Japan is a large country with a lot to see — even if you’re limiting yourself to Tokyo, it’s impossible to see everything in the space of a week or two. Even people who live here won’t have seen everything the fair city has to offer. This is even true in Nichome, Japan’s hub for LGBTQ+ activity.
That’s exactly why our cool capital has so many tour guides. But what makes our JGG Night Tour guides unique? Why should you trust our hand-picked heroes over other potential guides to show you around gay Tokyo? Here are just a few reasons that our guys and gals are the right choice for you!
Intimate Knowledge of Nichome
Every one of our guides has been coming to Nichome for a long time in both their personal and professional lives, so they know the gayborhood inside and out. JGG’s tour of Nichome includes visits to many of the most renowned and fun bars in the area, and some of our guides not only have been patrons, but they have even worked behind the bar!
It’s this first-hand experience that means that your sherpas through the nightlife of Tokyo’s queer quarter can not only take you to the places on the itinerary, but they can recommend drinks, tell stories about celebrities who’ve visited, or crazy nights that there have been over the years. That’s the difference between going to a bar for a quick drink and visiting a nightspot for an experience. And if you want to stay out later after the tour is concluded, they’ll have recommendations on where to go!
Familiarity with Japanese LGBTQ+ Culture
Our guides, as you can imagine, are almost all members of the LGBTQ+ community — and even those who, for their sins, are not that fortunate (known as nonke in Japanese) have been living and working in and around Nichome with their LGBTQ+ betters. This means that they have more understanding and experience of the history, the people, and the vibes of the area.
”Being a JGG guide means offering authentic local insight, lived experience, and a deep respect for the Nichome community, and that’s something you won’t find in a generic tour,” one of our guides says.
If you have questions about the area’s radical history, from its 1960s origins as a hub of student activism, to its present-day status as a haven for anyone who wants to cut loose among their fellow queers, our guides can help. Or if there’s an aspect of Japanese gay culture that you’ve always been curious to ask about, just let them know, and they’ll tell you right away!
Excellent Japanese
Because our guides have been living in Japan for a long time — that is, if they’re not Japanese themselves! — they have impeccable Japanese language skills. This might seem like a given, but it’s especially useful in the context of the LGBTQ+ world. Even if you’ve learned some Japanese, there might be slang that you’ve never encountered before. Are you a タチ? Or ネコ? Could you be リバ? Even basic information on LGBTQ+ life can be hard to come by in English, which is why our guides can provide insights nobody else can.
One of our guides, Ayano Watanabe, says that “Information on lesbian bars and other related spots are pretty difficult to find, since that knowledge is mostly listed online in Japanese. However, there are variety of precious spots with open and super friendly staff that I don’t want travelers to miss during their exploration of our Japanese gay town.”
Your New Best Friend
If you’re a follower of our Instagram account (and if not, why not?), you’ll know that our talented actors are funny, energetic, and a joy to be around. And these very talents are among some of our beloved tour guides! Despite their incredible theatrical ability, that charisma is no act. Our guides are as enthusiastic in person as they are on screen!
After all, Nichome is brimming with personality, so why would our guides be any different? They all have stories to tell, jokes to share, and charisma to burn! They’re passionate about Nichome and the world of queer Japan, and they are eager to share their thoughts and experiences with you, our guests!
“The best part of being a JGG Tour guide is watching guests connect, laugh, and feel welcomed in a space that’s full of stories, pride, and surprises,” one of our partners says.
In Summary
Tokyo has as many different tour guides as train stations, but for anyone who wants to have a first-hand experience of Nichome with those who know it better than the back of their hand, there’s no tour better than one of our own JGG Night Tours.
