In October of 2009 Tokyo Hiro opened up a Tattoo studio in middle of Tokyo in a section of the city called “Shibuya” with world known punk rocker and tattoo enthusiast Lars Frederiksen from Rancid & Shaw Tanaka from Soul Assassins. Hiro learned tattooing in Los Angeles under the guidance of Bob Roberts at Spotlight tattoo in the early 1990’s when Hiro was just a teenager. After his extended stay in Los Angeles Hiro travel all over the world to work with the likes of: Eric Maaske at Classic tattoo parlor, Mike Wilson at Inksmith & Rogers, Scott Sylvia at Blackheart tattoo just to name a few. While working with them over the years, he honed his craft and became the world class tattooer he is known as today.

Lars Frederiksen met Hiro in the early 90’s because of the mutual friends they shared such as Eric Maaske (RIP), Scott Sylvia, Eric Hogan (RIP), Juan Puente, Tim Lehi and Mike Wilson. Lars and Hiro hit it off from the moment they met and have since become the closest of friends that would see each other when they could from that time on. In 2009 when Lars came to Japan for a tour with Rancid, he as usual met up with his dear friend Hiro. This time they discussed opening a tattoo shop in japan. Hiro said if they where to do that then he would want Shaw (who had known Hiro since he was a kid) to be the third and final partner in their venture. Lars was excited and agreed that the only way it would work is if Shaw was involved.

Shaw has been in Hiro’s life a long time and not only has he been watching Hiro grow and get better in the U.S tattoo scene since the Bob Roberts days, but has been a lifetime supporter of Hiro’s talents as a tattooer and most importantly been a best friend to Hiro. Since that fateful day of the “Skunx Tattoo Parlor ” opening in 2009, the three of them are the closest of friends. Together they have made their dream of what they feel is “THE WORLD’S BEST TATTOO PARLOR” come to life!

Currently Skunx Tattoo Parlour as a private studio & by appointment only.