Welcome to Tokyo, Queens and Kings!]]>It’s back back, back, back again. Osaka’s favorite drag group, the Haus of Gaishoku, has moved its base of operation to Tokyo. Gaishoku now hosts its popular Beauty Blenda drag shows in both cities.
Co-hosted by American drag queen Goma Dango and Japanese queen Shigata Ichikuchi, Beauty Blenda is a show that takes bilingual entertainment seriously. Since its inception in 2018, the event has steadily increased its scope and ambition, now featuring over a dozen performers in a single night at its Shinjuku Ni-chome shows.
A wild night at Beauty Blenda serves a full buffet of variety entertainment, from drag kings and queens to contortionists, magicians and pole dancers.
A true variety show
Beauty Blenda co-hosts Goma Dango and Shigata Ichikuchi.
Aside from the main acts, expect a smattering of stand up comedy, audience interviews and brutal lip-sync hoedowns between the queens. One memorable bit Goma Dango often performs is her search for a boyfriend—involving live singing, improv, interviews with potential “boy-toys” and a final, bitter lip-sync as Goma resigns herself to single-hood.
Even among the drag queen lineup, Beauty Blenda incorporates a range of styles, from comedy queens like Goma, to edgy avant-garde queens like Okini and Kosmic Sans, to dancing and contortion queens like Xtra.
Okini at Bar Rosso, in a performance that encourages audience participation.
Join the show
Enjoying the view? It’s better under the spotlight. Performers of all genders and backgrounds are free to join. With its new Ichome Idol segment, Beauty Blenda welcomes baby kings and queens to try their hand and their lip-mashing skills on stage.
Be warned—Ichome Idol is overseen by a panel of senior Haus of Gaishoku members, who take turns offering “helpful advice” (read: savage reads) to the fledgling performer.
Buriko, Kosmic, Xtra mugging it.
There is no such thing as too much drag, and the rapidly growing scene of Tokyo brings joy to the hearts of many. Whether you’re a tourist or a longstanding resident, check out the next date for Beauty Blenda’s lively LGBTQ events. And, of course, stay fab, stay bad.
LGBTQ in Japan? We’ve got the deets on all the hotspots for you to check out.
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Have a foot bath and grab a pint, this is your new queer hangout spot.]]>Whether you’re there for lunch, dinner or just to meet friends before migrating to the clubs for the night, Donyoku welcomes you with open arms.
Opened in 2018 by three queer women—Kei Izumi, Kaori Ooji and Satoko Nagamura—Cafe & Bar Donyoku is in the heart of Tokyo’s LGBTQ community of Shinjuku Ni-chome. At this inclusive cafe, patrons are encouraged to relax and freely express their identities.
Food and comfort in Ni-chome
Creature comforts for guests, including footbaths and LGBTQ-themed books.
Donyoku is spacious, sunny and colorful, with large windows, rainbow art and hammocks. Its most distinctive feature is its foot baths—warm tubs of water built under the floor tables by the windows. This water is clean and filtered and gives diners a spa experience while they eat and drink.
Adjacent to the floor tables and footbaths, Donyoku has larger western-style seating, suitable for groups of up to six, as well as counter seating with wall outlets for folks who want to work on their laptops.
Drinks include both cafe classics and barroom wines and cocktails, painstakingly garnished to Instagram quality.
Foodwise, Donyoku’s menu consists of four categories: Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches (including a vegan banh mi), roast beef plates (understandably, no vegan options), salads and desserts. Some atypical dishes, like chili con carne, are thrown into the mix, as well as snack dishes served at bar time from 7 p.m. onwards.
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Good food, good people and a fun-loving atmosphere... exactly what the region is known for. ]]>- 2019 Dates: Oct. 12 and Oct. 13
- Performances start from 11 a.m. both days. The parade starts at 12:40 p.m. on Oct. 13
- Ogimachi Park - Map
Every October since 2006, the gray concrete metropolis gets painted rainbow to celebrate the Kansai Rainbow Festa.
Osaka is one of Japan’s few places where a prominent LGBTQ movement is on the come up. Doyamacho, the Kansai region’s gay district, is located near Osaka’s central business hub and Osaka was the first city in Japan to allow same-sex couples to foster children.
However, both the city and the nation have a long way to go when it comes to the recognition and rights of the LGBT community.
Kansai Rainbow Festa & parade
The Kansai Rainbow Festa, one of the biggest of its kind in Japan, is an all-day (and sometimes weekend-long, depending on the year) event helping to bring acceptance and awareness. Plus, it’s a great time.
Photo by: HOTEL GRANVIA KYOTO Rainbow goodies from the 2017 event.
The event was initially deemed the Kansai Rainbow Pride Parade (like the Tokyo pride event each spring) and simply featured a spirited march from beautiful Nakanoshima to the busy Namba. Bystanders looked on with a mixture of confusion and curiosity at this flamboyant and unusual display of queerness in a country where such a thing isn’t hated so much as not flaunted or even really discussed.
What started with several hundred participants now welcomes over 10,000 attendees annually and takes place in Ogimachi Park. The yearly march both starts and ends in the park, with performances and events before and afterward. Paraders show off by strutting down the famous Tenjinbashi-suji shopping street and shakin’ it by popular amusement center HEP 5 in Umeda.
Photo by: Rainbow Festa Executive Committee Join the fest every fall in Osaka.
Anyone can join the parade, which had over 700 participants in 2017. Paraders dress in drag, wear colorful wigs, sport rainbow-colored accessories and carry signs. There is a zone for those who don’t want to be photographed, though the number of people who opt for this area grows smaller every year. To join the parade all you have to do is show up on the day itself.
In addition to the parade at Kansai Rainbow Festa, there are performances, food stalls, and information booths. One performance you don’t want to miss is Osaka’s “Obaachan Group,” a group of rapping grannies where the members are in their 60s.
Their leopard print laden rap video garnered them worldwide recognition in 2018 when they welcomed members of the G20 Summit to Osaka. For the 2019 event, the buoyant group will be on at 1:55 p.m. on Oct. 13.
Local establishments like lesbian bar WaaGwaan serve up vegan food. Hotel Granvia Kyoto hosts a same-sex marriage consultation booth and others offer legal help, job hunting advice, information about gay travel and lessons in sign language about LGBT topics.
Editor’s note: GaijinPot Travel launched its LGBT travel section in 2018. If you’d like to contribute articles/photos, please contact [email protected].
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A hip community of LGBT-friendly cafes, bars, and galleries all under one roof.]]>From the outside, the Shinjuku Building looks a bit dilapidated like there probably isn’t anything interesting inside. You’d never expect that it’s a treasure trove of eccentric bars and cafes catering to the LGBT community and its allies. Everything you need for a night of bar hopping is here under one roof.
Step inside for burritos, art galleries, smooth R&B tunes and more!
Photo by: Kimberly Hughes The place is packed with bars and cafes.
Tokyo’s coolest gayborhood, Shinjuku Ni-chome, is only a few steps away, making the Shinjuku Building a perfect place to start or end a night out. It’s separated into two parts — Building No. 1 on the left side and Building No. 2 on the right.
Let’s check out Building No. 2, as this is where a lot of the action is.
Ken Nakahashi Gallery
Photo by: Ken Nakahashi Gallery The gallery is known for showcasing beautifully strange avant-garde art.
Your first stop is the Ken Nakahashi Gallery up on the fifth floor. Browse avant-garde exhibitions from a rotating lineup of international artists. Occasionally, the cozy gallery hosts opening parties and other events.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head back downstairs to start your bar hopping.
- Free!
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Closed Sundays and Mondays)
Bar Mama Panic
Photo by: hoootim218 Peace, sake, and udon. Plus the occasional pole dancing show.
On the second floor is Bar Mama Panic, whose tagline “peace, sake, and udon” is exactly what you’ll find inside. Featuring sleek wooden decor and a disco ball, the bar hosts Saturday night dance parties, pole dancing shows and more!
- ¥500 entry fee per person. Udon course available by reservation only for ¥4000 a person (up to six people). Call 090-1773-4846 for reservations. (Japanese skills required)
- Tuesday to Thursday 6 p.m. to midnight; Friday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday opens at 6 p.m. closing time varies; Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Rainbow Burritos Doumo
Photo by: Lucy Dayman Check out that beautiful Frida Kahlo stained glass!
The answer to all your Mexican food cravings is one floor up at Rainbow Burritos Doumo. Stop in for deliciously authentic Mexican-American-style cuisine along with some originals — tacorritos anyone?
Expect a cozy atmosphere highlighted by a gorgeous stained-glass mural of Frida Kahlo in the window, and a good selection of cocktails. Friendly manager Mamiko-san invites customers to hook up their own music to the sound system, so be sure to bring some tunes!
- 7 p.m. to midnight daily
- One drink minimum required
Bar 3R
Photo by: bar3r_akix99 Bar 3R is totally chill inside.
Despite being just across the stairwell, opening the door to Bar 3R will lead you into what feels like another universe — think low-lit ambiance, cozy furniture, and a funky playlist.
Bartender and chef Aki Tazawa runs a tight show, offering a top-notch food menu that defies regional classification. The R&B, soul, and rare Japanese rock tracks she spins from her impressive vinyl collection are as smooth as the liquor she pours.
- ¥500 per person
- 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., from 3 p.m. on Sundays. Check their Facebook page for the most up-to-date schedule as closing days vary.
Boogie on down at this intimate disco club in Shinjuku.]]>New Sazae in Shinjuku’s LGBT hub Ni-chome is a living, breathing time capsule back into the 70s, when disco balls and bell-bottom pants reigned supreme. The living room-sized disco club is stayin’ alive in it’s own beautifully strange universe, seemingly cut off from the rest of the world.
The club was a favorite hangout for the legendary Freddie Mercury and Queen during their visits to Japan.
For a trip down memory lane into the disco heyday, stop by New Sazae on your next night out in Shinjuku. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Authentic disco vibes
Photo by: brian.world Let’s groove tonight.
The vibe inside New Sazae has stayed almost exactly the same as when it opened back in 1966. The walls of the club read like Tokyo’s LGBT family genealogy, a monument to the culture’s long and often overlooked history.
Another disco bar??
We do know that the club was a favorite hangout for the legendary Freddie Mercury and Queen during their visits to Japan. Tokyo-based actress and designer Kiko Mizuhara is also a frequent guest.
New Sazae’s legacy
Until his passing in mid-2018, the owner Shion presided over this disco palace all night long — and we do mean all night, as the club doesn’t close until 7 a.m.
Born in Nagasaki, Shion spent some of his early years in Lyon, France with his grandfather before moving back to Japan and working as a fashion model and radio host.
Photo by: far___near Owner Shion was the king of this disco until his unfortunate passing in mid-2018.
After falling in love with Tokyo’s artsy theatre crowd, he and his friends would spend endless nights at disco club Sazae, which eventually led to him working behind the bar and later owning it.
The club has only changed locations once in its 53-year history, which was when “New” was added to the name.
How to find it
New Sazae isn’t easy to find but is well worth the effort. It’s located on the second floor of a building complex right in the heart of Ni-chome. Once you spot the subtle “New Sazae” sign buzzing in the window, head up the stairs and push open the heavy doors.
There are no fancy gimmicks here, just good old fashioned disco.
The outlines of the diverse crowd grooving to 70s and 80s disco classics blasting over towering speaker stacks will let you know you’re in the right place.
Photo by: Lucy Dayman
This is a good sign.There are no special promotional events, exclusive parties, or fancy gimmicks here, just good old fashioned disco. Built on a foundation of fun, inclusivity, and infectious music, it’s one of Shinjuku’s — maybe even Tokyo’s — oldest running nightclubs, and a rich LGBT artifact.
And the beat goes on.
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An LGBT cafe and bar specializing in queer inclusivity. ]]>A night out in Tokyo’s famous gay district, Shinjuku Ni-chome can be an amazingly liberating experience. However, some “men only” or “women only” establishments can be off-putting for members of the LGBT community looking for inclusivity. At Shinjuku Dialogue, there is no such thing as an unwelcome guest — it is a truly welcoming queer-friendly space.
Photo by: Kelsey Lark
The owner of Shinjuku Dialogue, Syun.Shinjuku Dialogue was started in January 2019 as a place to openly discuss current issues, including but not limited to those facing LGBT groups. You’ll find it in Ni-chome’s neighboring district, Shinjuku San-chome.
“Dialogue” is very much the key word here, as the bar provides a space to respectfully share opinions and ideas. Simply come as you are and feel free to join the conversation, or just enjoy the food.
Cafe by day, bar by night
The “mama” (owner) of the bar is a cheery, openly transgender woman named Syun. During the day, she runs the cafe on the second floor, and at night she switches into bartender mode serving up fierce cocktails.
Photo by: Kimberly Hughes Shinjuku Dialogue is on the second and third floor of the Shinjuku Building.
Menu prices are quite reasonable, with soft drinks starting from ¥500 and alcoholic drinks starting from ¥650.
The Japanese-style menu features miso soup and organic sweets, but is always changing based on what ingredients are in season. For a taste of the current menu, check out Shinjuku Dialogue on Facebook or Twitter. Though the social media handles are all in Japanese, the pictures of delicious food transcend any language barriers.
Photo by: Shinjuku Dialogue The menu is constantly changing, but always delicious.
A portion of every drink order is donated to one of several causes the cafe is currently raising money for, which in the past has included charities supporting women’s equality and clean water initiatives. Don’t forget to place the bottle cap you receive with your drink order into the donation jar of your choice.
Deepen the dialogue
Shimmy up the stairs to the third floor and you’ll find an event space where the “dialogues” come to life. Syun and several other commentators on social justice and LGBT issues regularly speak at events held here. Events have included a discussion with the bartender of Gold Finger’s trans men night and a forum on intersex issues in Japan.
While English support is limited, many foreigners do stop by as people of all nationalities, sexualities, and genders are welcome.
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Tokyo's best burritos ?.]]>Finding good Mexican-inspired cuisine in Japan can be a bit of a challenge. Luckily, Rainbow Burritos Doumo in Shinjuku has, arguably, the best burritos in Tokyo — something you wouldn’t expect from such a low key and unassuming joint.
You’ll find the cozy restaurant just on the cusp of Ni-chome, Tokyo’s lively LGBT neighborhood. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see the Frida Kahlo stained glass window decal.
Photo by: Lucy Dayman Frida says, “If you can’t enjoy a good burrito, there’s something wrong with ya.”
Run by members of Tokyo’s tight-knit LGBT community, it’s a favorite hangout spot for Ni-chome regulars but welcomes people of all genders, nationalities, and sexualities. Who in their right mind doesn’t love a good burrito, after all?
You had me at burrito ?
Rainbow Burritos’ menu draws heavily from San Francisco inspired “California style” Mexican joints. Quality over quantity is the name of the game here, with three burrito options available in addition to nachos and chips and salsa.
Photo by: chennwy Succulent burrito goodness. Are you drooling yet?
Wanna go to a gay bar in Japan? Better learn the ropes.
Regular-sized burritos cost around ¥1,000, while half-sized ones cost ¥500. These are a perfect cushion for all the booze you’re soon to guzzle down during a night on the town in the lively neighborhood. Don’t leave Rainbow Burritos without trying a frozen margarita though — you can thank us later.
Vegetarian burritos are available too! Takeout and delivery through Uber Eats is also an option. That’s right— you can indulge in the succulent burrito goodness without even leaving your bed.
Founded on the streets of Ni-chome
Originally, Rainbow Burritos was a yatai (street food stall) that sat next to one of the city’s premier lesbian bars, serving party-goers in the center of Ni-chome’s nightlife district. The burritos were such a hit that the owner decided to set up shop permanently, just down the road.
Everyone is treated like a friend as soon as they step through the rustic wooden door.
Although it’s technically a sit-down restaurant, the snug space can only fit a maximum of about 10 people — four at the bar and six along the corner booth. On the plus side, the intimate space makes it excellent for solo travelers or those new to town. It’s impossible to leave without making a few new friends given the fact you’re practically sitting on each others’ laps.
Photo by: Lucy Dayman The snug space can only fit about 10 people, but that just makes it easier to make friends.
Everyone is treated like a friend as soon as they step through the rustic wooden door, whether it’s your first visit or the bartenders know you by name.
Rainbow Burritos is worth popping by any night of the week for some LGBT-friendly banter, or just for great food.
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A night out in Shinjuku Ni-Chome with some rowdy queens.]]>Not for the faint of heart, Campy is one of the most flamboyant bars in all of Shinjuku Ni-chome. Amongst all the bars in Tokyo’s infamous LGBT neighborhood, it’s nearly impossible to miss in all its garish, multi-colored glory. Opening in 2013, Campy is one of Ni-chome’s most iconic landmarks thanks to the raucous drag queens that hang out there.
A full-on party from the moment you step through the door.
Run by local celebrity cross dresser Bourbonne and her gregarious gaggle of queens, Campy is as popular with straight people as it is with LGBT folk. Gawking passersby often loiter in front of the large glass windows attempting to understand what exactly is going on inside.
The regulars and staff here are not shy, so if you’re planning on visiting you’d better not be either.
Photo by: Campy Bar The drag queens, or should we say josou (cross dressers), of Campy.
Bourbonne, queen of the show
In addition to being the queen of Campy, Bourbonne is one of Japan’s most influential and interesting LGBT figures. Throughout her career she’s worked as a freelance writer, gay magazine editor, party promoter and performer.
Bourbonne considers herself as a josou (Japanese for cross dresser), distinguishing herself from the more restrictive boundaries of traditional drag culture.
Josou is the best way to describe the girls and sets a precedent for the attitude inside the bar. The girls aren’t serious pageant queens, but fun loving, gender-bending friends so if you’re looking for a song and dance drag show, this probably isn’t the bar for you.
With a name like Campy…
Photo by: nenetto Definitely not the place for a quiet night out!
The tall, glamorous queens lounge around, entertaining patrons, and serving drinks mixed by Campy’s hunky bar staff. It’s a full-on party from the moment you step through the door.
The queens converse effortlessly with guests as they are well versed in cheeky one-liners and catchphrases in multiple languages. The bar is open to all nationalities, genders, and sexual orientations making it extremely popular. It’s also open from mid-afternoon, making it a great spot for day drinking.
Entry is free but you’re expected to buy a drink which costs ￥500 to￥800. If, however, you want a spot on the main sofa area you’ll have to pay a ￥1,000 reservation fee.
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Sing your heart out at this cozy lesbian bar in Ikebukuro!]]>Just a couple of decades ago, the famous gayborhood Shinjuku Ni-chome was the only place in Tokyo the LGBT community could call their own. With the interest in LGBT travel in Tokyo steadily growing, several gay and lesbian bars have popped up in nearby neighborhoods like Ikebukuro. This is where you’ll find lesbian bar Climb.
The boom of LGBT culture can be seen with the growing popularity of the Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade, which boasted more than 150,000 visitors in 2018. Climb is but one of several options for those looking for a more local lesbian bar experience.
Let’s take a look into this intimate “snack” style bar.
Ikebukuro’s lesbian bar
Ikebukuro, where Climb is located, is a metropolitan hub only a few train stops away from Shinjuku and a great place to hang with friends or meet other women. The friendly bartenders and sleek decor create a warm and inviting atmosphere. If you’ve ever been to Goldfinger in Shinjuku Ni-chome, expect the same cozy size but with more seating and less crowds. Though the bar is small, it has a few comfy sofas to accommodate groups in addition to the bar seating.
Urue Bar
The bar is now accepting male patrons all days of the week when the singles event isn’t on. So, it’s the perfect LGBT-friendly place for the whole gang to get together.
What’s on the menu
The menu is surprisingly extensive with several local and imported brands available.
You’ll find beer, cocktails, plum wine, and an assortment of other tasty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages alike. After downing a few drinks, you’ll be ready to indulge in all-you-can-sing karaoke! A complimentary Japanese snack of your choosing is included with the cover charge.
]]>For ladies only!]]>While there are over a hundred bars in Tokyo’s famous gay district Shinjuku Ni-chome, only a handful are for women who like women. If a fun night out in Ni-chome has left you wondering where all the gay women go, you might find your answer over in Ikebukuro at Lesbian Bar Urue.
Urue was Ikebukuro’s first lesbian bar, opening in 2013 and it’s a much more chill version of its Ni-chome sisters, Goldfinger and Adezakura. It’s conveniently located just a few minutes north of Shinjuku on the train!
Photo by: Kelsey Lark Urue is totally low-key and easy to miss, so look for this sign!
An electrifying night out in Ni-chome is an essential for LGBT travelers in Tokyo, but it can be exhausting. Urue offers lesbian patrons a less male-centered and more relaxed hangout.
Ikebukuro isn’t just for anime
Ikebukuro is a huge urban neighborhood in Tokyo, but it’s nowhere near the same scale as Shinjuku. The northwest side of the station, where Urue calls home, is much more low-key than Ni-chome.
Ikebukuro has become somewhat of a pilgrimage site for anime fans, with the largest anime store worldwide located just a few minutes’ walk away from the station. Marketed as being more female-friendly than the shady Akihabara district, Ikebukuro should definitely be added to any lesbian’s itinerary for gay travel in Tokyo. Pick up the latest anime goods and manga before dropping by Urue.
Photo by: Bar Urue The intimate bar in Ikebukuro is like drinking at a friend’s house.
Visiting Urue
Dimly lit candles at the entrance offer guests a warm welcome. Inside, you’ll find comfy velvet sofas in the back and several chairs at the bar. On Urue’s official Twitter page, they explain that many newcomers to the lesbian scene visit and are welcome there.
The owner, Aya, is very friendly and talkative. She regularly holds singles meetups at the bar, which are highly recommended if you’re looking for love or just friends. Be aware that many of the patrons are locals though and not everyone can speak English. Be sure to brush up on your Japanese skills before signing up!
Photo by: Bar Urue Drinks start from ￥700.
The menu at Urue is complete with both domestic and imported alcoholic drinks starting from ￥700. Light snacks are also available.
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