Tokyo Black

If you're like me you've heard of the eponymous Japon Noir and that 'Discontinued' title has endlessly piqued your interest then I've got good news and bad news. You may or may not have smelled the original (I hadn't) but you've definitely read the reviews. Is it really one of those perfumes that deserves the praise or is it the scarcity that dictates its reputation? I needed to answer this question and I'm assuming part of you wants this answered too. I searched around every dupe house and bedroom perfumer on etsy to see if someone had captured its essence. Every inspiration left me wanting more; the scent surely was intriguing on it's own merits but, the clubhanded blending of amateurs left me gagging for the refined TF version. I then found Tokyo Black and the good and bad news was my search was finally over. Again, I admit that I hadn't smelled the original by I really don't see how the OG could be any more intoxicating and refined than this. It was after all developed by a previous TF insider to the creation of these discontinued scents (hence the house name). No doubt, the perfumer has added his own particular twist on the OG and it may lack that depth and darkness that TF brought to that period of their perfumes but as the reviewer said below nothing is lost here in the experience as a whole and everything gained in the top / opening. This one is special, the sweet amber lasts forever on the clothes and it's sillage is gorgeous. I get many compliments at work and I have finally found my winter sig scent. This one truly truly lives up to the hype...Please don't do what I've done here and instead keep this one a secret...

The perfumer who worked on this did an amazing job. I went through an entire bottle of Japon Noir when it came out and have about 20% of a second bottle left, so I'm very familiar with the inspiration for Tokyo Black. It's not a note-for-note copy, and I actually like that. JN had, to my nose, basically no top notes. It opened dense and dark and stayed that way. This, however, lightens things up considerably in the opening with a noticeable and well-judged bergamot note. After that, however, it seems exactly the same to me. After the opening, this is a linear scent, as was JN, but that's ok because I love the smell. I would say this is noticeably less intense as far as projection goes (and maybe overall density) than JN, but it is equally very long lasting. I would encourage anyone unfamiliar with its inspiration to judge Tokyo Black on its own merits. because its just a fantastic fragrance. I had never smelled anything like it before and have never since. And given the price to quality ratio of Tokyo Black, it is well worth checking out!

I’m very fortunate to have a large decant of Tom Ford Japon Noir and have been wearing it enough to comfortably say that Tokyo Black is a close copy. The main difference, as mentioned by others below, is a noticeably more citrus-heavy opening and mid in Tokyo Black compared to Japon Noir. Also, Japon Noir is "rounder", more leathery, and smokier than Tokyo Black. Tokyo Black is probably an easier wear than Japon Noir on account of the citrus component and less smoky nature (not that Japon Noir is challenging). This is absolutely fantastic though, and it should be a satisfying replacement for the (very unfortunately) discontinued masterpiece, Japon Noir. Edit: wore Tokyo Black two days straight and then Japon Noir, and Japon Noir is definitely more leathery (and heavier on account of no citrus) than Tokyo Black. Both are fantastic, but Tokyo Black does seem more "sharp", yet probably more versatile and “easier” to wear.

A contemporary classic. A perfume of dualities. Light and dark. Mysterious and effervescent. Citrus freshness up-top and rooted patchouli in the base. Rugged masculine. For the biker, for the adventurer, for the iconoclast. 10/10 Just excellent value for money here. Niche quality at affordable prices. Luxury u can splurge on. Edit 20/7/25: About 8-9 months in this has quickly risen into probably my top 10 right now. Unique citrus leather combo, it has quite a bit of sex appeal, been complimented numerous times and even been asked what I was wearing a few times. I've only had as good reactions as this fragrance with maybe Pardon, Layton Exclusif, Promise, Le Lion and Falkar. So far I must say Insidious and Tokyo Black are not to be missed even if you just get a 10ml travel spray.

Great to see Insider Parfums added to the Fragrantica database. I have Mossy Bridges, Tokyo Black and Plum Harajuku, all are worth owning imo 🙂 Tokyo Black and Plum Harajuku are my favourites. I would rate Tokyo Black 9/10