By Metanoya Z. Webb
From – https://www.essence.com/
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
Tokyo’s a traveler’s dream. It’s clean. It’s fly. It’s overflowing with modern conveniences. And over the past few years, the city’s rising global popularity has intensified, making the destination—that was once closed off to the rest of the world—a top pick for Black and Brown travelers. In October 2022, Japan lifted a majority of its strict entry requirements. Americans can finally visit the country without a visa, which is likely why our social feeds have been drizzled with our favorite creatives stepping through Tokyo and neighboring Kyoto, Osaka, and Shizuoka, home to Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest and most iconic mountain.
Made up of 23 districts, each distinctively unique, no matter your travel style, there’s a vibe for you in Tokyo.
I visited with my partner for the first time in October 2023. He’s basically a local. He’s been over a dozen times and was the perfect person to uncover and indulge in next-level, off-the-beaten-path experiences in the largest and one of the most populated cities in the world. We moved from ward to ward easily by e-bike, a fun and efficient way to take the town. But more on that later.
From narrow neon alleyways flaunting the best hole-in-the-wall eateries and cozy jazz kissas spinning Curtis Mayfield and Rufus on vinyl to underground whiskey bars and an evolved art, food, and hotel scene designed with rooftop pools hidden in plain sight, Tokyo is smooth. It’s one of those destinations where if you know, you know. Yes, the language is a barrier, and the voyage from the U.S. is long, but the spirit of Japan and the warmth of its people make it worth it.
Travelers of color need to go to Japan. Explore the landscape. Experience the culture—one of the oldest and most revered in the world—with honor, family, and tradition at its core. Interact with the people. My most memorable moments during our trip were random and unrehearsed and involved connecting with natives in an authentic way. We learned slang among locals and ate homemade carrot cake at Paddlers Coffee in Shibuya. We got fitted for Grillz by Japanese jeweler Tetsuya Akiyama. The man responsible for ASAP Rocky’s custom mouth bling has been running Grillz Jewelz in the Okachimachi district for 17 years. We sat with expats-turned-Japanese citizens in the backstreets of Harajuku for what felt like hours, dissecting what it’s like to be Black in Japan.
Get lost in Tokyo. And when you’re done, board the bullet train to Kyoto for Imperial Palaces, Geisha culture, and 500-year-old Kaiseki cuisine. Thank me later.
Stay
Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park
When we return to Tokyo, Trunk Hotel in Yoyogi Park will be our base. The latest outpost of the chic Trunk trilogy is the largest, with 20 guest rooms, five suites, and a heated rooftop infinity pool that offers panoramic views of Yoyogi Park—one of the most enchanting parks in Tokyo. Trunk’s ethos is deeply rooted in local culture, which means the atmosphere is intimate with an elevated edge, the design is minimal and peaceful, and the call to action to unwind and indulge is undoubtedly understood.
