LGBTQ+ Tokyo Eating and Drinking Tour

Organized by Kevin
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Summary
Highlights
Experience Details
Experience Location
Reviews
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Duration
3 hours
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Number of Guests
1 - 8 guests
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Language
Japanese, English
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Other
With 2 drinks

Take a glimpse behind Japan’s facade of polite detachment and guardedness and visit Tokyo’s thriving LGBTQ+ areas, the historic Asakusa district and the Nichome gayborhood, for dinner and drinks!

Highlights

  • Learn about the history of gay Japan and tour areas built by and for the LGBTQ+ community

  • Visit Asakusa and see the stunning Sensoji Temple, lit up at night

  • Enjoy dinner at a Shinjuku restaurant that specializes in yakitori

  • Immerse yourself in Shinjuku Nichome, Tokyo’s gayborhood!

  • Experience the bar scene in Nichome, at a local bar frequented by both locals and foreigners

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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
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Host will donate 10 meals

Experience Details

Owing to the private nature of Japanese, and the culture of concealing “honne” (true feelings) with “tatemae” (the facade that is expected by society), visitors may not perceive Tokyo as having a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. However, this is far from the truth, as the queer community in Tokyo has built itself a home in Asakusa and Shinjuku Nichome, Japan’s biggest gayborhood. This eating and drinking tour takes visitors through these areas, highlighting the history and haunts of the queer community in Tokyo.


In a group of no more than 6 people, you’ll traverse the LGBTQ+ scene in Tokyo with a guide. Starting in Asakusa, we will meet at 6:30 in front of Kamiya Bar. While Shinjuku and Shibuya are the lively nightlife and commercial areas of Tokyo today, Asakusa was once the place to be. In modern times, gay bars, bathhouses, and cruising areas have popped up in Asakusa, catered toward the older generation. Walking around Asakusa, we’ll discuss the history of the area and cultural context as we view the sights.


Then, we’ll take the subway to Shinjuku, where, depending on the group consensus, we’ll dine at a local restaurant. Chicken lovers will be delighted by the immense variety of yakitori skewers available, or try kushikatsu (skewers of meat or veggies). There are also vegetarian options. These tasty morsels pair great with beer, though guests are free to choose from among alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.


After dinner, the tour of Shinjuku Nichome begins! We’ll see the bookshops, bars, and video stores that cater to the queer community and talk about challenges of the LGBTQ+ community in Tokyo, including Japanese social constructs and gender roles.


Lastly, we’ll stop at a bar. It’s a local joint, popular with both foreign visitors and Japanese, so you can enjoy mingling with people from all over the world. The tour ends at 9:30 pm but the night is still young! Your guide gives great recommendations and can help you pick from the 300 gay bars and clubs in Nichome!

Inclusions

  • Insights about the LGBTQ+ scene in Tokyo from a local tour guide

  • Guide fee

  • Dinner

  • 2 drinks (your choice of alcoholic or nonalcoholic)

  • Gratuity

Exclusions

  • Transportation (during the tour, we will take a 270 yen subway tour)

  • Hotel pickup

Meeting Point and Meeting Time

  • Meet your host outside Kamiya Bar, which is a 1-minute walk from Asakusa Station. More detailed information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.

Remarks

  • While this LGBTQ+ Tokyo Eating and Drinking Tour is LGBTQ+ oriented, people of all genders and sexual/romantic orientations are welcome.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel your booking at least 48 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.

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Experience Location

The multifaceted economic hub of Tokyo, Shinjuku is a hub for business, shopping, and entertainment. Adorned with skyscrapers, Shinjuku is also a major transportation center and is considered the busiest railway station in the world. With hundreds of shops, restaurants, and bars, Shinjuku is always lively, day or night. It’s also home to the Golden District, which consists of the tiny bars in the Golden Gai, the intimate local drinking holes in Omoide Yokocho, and the razzle-dazzle of Shinjuku’s red light district, Kabukicho.

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What People Are Saying
Overall ratings and reviews
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(14)
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David Siebert
February 24, 2025
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A great introduction to the Tokyo scene with some great background information and tips.

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Yair Paz
October 17, 2024
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We enjoyed our time on the tour. It was truly lovely hanging out with Toru and learning about where to find gay nightlife and what life is like for the LGBTQIA+ community in Japan. He also showed ...read more

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Gisele da Silva
October 07, 2024
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Tori was a terrific guide who was knowledgeable and funny. We had some delicious snacks in some tucked away places and Toru cultivated a great group dynamic that allowed us to get the know fellow t...read more

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Lisa Olsen
September 01, 2024
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Yeman was a wonderful guide. He had great energy and humor and made sure everyone in our large group was engaged. He showed us tons of hidden and popular spots around Tokyo and is clearly very know...read more

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Elias Hardt
March 28, 2024
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Cecilia was an excellent guide and showed us around perfectly, with tips on how to navigate the nightlife scene, different types of bars, and the history of the scene. It was great to hear her expe...read more

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Please note: The price varies based on group size. The time is in Japan Standard Time.
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Free cancellation (48 hours notice)
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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
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Host will donate 10 meals
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