Staying somewhere that is safe and accessible for members of the LGBTQ+ community is an absolute must. Tokyo is a fantastic place for gay travel, but there are hotels that turn away members of the LGBTQ+ community. So it’s best to be in the know.
Because hotels explicitly marketed as gay-friendly don’t exist in conservative Japan, we have come up with a list of gay friendly options that mean you can check in worry-free and be sure of a place to sleep safely for the night.
Best Gay Hotels in Tokyo
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Area: Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is a favorite as it offers spectacular city views from beautiful modern rooms. Outside of your room, it has a gorgeous lounge and a fabulous Italian restaurant. The staff are multi-lingual, friendly, and attentive, and it’s a short 15 minute stroll to the gay district of Shinjuku Nichome.Another bonus is that you are staying under the gaze of Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
That being said, the special rooms (especially the Godzilla rooms) can be a little pricey. For anyone exploring Tokyo by car, be aware that car parking is not accessible between 11pm and 8am.
The hotel is a mere five minute walk from Shinjuku Station’s Kabukicho exit.
Capitol Hotel Tokyu
Area: Akasaka
This hotel is perfect for any couples who want an authentic Japanese stay, as it has modern Japanese furnishing, including movable shoji paper screens that can be moved around to create different vibes, whether you’re entertaining or relaxing. Rooms on the upper floors boast spectacular panoramic views, and the hotel is also committed to sustainability, making it a great option for climate-conscious gay travellers. There are three restaurants, serving Japanese, Chinese, and international cuisine, as well as private dining rooms and even themed menus on special occasions, such as Halloween or New Year’s.
Centurion Hotel & Spa
Area: Ueno
Positioned next to one of the most breathtaking parks in Tokyo, and very close to the Cultural Center, this hotel offers spacious, comfortable rooms with full-sized spring water bathtubs in private rooms, as well as a beautiful mosaiced public bath for communal relaxing. The hotel is also attached to a yakiniku restaurant that serves up prime cuts of beef. As in many places, guests will be asked to cover their tattoos if entering the communal bath.
Close to Ueno station, it is well connected, and you can get to it through gour JR lines or two subway lines. It is even a stop on some Shinkansen (bullet train) services.
Intercontinental Yokohama Grand
Area: Yokohama
Now we’re talking class. This is a five star hotel situated in the upmarket district of Minato Mirai, Yokohama. The rooms are spacious, have all contemporary necessities, with stylish decor that contrasts bold colors with pure white walls. As can be expected for a port city, many of the rooms have ocean views. For LGBTQ+ couples, the hotel is a mere 30 minute train journey from the gay district of Shinjuku Nichome, as well as being close to gay bars like Bar Be☆st. It even has its own ship for ocean sightseeing, a must for any aspiring pirates!
To get there, take the Fukutoshin line, which turns into the Tokyu Line, to Minato-mirai station. Access can be obtained from a number of major stations for sightseeing, including Shinjuku Sanchome, Shibuya, and Meiji-jingumae. Travelers coming from other cities in Japan, such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima who are arriving via the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) should change at Shin-Yokohama station.
Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama
Area: Tokyo Bay
For the whimsical among us, the proximity of this hotel to Disneyland and DisneySea makes it a prime location to stay. It even has a special Disney store, in case you forget to buy a souvenir when you’re at the parks! With over 700 rooms, there are numerous options depending on your desire for price, size, and number of guests. It also has a “Live Kitchen,” where you can enjoy watching your chef make your meals right in front of you. Another little bonus is the inclusion of a costume rental service! To get there, you can take the Keiyo line from Tokyo Station to Maihama station (15 minutes). The hotel offers a free shuttle bus from the station, which is just a five minute walk to the entrance of Disneyland.
The Knot Tokyo Shinjuku
Area: Shinjuku
This is a knot you’ll enjoy tying. The Knot in Shinjuku has high quality, luxurious rooms for affordable prices. Many, indeed, have views of the beautiful adjacent Shinjuku Chuo Park. The furnishings in the rooms are light, playful, and capture the spirit of Shinjuku. It’s also a terrific place to dine: there’s a grill, a bakery, and a tapas lounge, so there’s always something for you to try. To get to Shinjuku Nichome only takes a ten minute taxi ride, or a 30 minute walk. The hotel is a 20 minute walk from Shinjuku Station – take the west exit and follow the signs for Chuo Park before crossing the road on the other side. Alternatively, it is just a five minute walk from the Tocho-mae and Nishi-Shinjuku-Gochome stations on the Oedo line.
9h Woman Shinjuku
Area: Shinjuku
This hotel is notable not only because it caters in particular to ladies, but also because it is that most Japanese of places to stay: a capsule hotel! Situated in the middle of Nichome, it’s within easy reach of lesbian bars such as Goldfinger, Adezakura, and Diamond Holic. Upon check-out, guests can receive a tailored “sleep analysis report” that utilizes advanced sensory technology to help guests understand their sleep better – a quirky souvenir to take home.”Rooms” take the form of a 2-meter square capsule with a low roof. Communal toilets and bathrooms on each floor. Hairdryers and towels are provided along with luggage storage, and the reception is manned 24 hours a day. Getting there is a short 15 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, or you can take the Marunouchi line to Shinjuku Gyoen-mae or Shinjuku Sanchome and walk for 5 minutes.
Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
Area: Shinjuku
Don’t worry boys, you can also get a taste of a quintessential capsule hotel. A mere ten minute walk from Nichome, Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel is inexpensive, has a spacious lounge for you to relax in, and comes with all the amenities you’d need. It also has a public bath and sauna that is for men only, and men are also permitted to make short stays during the day, if you want to take a rest (or perhaps do something less restful). It’s the ideal spot for anyone who wants to have a stay thats more comfortable than a night of shame at an Internet cafe while not splurging on a full hotel.
Shibuya Granbell Hotel
Area: Shibuya
A self-styled “design hotel,” the Shibuya Granbell features individually designed rooms with unique furnishings. Each room offers something a little different, be it custom-made lamps or even a spiral staircase in the middle leading up to an extra bedroom.The sky restaurant offers both excellent steak and teppanyaki-style cuisine with stunning city-wide views. It also has a spa, club, and even a live music venue in the basement. Situated in the heart of Shibuya, it’s easily accessible from the gay district of Shinjuku Nichome via the Fukutoshin line.
Queen Annex
Area: Shinjuku
This hotel is located in the heart of Shinjuku Nichome, Japan’s largest gay district. There are plenty of choices for nearby bars, karaoke booths, manga cafes, and entertainment venues. When you’re in the hotel itself, bold colors, comfortable beds, and a spacious bath all make for a comfortable, relaxing stay. That being said, it is not viable for travelers looking for a room with a view as many of them do not have windows. However, it does have very reasonable prices, which make this an excellent budget option.
There are three stations in the area – Shinjuku (15 minute walk), Shinjuku Gyoen-Mae (5 minute walk) and Shinjuku Sanchome (5 minute walk).
So there you have it: a variety of hotel choices to suit all tastes, budgets, and desires for a queer couple on their trip to Japan. The only thing you have to do now is make the booking and, before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the vacation of a lifetime.
