For any night out, it’s important to keep a few things in mind so you have a fun, safe and memorable time, without running into any major snags. Partying in Shinjuku Nichome is no different. Nichome, Tokyo’s much-talked-about gay district, might be a stop on the travel lists of many coming to Japan for the first time, or just a regular hangout spot for Tokyo locals.
Either way, it’s a good idea to know these essential do’s and don’ts when coming to Nichome. These are the major rules of etiquette according to tourists and regulars alike to ensure that you can have a good time without worrying about committing any faux pas.
What You Absolutely Should Do in Shinjuku Nichome
Arrive on the Earlier Side
John, a man with the air of a veteran Nichome visitor, had some advice for the fresh newcomer to Tokyo’s LGBTQ district: arrive around 6pm. This is because there are a lot of happy hours and other events to save money at bars and clubs for early birds.
While it might sound weird to start drinking when you’d usually be having dinner, it’s a good way not to spend too much on partying nights that could otherwise easily become expensive. Besides, you can always grab a bite once you’re sufficiently tipsy. A lot of restaurants around the area stay open pretty late, and don’t mind if their customers are a little rowdier than the average dinner crowd.
As an example of the fantastic drinks deals on offer, KING Tokyo, a much-talked-about gay bar in Nichome, has a happy hour every day starting at 6pm and going until 9pm. They offer all-you-can-drink for just ¥1,500, which is a really good deal considering that one drink in Nichome can easily cost you ¥1,000.
The other good thing about KING is that it’s a “mix bar”, which means that anyone can come in and have a good time, not only men.
Buy Your Bartender a Drink
This might be a tip that is unusual in more typical bars, but is a good strategy for getting to know the locals in Tokyo’s gay district.
A drag queen working at Campy! Bar, a fan-favorite drag bar in Shinjuku Nichome, gave me some advice on how to meet local people. Since tipping your bartender isn’t common etiquette in Japan, a good way to show your gratitude is to buy them a drink. This isn’t exclusive to Tokyo’s queer district, but especially here, it’s a good way to strike up a conversation with whoever is serving you.
At a quieter, more intimate venue like Campy! Bar, performers on staff dress in drag, and their main job is to talk to customers in a friendly and casual way – as long as you buy them a drink.
This queen, who preferred to remain anonymous, gave me some other tips about what to do to prepare for coming to Shinjuku Nichome. Among these, she advised bringing both cash and card, since you’ll never know which venues only accept cash; bringing your ID in case someone cards you or you lose your wallet; and learning a little Japanese, so you can talk with a wider range of people.
Ask a Local Where to Go
Another thing the queen at Campy! Bar told me is that Nichome has many different attractions for different people. Since it’s the LGBTQ+ district, it has bars, clubs and venues that cater to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people, and more. It all depends on what you’re looking for!
With this in mind, she told me to state your intentions clearly (about what kind of venue you’d like to check out), and then ask a local where to go. With so many people who either work in or come to Nichome regularly, there are numerous people with a wealth of knowledge of the best places to check out.
Also, it’s not only Japanese people who come to Nichome regularly: there are a lot of foreign residents of Tokyo who speak English fluently and can help you out if you need some advice on which bar is best for you. Don’t be shy! Ask whomever you feel could give you good advice about the hottest spot in Nichome; almost every district regular that I’ve met is super friendly.
What You Should NOT Do in Shinjuku Nichome
Don’t Make Assumptions Based on Appearance
When coming to Nichome, you are bound to meet a lot of people with many different styles, attitudes, from various countries and who are here for various reasons. Many people may have stereotypes about what a gay person looks like, or what a transgender person looks like, but it’s important to keep an open mind and let people tell you on their own how they identify, as opposed to assuming based on their appearance.
Luigi, an American guy visiting Tokyo, hadn’t actually visited Nichome before, but he gave me some general advice that’s handy when visiting any LGBTQ+ district: get to know everyone for the person that they are, instead of viewing queer people as a monolith. This advice may seem obvious to you, but it’s still good to keep in mind, especially when visiting a new country where things may run a little differently.
For example, many drag queens frequent Nichome. To someone who doesn’t usually follow queer culture, they may assume that all drag queens are trans women. But, this is not the case. There are many drag queens who still identify as male but love to put on the performance of drag simply for the artistry of it. There are other queens who are trans women, who enjoy playing up their femininity in the form of drag. It really just depends on the person, and it’s a good idea to, as stated before, let them tell you how they identify instead of assuming beforehand.
Don’t Take Photos of People Without Their Consent
When having a good time in Nichome, one thing you’re bound to see is a lot of people in some pretty flashy and outrageous outfits. For many, Shinjuku Nichome is the place where they can truly express themselves, and they don’t skimp on the fashion or the camp when doing so.
This may seem like another obvious tip, but it’s important to not get overly excited and just snap a photo of someone in a unique outfit while they’re looking the other way. Chances are, they probably want to show off their outfit anyway, and would be completely fine with you taking a photo, as long as you ask. Just keep in mind that underneath the wild attire is, of course, a regular person like you or me.
Don’t Leave Your Drink Unattended
You may think getting your drink spiked is something that only happens to women at the hands of unsavory men. It’s certainly not something that happens in the gay district, right?
Despite drugging maybe not being as common in an area like Nichome, there is no guarantee that it won’t happen. This is why, as in any place, it’s important to stay vigilant and keep an eye on your drink.
For the most part, Shinjuku Nichome is an incredibly fun and accepting district, full of friendly people who just want to have a good time. In fact, from my experience, it’s a lot more of a welcoming place than other famed drinking areas of Tokyo like Shibuya or Golden Gai. You’re less likely to feel intimidated and more likely to meet completely new people that you become fast friends with.
That being said, it’s still important to keep your wits about you on the off chance that someone may not be as friendly as they seem. Watch your drink like you would at any other place, just to stay on the safe side.
Are You Ready for Your Unforgettable Night in Nichome?
After searching all night for the best advice to keep in mind when coming to Nichome, these six tips from both regulars and tourists stood out the most to me, and seemed like the best to give to you in this article. Hopefully, you can take something away from this article that helps you when visiting Shinjuku Nichome.
In the meantime, always remember to have fun, be safe, and be open to wherever the night takes you!
Do not forget to check this article for more about Shinjuku Nichome culture!
