Dating?

I've dated across Tokyo for a few years and the "parents wouldn't approve" thing comes up way less than you'd think, especially with people in their late 20s or older who live alone. What you'll actually run into more is that some women won't match with you on apps because they're nervous about their English, not because of how you look. Try setting your Bumble location to Shimokitazawa or Koenji before you arrive and you'll see plenty of mixed couples around. The main thing is just being comfortable in your own skin, Tokyo has enough international bars and cafes in places like Roppongi or Ebisu where nobody blinks at an interracial couple.

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honestly it depends on the person but not as much as u might think. younger people in tokyo esp in areas like shibuya or shimokitazawa are way more open minded and a lot of them are into dating foreigners. you might get some stares in more traditional neighborhoods or with older dates but most people won't bring up parents unless they're super serious. just be upfront in ur profile or early on if u want to filter out the ones who'd have an issue, saves time

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ngl you're overthinking this a bit. I'm black and been dating in Tokyo for a minute, the whole "parents won't approve" thing is way more of a 20-something college kid concern than what you'll actually deal with. Most working adults in their late 20s and up are independent enough that their parents' opinions don't really factor in unless they're from super traditional families in the countryside.

what you'll actually run into more is the "I'm embarrassed about my English" thing, even from women who speak it fine. Some will ghost after matching because they're nervous, not because of race. Just keep your profile chill and maybe mention you're learning Japanese or open to mixing languages, it helps a lot. Ebisu and Nakameguro are good spots for dates where nobody cares, lots of expat-heavy bars and restaurants where mixed couples are totally normal.

one thing nobody mentioned - some Japanese women will assume you're only into them because of the fetish thing, which is its own annoying conversation. Just be normal and treat people like people and you'll be fine. The dating pool is smaller but not nearly as hostile as you're imagining.

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if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping

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kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.

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tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.

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