created specifically for you. Japanese irezumi, neo-traditional, bold American traditional, fine line, and Polynesian tribal — from artists with decades of combined experience.
$100 minimum · By consultation
Permanent Makeup
Precision facial enhancement by Molly — a PhiBrows certified artist with over 10 years of experience in microblading, eyeliner, lip blushing, and removal.
By appointment only
Artists
The Crew
Find Us
221 Jackson St
San Jose, CA 95112
San Jose Japantown
Tuesday – Sunday
11 AM – 7 PM
Closed Mondays
Street parking · Free Sundays & holidays