This year, Japan Gay Guide was lucky enough to visit Amsterdam for WorldPride. While there, we experienced many of the delights of LGBTQ+ culture in a unique European setting and met queer people from all over the world.
In Amsterdam, we were introduced to Ikuo Akiba, star of Netflix’s The Boyfriend. We also got to follow him throughout his WorldPride experience. From exploring Amsterdam and learning more about LGBTQ+ inclusion to joining the excitement of the Canal Parade, we experienced the event alongside him and heard his personal thoughts and reflections along the way.
Let’s take a trip to Amsterdam with Ikuo!
Who is Ikuo Akiba?
Born on 28 March 2001 in Hokkaido, Ikuo Akiba, known to many simply as “Ikuo,” is a model and actor. He became famous across Japan and around the world after appearing on Netflix’s gay dating show, 男朋友.
Ikuo entered the show in episode six, at the midway point of the series. He quickly became known for his cute looks, and many viewers were also drawn to his kind heart. When the show’s power couple, Dai and Shun, were going through a rocky period in their relationship, Ikuo tried to help them work things out. Some of his biggest fans even wished that he had been part of the show from the very beginning.
Since then, he has also acted on shows such as SWITCH and 10 Things I Want to Do Before I’m 40.
Ikuo in Amsterdam
Amsterdam marked a particularly special moment for Ikuo. It was his first-ever trip outside of Japan.
Nervous but excited, he spent time walking around the city and taking in his new surroundings. In particular, he enjoyed the atmosphere that filled Amsterdam during WorldPride.
One thing immediately stood out to him: the openness of same-sex couples in public.
“I am both happy and surprised by how gay couples are in Amsterdam. In Japan, we rarely see same-sex couples holding hands in public places. But here, it is really ‘normal’. I love it.”
Beyond experiencing the city and WorldPride festivities, Ikuo also took the opportunity to learn about LGBTQ+ inclusion.
He attended the Booking.com media session, where he listened intently as the tourism website introduced its Travel Proud programme. Travel Proud is an initiative that trains property owners to create more welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ travellers. This can be especially important for queer people travelling abroad, as they may not always wish to divulge their sexuality.
Ikuo paid close attention to the presentation and reflected on what he had learned afterwards.
“I was impressed to learn how companies are addressing inclusivity,” Ikuo said after the presentation.
Click below find out more about Booking.com’s Travel Proud initiative and its involvement in this year’s WorldPride.
Ikuo at the Canal Parade
Then came one of the biggest celebrations of the trip: the Canal Parade.
Held on 1 August this year, the Canal Parade has been the highlight of Amsterdam Pride since it first began in 1996. This year was particularly significant, celebrating not only the 30th anniversary of the Parade but also the 25th anniversary of marriage equality in the Netherlands.
A total of 80 official boats floated down Amsterdam’s canals, and we were lucky enough to have a close-up view as they sailed past.
Once the parade began, Ikuo threw himself into the celebration.
Standing beside the canal, he tossed popsicles to the floats as they passed and interacted with a number of other influencers. He also danced with participants and spectators, fully embracing the energy of the event.
Plenty of people recognised him along the way, too, stopping to take photos with the star of The Boyfriend.
But beyond the fun of the parade, Ikuo was also taking in the scale and meaning of what was happening around him.
He was impressed not only by the number of Japanese people attending the event, but also by just how large the celebration had become. Seeing people from across the city join together for Pride left a particularly strong impression on him.
“It makes me so happy to see the whole city coming together to celebrate Pride, regardless of whether people identify as LGBTQ+ or not,” Ikuo said.
For Ikuo, his first trip outside Japan was certainly full of fun. He explored Amsterdam, danced beside the canal, and interacted with people from around the world as he experienced WorldPride up close.
At the same time, the journey also opened his eyes to how Japan’s own Pride events could become more inclusive.
“I hope to help build up Pride in Japan so that it can eventually grow to this scale, too.”
