Hideaki Kobayashi, 51, strikes his signature "cat" pose outside Akihabara station in Tokyo on Sunday July 13. Underneath the Japanese schoolgirl facade, he is a patent-holding computer engineer and accomplished photographer.
Japanese crossdresser: Inspirational or weird? —
Hideaki Kobayashi, 51, strikes his signature "cat" pose outside Akihabara station in Tokyo on Sunday July 13. Underneath the Japanese schoolgirl facade, he is a patent-holding computer engineer and accomplished photographer.
Will Ripley/CNN
People are constantly asking Kobayashi to pose for pictures and he rarely says no. Sometimes a 15-minute walk can take two hours, he says. Pictures shared on social media have made him famous.
Japanese crossdresser: Inspirational or weird? —
People are constantly asking Kobayashi to pose for pictures and he rarely says no. Sometimes a 15-minute walk can take two hours, he says. Pictures shared on social media have made him famous.
Will Ripley/CNN
CNN photojournalist Hidetaka Sato records Kobayashi walking from Akihabara station to Waseda Juku -- a Tokyo cram school -- where he lectures students on the importance of being an individual.
Japanese crossdresser: Inspirational or weird? —
CNN photojournalist Hidetaka Sato records Kobayashi walking from Akihabara station to Waseda Juku -- a Tokyo cram school -- where he lectures students on the importance of being an individual.
Will Ripley/CNN
Kobayashi gave a lecture to students at Waseda Juku on Sunday, July 13 about the importance of thinking for yourself and embracing individuality. He calls it the key to a "rich and happy" life.
Japanese crossdresser: Inspirational or weird? —
Kobayashi gave a lecture to students at Waseda Juku on Sunday, July 13 about the importance of thinking for yourself and embracing individuality. He calls it the key to a "rich and happy" life.
Will Ripley/CNN
Kobayashi is known online as "Sailor Fuku Ojisan" -- which translates "old guy in a sailor outfit."
Japanese crossdresser: Inspirational or weird? —
Kobayashi is known online as "Sailor Fuku Ojisan" -- which translates "old guy in a sailor outfit."
Will Ripley/CNN
CNN correspondent Will Ripley makes an unsuccessful attempt to mimic Kobayashi's signature pose after interviewing him.
Japanese crossdresser: Inspirational or weird? —
CNN correspondent Will Ripley makes an unsuccessful attempt to mimic Kobayashi's signature pose after interviewing him.
Will Ripley/CNN