Club host, DJ and scene star Dusty O flew out to Tokyo for a very special one-off gig…
I was recently lucky enough to perform some DJ gigs and shows in Tokyo, Japan. Over the years I have traveled all over the world in the course of my work – 26 countries now – but have never performed in Japan.
The first thing that strikes you about Tokyo is how big it is. Almost twice the size of London! It is made up of different regions, like small towns within a city. You also notice immediately how clean it is.
There is no graffiti, and almost no litter, people do not smoke on the streets or drop gum so everywhere is immaculate. It is also much safer than London with crime figures Boris Johnson would shit acid for.
The people are more polite and everyone in the shops and bars bow to you as a sign of manners and respect. You do not see gangs of intimidating youths with pit bull terriers and people tend to queue in an orderly fashion for public transport and offer their seats to older or more needy people: It is a haven of good, old-fashioned manners.
You can’t help noticing how much more user friendly everywhere is too. I saw virtually no road works or dilapidation, and shops and public places seem to cater for you.
“It is much safer than London with crime figures Boris Johnson would shit acid for”
Opticians have free machines outside to clean your glasses and there are high-tech, touch screen vending machines on almost every corner selling a myriad of hot and cold drinks and food. Public toilets are immaculately clean with bidets built in and hot air to dry your bum. Can you imagine that here? Hardly!
I traveled all over the city on public transport in full drag, it was faster and cheaper than cabs (an average journey is 80p) and not one person was rude or insulted me. To do that in London these days is sadly unthinkable and unsafe.
The Japanese do not make rude comments: it is culturally not acceptable. I am sure some did not approve but they were too polite to say so. They look away or suddenly become very interested in their fingers or feet rather that have a good stare. It was very sweet and I actually felt extremely safe.
Most people have heard of the fabulous Harakuju district with its Gothic Lolita style and high camp fashions. It was without doubt my favourite area, as it combined all the big fashion names and glitzy shopping arcades with quaint back streets full of gorgeous cafes and amazing small, high fashion boutiques. It had the feel of Kensington in the 80s when it still housed the famous fashion markets, or Shoreditch in London on a Saturday night.
I visited Lady Gaga’s favourite boutique (allegedly) the incredible DOG and was astounded at the creativity I witnessed going on with the fashions. There is also the most amazing second hand Westwood shop where I saw things I had not laid eyes on in years going at bargain rates.
The Yen is weak at the moment so our money goes a long way, and I-Pads, for instance, are £100 cheaper there than here. They are sold in gadget shops the size of John Lewis, I kid ye not!
If you dress up you are treated like a star in Harajuku and at times it was difficult to get from one shop to another because of the polite and gorgeously dressed girls asking for pictures. They really are the most charming people I have ever met.
My main gig was at THE most happening night in Tokyo, Fancy Him. They regularly throw big mixed gay/straight/fashion parties and previous guests included Jake Shears and Amanda Lepore, so I had a lot to live up to.
It is hard to identify gay men in Tokyo, as straight boys and gays all seem to dress well and are high on “finish”. There is not a gay “look” as we know it here. I certainly didn’t see any chavs in tracksuits either, which was kind of refreshing from an aesthetic point of view.
The gay bars tend to be more hidden than in London and though there are plenty of them you may need a local contact to take you around. I liked the mixed places much more and did not notice any desire for people to hide their sexuality, as I had expected in what is a notoriously conservative country.
The clientele at Fancy Him were a dressed up and mixed bunch, rather like Trannyshack, all out to party and have fun regardless of sexual orientation or gender.
My DJ gig was only an hour and the enthusiasm shown was refreshing and fun. My show was without doubt the highlight of my stay and even though I only performed three numbers they were greeted with such joy that I could have done ten had I chosen. I was made to feel so at home I didn’t want to leave.
Tokyo is well worth a visit. It is cheap, incredibly safe (especially if you have a bit of an avant-garde sense of style) and has something for everyone. I visited gorgeous shrines and temples, incredible shops and high tech bars and clubs.
You are not expected to tip and the service was the best I have ever experienced. Food is delicious and public transport is cheap, fast and easy to use.
Not many people speak English but they do try, and the manners and gentle charm of the locals is a joy to experience. It is well worth the twelve hour flight and jet lag and I hope to go back again as soon as possible. If you get the chance, go.
• Dusty O hosts Trannyshack every Wednesday at Madame JoJo’s (8-10 Brewer Street, Soho, W1F 0SE) every Wednesday and DJs at Circa (62 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 3JN) every Sunday.
• Don’t miss Trannyshack XXX South at Eagle London (349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY) on Saturday 11th May, and Trannyshack East at East Bloc (217 City Road, Old Street, EC1V 1JN) on Saturday 18th May.
Photos by Marc abe
