I had an amazing experience at Dark Water this weekend! The studio itself is a vibe and the artists are all so welcoming. The waiting area chairs are also very comfy ahaha My piece was done by Kuya and I am more than pleased! He was very thorough and communicative throughout the whole process. Final results exceeded my expectations! Highly highly recommend!! read more

Dark Water - Tulip tattoo done by Kuya - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

Long story short: if you want Suminagashi or heavy blackwork, you need to go to Katie Mizuno at Dark Water. I came across Katie while researching Suminagashi (Japanese floating ink) tattoo artists. After missing her bookings a few times, I finally secured a spot for a full sleeve extending into my chest and hand. I traveled up from LA which was absolutely worth it. The studio itself is bright, open, and clean with great decor and a bumpin' sound system -- exactly the vibe you want for long sessions. Katie was meticulous about tool prep and sanitation throughout the process. Her music taste is also *chef's kiss*. I wanted Katie to have full creative control, though I cited a few of her previous pieces as inspiration. During our first session, she presented several design variations and absolutely nailed one that flowed perfectly with my body and what I had in mind. We mapped out the chest and hand extensions in subsequent sessions. Katie managed the pain by balancing where she worked, which, since we did multiple days in a row, I was very grateful for . Aftercare was a breeze, with Katie sending me home with everything I needed for proper healing, as my first session grouping healed really well before returning for the second set only a couple of weeks later. The entire piece took 4.5 days in less than month, and I'm grateful for how diligently and efficiently Katie works. The final result exceeded my imagination, and I'm honored to wear her art. If you're looking for Suminagashi or any heavy blackwork, get on Katie's bookings ASAP. And if not, still go to Dark Water, because they had a ton of talented artists putting on other really cool pieces on people while I was there! Katie and everyone at Dark Water are amazing people. I think I'll be coming back for more read more

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Great, clean environment. I've gotten two works done by Kuya, and both were such a pleasant experience! Very chill and down to earth guy, will tailor to your vision no matter how little or big. I'll for sure come back for him! read more

Dark Water - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Kuya did an incredible job with my cute custom tattoo. He is very patient and helped bring my tattoo vision to life. The shop is super clean and aesthetically very calming. The entire process was professional and super chill. Thank you Kuya! read more

Dark Water - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

Dark Water is outstanding. I've only ever worked with Story, but every artist I've met there has been friendly, welcoming and informative. Story's work is precise and beautiful. She takes the time to make your piece feel truly yours and checks in frequently during the process to make sure you are feeling okay and have everything you need. read more

Dark Water - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I love going to Dark Water. I have two tattoos by Josaline Green. One was custom and one was pre-made. They healed beautifully. The experience is always amazing. I love chatting with Josaline. I haven't had any tattoos from any of the other artists, but the atmosphere with all the artists is very fun and comforting. I highly recommend checking out Dark Water and Josaline. ​ read more

Dark Water - Custom blackwork thigh tattoo by Josaline Green. Inspired by cryptic spren. - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Whiskie/Lea did an incredible job on my tattoo. The shop is clean, the staff is friendly and welcoming. I had so much fun getting my first tattoo and will be back. The process form start to finish made me feel confident and comfortable. read more

Dark Water - Fine line ginko leaves - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have been a client of Katie Mizuno for years now and I cannot recommend her more highly! She is a consummated professional, easy and joyful to work with, and is attentive to your needs as a client. I love the shop, it's so beautifully put together and immaculately clean. It's such a pleasure to get tattooed here! read more

If you're someone who is looking for a highly skilled, one of a kind professional tattoo artist-- stop right here....because you don't need to look any further. Tired of searching down the rabbit hole of google and IG and just want a reliable artist that gets their shit done, shop is clean and immaculate that guarantees your safety 150% with 200% return on satisfaction? Dark Water and Katie Mizuno is your gal. I was there, and so glad my endless search is now over! I've been to many tattoo artists, but none compare to the incredible talent and professionalism I found here. From the moment I saw her one-time flash sale of one of her 1/2 sleeve designs on IG, our now beautiful collaboration began when I teased emailing her a picture of my blank arm and basically said " you know you wanna tattoo this canvas" hahahaha! :) Im so glad she chose me, because that one time has blossomed into what is now a full BADass sleeve... and will eventually turn into a full right-side body piece that is one of a kind. Not only is she exceptionally skilled with the needle, creating vivid, stunning designs that come to life on skin, but her humility, authenticity, and thoughtfulness shine through in every interaction. She always makes sure I am comfortable, and happy with her work, and undoubtedly I always am! What sets her apart is her ability to make each session a collaborative adventure. I always want her to be the main driver of what it looks like (since Katie's a downright professional) and email her the concept and a ton of examples of shapes of things and let her play with it. She listens intently, infusing her creativity and expertise into every idea I bring, turning them into bespoke pieces of art that exceed my wildest expectations!! Her workspace exudes warmth and comfort, making each session feel like a retreat from the world. Katie's authenticity and down-to-earth demeanor make every visit a joy. She's a professional who deeply respects the art form and her clients, ensuring each design is not just a tattoo, but a personal story etched into skin. I always get stopped everywhere I go or wherever I am-- hiking, grocery store, airport bathrooms (hahaha) bars, music festivals, or just walking doing my thing...people are always so blown away and look at my arm in awe of her work -- I think the most I've gotten in a day was 20 people, and still counting! Each time explaining the story brings me back to the moments spent creating this masterpiece and brings warmth and a huge smile to my face. :) :) And here's the thing - even before my current session is over, her passion and creativity have me excitedly thinking about my next tattoo. That's the magic she brings to the table. I couldn't recommend her enough to anyone looking for a tattoo experience that's not just about getting inked, but about creating something truly special that you will never find anywhere else. Thank you for making each tattoo journey an unforgettable one! Can't wait for the next!! Also-- can't forget a shout out to Kento always being such an amazing partner, manager, communicator, co biz-owner who is undoubtedly also adding such value by bringing an amazing / humbling tone to the hospitality and tattoo experience every time! I appreciate you both so much, stoked to see the NEW Dark Water space for whenever the time is right to get started on the next!!!! Darkwater.ink for life! Best tattoo shop in the Bay Area, located in Berkeley, California. read more

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I had a picture of the tattoo I wanted & Story interpreted the design, creation & placement perfectly. The studio is beautiful & it was a very comfortable experience. I highly recommend & love my tattoo! read more

Tattoo consultation went very well. Shop is gorgeous and clean. One of the artist that greeted me was very friendly and helpful.

Katie was awesome! I spent 3 days at Dark Water more than a year ago while she finished out a sleeve for me adding to the 3 mandalas I already had. I love how she worked with what I had and added her own touch to it. She created something unique just for me based on the inspiration and ideas I had, but surprising to me, my most favorite part of the sleeve is something she added that had nothing to do with my ideas going into it! And I'm headed back to her to get even more of that design added on. She made the whole experience very comfortable, was very easy and enjoyable to talk to (important when you are spending 20 hrs next to each other!). Her studio was clean and comfortable. Can't more highly recommend her and Dark Water. And I should add, after a year and half her lines and art still look great. They are really crisp and dark. I get comments nearly daily on her art and how detailed and perfect the lines are. She really took her time and did amazing work. read more

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I decided to visit the studio after the IG algorithm showed me art from one of their artists, DUDURU-KUN. From that moment, began a wonderful story of my tattoo journey with Dark Water + DUDURU-KUN. After being inspired by a recent anime convention and being tuned to my interests, I wanted to get a tattoo that represented a Japanese series that is near & dear to my heart + life. That series is Naruto. Within Naruto, I decided to get a tattoo that represented the Anbu Black Ops group. A tattoo of the symbol for that ninja group. This tattoo would be done with red ink. Something I haven't tried before. I looked at DUDURU-KUN's IG profile and went out to fill out the contact form. Mind you, I was already contacting another artist prior & had been waiting a while for a response. However, DUDURU's fast communication was record-breaking and I was able to book a session within a couple of hours in the same day. Big green flag for me. It made me excited to work with DUDURU-KUN. Once I entered the shop for my 1st appointment, DUDURU-KUN was already in the lobby area ready to check me in. This first session was for a color test just to make sure my skin + reactions would be okay to go forward with the full tattoo. Though it was a short session, it was a great 1st appointment with DUDURU-KUN and we were able to learn a little bit more about each other. Spiritual pressure was high during this appointment. The 2nd appointment was the real deal and this time, it just was DUDURU-KUN holding down the fort on a Friday evening. DUDURU was well prepared and made sure I was comfortable before the session began. He was meticulous with getting things right before the first ink-to-skin contact was made. We worked with each other to find the best size and position for the tattoo. He already had 3 different stencils prepared and we ended up going with a new one that was slightly bigger than the others. We both agreed this new one was the perfect size. I got onto the bed and let DUDURU-KUN do his thing. He was in the zone and did masterful work. During break sessions, we'd chat and get to know each other a little more. To my surprise, we shared a lot of things in common. We also shared a lot of jokes and laughs. haha. I felt fulfilled after my tattoo session with DUDURU-KUN. He did the usual information share about tattoo care and applied fresh tattoo protection before I left. DUDURU-KUN is an amazing human being and I appreciate the willingness to share the origin story. I was thoroughly impressed and wish nothing but the best for the artist and the studio as a whole. Keep in touch and see you on the next episode of.... Tattoos with DUDURU-KUN at Dark Water read more

Dark Water - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

Lea is incredible. I have now received 4 different tattoos from her, and I swear that the newest/most recent ones I get, turn into my favorite tattoo. There are many reasons I appreciate her work- the fine line detail- but it is amplified by her work ethic, and attention to detail throughout the entire process. Whether that is patience in getting the perfect placement, her knowledge in how tattoos will actually turn out depending on placement or other factors, and her diligence in the perfect piece with the ink. I highly recommend Lea, and Dark Water in its entirety. The location is perfectly placed with easy to find parking, and is beautifully lit! 10/10 experiences. read more

This studio is a Berkeley gem. It's beautiful, welcoming, and very clean, with talented artists to choose from. After your session, you get quality pictures of your new work, taken in the studio's natural light. read more

Story has done a number of botanical fine line tattoos on me, with these plants being the latest! I always feel comfortable and Story is great at communicating and working with you on design. I haven't been tattooed by other artists at the studio, but everyone is welcoming and clearly are great at what they do! Super happy with the results, and will continue to come back :) read more

Dark Water - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

Katie is a true artist who knows what a good tattoo is. She took my open-ended request and delivered a piece that is not only beautiful, but clearly fit the shape and flow of my arm. I always used to wear sweaters and jackets because I didn't feel comfortable in my skin, but now I bare my arms proudly. Couldn't be happier with the whole experience and look forward to returning to Katie for my next piece. read more

Katie is one of the most talented tattoo artists I've ever worked with! She has done four of my tattoos and I am always getting compliments on them. Outside of her talent, she's just the friendliest and warmest artist ever, which is really nice, because sometimes tattoo artists can be a little intimidating. She's just so authentic and sweet. I even brought my 70-year-old aunt to get her first tattoo from Katie! And she made my aunt feel so comfortable and safe. read more

Got my tattoo done here by Dudurun. He handled my tattoo with so much care, and was patient with me throughout the entire process (scheduling, decision making on the art piece, made sure I was comfortable during session). Couldn't have asked for a better time. My tattoo turned out so much more beautiful than I had imagined. Thank you~! read more

I have worked with Story for 5 of my tattoos and let me tell you.. SHES FUCKIN AMAZING. Her kind energy has kept me coming for more, also because you share your design idea and she makes it come to life. Book with her and truly you won't fuckin regret it!!! read more

My boyfriend got his tattoo done by Josie and she did an incredible job! The design she created, her attention to detail is top notch and she ensures to give you great after care instructions. Highly recommend Josie for your next tattoo. read more

Dark Water - Tattoo Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I wouldn't go anywhere else. The artists here have many years of experience creating extensive tattoo art pieces. Katie adorned my back with a wonderful piece, my only one which is holding up well over time. The whole experience was excellent, and the good atmosphere and friendly artists only make it better. read more

Having done a handful of sessions with Katie to finish out my sleeve I can easily say she's been the best experience I've ever had when it comes to getting tattoos. The quality is absolutely amazing and the designs she presents are always above and beyond from what I could have ever imagined in my initial pitch of ideas to her. Not only that, but Katie/Dark Water always brings such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that with how long and intense the sessions can be given the extreme style, she's made every session so easy going, pleasant, and memorable. An easy recommend and I can't wait to come back in the future! read more

Katie Mizuno is my favorite tattoo artist for so many reasons. Not only is she an extremely creative and talented artist but she went above and beyond and is such a fun and kind person to be around. I told her that I wanted a coral pattern tattoo, could afford one session, and that there were a few places on my body I didn't want it. I then sent in some pictures of myself at different angles. When I got to the studio, she had 3 custom designs to choose from photoshopped onto my body on the pictures I sent in different locations. They were all so beautiful. I got to go through a gallery of photos of myself and see what the tattoo would look like before I got it. Plus I had 3 design options and a few location suggestions of each. It is obvious she loves what she does and wants her customers to be happy with her work. She was very precise with putting on the stencil and redid it a few times just to be sure it was perfectly straight. We had great conversation for the whole session and she was very genuine and checked in frequently to see if I was okay. She provided detailed pre, post, and during tattoo instructions which were all helpful. And we took a nice lunch break together. The studio she was in and had remodeled herself was clean and very aesthetically pleasing and calming. It had a great vibe. I can't wait to get another tattoo by her and to see her new studio Dark Water! read more