The Mystery of Cross-dressing
In Japan, cross-dressing is not so special.
This is most evident in the tradition of kabuki, which is performed exclusively by men. In order to perform with only men, men must wear women’s clothing.
Cross-dressing in kabuki is neither forbidden nor laughed at.
Incidentally, there is the Takarazuka Revue, which also has a history of more than 100 years as a women-only stage.
In other words, Japanese are accustomed to seeing cross-dressing to some extent. Whether or not a person wants to cross-dress depends on the person. The Japanese do not consider a person’s preference for cross-dressing to be immediately tied to his or her gender identity.
If you are interested in cross-dressing, Japan is the perfect place to give it a try.
Cosplay and cross-dressing
In Japan, the culture of cosplay is derived from manga and anime culture.
Cosplay is the recreation of manga and anime characters using costumes, wigs, and makeup.
Cosplay enthusiasts enjoy cosplaying at related events and among friends.
Cross-dressing is also prominent in cosplay. Cosplay of male characters by women and female characters by men is very common.
If you have a passion for cosplay, you may want to attend an event in Japan.
Want to try being a “maiko”?
A white face, bright red lipstick, and a bright kimono.
I often see geishas still used in Japanese imagery. Have you ever wanted to be a geisha?
In Kyoto, you too can become one!
In Kyoto, the geisha you imagine is called a “maiko”.
You have to be very lucky to meet a maiko, but you can dress up as one yourself!
You can choose a kimono of your choice, have her dress you, put on a wig, and apply that make-up.
Prices range from 12,000 to 20,000 yen.
Men are also available at most stores, and even some cisgender men have experienced this service.
Some stores also allow visitors to stroll around in a maiko costume, but this is not recommended since both the wig and kimono are heavier than regular ones.
In addition to maiko, there are also places that rent out samurai-style kimonos. Such facilities can fulfill the wishes of women who want to become samurai.
Salons where you can dress up as a woman
In Tokyo, “Joso-salons” (Salons where you can dress up as a woman) have become popular in recent years and have sprung up in large cities such as Akihabara and Shinjuku.
These salons are facilities where cisgender men can experience cross-dressing for pleasure or curiosity.
(Of course, there may be people who begin to feel uncomfortable with their gender identity as a result of this experience.)
The salon is equipped with a studio where visitors can experience professional make-up and have their photos taken by a professional photographer.
Makeup and hair-set only costs about 7,000 yen. Wigs and clothes can be rented for an extra fee.
There are also salons where you can go out dressed as a woman. It is best to think of it as about 20,000 yen, including the cost of the photo shoot.
Some salons require reservations or have private rooms, and are recommended for those who want to experience it in secret.
You can just enjoy dressing up as a woman, or if you have a desire that you have been keeping bottled up, why not fulfill it in Japan?