Gay culture japan
A Guide to Same-sex attracted Bar Etiquette in Japan
Tokyo’s famous queer district, Shinjuku Ni-Chome, has one of the world’s extreme concentrations of LGBT-friendly businesses. For the most part, it’s a place where first-timers can display out without needing to worry too much about unique customs or cultural knowledge.
Ni-Chome is used to tourists but, those who wish 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 overcome path, and how to get the most out of the experience.
Venturing away from westernized homosexual bars
Photo by: Alex Rickert Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, but sometimes you gotta initiative into the unknown.
Most gay bars in tourist spots prefer Ni-Chome or Doyamacho in Osaka mimic American-style bars that feature large shot bars, dance harmony 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
Male-Male Desire: “Danshoku” Customs and Its Legacy in Japan
More Sophisticated
Japan is commonly idea of as existence behind other countries in social acceptance of LGBTQ people, but concerning some forms of male homosexuality, at least, historically it has shown considerable tolerance.
Male homosexual love, including sex, was famous as danshoku from before the Edo period (1603–1868), and was seen as a part of the love practices of the day. In self-contained male-only groups, described as homosocial in sociology—such as Buddhist mountain temples where women were forbidden, male-centered samurai society, and kabuki troupes with only male actors—the absence of women led to gay love and gratification of sexual want, with friendship and affection developing into sexual relationships. In Japan at this time, there was no discrimination or efforts to hinder such relationships due to them creature considered as sexual deviancy.
In the Edo period, words appreciate irokoi and kōshoku were used to describe love and affairs, and they were a major theme for literature, as seen in works by Ihara Saikaku, such as Kōshoku ichidai otoko (1682) (trans. by Hamada Ken
LGBTQ+ Travel Guide to Japan
Interesting Cities to Visit in Japan
TOKYO
Tokyo is the capital, and main transport hub of Japan. On one hand it’s a very modern city, with neon-lit skyscrapers, but on the other, it’s very traditional with historic temples and palaces, like the Meiji Shinto Shrine and the Imperial Palace. Tokyo is also a foodie’s paradise, with many small izakayas (small gastro pubs) and the world’s largest fish market, Tsukiji. Shinjuku Ni-Chõme is where the city’s gay bars and clubs can be found. It is celebrated for having the world’s highest concentration, with over 300 tiny gay bars crammed together in unassuming, unremarkable blocks. Some of the most famous involve Arty Farty, Annex, FTM Bois Bar, Campy!, Aiiro, Dragon Men and Leo Lounge. Read more about Tokyo from Passport Magazine >>
KYOTO
Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan, and was the former capital town until 1869 when it was moved to Tokyo. It has retained its regal charm, with beautiful temples and intricate gardens. The most famous are the Golden Temple, Kinkaku-Ji, and the Silver Temple, Ginkaku-Ji. Other highlights
Japan
Japan's LGBTIQ movement has made some progress in recent years, but reforms remain limited compared to other G7 countries. As of 2024, Japan is the only G7 country that has not provided full legal recognition for same-sex marriages or formal protections for same-sex partnerships, leaving same-sex couples to encounter various social and legal challenges. Recent public opinion polls reveal that about 70 percent of Japanese citizens support same-sex marriage, especially among younger generations, reflecting a gradual shift toward acceptance. In 2024, courts in Tokyo and Sapporo ruled that the government’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, marking a step forward for marriage equality. However, same-sex marriage is not yet fully legalized in Japan.
Currently, around 40 percent of local governments, including Tokyo, have introduced partnership certificates for same-sex couples, granting some rights in housing, hospital visitation, and other areas. However, these certificates are not similar to marriage and lack the full social and legal benefits that marriage provides.
At the institutional level, Japan passed a statute in 2023 aimed at "promoting understanding" of a