Gay club tokyo shinjuku
A Gay Guide to Ni-Chome, Shinjuku
Tokyo is a city of extremes; and the city’s gay district- Ni-Chome- is no exception. Housing the world’s highest concentration of gay bars; Ni-Chome is an area of the Shinjuku district acknowledged as one of Tokyo’s loudest and most crowded wards.
The area emerged as a hub of gay culture during the American occupation of Japan in the wake of the second nature war. The closure of Tokyo’s red-light districts contributed to the birth of Ni-Chome's gay scene, which saw a number of lgbtq+ bars publically unseal during the 1950s, and, as prior as 1948 there was mention of a Shinjuku male lover teashop.
During the cease of the 20th century, Ni-Chome’s self as a queer district grew as it played host to a number of significant events contributing to the advancement of LGBT rights in Japan including the opening of a counselling room for male lover men, the first AIDS candlelight vigil, the first Tokyo international lesbian and gay film festival and Japan’s first pride parade in 1994, and today Ni-Chome is still a symbol of growing respect for LGBT people in Japan.
Now home to a number of gay clubs, bars, cruising spots and adult shops; Ni-Chome's gay scene is as diver
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 miniature yet lively neighborhood is the epicenter of Japan's queer subculture, boasting an estimated 300 queer bars and nightclubs within just five blocks. Located within walking distance from Shinjuku Station, the world's busiest coach 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, treasure hotels, gay celebration boutiques, and even cruising spots acknowledged as hattenba. This concentration of LGBTQ+-friendly venues creates a safe and welcoming environment for the community to declare 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 New to Shinjuku Ni-chome, Tokyo’s legendary gay neighbourhood? Start your night at these tourist-friendly bars. By Joseph Eddy Whether it be dancing the night away at a club or drinking and meeting new people in a tiny dive bar, Shinjuku Ni-chome offers some of the optimal nights out in Tokyo. No matter if you’re straight, lgbtq+ or non-binary, the capital’s LGBT hub will deliver. If you want to experience one of the best parts of Japanese bar culture – talking with and being entertained by the staff – but don’t quite know where to head for English-friendly banter, these five bars will fit the bill. Café Lavandería is the kind of place where one minute you’re drinking and the next you’re suddenly filled with an overwhelming desire to smash the patriarchy and plan a revolution. Tucked away in a back highway opposite the famous Goldfinger lock, this easy-going communist-come-anarchist café applications very reasonably priced but high-quality drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), a wide selection of books to browse, and regular events suc Tokyo’s celebrated 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 locate 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 beaten path, and how to get 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 appreciate 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 detect 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
Best tourist-friendly gay bars in Shinjuku Ni-chome
Café Lavandería
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Venturing away from westernized gay bars