RHIANNA MCKENZIE
After months of anticipation, since opening registration in November 2023, participants from across the Caribbean landed in Tokyo Prefecture on September 17 for the annual Soca In Japan (SIJ) week of festivities.
The long, connecting flights did little to dampen spirits as the visitors were picked up at the airport and transported to Hotel East 21 in Koto City, where costume distribution was already in progress. After collecting costumes, participants were shuttled to another location for a welcome party.
On the bus, I made a game of trying to distinguish where everyone was from, based on their accents. While many came with their group of friends or family, they quickly introduced themselves and began talking, as islanders always do, like they had all grown up together.
Upfront the bus, I heard a Bajan man talking to a Jamaican, while a Trinidadian leaned over me to speak with an American young woman with Jamaican roots, whom she had made friends with on the plane. After spending the past two years away from home, I was thrilled to be in the company of so many West Indians.
At the welcome party, Japanese DJs played soca as the host venue served both traditional Japanese and Western appetisers, setting the tone for the next six days of cross-cultural events.
[caption id="attachment_1113452" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Caribbean tourists, expats living in Japan and Japanese nationals all gathered in Saitama prefecture for Japan Caribbean Carnival in September, the last event for Soca in Japan’s week-long events. The package included tours of Tokyo, cultural events and Caribbean-themed parties. -[/caption]
Trinidad and Tobago-born Kegon Toussaint, SIJ organiser, spoke with Newsday after the visitors had returned to their respective countries at the end of September. He said this year had a fair amount of returning customers, adding that the initiative continues to grow, and there were more participants from the Caribbean.
“I met people from home, the US, Bim (Barbados), Jamaica and Canada…Last year, we assisted with the Japanese visa for one Trinidadian. This year, it was about six or seven. There were also attendees from Barbados and the US Virgin Islands who don’t require a visa to visit Japan for tourism.”
He said while residents of major economies like the US, Canada, and the UK often travel worldwide, he was thrilled to see people from the Caribbean using SIJ as an excuse to leave the comfort of the islands to see other parts of the world.
“I believe we are opening doors for them that they might not have imagined.”
Spreading culture
The SIJ concierge package includes tours of Tokyo and surrounding areas, Japanese cultural experiences like kimono-wearing and sumo wrestling during the day, and Caribbean-themed parties at night.
In November 2023, participants were allowed to RSVP their spot for the 2024 tour for US$350 with installment and various package options available.
On September 23, participants enjoyed Japan Caribbean Carnival (JCC) – the newest addition to
