The girls showed off the new underground fashion trend in one of the city’s most upmarket shopping streets.
Earlier this year, we were introduced to a new trend emerging from Japan’s cosplay scene: Isshoku Hada, or “Unique/Remarkable Skin“. As the name suggests, the young people involved in this eye-catching craze pride themselves on displaying flamboyant skin, which they colour with body paint in all shades of the rainbow.
▼ Japanese DJ and model Miyako is one of the leaders of the new movement.
#新しいプロフィール画像 pic.twitter.com/lil9Y95DyV
— 𝕞𝕚𝕪𝕒𝕜𝕠 (@miyakocore) June 26, 2017
▼ This is what Miyako looks like without her colourful skin.
おはよう☀ pic.twitter.com/6giWZVYBDt
— 𝕞𝕚𝕪𝕒𝕜𝕠 (@miyakocore) September 14, 2017
The unique look is said to recreate the otherworldly appearance of magical characters seen in anime, manga and video games, and while it’s a small and emerging subset of the Japanese cosplay scene, the self-titled “Isshoku Hada Girls” are steadily gaining more attention around the country. Most recently, a group of five girls turned heads after making a rare appearance on the streets of Tokyo last week, where passers-by couldn’t help snapping pictures as they posed for a series of photos.
今日は #異色肌ギャル で和装&おいらんでお出かけしたの〜〜💜❤️💚🍓
— 𝕞𝕚𝕪𝕒𝕜𝕠 (@miyakocore) September 9, 2017
うちらが一番かわいいし🍥🍭🍣🍒💙💚💜💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/sk6d1ZKO0w
Surprisingly, the girls chose not to make their appearance at Harajuku, the city’s well-known mecca for bold, fashion-forward individuals. Instead, the group opted for an evening stroll around Omotesando, the nearby shopping district known for its collection of posh eateries and high-class international designer flagship stores.
💝🌈👘😍🌈💖 #異色肌ギャル pic.twitter.com/7RKrxbAlU9
— ソノラマ🧡 (@sonorama13) September 14, 2017
The girls added some striking flair to their unconventional appearances by dressing in yukata summer kimono and other outfits inspired by Japanese tradition and oiran courtesans.
https://twitter.com/b_c_miku/status/907899468346834944浴衣異色肌ギャル、表参道に参上。#異色肌ギャル #異色肌 #ishokuhada#japanesestreetfashion #streetfashion #photography pic.twitter.com/6FTdwruEUc
— ラマスキー@人を輝かせる写真撮るキンのタマゴ (@lmskii) September 13, 2017
For these girls, Isshoku Hada is all about individuality, self-expression and freedom. They enjoy taking unconventional beauty to whole new levels, with wigs, bright skin tones, contact lenses and colourful accessories helping to pull off the look.
表参道にてⅡ#異色肌ギャル #異色肌 #ishokuhada#japanesestreetfashion #streetfashion #photography pic.twitter.com/iIEWyNPtWh
— ラマスキー@人を輝かせる写真撮るキンのタマゴ (@lmskii) September 13, 2017
ハロウィンに向けて、異色肌ギャルやりたい子増えて欲しい💜💚💛💙❤️
— 須永ちえり👑2冠ミス週刊実話・ミス週刊大衆💜公式異色肌ギャル (@cherry2_s) September 10, 2017
昨日は、歩く観光SPOTだったよw
外人さんのウケ凄くいい✨
カワイイは正義#ウチらが一番カワイイし#むっちりさん #グラドル自画撮り部 #異色肌ギャル #TeamABC pic.twitter.com/o8fwUZjd73
The craze for unique skin is growing in popularity as more young women learn about the trend, connecting online to arrange catchups and photo shoots in unusual locations.
妖精のあつまりか、可愛いすぎる、#異色肌ギャル pic.twitter.com/pw3m5i93Rm
— ねん (@fmxxxlillyxxx) September 11, 2017
As the Isshoku Hada girls slowly creep onto the popular culture scene by popping up on TV shows and news media around the country, we have a feeling this is just the first of many outdoor trips for the head-turning group. Be sure to keep an eye out for the girls and their brightly coloured complexions in the future!
Source: Kai-You
Featured image: Twitter/sonorama13

Japanese cosplayer shocks everyone with dramatically different before and after makeup photos
Otaku shine bright with Japan’s #otaku glow-up championship 2020【Photos】
Is that cute girl’s profile pic really anything like her ‘real’ face?
Japanese cosplayer wows crowds in Akihibara with four-legged centaur costume 【Video, photos】
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
Dog-friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo giving out free furoshiki from Pikachu’s designer to help tourists carry their garbage home
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako creates jaw-dropping crowd at Winter Comiket【Photos】
Conan O’Brien arrives in Japan, dresses up as a Harajuku girl in Tokyo 【Pics & Videos】
Crowdfunded Little Red Riding Hood makeup debuts as “sickly look” trend continues
Where are all the beautiful women in Japan? Survey investigates
Ninja bikini goes on sale in Japan, sacrifices stealth for sexy coolness【Photos】
Animated video looks at 40 years of women’s fashions in Japan as Tokyo landmark gets set to close