Is "Underwear Disney" Illegal? — Legal Rules in Japan and the Dress Code at Tokyo Disney Resort that Foreigners Should Know

Table of Contents

1. What Happened—The "Underwear Disney" Incident

2. Basics of Japanese Criminal Law: Public Indecency and Minor Offenses Act

3. Local Rules: Chiba Prefecture's Nuisance Prevention Ordinance

4. Facility Rules: Tokyo Disney Resort's Dress Code and Admission Rights

5. Legal and Practical Risks of Photography and SNS Posting

6. "OK/NG" Attire Checklist for Foreigners

7. Frequently Asked Questions (Useful Points for English Speakers)

8. Conclusion—Considering the Overlapping Three Layers of Rules

1. What Happened—The "Underwear Disney" Incident

In late August 2025, photos and videos taken at Tokyo DisneySea showing clothing with visible underwear were posted on SNS, making the term "Underwear Disney" trend. The operating company, Oriental Land, stated that "attire contrary to public order and morals may result in denial of entry" and "depending on the situation, we may ask guests to leave." This response aligns with the official dress code. Bengo4.com

In response to this incident, Bengo4.com News interviewed Attorney Toru Okumura for a legal perspective. He clarified that while it usually does not constitute public indecency, there is potential applicability of the Minor Offenses Act or ordinances, the facility's authority over admission and expulsion, and the risk of secondary harm from SNS dissemination. Bengo4.com

2. Basics of Japanese Criminal Law: Public Indecency and Minor Offenses Act

Public Indecency (Article 174 of the Penal Code)

Article 174 of the Japanese Penal Code targets **"publicly indecent acts"** (punishable by imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to 300,000 yen). Practically, simply having underwear visible is not immediately deemed "indecent", according to legal consensus and case law. e-Gov Law Search

Minor Offenses Act Article 1, Item 20 (Body Exposure)

On the other hand, the Minor Offenses Act penalizes **"undue exposure of body parts in a manner that causes disgust to the public in places visible to the public". Here, whether it causes disgust and how it is perceived socially are emphasized, and the evaluation varies based on location, manner, and surrounding circumstances. e-Gov Law Search

Practical Points

• Public Indecency focuses on "sexually explicit" acts.

• The Minor Offenses Act more broadly covers **"exposure that strongly causes discomfort."

• In both cases, the situation and degree affect the evaluation.

• Attorney Okumura also noted that while underwear exposure itself is unlikely to constitute public indecency, there is room for application of the Minor Offenses Act. Bengo4.com

3. Local Rules: Chiba Prefecture's Nuisance Prevention Ordinance

Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. The Chiba Prefecture Nuisance Prevention Ordinance regulates "obscene behavior" and targets actions that violate the ordinary person's sense of sexual morality, causing shame, disgust, or anxiety. Attorney Okumura suggests that underwear exposure alone is unlikely to apply under this ordinance, but notes that evaluation can change based on manner and surrounding circumstances. Japanese Language Education InstituteBengo4.com

4. Facility Rules: Tokyo Disney Resort's Dress Code and Admission Rights

Official Guidelines (Including Halloween Attire)

TDR's **"Costume Guidelines" explicitly prohibit "excessive exposure", listing examples like "obvious underwear or swimwear (even if covered with outerwear)" and "full-body tights". If there is a risk of causing discomfort or unease to other guests, entry may be denied or guests may be asked to leave. Tokyo Disney Resort

Theme Park Terms of Use

TDR's Theme Park Terms of Use also list provocative or disruptive attire as prohibited, indicating that cast members have the discretion to deny entry or ask guests to leave. **Understand that "facility rule violations" can result in being turned away before legal issues arise.** Tokyo Disney Resort

5. Legal and Practical Risks of Photography and SNS Posting

In an interview with Bengo4.com, Attorney Okumura warned that posting photos with high exposure on SNS from within the facility poses risks of personal identification, defamation, and AI-generated alterations, leading to unpredictable secondary harm. Even if it doesn't legally constitute indecency or a minor offense, the social damage can be significant. Bengo4.com

Foreign travelers should be aware that Japan's portrait and privacy protection can become an issue as a tort (Civil Code Article 709), and exposing or defaming someone in an identifiable way is strictly prohibited. **Thinking "it's just fashion, so it's okay" is dangerous** (see explanations for foreigners). Oiea+1

6. "OK/NG" Attire Checklist for Foreigners

OK (Guidelines)

• Even if shoulders or legs are exposed, designs that are recognized as regular clothing rather than underwear, and are not out of place in parks or urban areas.

• Footwear and clothing that consider attraction safety, such as stable shoes and easy-to-move-in clothes.

• Coordination that respects the character's image with manners (full-body costumes are not allowed outside the official Halloween period). Tokyo Disney Resort

NG (Clearly)

• Obvious underwear or swimwear (even if covered with a shirt or jacket, it's NG as specified).

• Full-body tights, attire that causes danger or unease, provocative or excessively revealing clothing.

• Attire that violates the rules and causes inconvenience to other guests (cast members can deny entry or ask guests to leave). Tokyo Disney Resort+1

Tip

• "Even if it's OK by law, it can be NG by facility rules" is possible. The top priority is the official guidelines.

• Decisions are made by on-site cast members. Follow their instructions. Tokyo Disney Resort

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it OK to wear a shirt over swimwear?
A. No. TDR guidelines specify **"obvious underwear or swimwear (even if covered with outerwear)"** as prohibited. Tokyo Disney Resort

Q2. I've heard Disney parks overseas are more lenient?
A. Across Disney parks worldwide, **"family-friendly and modest attire" is