LGBT Tokyo Then and Now
Description
Behind every stoic Japanese businessman face there is a secret, thus one aspect of "honne tatemae," which loosely translates to something along the lines of keeping the publicly acceptable face forward, and the true face within. This, combined with Japanese culture's general disdain for public affection, might make Tokyo seem to not have as vibrant an LGBT presence as hoped. Worry not: In a city as big as Tokyo, there is of course a thriving gay scene -- if you know where to look. Tonight, you'll not only see Japan's largest gayborhood, Shinjuku 2-chome, but Asakusa in the evening as well. You'll also get a solid primer in Japanese gay society, both past and present. We'll stop along the way for a local Japanese meal (veg options available), and a couple of drinks too. Get ready for a well-rounded adventure into the heart of homosexuality in Japan, led by a friendly native (or equivalent) speaker of your selected language who knows what it means to be gay in Japan.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Sensoji (Temple) forms the deeply historic heart of Asakusa, but the shopping, dining, and entertainment areas alongside its approach is also the center of Tokyo's "elder gay" population. A century ago, Asakusa was in many ways what Shinjuku and Shibuya are like today. In fact, the Asakusa to Ueno stretch was so popular back in the early 20th century that Asia's first subway was built between those two areas (this is now known as the Ginza line). As the area aged, the clientele aged and changed faces too, and especially in more recent years, there has been a plethora of gay bars, saunas, and even cruising areas for the daddies and granddaddies of the gay persuasion. We'll walk around the neighborhood, talk about history, cultural context, and take a gander at some notable sights from the outside.
This thriving restaurant and shopping district is adjacent to 2-Chome, and it is here where we'll grab some food and a drink (included) at one of the sociable, casual restaurants dotting the streets.
2-Chome (pronounced "knee choh may") is the largest LGBTQ district in the largest metropolitan region in Japan (or the world, for that matter). Some bars are garish, some are low key. Most indoors, but some have sights visible from and spilling into the streets. We'll give you a thorough walk-through, and also stop at a bar for a drink (included).
Sensoji is arguable the top attraction in Asakusa, During the day, this Buddhist Temple compound dating back to 7th century, is thronged with visitors, but at night it's a mellower, perhaps more atmospheric scene. Beautifully lit up, you'll have your phone out for a picture before you know it.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 18 years
- Japan's drinking age is 20 years.
Reviews(33)
Adrian was great and had plenty of insight into the area. Tasted some food I hadn’t experienced before and it was great; bacon wrapped cherry tomatoes on a skewer! As a solo traveler it’s always great to have knowledgeable people who know the ins and outs of an area and the tour was a fun way to see and experience Asakusa/Ni-Chome! Thanks again Adrian!
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re glad to hear the tour offered a fun way to explore Asakusa and Shinjuku, and that Adrian’s insights helped bring the area to life. It’s great to know you enjoyed trying new dishes along the way, and that the experience felt comfortable and engaging.✨
Hiroshi was an excellent tour guide who blended history and humor effortlessly. He was flexible when we wanted to explore and encouraging when we had questions that ventured beyond the schedule. He was a joy to have and I am appreciative of the knowledge he brought.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re delighted to hear Hiroshi’s blend of historical insight and humor made the tour both engaging and enjoyable. His flexibility and openness to questions are qualities we truly value in our guides, and your kind words will mean a lot to him.✨
Good overview of gay history and culture in Tokyo, especially Shibuya. The tour guide was very enthusastic.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! We’re glad the tour offered more than just a bar-to-bar experience, giving you a chance to explore the history and cultural background of Tokyo’s LGBTQ scene.☺️
I unfortunately didn’t go on this tour—I was told the guide would message me on what’s app. At 6:30, when the tour was scheduled to begin, I messaged Viator and told them I hadn’t heard from the guide. The guide then messaged me at 6:50 pm saying he could wait until 7. It seemed a bit shady and absolutely unprofessional.
Hi Sam. We are not shady, nor are we unprofessional: We've been in business ten years and served tens of thousands of guests. When you booked the tour, you were provided with the time and meeting point information. We did also tell you that we'd share the guide contact info (but, importantly, we never told you the guide would be in touch with you) just in case you needed it. Unforunately, a system error blocked that email containing the guide info from being sent. But again, you already had the meeting point location and timing information, so there was nothing precluding you from joining the tour. We are sorry the tour didn't work out for you, but we also feel the need to set the record straight (excuse the expression) regarding the question about whether you were able to join the tour or not.
As a solo traveler I never know what to expect. This tour, and especially our guide Hiro, exceeded all of my expectations!
We’re so glad to hear the tour felt enjoyable for you as a solo traveler, and that Hiro helped make the experience even better.😊
Hiroshi was a good guide. On time, friendly and knowledgeable. Spoke excellent English. Set a good pace. Decent meal at an authentic Japanese restaurant.
Thank you very much for joining our LGBT Tokyo walking tour. We’re glad to hear that Hiroshi’s friendly guiding and thoughtful pacing made for a pleasant experience, and that you enjoyed the authentic Japanese meal along the way. We hope the evening also gave some insight into Tokyo’s diverse culture.😊
Great tour! Hiroshi, our tour guide was amazing. Fluent in English, Spanish & Japanese. Good energy and easy going. So much information about the lgbt life in Japan. Good conversation, company, dinner and drinks. I loved it!
Thank you very much for joining our LGBTQ+ tour in Tokyo. We’re delighted that Hiroshi’s multilingual guidance and welcoming spirit made the evening both insightful and enjoyable. It’s wonderful to know the mix of conversation, food, and drinks created such a memorable experience.✨
Recommend! The guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. The tour had the right balance of history and then visiting the more modern queer quarter
Thank you very much for joining our LGBTQ+ tour in Tokyo. We’re glad the experience offered both historical context and a look at the city’s contemporary queer scene, creating a well-rounded and engaging perspective. Your thoughtful feedback is greatly appreciated.🙌
The guide was the best. It was so hard to understand the gay scene in Tokyo. But now everything feels easier. Great personality and great company! Love ❤️
Tack så mycket för att du deltog i vår LGBT-tur i Tokyo. Det gläder oss att höra att guidens sätt att förklara gjorde scenen mer begriplig och att stämningen under kvällen kändes både välkomnande och trevlig. Din återkoppling uppskattas verkligen.😊
A really lovely experience. Our guide Hiroshi was awesome, as was everyone else in the group. We chose this as our first event after arriving in Tokyo and it served as a fun stress-free introduction the city. The tour itself is very informative and has the benefit of including both a beautiful temple visit and a walk through Shinjuku nightlife, among other activities. The starting point is easy to find and the end point is in a very international-friendly area where most speak English, so it's not hard finding your way around after the tour's end. Hiroshi also helped us with navigating Tokyo's rail system for the first time and humoured my first-time Japanese skills, which built my confidence quite a lot and set a good tone for the rest of our trip. I'm a very picky eater, but the food and drink recommended was all amazing. All the places we went were more than worth going back to on our own. Queer life in Tokyo, both past and modern, really is incredible and worth jumping into, and our guide went above and beyond in making the experience enjoyable and comfortable. Highly recommended for anyone even slightly interested!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this wonderful and detailed review. It means a lot to hear that the tour provided just the right mix of fun, comfort, and culture to kick off your Tokyo adventure. From the peaceful temple moments to the lively Shinjuku stroll, and those delicious food stops along the way, it sounds like you really embraced everything the city has to offer. We’re so glad Hiroshi helped make your first steps in Tokyo smooth and welcoming. If you enjoyed this tour, you might love exploring other neighborhoods like Asakusa, Ueno, or even hopping over to Kyoto or Osaka for a completely different vibe. There’s so much more to discover, and we’d be thrilled to show you more of Japan's many sides. Thanks again for the glowing recommendation and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey soon!
