You might already be familiar with Tokyo’s wealth of LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs – maybe you’ve read one of our articles about it or even visited them yourself. But what if you’re looking for somewhere low-key, somewhere chill while simply enjoying some food and drinks? In this list, we’ve got you covered!
1. Black Bird Eatery
Black Bird Eatery is a charming restaurant and event space located in Sasazuka whose owners describe it as a “quirky little bar” where “everyone can feel safe and be themselves.”
The owners, Kelly and Megumi are a non-binary couple who opened the space under the name Cheshmeh in 2013. However, they stated that after deciding that they wanted to give their restaurant a clearer identity, Black Bird Eatery was rebranded to its current name in 2024 and leaned into providing Tokyo’s LGBTQ community with a place to enjoy events away from the crowds of the Shinjuku Nichome gay district.
“Half of our events are queer,” Kelly tells us, and with events such as Queer Creative Fair, Queer Hangout, Non-Binary Talk, Queer Crochet & Mindfulness, and Drag Makeup Meetup & Dance Party, Black Bird Eatery offers not just unique LGBTQ+ events but also delicious food, good drinks, and a friendly local community.
Things to note
Black Bird Eatery is currently only open during their scheduled events, which happens fairly regularly. You can check out their Instagram account or their event calendar for any event updates or inquiries on their opening hours. Both owners speak both English and Japanese.
Area
Sasazuka, Shibuya City, Tokyo
How to get there
Black Bird Eatery is a 5-minute walk from Sasazuka Station on the Keio New Line, or a 20-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station on the Keio Inokashira Line, or a 25-minute walk from Honancho Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.
Website: http://www.blackbirdtokyo.com/
2. Monsta Sweets and Ojizo Coffee
Monsta Sweets and Ojizo Coffee are both openly gay-owned businesses that share a cozy storefront in the trendy neighborhood of Koenji. The delectable American-style cookies from Monsta Sweets and Ojizo Coffee’s wide selection of drinks are the perfect combination for a sweet treat if you’re in this side of Tokyo.
Monsta Sweets in particular already has a loyal base of customers, going back from its early days when owner Gregorio Narvasa was still limited to selling his cookies at pop-up events in Tokyo. In April 2024, after several years of hard work, he was able to open a physical store for Monsta Sweets (not an easy task for a foreign business owner in Japan!) and has only seen continued success – often selling out of cookies ahead of closing time.
Things to note
Due to popular demand and limited stock, Monsta Sweets limits purchases to only 12 cookies per customer on weekends and holidays. They often release special flavors for seasons such as Halloween and Christmas, so make sure to visit often to try their new varieties! Monsta Sweets owner Gregorio speaks both English and Japanese.
Area
Koenji, Suginami City, Tokyo
How to get there
Monsta Sweets is a 6-minute walk from Koenji Station (for the JR Chuo Line or the JR Chuo-Sobu Line).
Website: https://linktr.ee/monstasweets
3. Ashiyu cafe & bar Donyoku
Donyoku is a must-visit if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind, relaxing experience in Shinjuku Nichome. Here, you can soak your tired feet in a warm foot bath as you enjoy delicious food and drinks in a welcoming space that accepts everyone.
In fact, Donyoku started out from a crowdfunding campaign organized by its 3 LGBTQ owners who were looking to create their dream space for them to feel welcome in after experiencing feeling out of place or feeling the need to hide their LGBTQ identity.
There’s seating and activities available for both groups and individuals. For groups, they have a selection of board games you can borrow but if you’re looking for some alone time, you can also check out their small library where you can find some books that past visitors have donated.
Things to note
There is a 790 yen per hour fee to use the footbath, which comes with all-you-can-drink tea and fruit water. Separate fees apply if you’d like to rent (300 yen) or purchase a towel (500 yen) or plastic socks (100 yen). Their opening hours are from 2 PM to 10 PM and are closed on Tuesdays. They have staff with varying levels of English speaking ability.
How to get there
Footbath Cafe & Bar Donyoku is an 8-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station (for the Toei Shinjuku Line or the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line) or a 12-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station.
Website: https://donyoku.tokyo/
Phone number: 03-6273-2841
4. Book Cafe Sappho
For the last cafe on our list, we’re travelling outside of Tokyo into the neighboring Ibaraki Prefecture for a visit to Book Cafe Sappho.
Book Cafe Sappho offers a diverse selection of books and zines that cover important topics related to LGBTQ issues in Japan and around the world, feminism, and much more. They also serve some food and drinks and regularly hold a wide range of events such as photo exhibitions, discussion panels, and LGBTQ parties, so there’s always a good reason to visit if you’re coming from Tokyo.
While most of their books are in Japanese, there are a few English books available. They have also held events in the past that featured English-speaking participants; however, most of their latest information available is only in Japanese so it would be best to visit with a Japanese-speaking companion.
Things to note
Their opening hours and events vary every month, so we recommend following their Instagram account for the latest information (event schedules are currently only posted in Japanese)
How to get there
Book Cafe Sappho is a 22-minute walk from Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express Line.
Website: bookcafe-sappho.com
Phone number: 0298-11-9644
Conclusion
As queer people, we create our own safe spaces and here we’ve introduced you to several LGBTQ-owned restaurants and cafes in and around Tokyo just for that.
Whether you want to experience a unique event for LGBTQ people, interact with the local LGBTQ community or support some of Japan’s LGBTQ business owners, we hope we’ve helped you find your new favorite spot. Make sure to also check out our LGBTQ Resources page on Japan Gay Guide for more information to help you live your fullest LGBTQ life in Japan.
