So Much to do in Nichome
Nichome, a relatively small neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward, is the first and last word when it comes to gay bars, gay clubs, and more. Nichome is the beating heart of the capital’s LGBTQ+ scene, and has upwards of 300 gay bars packed into just a five block area! This can make a visit to Nichome a little intimidating for newcomers, so JGG has created this quick and easy guide to find the right bar, club, or sauna for you.
Top Gay Bars in Nichome
KING TOKYO
A great gay bar to start your night, King Tokyo has been popular among short-term visitors and Tokyoites alike for years. Its highly affordable drinks options – including a ¥1,500 all-you-can-drink nomihodai option – mean that you can save your money for some food, more drinks at another bar, or to buy entry to a club. A classic mix bar, it’s welcoming to anyone regardless of gender or sexuality.
Eagle Tokyo Blue
A stylish, easy-going bar with a reputation as a terrific drinking spot for tourists, locals, and even celebrities. It has a very laid back feel to it, with the friendly, multilingual bar staff eager to chat with guests. It is also the site of Opulence and Agartha, some of the biggest events in Nichome’s LGBTQ+ calendar.
AiiRO Cafe
Unmissable in more ways than one, you can find AiiRO Cafe at a glance by seeking out its iconic rainbow torii shrine gate. But it’s also a top spot for Nichome newbies: as a tachinomi standing bar, guests don’t have the option to sit quietly in the corner, sipping a beer while staring at their phone. Instead, you’re likely to strike up – or be brought into – a conversation while you enjoy one of AiiRO’s signature cocktails.
Kusuo
A mix bar that has plenty of room for dancing, and includes a free drink with the entry fee (¥1,100 for men, ¥1,600 for women), Kusuo is notorious as a raucous karaoke bar. The staff are very foreigner-friendly, and will be happy to tell you about the bar’s signature fun fact: Kusuo was Freddy Mercury’s bar of choice whenever he visited Japan!
Check this article below for more gay bars in Shinjuku Nichome!
Top Gay Clubs in Nichome
AiSOTOPE Lounge
One of the most famous gay clubs in Nichome, the AiSOTOPE Lounge is a two-storey club with regular, almost nightly events for Shinjuku’s LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. With a wide variety of drinks and expansive dance floors, it’s a wonderful place to get your groove on until the early morning. It’s a good idea to check the schedule before you go: some nights are men only or women only, to make sure that if there’s a sexier event, show, or performance that it remains a safe space for the audience.
KINGDOM TOKYO
Opened in July 2024, this is King Tokyo’s sister gay club, and caters to an audience looking for something a little more raunchy. It regularly has gogo boy dancers and drag acts, and positions itself as a fetish and kink club for anyone who wants to explore their deepest fantasies. The rainbow flag is already flying, so now let your freak flag fly!
New Sazae
If disco is dead, no one told the owners and staff at New Sazae. One of the oldest extant gay clubs in Nichome, New Sazae can trace its roots back to 1966, and it still has its classic 70s interior design that attracts dancers eager for something a little different from techno. It is well known as a gaisen club, where Japanese and foreigners go to engage in cultural exchanges, if you will. Today, while it remains a piece of the firmament of Shinjuku and Tokyo’s gay culture, it also attracts straight clients who enjoy dressing in drag.
Dragon Men
Probably the first bar you’ll see as you enter Nichome proper, Dragon Men is famous for its regular gogo boy dancers, and for featuring live DJs to get patrons moving into the late hours.
Dragon Men is popular both among tourists and locals. It has a ¥2,000 entry fee, but this includes two drinks for men and one drink for women. While it is a bar on weeknights, at the weekend it shifts into more of a club vibe, so you’ll get a different experience depending on when you go.
Arty Farty
Popular among foreign guests (possibly due to its hilarious name), Arty Farty can be a little quiet on weeknights, which is great for those who want to have a chilled out drink, but very much comes alive as a gay club at the weekend. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and the spacious dance floor and eclectic decor mean that this is a place you’ll remember for a long time. Entry here also gets you free entry to The Annex, Arty Farty’s sister bar, giving you two places to visit for the price of one!
If you want to know more about gay clubs in Nichome, check this article!
Top Gay Saunas in Shinjuku Nichome
24 Kaikan
Without a doubt, 24 Kaikan is the must-visit gay sauna in Shinjuku’s Nichome district. It’s a vibrant space where both newcomers and seasoned visitors to Tokyo’s gay scene can come together and explore. With eight floors dedicated to various themes and experiences, this sauna offers something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking to relax in the sauna or connect with others, 24 Kaikan is designed to cater to a wide range of interests. While those who prefer a more laid-back experience will find plenty to enjoy, this sauna is especially appealing for those looking to immerse themselves in a lively social atmosphere.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a detailed look at what to expect at 24 Kaikan, making your visit memorable and enjoyable!
Volcano
A little outside of Nichome, this is a smaller sauna that is known for its handsome, muscular men. However, the clients and staff here are more eye-candy than at some other sauna: look, don’t touch. Still, if you want a relaxing schvitz, this is a solid choice.
Daiban Kaikan
Daiban Kaikan is known for having a slightly retro feel to it, and accordingly it has a reputation for drawing a slightly older, more experienced crowd. However, its comparatively low prices and recently trendy old-school aesthetic have seen it begin to attract younger, groovier bathers. It has multiple floors that include tatami rooms for taking a break from sweating, making it a great place to work up a sweat before cooling off a little.
Bears Camp
This sauna is specifically designed for a particular clientele: bears and their admirers. As the name suggests, it caters to those with muscular builds and short hair, creating a welcoming space for this vibrant community.
Each day of the week features a different theme, adding a fun twist to your visit. From “Dickong Saturdays,” where larger patrons enjoy lower prices, to “Small Bear Mondays,” which offers discounts for shorter guests, there’s always something special happening.
This sauna truly serves as a haven for bears and cubs, providing an inclusive atmosphere for everyone to connect and enjoy themselves.
BodyBreath!
Bears Camp’s sister sauna, BodyBreath, offers a contrasting experience, catering exclusively to skinny twinks. However, it’s important to note that only those with short haircuts will be admitted—goth styles aren’t part of the vibe here. This cozy location has a policy that limits entry to smaller groups, making it a more intimate setting. If you meet the criteria, you’ll discover one of the more popular spots in Tokyo for socializing. Plus, if you’re a slender guy who appreciates a bear hug, there’s a mixed area where you can mingle with patrons from Bear Camp.
More information about gay sauna and gay-friendly love hotels can be found in the article below!
Well, where next?
Phew! That’s a list that should keep you busy for a day or two. But this is still just a sample of the delights on offer in Nichome when it comes to gay bars, clubs, and saunas. If you want more, why not ask some regulars at one of these locations for a recommendation? You could find somewhere incredible, as well as make a new friend – or maybe more.
Check out this article for a detailed list of all the fun you can have.
