Gay and Lesbian Tokyo Listings: bars, clubs, community.

Gay and lesbian Tokyo (with full map of gay Shinjuku)

What's on this month in gay/lesbian Tokyo

Gay bars in Tokyo: Shinjuku/Shinbashi Lesbian bars in Tokyo Gay clubs in Tokyo Gay sex clubs in Tokyo Gay/Lesbian useful Tokyo telephone numbers

(Addresses being notoriously difficult to find, please check bar websites for map where possible. For bars and clubs listed here, simply refer to the JapanVisitor gay Shinjuku map below.)

Tokyo gay bars
Shinjuku Shinbashi

Tokyo gay bars in Shinjuku

(Shinjuku Ni-chome is accessible from the 'Shinjuku San-Chome' subway station on the Marunouchi or Shinjuku Lines.)

Also read about 'How to Hit Shinjuku Ni-Chome: what to do and where to go.

Japan Visitor's Gay/Lesbian map to Shinjuku Ni-Chome

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The gay and lesbian Shinjuku 2-Chome area is very small and crowded. It is difficult to indicate the exact position of gay and lesbian bars and clubs in the confines of a map without cluttering it. The following map therefore assigns each block in Shinjuku 2-Chome a letter of the alphabet. The listings below indicate which block, and where on the block, the particular bar or club is on.
Right click on the map to print it out.

Advocates (1F, Dai-7 Tenka Building, Shinjuku 2-18-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3358 3988). On block J, facing block R. Gay Shinjuku map
Open 6pm to 5am, Mon-Sat; 6pm - 1am Sun.
Hole-in-the-wall gay street cafe on the main drag. A popular place to start the evening. English-speaking proprietor.

Alamas Cafe (Garnet Bldg., 1F, Shinjuku 2-12-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3358 3988). On block L, facing block U. Gay Shinjuku map
Open 6pm to 2am, Mon-Thu; 6pm - 5am Fri; 3pm - 5am, Sat; 3pm - midnight, Sun.
A trendy cornerside bar/cafe, semi-open-air, with DJ booth.

Arty Farty (2F, No.33 Kyutei Bldg, Shinjuku 2-11-7, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 5362 9720) On block E, facing block D. Gay Shinjuku map
A stylish mixed bar with a dance floor, more spacious than the usual holes-in-the-wall that make up most of Shinjuku 2-chome. A real scene-queen anything-goes party spot that jumps till morning.
(Also listed in Clubs)

The Annex (1F, Futami Building, Shinjuku 2-14-11, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3356 5029) On lower part of block R, facing block Q. Gay Shinjuku map
Run by Arty Farty as its ... annex. Features a mezzanine floor, and a fountain in the middle of the dancefloor. Also listed below in Gay Clubs.

DNA (1F, Musashino Bldg., Shinjuku 2-13-10, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3341 4445) On block S facing block K. Gay Shinjuku map
A sharply styled bar on the main drag that attracts a varied clientele. Great place for quiet chat. Hours: 3pm-5am; open every day.

Dragon Men (1F, Stork Nagasaki Bldg., Shinjuku 2-11-4, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3341 0606) On block E facing block F. Gay Shinjuku map
Gay Ni-chome's most spacious streetside bar. Plenty of room to move, cruise, or sit down and chat. Fresh, upbeat, modern layout and decor, hip multi-genre crowd, and good, reasonably priced drinks. 6pm-9pm daily happy hour. Hours: 6pm-3am, Sun-Thu; till 5am Fri-Sat.

Fuji (B104, Saint Four Building, Shinjuku 2-12-16 , Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3354 2707). On block L, facing block T. Gay Shinjuku map
An intimate space for more mature foreign guys and Japanese guys into them. Has karaoke.

GB (B1, Shinjuku Plaza Building, Shinjuku 2-12-3, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3352 8972) On block L, facing block D. Gay Shinjuku map
A roomy-for-Ni-Chome downstairs shot bar very popular with non-Japanese and Japanese gaisen (i.e. potato queens). Cruisy spot great for pre-clubbing.

Hijoguchi (1F, Shinjuku 2-12-16, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3341 5445). On block L, facing block K. Gay Shinjuku map
'Gay-friendly' mixed bar (albeit with not particularly warm service) with dance floor. Regular free-entry Club Wednesday night. Also listed below in Gay Clubs.

Kinsmen (2F, Shinjuku 2-18-5, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3354 4949) Bottom right corner of block I. Gay Shinjuku map
A spacious upstairs bar with a well-established presence. A warm, relaxed, adult, subtley lit atmosphere ideal for sitting and chatting with friends, the friendly bar staff, or that sexy stranger. Foreigners welcome. No cover charge. Drinks from 800 yen.

Rehab Lounge (2F Sensho Bldg., 2-13-16 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 Tel. 03 3355 7833). On block T, facing block S. Gay Shinjuku map
"Purveyors of fine hangovers since 2008," Rehab is a chic, mod chill-out bar with a definite party edge. Space-age decor, generous layout. One of Ni-Chome's best spots for well-done cocktails. Beer on tap. DJ spins Friday night.
? REHAB LOUNGE HAPPY HOUR 7pm-9pm every night: 1,000 yen, all you can drink. Look for chalkboard sign on street.

Tac's Knot (2F, Room 202, Shinjuku 3-11-12, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3341 9404) On block A: the corner nearest Shinjuku Shinjuku 3-chome Stn Exit C6. Gay Shinjuku map
Open 8pm-2am.
Run by an artist, Tac's Knot is, unsurprisingly, an arty space attracting a creative crowd and featuring exhibitions of gay artists' works. A small but venerable Ni-chome institution (although actually outside of Ni-chome proper. Across the road in San-chome.)

Usagi On block U, facing block V. Gay Shinjuku map
A 5th-floor foreigner-friendly bar well worth the climb up the narrow stairs. Busy, welcoming, chatty, with a generally well-informed, interesting and interested Japanese and foreign crowd. A touch more spacious than the average Ni-Chome bar, and with the added attraction of a balcony for enjoying gay Shinjuku under the stars. Read an interview with the owner of Usagi.

To Japan gay listings

Tokyo gay bars in Shinbashi

Bravo! (2F, Shinbashi 2-9-17, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004. Tel. 03 3503 8805)
A clean, classy, laidback bar with a relaxed adult vibe and a good selection of spirits. Recently opened.
To get there, take the Hibiya Exit out of JR Shinbashi Station, go through Steam Locomotive Park. Take the street on the left hand side on which you see a land agent's called Kanbe Tochi. Turn left into the lane just after Big Echo Karaoke. Go left again when you get to the end of the lane. Bravo! is on the 2nd floor of the building just to the left of the Chinese restaurant. Look for the sign on the street.
Open 6pm-midnight. Closed Sundays and public holidays.

Tokyo lesbian bars

In Shinjuku
(Most lesbian bars in Tokyo are to be found in Shinjuku Ni-chome, accessible from the 'Shinjuku San-Chome' subway station on the Marunouchi Line.
Most Ni-chome lesbian bars are along Shirayuri no Komichi (i.e. 'Easter Lily Lane', i.e. the lane that cuts through block Q). Gay Shinjuku map

Agit (1F Matsui Bldg., Shinjuku 2-15-9, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3350 8083)
Open 8pm-5am.
A small lesbian-owned bar for both lesbians and gays. 500 yen charge. Drinks from 800 yen. Karaoke. Counter and booth.

Hug (Shinjuku 2-15-8, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 5379 5085)
Open 9pm-5am. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Woman only bar. 1000 yen cover charge.

Kins Womyn (3F Dai-Ichi Tenka Bldg., Shinjuku 2-15-10, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3354 8720)
Open 8pm-4am. Closed Tuesdays.
A relaxed women-only bar. No charge. Drinks from 600 yen.

Motel #203 (203 [2F], Sunny Co-op Bldg., Shinjuku 2-7-2, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 6383 4649) On block V facing block U. Gay Shinjuku map
A hip women-only bar that also hosts dance events. No charge: first drink 1,000 yen. 8pm-9pm (Sun: 8pm-2am) Daily happy hour 8-9pm (500 yen). Hours: 8pm-4am, Closed Tue. www.bar-motel.com

Peach (1F Shinjuku 2-15-8, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3351 7034)
Open 11pm-7am. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Women-only bar. 1000 yen cover charge. Drinks from 900 yen. In a brick building next to 'Hug' and across from 'Agit'. Look for the peach mark on the door.

Tamago (1F Yamahara Heights Bldg., Shinjuku 2-12-15, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3351 4838)
Open 9pm-5am.
Woman only bar. 2000 yen cover charge.Drinks from 1000 yen.

To Japan gay listings

In Shibuya

Chestnut and Squirrel (Tel. 090-9834-4842) Map link
Open 7pm-midnight only on Wednesdays.
A Wednesday-only cafe/bar event in Shibuya. Primarily lesbian, but open to gay men as well - in fact, to anyone queer-friendly. Cozy atmosphere. International crowd. In Shibuya, 3 stations south of Shinjuku on the JR Yamanote line.
The name, by the way, when translated into Japanese comes out as 'kuri to risu'': a transliteration of 'clitoris'!

Tokyo gay clubs

Tokyo gay/lesbian club event listings

Ageha (in Studio Coast) (2-2-10 Shinkiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-0082. Tel. 03 5534 1515). Off Ni-chome
Huge club in Tokyo's Koto ward. Not a gay club as such, but hosts gay Ageha nights, usually 'Shangri-la' (approximately every two months) or 'Black'. Five dance floors with different DJs, including at least one big name, + darkroom. Parties at Ageha are a must-go.
Access: Shinkiba Station (JR Keiyo line). Shuttle buses from Shinjuku (from block O of the Gay Shinjuku map, in front of the Yachiyo Bank) and Shibuya. Ageha bus shuttle schedule.

The Annex (1F, Futami Building, Shinjuku 2-14-11, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3356 5029) Open 3pm - 5am. On lower part of block R, facing block Q. Gay Shinjuku map
Formerly Club Zip, now run by Arty Farty as its ... annex. Features a mezzanine floor, and a small fountain in the middle of the dance floor. Sexily lit. (Also listed in Tokyo Gay Bars)

ArcH (B1F, Dai-2 Hayakawaya Building, Shinjuku 2-14-6, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3352 6297. info@clubarch.net). On block R, facing block S. Gay Shinjuku map
Formerly 'Ace', opened in July 2006 by the people who ran the now-closed Advocates Tokyo, the club. A warm, underground vibe, drag queens aplenty, decent sound system. Daily party schedule. Theme nights. Saturdays men only. Women-only nights, too.

Arty Farty (2F, No.33 Kyutei Bldg, Shinjuku 2-11-7, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 5362 9720) On block E, facing block D. Gay Shinjuku map
In spite of being subtitled 'The Lounge', Arty Farty on weekends is as much a small club as a bar. By far, Shinjuku 2-chome's most popular dance spot. A happy upper vibe for those who love to get down.
(Also listed in Tokyo Gay Bars)

Hijoguchi (or Hijouguchi) (1F, Shinjuku 2-12-16, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3341 5445). On block L, facing block K. Gay Shinjuku map
'Gay-friendly' mixed bar with dance floor. Regular free-entry Club Wednesday night and weekend dance events.

Warehouse (B1F Fukao Bldg., 1-4-5 Azabu-juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045. Tel. 03 6230 0343). Off Ni-chome
Large underground club in Tokyo's Minato ward. Not a gay club as such, but hosts the (fairly) regular Red gay night - a good hard, shirts-off, go-go boy fun night.
Access: exit 7, Azabu-juban stn, Oedo subway line. (Right next door to Exit 7 - you can't miss it.)

To Japan gay listings

Tokyo gay sex clubs

Dock ( B1F Dai-2 Seiko Bldg., Shinjuku 2-18-5, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3226 4006) On block I, facing block C. Gay Shinjuku map
Open 9pm - 4am.
A dark room, a DJ, sex toys, and theme nights make 'Cruising Bar Dock' a sure and fun place to pick up. Mon/Tue free dress code, Wed/Thu: naked or underwear, Fri/Sat: naked only. 1500 yen entry (includes 1 drink). Look for the red 'Dock' sign on the corner of the building. Downstairs.

HX (1F, UI Bldg., Shinjuku 5-9-6, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3226 4448). On the lower side of block O. Gay Shinjuku map
Open 3pm - 10am Mon-Thu, 24 hours Sat/Sun.
A small discreet hardcore sex club strictly for the younger pumped and butch crowd. Off 2-chome, but nearby. Cross the big main street Yasukuni-dori that goes past 2-chome - between 'Shinjuku 1 Kita' and 'Shinjuku 5 Higashi' intersections - and go down the alley just to the right of MosBurger. 1500 yen entry, 1000 yen between 7am & 11am.

Jungle Gym in Shibuya SEEMS TO HAVE CLOSED

King of College (2F Sakagami Bldg., Shinjuku 2-14-5, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3352 3930). On block R, facing block S. (Next door to ArcH) Gay Shinjuku map
Open 6pm - 10am daily.
A rent boy bar. English spoken. Boys available on the premises, or to take out.

Treffpunkt Map link (4F Fukutomi Bldg., 2-13-14 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 5563 0523)
Open from noon till late.
A popular pick-up joint that welcomes people of all ages, types and nationalities. Weekends and holidays are nude, other days underwear. Treffpunkt is located not in Shinjuku, but in Minato ward. Accessible from Akasaka subway station (Chiyoda line) exit 2 or 5; Tamaikesanno subway station (Ginza & Namboku lines) exit 11; Akasaka-mitsuke subway station (Ginza & Marunouchi lines).

Gay/Lesbian useful Tokyo telephone numbers

Tokyo English Life Line
03 5774 0992 (9am-4pm, 7pm-11pm)

AIDS helpline
0120-04-88-40 (freedial)

HIV & Human Rights Info for English speakers
Tokyo 03 5259 0256 (Saturdays only, noon-3pm)
Run by the Japan HIV Center

HIV & Human Rights Info for Japanese speakers
Tokyo 03 3292 9090 (Mon-Thu, 9am-9pm; Fri 9am-6pm)
(commissioned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government)
Tokyo 03 5259 0750 (2nd & 4th Sun 7pm-9pm)
(specifically for gay men)
Tokyo 03 5259 0259 (2nd & 4th Sun 7pm-9pm)
(specifically for lesbians)

Check out coverage here of the Tokyo Lesbian and Gay Parade 2006

To Japan gay listings