Kyoto is known, far and wide, as Japan’s ancient capital. It was the home of the Emperor for centuries. But today, it is one of the most highly regarded cities in Japan — if not, the world. And while it is not as widely regarded for its LGBTQ+ presence, that is not to say that it does not have modern systems and, more importantly, modern sensibilities.,
So, when you visit the ancient capital, where should you go? Let’s take you through s couple!
カルシウム・ハウス
Broadcast all over Japan on MBS Radio, Calcium House is an LGBTQ+ friendly drag bar, with a number of hostesses happy to help you feel at home.
多くのホステス・バーと同じように、料金は決まっているが、飲み始めると飲み放題になる。フレンドリーなホステスは、あなたに会話を振ってくれるだろう。
ホステスさんは何でもわかりやすく教えてくれるので、わからないことがあったら遠慮なく聞いてください。
お食事もできますが、タバコはご遠慮ください！ここでタバコを吸っているのは愛するホステスだけだ！
京都キツネ
Admired by TripAdvisor, and thought of by some as the largest club in Kyoto, this is a bar-cum-club that is welcoming to LGBTQ+ people.
A multi-floor location that often has live acts, including from such performers as Albert Conner, DJ EASE, and Bell Angel, AKA Hurley Queen. A fine places to find friendship, or even more, it is a paradise for those who appreciate live music, and a comfortable environment.
Apple
A bar that caters exclusively to men, it sits in a relatively unassuming location on the third floor of an office building. Nevertheless, visitors will find an intriguing interior, hosted by a landlord who has been the master of the establishment for over three decades.
このバーの愛すべきオーナーは、カクテル作りの達人であるだけでなく、地元のあらゆる名所に精通しており、観光客が持ってきた地図に喜んで印を付けて、美しい街の案内をしてくれる。しかし、そこにいる間は、まったくうっとりするようなカクテルを楽しむこともできる。
さらに、デートを盛り上げたり、お気に入りのアヴリル・ラヴィーンの曲を歌ったりと、誰でも利用できるカラオケマシンがあるので、肺を温めるには最高の場所だ。
バー・ルック・ミー
One of the few lesbian bars in Kyoto that caters exclusively to women, Bar Look Me is best known as a safe haven for any lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual women in town. Although it has a ¥500 cover charge, alcoholic drinks are inexpensive at ¥800, and soft drinks for ¥500 are available for anyone who isn’t in the mood for drinking.
異性愛者の女性も大歓迎ですが、男性の同伴はご遠慮ください。ここは女性だけの空間なのだ！
ビール、ウイスキー、スピリッツの品揃えも豊富で、夜が更けるにつれてどんどん騒がしくなるという評判のこの店で、女の子と盛り上がるには最適の場所だ。
クラブ・メトロ
Club Metro is the host of one of the Kyoto gay scene’s hottest monthly night: the “Diamonds are Forever” drag evening. This is considered by some to be THE LGBTQ+ night of the month, every month.
The show, like many drag shows, often has a monthly theme, such as “Diva Collection,” where performers specifically emulate iconic divas, such as Cher, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, or Liza Minelli.
While it is not an explicitly LGBTQ+ bar, it is very friendly to people if all sexual orientations and persuasions, as any of the 1.5 million visitors who have walked through its doors in the past three decades since its opening. It has even taken the title of being described as being among the top 15 “weirdest places you can go clubbing.”
No trip to Kyoto is complete without visiting Club Metro.
まとめ
Kyoto is Japan’s ancient capital, and with such deep history can come some conservative thinking. As such, there are fewer LGBTQ+ bars here than in other cities. But, you cannot stop the bird from singing, and you cannot stop people from being true to themselves in public. So it is here, where despite the fact that there are fewer members of the populace than in, say, Tokyo, there are more than enough to make some noise.
