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Queer Eye in Japan: Behind the scenes of new Netflix special currently being filmed in Tokyo

Oona McGee Feb 15, 2019
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We take a look at what the Fab Five have been getting up to during their stay in Japan.

One of the hottest shows on Netflix right now is Queer Eye. An updated version of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy, which aired in the U.S. from 2003-2007, the new series has amassed a huge following of fans from around the world, who can’t get enough of the Fab Five and their heartwarming makeovers.

Now, after making over a variety of people in the U.S., and one man in outback Australia for a special episode, Queer Eye is about to air its third season, and they’re currently in Japan to showcase the country and some lucky locals for four special episodes to follow.

▼ First stop after their arrival in late January was Gonpachi (aka the “Kill Bill Restaurant”) in Nishiazabu.

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A post shared by Queer Eye (@queereye)

After more than two weeks in the country, the Fab Five have been exploring Tokyo as they film scenes for the upcoming special, and while people stop to capture photos of the cast behind-the-scenes, it appears that the production crew are keen to keep as much as they can under wraps before the new episodes air.

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A post shared by Sean King (@_kingofsean1)

So what have the cast and crew been up to during their stay in Tokyo? Let’s take a look at some of the places they’ve been and the people they’ve met, starting with the adventures of grooming queen Jonathan Van Ness.

▼ Soon after arriving in the city, Jonathan was seen strutting around Shinjuku ni-chome,
just around the corner from the SoraNews24 office.

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

The keen ice skater wasted no time in seeking out the nearest ice rink with his skate teacher and three-time U.S. Figure Skating Champion Eliot Halverson.

▼ The two have been practicing regularly at DyDo Drinco Ice Arena in Nishitokyo.

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

Jonathan also brought some of his best friends along on the trip, who joined the Fab Five during their visit to the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku.

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

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A post shared by Julie Carrillo (@juleslepandypand)

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A post shared by Rachelle Mendez (@rachellemendeztv)

▼ He also saw the sights on an open-top bus tour…

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

▼ Visited Meiji Jingu Shrine…

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

▼ And had fun exploring the subway at Shinjuku Station.

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

One of the highlights of the trip for Jonathan was a visit to TeamLAB Borderless.

▼ Nice to see he wore white, as we suggested in our visitor’s guide to the digital art museum.

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

Tan France, the show’s resident fashion expert, arrived in style as well, with this photo showing him putting his stamp on a traditional look.

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A post shared by T A N . F R A N C E (@tanfrance)

▼ Then it was off to Harajuku with Queer Eye’s food expert Antoni, where they explored the backstreets.

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A post shared by T A N . F R A N C E (@tanfrance)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtcImZ3AbXy/

▼ He also took a moment to stop by the Beams Store in Shinjuku.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt3XcBiAtdF/

Tan then introduced us to 28 year-old Kiko Mizuhara, an American-Japanese model, actress, singer, and designer who will be appearing in Queer Eye’s Japan episodes.

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A post shared by T A N . F R A N C E (@tanfrance)

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A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby)

We can’t help but wonder whether Tan will end up receiving some flack over “cultural appropriation”, a topic which always seems to flare up abroad when foreigners dress in traditional Japanese clothing.

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A post shared by T A N . F R A N C E (@tanfrance)

▼ Culture expert Karamo Brown has also been exploring Tokyo,
keeping a more low-key image on social media during the trip.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtJu92EARar/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtpMGE1lZvo/

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A post shared by T A N . F R A N C E (@tanfrance)

▼ Antoni Porowski has been enjoying convenience store food…

#クィアアイメンバーが日本で撮影中なんだけど、アントニがインスタで朝ごはん（セブンの半熟煮卵おにぎり）紹介してて推せる…🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/72BmqFvuWt

— 田中伶 (@reitanaka_119) February 8, 2019

▼ Egg sandwiches…

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A post shared by Antoni Porowski (@antoni)

▼ Bento meals…

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A post shared by Antoni Porowski (@antoni)

▼ And expensive boxes of dried vegetables.

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A post shared by Antoni Porowski (@antoni)

He also enjoyed some high-end meals at sushi restaurant Kyubey in Ginza, and took a moment to dine on tempura, which he said he’d been “eating wrong” his entire life. Then he was seen strolling around Harajuku…

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A post shared by Antoni Porowski (@antoni)

▼ Meiji Jingu Shrine…

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A post shared by Antoni Porowski (@antoni)

▼ And Ginza.

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

Design pro Bobby Berk has been picking up inspiration from buildings around Japan, including this one at Kamakura.

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A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby)

▼ And the hip Trunk Hotel in Shibuya.

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A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby)

▼ Bobby is also obsessed with model Kiko, who’s rumoured to be dating Harry Styles.

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A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby)

▼ And he’s happy to see some early-blooming cherry blossoms before he leaves as well.

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A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby)

▼ Kiko beneath said cherry blossoms.

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A post shared by i_am_kiko (@i_am_kiko)

▼ TeamLAB Borderless was a big hit with all the Fab Five, including Bobby.

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A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby)

One other local we can expect to see making an appearance in the Japan special is Naomi Watanabe, a plus-sized model and Vogue star who’s also known as “Japanese Beyonce”.

いい写真すぎるでしょ。#QueerEye pic.twitter.com/z84x0Y5nQ7

— siesta🌈 (@comusume2460) February 15, 2019

As for the crew, executive producer Jordana Hochman had a Lost In Translation moment with Production Manager Paul Backer and Line Producer Geoffrey Lind at the New York Bar at the Park Hyatt, one of the film’s iconic locations.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bta-igKhSJN/

▼ They also spent some time at Sushi Tsubaki in Tokyo’s Ginza district.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtikqAxh3S8/

▼ Backer got his hair cut at Wolfman Barber in Jingumae.

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A post shared by Paul Backer (@paulbacker23)

While photographer Brian Marcus dined out at Pizza Savoy at Azabu Juban and Jomon at Roppongi.

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A post shared by Brian Marcus (@iambrianmarcus)

As the cast and crew continue to explore Tokyo, with side trips to places like Kyoto in their downtime, they’ve been pleasantly surprised by all the love they’ve received from fans. One fan in particular was in tears after coming across them while they were out and about in Tokyo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt2tahijofR/

▼ Featured on Jonathan’s stories, life made.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtVpnOVjGYy/

▼ This week, Netflix announced that the third series of Queer Eye will be available from 15 March.

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A post shared by Netflix Japan | ネットフリックス (@netflixjp)

Which means we won’t have to wait too long for the special Japan episodes to follow. And with their message of love and inclusivity being one of the reasons why they’re so popular in Japan, hopefully their trip to Tokyo will shine a light on the country’s LGBTQ issues and bring more positive changes to the local scene.

Sources: Instagram/#queereye, Twitter/#queereye
Featured image: Instagram/porowskii