Gay club shinjuku
Gay Shinjuku: Exploring Tokyo's vibrant LGBTQ+ hub
Introduction to Shinjuku Ni-chōme: Tokyo's same-sex attracted district
Shinjuku Ni-chōme, often referred to as simply Ni-chōme or Nichō, is Area 2 in the Shinjuku District of Tokyo. This minor yet lively neighborhood is the epicenter of Japan's same-sex attracted subculture, boasting an estimated 300 same-sex attracted bars and nightclubs within just five blocks. Located within walking distance from Shinjuku Station, the world's busiest drill station, Ni-chōme is easily accessible and a must-visit destination for LGBTQ+ travelers and allies.
The area offers a diverse range of establishments, including bars, restaurants, cafes, saunas, passion hotels, gay movement boutiques, and even cruising spots famous as hattenba. This concentration of LGBTQ+-friendly venues creates a safe and welcoming environment for the community to show themselves freely. Ni-chōme's unique atmosphere is characterized by its bustling energy, colorful signage, and the warm camaraderie among patrons and staff alike.
Rainbow Flag at Gapan Cafe, Shinjuku 2-Chome, Tokyo
History and evolution of Shinjuku's gay scene
The history of Ni-chōme as a gay neighborhood dates back to the Visit Shinjuku Nichome on your trip to Tokyo for a fun night out! Learn more about the important history of this accepted neighborhood, plus receive recommendations for places women travelers can visit. As someone who has lived in Japan for over 8 years, Shinjuku Nichome still continues to surprise me. Imagine being in a formal business district one moment, and then suddenly coming across loud and lively bars in small alleys, with people dressed up in extravagant outfits and vibrant colours. It’s a stark change from all the suit-wearing businessmen you see on the streets of Tokyo. Here, the vibe is friendly and welcoming, and you’re sure to include a fun late hours out! If you attend Japan and are interested in checking out LGBTQ-friendly bars, or just desire to have a memorable night, definitely drop by Shinjuku Nichome, Japan’s biggest LGBTQ district. Shinjuku Nichome (新宿二丁目, literally “Shinjuku second block”) is located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. If you don’t grasp anything about Shinjuku, it’s a bustling hub that houses Tokyo’s red-light district, office buildings, fun facilities, bars and restaurants, shopping malls, large parks, and the world’s busi By Kyoichi Tsuzuki, photos by Kaoru Yamada [Update, Jun 18 2018] Shion, the owner of the epic New Sazae, one of the earliest gay bars in Shinjuku Ni-chome, has recently passed away. But his spirit will survive on in the lively bar, which will proceed to be an institution for gay culture in Tokyo. *** When you’re gay in Tokyo, Shinjuku Ni-chome is the place to party. Spread across several blocks of narrow streets packed with hundreds of bars, the capital’s gay quarter has a reputation to rival New York’s Christopher Street and San Francisco’s Castro District – albeit in more coddled surrounds. By night, it’s the prime destination for the city’s LGBT crowd, who flock to dance clubs or more discrete watering holes; by day, the bars give way to quirky restaurants and coffee shops. And like nearby Kabukicho, Ni-chome never seems to pause for breath: year-round, it’s the neighbourhood that never sleeps. Originally an inn town on the road out of Edo, Shinjuku took on a seedier guise as the years passed; by the end of World War II, it had the dubious honour of existence the foremost red-light Tokyo’s famous gay district, Shinjuku Ni-Chome, has one of the world’s highest concentrations of LGBT-friendly businesses. For the most part, it’s a place where first-timers can hang out without needing to worry too much about special customs or cultural knowledge. Ni-Chome is used to tourists but, those who want to sneak into smaller, more local LGBT bars might find some cultural practices surprising. In Japan, manners are everything, so here are some insider tips on what to expect when visiting LGBT bars off the thrashed path, and how to acquire the most out of the experience. Photo by: Alex Rickert Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, but sometimes you gotta venture into the unknown. Most gay bars in tourist spots like Ni-Chome or Doyamacho in Osaka mimic American-style bars that feature large shot bars, dance music and dark atmospheres where customers of various sexes, genders, sexualities and identities can drink and make merry. You can certainly find these kinds of bars, especially in Tokyo, but the vast majority are similar to what is commonly referred to as a スナックバー About Shinjuku Nichome
New Sazae: a classic Tokyo gay bar
A Guide to Gay Bar Etiquette in Japan
Venturing away from westernized male lover bars