'Cross-dressers are okay so long as they're pretty'

In response to an article by Japan's Sankei News about increasing numbers of young men choosing to dress as women in Japan, the blog news109.com posted a round-up of some of the country's top cross-dressing bloggers. The general consensus? "It's okay so long as they're pretty."

Truth be told, Japan has always had a live-and-let-live attitude towards transvestitism. Onna-gata, male actors in drag, are a beloved part of the Kabuki theater. But the recent explosion in interest among young urban men is a different trend.

Recent developments include a handful of cross-dressing maid cafes, in which men decked out in lace and frills serve customers. There is now a guidebook for men who want to transform themselves into beautiful girls. And last year, lingerie company WishRoom released a bra designed specifically for men.

It's hard to say exactly how popular the activity truly is among average Japanese males. The occasional Harajuku fashion-victim aside, men in skirts are hardly commonplace. But one thing is for sure. In Tokyo, there's never been a better time to get in touch with your feminine side.