Shinjuku, free from discrimination

Japan is a very conformist and conservative country regarding family values and relationships in society. This is one of the countries where people who do not obey the “norm” are the most marginalized in society. Foreigners, LGBT + people, associated with gangs like the Yakuza … all kinds of people are marginalized by the Japanese system. Most of the population is supposed to marry and have children to become the traditional Japanese family. This creates a lot of challenges for marginalized people. However, the Shinjuku neighborhood in Tokyo is particularly proud of being mostly free of discrimination.

First, there is the famous Shinjuku Ni-Chôme, also called Gay Shinjuku, which is quite simply Tokyo’s gay district. Saunas, love hotels, gay bars, massages, and more are available for all kinds of clientele, keeping an emphasis on accepting LGBT + people. When you walk into Shinjuku Ni-Chôme, the mood changes completely since people aren’t hiding, and they don’t pretend to be anything other than themselves. This district also has the highest density of gay bars in the world, approaching 300! Here, the colors are blazing, the gay pride flags everywhere.

The history of Ni-Chôme dates to post-war Japan, when, under the American occupation, prostitution became officially illegal. However, post-war people needed nighttime entertainment just as much as they did before, so gay bars have simply taken the place of brothels to humor the same patrons. Do not imagine that LGBT + is the only kind of people who visit these bars; a whole marginalized part of the Japanese population becomes regular customers.

These famous gay bars are interesting in that they usually have the same regular customers and do not have more than ten people inside at a time. Shinjuku being crowded, the spaces available for these bars are therefore very minimal. As in many Japanese bars, here the bartender, or the barmaid, is called Master-san or Mama-san. Their role? Listening to you! Work, relationship problems … while serving alcoholic specialties of foreign or Japanese origin. The relationships developed in these bars can sometimes become the only relationships that customers, who work long hours and often have no close family to confide in, will be able to nurture. That’s why these customers usually come back to the same bar, to chat with Master-san or Mama-san. In exchange for this loyalty, bars organize onsen outings, picnics, or even Hanami ensemble, like the O-Taku Travel Troupe in 2022.

Bars are generally aimed at a targeted clientele, some of them only admitting Japanese people and not foreigners, regardless of their language skills, while others will have a typically English-speaking name and will be very open to foreigners.

Entrance fees are generally between 1,000 and 2,000 yen, which is relatively affordable for Tokyo. Activities can range from drinking all night, karaoke, dancing with strangers, playing games like darts or pool. You should also know that Shinjuku is one of the few places in all of Japan with an active nightlife. The vast majority of entertainment and services are generally closed from 8 p.m. In Shinjuku, there will even be bars and restaurants that only open at night.

Obviously, there is more to Shinjuku than gay bars. If you venture into the alleys, you will very quickly see some great bistros, ramen shops and other small restaurants that serve food for stranded souls.

For the most curious among you, discover the APA hotels, specialized in LGBT + clients.

And one of the best-known local tourist attractions remains the Robot Restaurant, which is said to have cost the owner a whopping $ 100 million! This is a robot-themed restaurant in a futuristic atmosphere with its share of crazy shows and entertainment, in vibrant colors and 80s-style neon lights.

To name some of the most famous gay bars, Arty Farty is renowned for people who love to dance. The bar is also host to many weekly events. For women, the Gold Finger bar is arguably best known for its flamboyant and wacky style.

This concludes our little summary of Shinjuku Ni-Chôme and how LGBT + culture thrives there. Why not check it out on your next trip? You could have a blast living the night life!

Alongside the Ni-Chôme, there is also the famous Kabukichô, from where secretive rumors about the yukuza are from. Being much more popular with tourists, Kabukichô is even more flamboyant than Ni-Chôme, with its neon lights and impressive buildings. Next time the neighborhood will earn its own article!

With that, see you next time when I tell you about another Japanese curiosity!