In the past few years, Japan has become increasingly more LGBTQ friendly. Many municipal cities and governments now allow for same-sex marriages, and we have seen more overall acceptance for the community through the pride parades and other LGBTQ-oriented events that have been held in large cities like Tokyo. With plenty of places in Japan welcoming a diverse range of people, the country is a great destination for those within the LGBTQ+ community to travel safely!
Photo credit: Matcha 【新宿】東京のLGBTフレンドリーホテル「CEN HOTEL」 | MATCHA – 訪日外国人観光客向けWebマガジン
CEN DIVERSITY HOTEL & CAFÉ
Located in Shinjuku, Cen Diversity Hotel and Café prides itself on being Tokyo’s first LGBTQ-friendly hotel. As the name suggests, it welcomes guests of all genders, sexualities, and nationalities to stay in their hotel or grab a drink at their cafe. It is the perfect place to stay for anyone, especially those looking for a place that prides itself on being inclusive to people of all kinds — make sure to check it out!
Photo credit: Saimyouzi Wedding 同性結婚式(LGBTQ Wedding)を挙げられる仏教寺院
Saimyouzi
Saimyouzi Temple, located in Kawagoe, hosts wedding ceremonies for LGBTQ couples who want to tie the knot in a traditional Japanese temple. Located in Saitama Prefecture, the temple is not only a beautiful sight in itself, but boasts being inclusive to all communities. It offers a special experience for LGBTQ couples, so if you’re hoping to have a Japanese-style wedding ceremony, definitely put it at the top of your list!
Photo credit: Shozenji official site 性善寺
Shozenji
Another temple that prides itself on being welcoming towards the LGBTQ community is Shozenji temple, located in Moriguchi City in Osaka Prefecture. It is an openly supportive local Buddhist temple run by a woman who actually underwent gender reassignment surgery herself. If you’re looking for a local temple to support during your visit to Japan, this may offer the perfect option.
Photo Credit: Alamas Cafe RENTALレンタル
Alamas Café
Located in Tokyo’s famous gay-friendly district, Shinjuku Ni-chome, Alamas Café is a popular location for Japan’s LGBTQ community. It is an open café/bar with a live DJ and delicious food and drinks. Moreover, the café is open only for dinner, making it a perfect late night hangout spot for travelers in Japan. If you find yourself in the Shinjuku Ni-chome district and are looking for an LGBTQ friendly place to grab a drink or a bite to eat, then Alamas Café is the place to go!
Photo Credit: Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei — Booking Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei
This traditional Ryokan is located right in the heart of one of Japan’s most famous prefectures: Kyoto. Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei is a traditional style Japanese inn that is noted to be one of the best LGBTQ friendly ryokans in Japan. It offers the experience of a traditional Japanese inn to its guests, not only through the traditional appearance of the building itself but also through the immersive experience that the staff provides — a must-stay accommodation for any traveler looking to experience traditional Japanese culture!
Photo credit: Kyodo News LGBTQ safe space opens in Osaka
LGBTQ Center in Osaka
Opened in April 2022, the Pride Center of Osaka is run by the nonprofit organization Nijiiro Diversity. The center was built to be a safe space for the LGBTQ community and also offers specialist consultations not only to LGBTQ individuals but also to their parents and the people around them. As the ongoing pandemic has made it difficult for minority communities to find a place where their voices and concerns are heard, Nijiiro Diversity’s newly opened Pride Center of Osaka provides the perfect solution. So, if you ever find yourself in Osaka and want to go to a place where you won’t feel judged, then head down to the Pride Center of Osaka and check it out!
Japan Gay Guide Logo – Credit: Japan Gay Guide
Japan Gay Guide
To learn even more about LGBTQ+ culture in Japan, we absolutely have to shout out our friends at Japan Gay Guide. This project is relatively recent, but strives to be a hub for all queer travelers and residents to share information, their own personal experiences, and form a supportive, inclusive online community for LGBTQ+ people in Japan. Be sure to check out our interview with them as well as their website to stay up to date on events and recommendations throughout your trip!
Japan has made great efforts in the past few years to be not only a safe travel destination for the LGBTQ community, but also a generally more inclusive country to these people as well. Thanks to the efforts made, Japan is full of locations that welcome diversity and is able to satisfy the needs of anyone visiting the country.
Featured Photo by daniel james on Unsplash
To show our support for the LGBTQ+ community, book now and use the coupon code LGBTsushi for 10% off your tour!
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