The Tourist Meander: Culture, Fashion & Adventure with La Carmina

Get ready to explore the world with a unique and exciting perspective! Today, we’re interviewing La Carmina, a travel TV host, blogger, and adventurer who combines her love of fashion with her passion for delving deep into off-the-beaten-path cultures. From Gothic cathedrals of Europe to hidden fashion scenes in Asia, La Carmina takes her viewers and readers on a journey that’s both modish and intuitive while enjoying her life to the best. Let’s dive in and discover how La Carmina finds the most remarkable experience each day!

We are happy to have you here! Can you please introduce yourself?

Thank you for having me! I was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, but I’ve had the privilege of exploring and living in many different parts of the world, including Tokyo, New York City, and LA. I have a degree in law from Yale, but my passion lies in exploring alternative/Goth fashion, travel, and subcultures, particularly the vibrant scene in Japan. I’ve been fortunate to turn that passion into a career, working as a blogger, author, TV host, and creator in these realms.

From a young age, I was drawn to the unconventional and the offbeat. I found solace and inspiration in the realms of Goth, punk, and other subcultures that celebrated individuality and self-expression. I longed to shine a spotlight on often-overlooked communities around the world and showcase their unique perspectives. As I began to share my experiences through my La Carmina Blog and social media channels @LaCarmina, I found a supportive audience that resonated with my perspective. This gradually led to opportunities to host TV shows, collaborate with brands, write books, and travel to over 70 countries.

What is your relation to Japan and Japanese culture? When was the first time you came here, and why?

I first visited Japan as a child; my family often travelled to Asia, as our homeland is Hong Kong. From the start, I was hooked by the eccentric fashion, “kawaii” pop culture, and the fascinating blend of tradition and futurism that I witnessed. Since then, I’ve returned countless times – I currently spend a month or more a year in the country – to explore different regions and immerse myself in various aspects of Japanese culture, particularly the Goth and alternative underground. Professionally, my love of Japan has influenced much of my work. From covering Tokyo’s cutting-edge fashion scene to showcasing Michelin-starred cuisine, I’m endlessly amazed by the creativity that Japan has to offer. Whether it’s through my blog, TV shows, social media, books, or freelance journalism, I strive to share meaningful stories of Japanese alt culture with my audience.

You work as a TV host and local producer on major shows with a focus on Japanese pop culture and food. Can you please tell us more about that?

Absolutely! My journey into television began as a natural extension of my passion for sharing quirky, little-known cultural experiences, particularly those found in Japan. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work on a variety of TV shows about Japan’s vibrant pop culture and culinary offerings, including “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” and “Could I Live Here” for Travel Channel, “Taboo” for National Geographic, and various travel/docu-features on CNN, ABC, NHK, and other international networks. Usually, producers noticed my Japan adventures on my La Carmina Blog and reached out to me to appear on the shows and work as a local “fixer” or producer (I help brainstorm storylines, arrange segments, cast locals, and more). It’s a lot of fun to work on these shows with my friends and get the word out about indie Japanese artists and events that matter to me. I hope to do more travel television in the near future.

You’ve been a blogger also – since 2007! How did you start, and which topics about Japan do you love to write about?

I started my La Carmina Blog at a time when blogging was still a relatively new and exciting medium for sharing ideas and connecting with like-minded individuals. As someone passionate about exploring niche cultures that weren’t well-known outside of Japan at the time, I saw blogging as a perfect platform to document my experiences. When I first started my blog, I focused primarily on Japanese street fashion, Visual Kei music, and subcultures, drawing inspiration from my travels and experiences living in Tokyo. As the blog grew in popularity, I began to expand my coverage to include a broader range of topics related to global alternative culture, including unconventional food, art, design, and travel. Blogging gives me the freedom to write in my own voice and experiment with different subjects, as well as tell stories through visuals. Over the years, I’ve written about everything from Harajuku, from “style tribes” to Japanese Satanists, Tokyo steampunk parties, tebori (hand-poke) tattoo artists, and yokai (folk spirit) parades.

Speaking of food, what is your favourite Japanese food? Is there any place you like and would like to recommend to our readers?

Oh, that’s a tough question! Japanese cuisine is incredibly diverse and delicious, so it’s hard to pick just one favourite. However, if I had to choose, I’d say that sushi holds a special place in my heart. I adore fresh fish and will never grow tired of the variety of flavours and textures that sushi has to offer. Whenever I’m in Tokyo, I head to a mid-range kaiten (conveyer belt) sushi parlour like Katsu Midori (in Shibuya and Ikebukuro’s Seibu department stores) to gulp down plates of engawa (flounder fin), salmon, chutoro, and other delights. I also have a deep appreciation for Japanese dishes like ramen, taiyaki, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yuzu drinks, and so much more. Every time I return to the country, I’m keen to try more Japanese cuisine and discover new favourites along the way.

On the topic of Japan, what are some off-the-beaten places you would recommend to our readers?

Japan is full of intriguing destinations that offer a window into its culture and history. One place I highly recommend is Naoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea. Known as “Art Island,” Naoshima is home to a stunning collection of contemporary art installations and museums set against the backdrop of its natural landscape. When we visited, my friends and I were enthralled by Yayoi Kusama’s giant pumpkins and the stark architecture of the Benesse House Museum.

As for head-scratching, alternative hidden gems: I’m fond of Satanic Bar Idea in Kobe, Buddhist hell temple Senkoji in Osaka, the occult pentagram Seimei Shrine in Kyoto, and the long-running fetish party Department H in Tokyo!

You are an astonishing writer also; would you like to tell us about your books? Also, which of the books from Japanese literature became your favourite?

I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to share my Jpop experiences through several books published with Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster, which you can find here. One of my earliest books, “Cute Yummy Time,” explores the world of Japanese bento boxes and kawaii (cute) food culture. In this book, I share tips, techniques, and recipes for creating adorable and delicious meals, from panda-shaped rice balls to Hello Kitty-inspired sandwiches. Another book about Japanese pop culture is “Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo,” which takes readers on a journey through some of the capital’s most bizarre and entertaining dining establishments. From ninja-themed izakayas to dog cafes, this book showcases the eclectic and imaginative world of themed restaurants in Tokyo. As for my favourite Japanese fiction writers… I encourage you to check out the chilling horror of Edogawa Rampo, and you can’t go wrong with a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro or Haruki Murakami.

Can we get a sneak peek into which country is next on your hit list?

I always have a trip or two in the works, as I’m constantly collaborating with tourism boards and companies on press trips to write about destinations, restaurants, hotels, and more. I’ve recently been doing more high-end food writing and am thrilled to return to Mexico City to get the scoop on Balcón del Zócalo restaurant. I’ll be interviewing visionary chef Pepe Salinas, who is getting global buzz for his seasonal, themed menus that look like works of art. After that, my photographer friend Albert Ting and I will hop over to Machu Picchu – I’m fascinated by ancient architecture, and this will be my seventh world wonder! Then, I’ll relax in Cabo, Mexico, on the way back home to Vancouver. I also have a food writing job in Japan in the works, so it looks like I’ll be back in Tokyo for Halloween with my friends, as well as Okinawa and maybe a few other spots in Asia!

Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers?

If you’re looking for strange, dark, and offbeat travel tips from Japan and many other countries worldwide, I invite you to check out the copious archives on my La Carmina Blog. Over the years, I’ve covered everything from drag queens in South Africa to punk rockers in Myanmar and vampire graveyards in Romania. I’m also constantly posting photos, reels, and stories from my latest adventures on my social media channels, particularly Instagram @LaCarmina. Please feel free to connect with me there; I’m glad to chat about Japan travel and provide personalised suggestions anytime!

It was lovely to have you with us, La Carmina! Thank you so much for taking time out of your day for us! We really appreciate your insights.

Follow La Carmina on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacarmina/

Tumblr: https://www.lacarmina.tumblr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lacarmina

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lacarmina/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lacarmina?feature=shared

Blog Website: https://lacarmina.com/blog/

Featured Photo Credit: La Carmina

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