Kodo Nishimura Wants You to See the World and Be Who You Are

April 4, 2022 Kwin Mosby

LGBTQ+ activist and Buddhist Monk Kodo Nishimura rose to fame following his appearance in Queer Eye: We’re in Japan on Netflix. But now, he’s getting more attention and exposure from his new inspiring book, The Monk Wears Heels: Be Who You Are.

The book reveals how he struggled with his identity growing up in Tokyo with a family of Buddhist priests entrenched in Japanese culture that celebrates uniformity and patriarchal expectations. And honestly, all Kodo wanted was to wear pretty dresses and become a princess.

After moving to New York, his time at Parsons School of Design and his work as a leading make-up artist – working behind the scenes at Miss Universe and NY Fashion Week – finally taught him to embrace his uniqueness. And now, as a self-identifying homosexual in a male body, not a male spirit, Kodo wants to share his Buddhist wisdom with a touch of makeup.

Recently, I caught up with the 33-year-old global citizen to chat with him about his new book, what life is like for queer people in Japan, his must-see recommendations for Tokyo, make-up tips for travelers, and I ask him some fun quick-fire questions which allows him to reveal his authentic, but fabulous travel style.

Kodo Nishimura's This Monk Wears Heels Book Tour — Kodo Nishimura’s “This Monk Wears Heels: Be Who You Are”

Vacationer Magazine: What sparked your desire to write “This Monk Wears Heels: Be Who You Are?”

Kodo Nishimura: Since when I was young, I always felt that this world has a lot of injustice going on like putting men and women into boxes and respecting people in power for unreasonable reasons. I was kind of angry and I wanted to inspire people that it’s not mandatory – it was mandatory of the course of history – but we are powerful, we are able to go beyond these boundaries and we should live according to our hearts. I wanted to awaken people with this book.

What was the turning point that made you embrace your uniqueness?

I think going to the monk training was a pivotal moment. When I went to Boston and New York, I felt that homosexuality is something wrong, but in order to inspire other people and convince them that there is nothing wrong, I needed the Buddhist teachings which taught me that there is nothing wrong with homosexual fluidity, that diversity is beautiful, and also I don’t have to look a certain way to proclaim myself a Buddhist monk. So, going through the monk training really liberated me.

So, how long was your monk training?

I joined when I was 24 and I finished when I was 26. It took five sessions – each of them was two to three weeks. And I would go back to Japan from New York – summer, winter, summer, winter (something like that) – so it required two to three years.

Is Japan forward-thinking or progressive when it comes to Queer culture?

Not really. I think that people are educated and well-mannered so I would think that they might be accepting. It’s hard to come out because LGBTQ+ people care so much about what their family thinks, and other people think especially if they live in rural areas. I think one of the hindrances is that not many of them speak English, so they are not exposed to Western media, culture, or entertainment. So, I want to bring back what I learned in the U.S. and Europe and introduce that to Japanese people, and while I do that, I would like to take Buddhist teachings and experiences that I’ve had in Japan to teach Westerners.

View of Omotesando street with many fashion luxury shops lined along the street in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo Credit: Francesco Bonino / Shutterstock)

What are the top three things you’d recommend to an LGBTQ+ traveler visiting Tokyo for the first time?

The first place I would recommend is Harajuku. It’s the center of very animated fashion. It’s a cute and colorful scene. When you’re there you’ll probably think, “Wow! People dress crazy here.” Often, I feel that LGBTQ+ people feel like they should follow what society expects us to wear, but there, regardless of their sexuality, people wear crazy outfits and have colored hair.

Another place to visit is Omotesando, which is like a modern fashion district, where you can see fashionable people; you can buy vintage clothing, and you can also find Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto, too. I also like this area because there are many diverse people there.

And the last place I would suggest is probably Kyoto for a look at the more traditional Japanese vibe and the country’s ancient history.

One of your favorite Buddhist quotes or sayings is, “Shining in our own color is beautiful.” What’s another Buddhist quote applicable to a world traveler?

“Suffering is rooted in ignorance,” which means if you travel the world and if you know more about where people come from and what they are going through – I think travel is not only to explore beautiful places, but it’s also to learn about the suffering that people are going through. It’s not always pleasant. You might see dangerous places or a local government’s restrictions being really strict. In some cases, you learn how lucky you are, and you learn to be more grateful for what you already have. Travel expands you – up and down and in and out. The information and knowledge will help you get out of the suffering you may be experiencing.

You’ve traveled quite a bit and worked with some well-known celebrities. What place have you visited that you want to visit again? Why?

I really like Thailand. I went there for Miss Universe. It’s very free. There are more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. And I love mango sticky rice!

At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?

I went to Germany when I was 3. It inspired me to travel because I knew that Japan is not the only universe, which is true for many Japanese people, so I knew there was a place where I could be accepted. So, that’s why I went to the U.S. when I was 18, and I spent 11 years and spend time in Boston, New York, and LA.

What’s are your top three favorite places to visit?

Thailand, Cuba, Spain. Spain is the first place I saw gay people holding hands, kissing on the trains, and I saw nude beaches and that felt so liberating. And in Cuba, I saw people dancing in the streets from the music in the bars and clubs. And I know it’s not the wealthiest country and people may not be as fortunate as Japanese people, but they looked happy when I was walking down the street. People would wave at me while they were doing their laundry. And they would ask me to take photos with my friend’s camera, they would talk to us, and they looked happy. And if you were not happy, you would not wave at the tourists. So, when we think we have to have money or live in a beautiful house, that might create happiness. Cuba is where I learned that happiness is a choice, and you don’t have to have everything to be happy.

Phang-Nga Bay, Phuket, Thailand (Photo Credit: Day2505 / Shutterstock)

What three places are still on your bucket list to visit?

I want to visit Peru to visit Machu Picchu. I’d love to see India because I love Bollywood movies. And I’d like to visit South Africa. I’ve been to Morocco, but I’ve never been to a Southern African country. I wonder what kinds of experiences I can have in these places.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met while traveling?

A met a guy in Morocco who is Algerian but raised in France. I thought in a Muslim country I would never encounter someone who was part of the LGBTQ+ community. But he was the director at the Riad where I stayed, and he told me that he is homosexual and that he has an American boyfriend. He told me all about transgender people and homosexual people in Morocco and Algeria. And he renewed my perception of being LGBTQ+ in an Islamic African country. And he just visited me from Morocco just last weekend. He just blew my mind!

I think it’s a shame we can’t be ourselves depending on where we go. Like Jamaica, some countries in Africa, and the Middle East, I wouldn’t feel safe so it would be nice if I can be powerful enough to inspire religious leaders and national leaders to rid the laws against LGBTQ+ people so that we can travel and the people there can feel liberated. So, that we all can travel the world and enjoy each other.

What’s an important makeup regimen that everyone should do before a full day of travel?

I would say just sunscreen so that you can keep going without sunburn. If you’re talking about a specific makeup item to make you look brighter in photos – every person requires different makeup. In my case, I like to fill in my eyebrows with a brow pencil. Some might need lipstick or concealer. Even one item makes a difference.

You’re heading on a trip. What’s the one pair of heels you never forget to pack?

Tabi Boots from Maison Margiela. They are Japanese-inspired, and it completes my look.

J-Pop Girl Group Perfume (Photo Credit: Perfume)

You’re going on a road trip. What singer or band is always on your playlist?

I really like a band called Perfume from Japan. They are three girls my age who use projection mapping and virtual reality. It’s techno-pop music. It’s addictive.

Now, I’m going to ask you a few quick-fire questions where you just respond with the first thing that comes to mind. Ok, let’s go!

Travel itinerary or go with the flow?

Travel itinerary

Travel internationally or domestically?

Definitely internationally