Gay Osaka, Japan | The Essential LGBT Travel Guide!

Osaka might fly within the radar as a destination oft-forgotten amongst Kyoto’s history and Tokyo’s modernity. Nonetheless, within energetic city, you’ll find people just a little much less old-fashioned, a tad bit more playful, and all sorts of willing to celebrate.

Home to Japan’s second-largest gay world, Osaka is the perfect place so that free and watch where in fact the night goes.

You’ll find three major gay areas in Osaka, but Doyama is easily the greatest & most inviting to foreigners. Much like in Gay Tokyo, the pubs listed below are frequently hyper-niched, catering toward a particular tribe – bears, salarymen, young twinks, etc. – and oh-so-

Japanese. Discreet, compartmentalized, typically smaller than a cruise liner cabin and obsessed with purchase, though thankfully not exactly since uptight as
Tokyo
.

Females should be aware that many homosexual lifestyle places in Doyama do not permit feminine consumers, but there are some lesbian pubs which do not enable male clients, generally there is an activity right here for everyone.

Many daring gay tourist may also want to check out small Namba homosexual scene, Kabukiza-ura (“behind the Kabuki theater”), that’s distinctly less international but still really inviting. Or you speak Japanese, decide to try the Tennoji gay scene, in your community around Tsutenkaku Tower – the initial post-war homosexual place that now pulls mostly older locals.

Neighborhood attitudes, however, imply numerous people from other countries is only able to sample just a few spots, specifically beyond Doyama, as individual friendships with users and tight Japanese-only policies determine who is going to enter. It might seem this is exactly xenophobic – plus its – but this is done in huge part to guard members from getting evaluated by unfamiliar criteria.

Japan is similar to no place more on Earth, and also as those who have checked out prior to can ascertain, japan do things really differently. Fortunately the continuous financial stagnation in Japan made the united states – and gay world of Osaka – much more prepared for foreigners, there are now actually many gay hot rooms, taverns, and clubs that earnestly welcome Gaijin (japan word for foreigners) within their midst.

Homosexuality has never been prosecuted in Japan – it wasn’t thought about a sin, just shameful. These days, despite recent styles of tolerance and freely gay areas in cosmopolitan places like Osaka,
Yokohama
, and
Tokyo
, a lot of Japanese homosexual men and lesbians nonetheless hide who they are.

Being gay is often however regarded as your own choice, and even though homophobia is actually unheard of, Japanese culture views being homosexual as not something becoming flaunted or openly discussed.

This live-and-let-live attitude – provided external appearances tend to be kept – towards LGBT folks now could be definitely blocking homosexual liberties in Japan. There is absolutely no political and personal friction to move situations forward, unlike in
Vietnam
,
Asia
, and
Korea
.

You’ll find couple of freely gay lawmakers, stars, or people, and the nationwide Diet has actually however to do this on including intimate positioning in the united kingdom’s civil-rights code.

Same-sex matrimony is not appropriate at nationwide degree, though by 2019, twenty cities and city wards problem same-sex partnership certificates, which provide some advantages; but these include completely symbolic.

Taiwan currently causes Asia in LGBT liberties
, and with the expanding impetus and huge programs of Kansai Pride, hopefully this will encourage Japanese community and lawmakers to go over protections and equality for all people.

Despite this, homosexual people to Osaka – and Japan – tend to be highly not likely to have any discrimination after all regarding sexual preferences.

With a dazzling gay scene – unlimited skyline, delicious street meals, wacky characters, and much more tourist attractions than you can ever before hope to discover – alongside an energizing passion for relatively definitely every little thing –  Gay Osaka is just one of the earth’s most underrated locations and homosexual scenes.

Pop society, trend, and neon-lit streetscapes collide with cherry flowers, concealed shrines, and quiet alleys to ensure you will not be bored in Osaka. As well as in case you are, Osaka is not known as the ‘nations kitchen’ for nothing, and everyone let me reveal apparently out permanently food – and an enjoyable time!

Destinations in Osaka

Normally, being homosexual will not determine which attractions the majority of us need to see in each urban area, & most queer travelers should check out the top what to see in Osaka every day!

There is certainly such to-do here – but we discovered our favorite thoughts happened to be wandering through, then acquiring lost from inside the apparently endless meals roadways, seeing the unusual cafes,
hitting up Universal Studios
and relaxing using one of many
Osaka lake cruise trips!
Still – it helps getting some idea of what’s going on, thus here are the finest things you can do in Osaka, per you!

Needless to say, as soon as you allow Osaka and head back house, you’ll not be able to deliver these road vendors and sushi cooks along with you – have you thought to learn to cook some of these traditional Osaka meals from natives on your stay?

AirKitchen, is actually an on-line gay-friendly cooking course solution
that gives people with an opportunity to go to a normal Japanese house to master to make – then discuss food intake collectively. It really is Airbnb-esque, and the perfect method of getting enjoy the credibility and heat of neighborhood Japanese folks.

The cooking course alternatives tend to be as diverse as Osaka by itself: sushi-making, ramen, bento bins, takoyaki (octopus testicle) and okonomiyaki (a Japanese savory pancake) – among others.

Among the best recommendations we can offer you for checking out Gay Osaka is pre-order a vacation SIM card for easy airport pickup and activation as soon as you arrive so that you don’t spend a fortune in international roaming charges.

Get restaurants recommendation and reservations from the travel, trains and buses guidelines up-to-the-minute, club opening hrs, and, in case it is the thing – the means to access gay hook-up software to find out more in regards to the local world.

Smartphone information is quickly, low priced, and offered almost everywhere in Asia, it is therefore no wonder a lot of people decide to stay linked acquire from the beaten track (without ever before worrying all about getting missing). Why wait?
Pre-order ideal local SIM credit now to possess it available in Osaka when you arrive.

Things To Do  in Osaka

Mario Go-kart Adventure

Set off on a real-life Mario Kart trip through the active streets of Osaka. There’s nothing quite like it in the arena, and besides getting your cardiovascular system pumping and adrenaline operating – you will probably function as most widely used man in Osaka, with natives operating after you only for an image! Simply don’t forget: you will need a major international license just before set off.

Mameshiba Café

Freshly started inside the tourist-popular Dotonbori area, this uniquely Japanese attraction lets you get right up near and personally with all the impossibly adorable Mameshiba puppies. Costing 880 yen for thirty minutes (including one warm beverage), it really is rather hectic but nonetheless a fun little task – and a terrific way to get the everyday puppy fix! Having pictures and video clips is OK with flash-off.

Universal Studios

Probably the most famous destination in Osaka, spend the day immersing yourself inside favored motion pictures with entry to every one of common’s themed zones predicated on well-known Hollywood blockbusters.

Just this short trip from Osaka Station, we enjoyed the parades, thrill trips, wacky restaurants, and excitement of local Japanese in dressing up in theme – but have to admit this place is actually far, much busier compared to those in
Singapore
,
L. A.
, and
Orlando.

If you can, get a common Express Pass for fast-track the means to access USJ’s preferred tourist attractions to save yourself time.

Osaka Castle

Explore certainly one of Japan’s most famous sites, which played a significant part when you look at the unification of Japan throughout the sixteenth millennium. Demolished in 1868 and since rebuilt, the castle is actually eight tales large, and every flooring provides displays, as there are also an urban area observance system.

Even though you choose not to ever enter, the expansive grounds are absolve to check out, with lots of possibilities for street meals, picnicking and viewing regional life play out. When you can occasion your go to for cherry flowers, better still, and this is one of the better areas for viewing inside the whole country.

Osaka Game Arcades

Within the Western world, arcades went ways of cassette recording and hammer trousers, in Japan, they truly are nonetheless large company. The Osaka computer game arcades are not just for the children either; indeed, pop into a arcade around, lunchtime and you will see row upon line of entrepreneurs all getting their unique fix before heading returning to operate.

The majority of have actually multiple amounts full of devices covering every thing, from horse race to moving to subway driving. Taito Station is among the top names in Japanese arcade gaming and contains a place in Namba, however you will find enough large arcade areas dotted about.

Osaka Aquarium

Ideal for a rainy time. Visit the seals from the earth’s largest dome-shaped roof container inside the Arctic zone, listen to the distinct squawks of rockhopper penguins within the Falkland isles area, subsequently reach sharks and rays inside the Maldives region. There’s also to love right here, although major reason travelers appear to get is marvel from the stunning whale shark, the largest seafood around.

Nara Park

Book a-day concert tour or use your
JR Pass
to leave of Osaka and take a trip back to the 8th 100 years with a call into the imperial money and UNESCO globe Heritage site of Nara. Discover the place’s rich history, walk old temples and, definitely, just take cute pictures because of the tame ‘bowing’ deer of Nara Park.

Kyoto

Another great day trip you can get to from Osaka with the
JR Pass
or a trip. Kyoto is the top jewel of Japan’s social tourist crown, therefore don’t skip the possible opportunity to find the serene appeal of Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, a noted UNESCO industry Heritage web site, before browsing gold leaf zen temple of Kinkaku-ji and explore their immaculate Japanese gardens.

After that, obviously, wander through thousands of orange tori entrance wandering through wooded forests associated with Fushimi Inari Shrine of course, if you have time, spend evening Geisha spotting for the Gion history area…all as time passes to catch the practice back in time for a night out in Gay Osaka.

Take To The Notorious Puffer Seafood

Visit Guenpin Fugu, the number 1 pufferfish chain in Japan, and enjoy the unique style of Japanese fugu. Brave a taste for this dangerous fish for which chefs call for many years of instruction and a fugu permit! Decide to try the torafugu, or tiger pufferfish, the very best quality in the united states, as you admire the bistro’s old-fashioned setting and atmosphere.

Do-it-yourself Takoyaki

Enjoy a fun and unique meal knowledge and learn to make authentic Japanese takoyaki with beneficial staff and also the English directions supplied.

Make takoyaki with an octopus that’s so new they may be eaten as sashimi and combined with some delicious green salad, okonomiyaki, sobameshi, a treat, as well as a 90-minute all-you-can-drink buffet. Osaka is the home of takoyaki, and if you are not currently enthusiastic about it-You, could soon end up being!

Spa Community

Spend trip to Osaka’s huge hot spring motif park and address yourself to a first-class day spa experience featuring European and Asian-themed hot springtime bathrooms. Love use of Spa World’s fitness center, and interesting entertainment pools with enormous h2o slides, then soothe your muscle tissue, relieve all tensions, and knowledge satisfaction all-in-one place.

Do not miss out the possiblity to encounter this insanely big onsen complex found in the Shinsekai region and find out about the Japanese past time.

Maid Cafe Experience

Should you want to enjoy strange Japan, just take a look into Japan’s cosplay world when maids greet you whenever go into the café acquire attentive solution from waitresses wearing cute maid outfits. What charm will there be for homosexual tourists? We are not quite certain, but anything informs us there are many more than some lesbians who can enjoy this!

Osaka River Cruise

Also known as Japan’s Water City, Osaka has numerous metropolitan canals and bridges, some of which act as the namesake with their encompassing neighborhoods. While a river sail around Dōtonbori Canal is on most vacationers’ bucket lists, discover much more to explore – such as a Jazz cruise!

Addititionally there is many different other dressing up event cruise trips yearly, like those where you could admire the cherry flowers of Okawa in Hanami period and a xmas cruise where you are able to benefit from the lighting complete of light.

For gay people, they even provide tiny private cruise trips in which go-go men and pull queens is prepared – nevertheless these is generally difficult to get, therefore we encourage you to receive touching Out Japan to prepare!

Mandrake

The whole world’s biggest anime and manga reseller, founded way back in 1987 as a second hand manga dealership, Mandrake nowadays has morphed into Osaka’s biggest supplier of used anime and manga-related items with two limbs in Osaka.

Our favorite will be the Mandarake great Chaos store in Namba – but there’s additionally a place in Umeda – with numerous degrees centered on various memorabilia, manga works and art. Maybe not your faint of cardiovascular system, there are also some pretty hardcore anime really works that cross some borders (let’s imagine
Japan merely made the possession of youngster pornography a crime in 2014
, and direct anime is certainly not covered).

A period tablet of Japanese pop music society, a trip into claustrophobic aisles of Mandarake has got to end up being perhaps one of the most unusual activities to do in Osaka, and if you are not mindful, you might invest times right here.

Dotonbori Street-Food

One of the most significant tourist destinations in Osaka with a selection of local food such as for example Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki, unique purchasing, temples, neon lighting, and plenty of unexpected situations. You are able to explore yourself, however for the most effective experience, I encourage
a guided concert tour with a knowledgeable neighborhood
who is able to show you on the best-hidden delights and must-try dishes of the “nation’s kitchen”.

MenZ-MenZY

Situated above  Frenz Frenzy, perhaps one of the most outlandish homosexual bars in Osaka, MenZ-MenZY sells beautiful undies, swimwear, accessories, and much more to possess you searching your absolute best. Consider
Andrew Christian
and
AussieBums.
Tempt yourself.

Kansai Queer Film Festival

A
gay movie festival
occurring in venues across
Kyoto
and Osaka in Sep, and today within its 13th season. Cross genres and motifs, this is a festival that believes
really love is actually really love
, pleasant everybody else, and providing an enhanced atmosphere which to have interaction utilizing the regional Kansai LGBT society.

Kansai Rainbow Pride

An amazingly family-friendly event, the Kansai Rainbow Parade will be the largest LGBT parade in Japan away from Tokyo. Case will market awareness and enjoy diversity and features a parade, level programs, functions, and fun tasks in Ogimachi Park on a yearly basis in October.

Although the organizers have large intends to develop the big event into one of the biggest in Asia, Osaka Pride reveals in many ways Japan is in the rock Age whenever merely 5,000 individuals join when compared to hundreds of thousands in
Hong-kong
,
Taipei
and
Sydney
– and undoubtedly Europe or United States! Nevertheless, its incredible to see NGOs and brand names obtaining onboard because event grows.

In a nation where modesty around outsiders is paramount and sexual inclination is certainly not something you should end up being flaunted, we could merely hope enhanced presence down the road assists new years of Japanese feel comfortable enough to be which they truly are.

Gay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in Osaka

As Osaka is one of the more modern and gay-friendly countries in Asia, almost any lodge in Osaka can be considered gay-friendly, and not one in our readers will enjoy any dilemmas here. Most likely, becoming gay-friendly isn’t exactly about upscale luxury, but about providing friendly solution and inviting everybody with available hands!

Osaka is actually a worldwide mega-city with a shortage of room, so area sizes tend to be smaller than almost everywhere else around – but as an abundance of homosexual males learn, it isn’t exactly about size, but how you utilize it! We have been making reference to concept, functionality, and views, darling!

Everybody else loves to end up being in the middle of individuals with typical passions. As such, there are some popular gay-friendly resorts in Osaka which are hot spots for gay tourists to remain – either due to their area near the Doyama section homosexual town – the best place to stay in Osaka if you are searching for gay night life – or their design and comprehensive vibes.

These motels in Gay Osaka have the ability to had glowing tips from homosexual tourists prior to now, however,
you’ll find hundreds of some other hotels in Osaka
if these are nearly what you’re looking.

Whether you prefer a great and social hostel, an affordable place to crash after every night of partying, or an ultra-chic developer option to sip cocktails and encircle yourself with fantastic folks  – Gay Osaka has actually some thing for all!

Gay-friendly Hotels Near Umeda / The Doyama Gay World

InterContinental Resort Osaka â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Redefining deluxe, the InterContinental Osaka provides incomparable deluxe and class. The experience begins within the dazzling and increasing reception, a bright and calm world of fine art, contemporary décor, and breathtaking opinions.

It goes on throughout any stick to Michelin-star eating, invigorating spa remedies, and Japanese-style bathing. Then there is the stately areas, rooms, and residences offering unparalleled service and facilities to discriminating company and leisure traveler. The service we have found second-to-none, and must you be tempted to keep, the homosexual scene of Osaka starts just a few mins out.

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Celebrate timeless deluxe at the 5-star lodge that captures the substance of Osaka, Japan. Located in the prestigious district of Nishi-Umeda, The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka pays tribute to Japanese cultural heritage, while lavishing visitors with modern extravagance.

With a 450-piece art and classic collection, a day spa, and impeccably created rooms, this metropolitan oasis provides fashionable style near distinctive destinations, old area views, while the gaybourhood of Osaka!

Hilton Osaka Hotel â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Situated, this high-end lodge is preferred by many people homosexual tourists for its convenient location, dazzling opinions, and thoroughly clean concept. You will find various dining possibilities, and an internal share, gymnasium, pleasure place, and spectacular area views are simply many facilities awaiting your appearance.

ibis Osaka Umeda â˜†â˜†â˜†

A major international economic climate brand name resort found in the Umeda place providing appealing, modern, and cozy areas, with comfortable bedrooms. Discover free of charge WiFi and on a clean design, but we are honest – you may be keeping here for all the low price tag and place!

Nest Resort Osaka Umeda â˜†â˜†â˜†

A really inexpensive accommodation choice supplying a tranquil base to explore Osaka in the day time hours, with effortless access to the homosexual world of Doyama when the sun goes down! Freshly started, the spaces are fairly small but well equipped, therefore the resort actually supplies bread and coffee for morning meal.

Additionally there is a spacious and well-designed reception to hang out in. Considering the location and {design|style|layout|conce
View full size: sniffies hack