Gay Tokyo – The Hornet

gay Tokyo

Tokyo is an extraordinary place — where else can you find ancient shrines and temples hidden within one of the world’s most modern city? The host of 2020 Summer Olympics, that’s where. Tokyo is all about the hustle and bustle, and so is Gay Tokyo. For the first time visitor, Tokyo can be overwhelming with its bright lights, tall skyscrapers and massive crowds.

But as busy as it is, there’s much to explore — ancient history, the freshest and most beautifully prepared food and, of course, the Tokyo nightlife. From its high energy clubs to the cozy dive bars, it’s easy to party till dawn.

And if that weren’t enough, Japan is one of the gay rights leaders in Asia. Even though Japanese culture is typically conservative with strict social norms, Japan (along with Taiwan) is one of the few Asian countries genuinely accepting of its gay communities. An increasing number of districts across Japan have legalized gay civil unions. Two of them are in Tokyo: Shibuya and Setagaya. With this progressive attitude, Tokyo is a top gay destination.

By Charles Thompson-Wang – Full Story at The Hornet

Queer Tokyo – Passport Magazine

Queer Tokyo
Photo by CASSIDY DUHON PHOTOGRAPHY

As the city gears up to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, new relationships are being constructed between East and West, gay and straight, old and new. These new dynamics are exciting, and the energy is palpable. A few years ago, I went on an international marathon tour. You can learn a lot about a city from how it cheers on its runners. Bostonians handed out plates of oranges and shouted positive encouragements. Tokyoites offered hand-carved chocolates and homemade sushi, and bowed to the runners.

Gay Tokyo offers something unique and different from many other big cities. In Tokyo, the extremely ancient meets the extremely modern, and those juxtapositions play out in everyday life. Photographer Cassidy DuHon and I visited Tokyo earlier this year. During our week there, we met with LGBT rights activists, male geishas, and Japanese drag queens. We sought out the newest luxury hotels and spas, the most popular gay bars, and the freshest slices of sashimi.

Some people say that Tokyo is similar to Taipei or Seoul. On the surface, it may look so, but scratch below the kimono and you quickly find tastes, sights, and sounds in Tokyo that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

From the moment I boarded the plane to Tokyo from Washington, D.C., the All Nippon Airways (www.fly-ana.com) staff only spoke to me with smiles. At some point I had to remind myself that I didn’t always have to smile back. Auspiciously, I turned on our inflight entertainment to find an LGBT movie called Close-Knit, which tells the story of a Japanese transgender woman and the relationship she builds with her boyfriend’s niece. It’s beautifully directed and includes an emotional scene where the heroine of the story burns 108 colorful wool-knit penises on the beach, symbolically breaking from her former male identity.

By Allister Chang – Full Story at Passport

A Ten Day Itinerary for Japan – Nomadic Boys

Japan - Nomadic Boys Japan is an incredible country. Everything is so advanced, done with such careful precision, immaculate attention to detail – and always with a smile. A visit here will satisfy everything you want from the perfect holiday. The Japanese culture itself is rich with tradition, dating thousands of years and manifests itself in the way the people behave to each other, the many beautiful temples and even in the delicious Japanese food. PLANNING A TRIP TO JAPAN? This is our Japan trip blog 10 days itinerary for first timers to discover the best the country has to offer. We set out 2 options: Option 1: Japan, Kyoto and the Yaeyama islands (Okinawa)

  • Tokyo: the bustling big capital city and transport hub in/out the country
  • Kyoto: the former Imperial capital with plenty of iconic monuments like the Golden Temple
  • Yaeyama islands: Japan’s southernmost islands ideal for a tropical getaway
Option 2: Tokyo, Takayama, Kyoto and Hiroshima
  • Hiroshima: a very cool city with a sad harrowing past everyone needs to learn more about
  • Takayama: discovering the Japanese countryside
  • Tokyo and Kyoto: the staples of any Japan itinerary

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

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Gay Kyoto – Nomadic Boys

Gay Kyoto - Nomadic Boys Kyoto was the old capital of Japan from the 8th century until 1869 when it was moved to Tokyo. It’s a beautiful city packed with temples, markets, very friendly people and some great food. And lots of mochi based treaties everywhere! We stayed at B&B Keiko, owned by Keiko, who is a young Japanese girl, very passionate about her job. We paid 5,000 yen (around £30) a night for a room. There are two rooms, and this includes breakfast in the local French cafe. Keiko was a great source of all information about gay Kyoto, be it bus schedules, temple opening hours and most importantly, where to find the best ramen and noodle bars.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

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Slurping Noodles in Japan – Nomadic Boys

Stefan Arestis - Nomadic Boys Japan is the place to come for some of the tastiest food on the planet, particularly noodles. Whether it’s the rich dreamy broth based ramen or the juicy thick yummy udon, Japanese noodles are sure to rock your world. But when it comes to eating said noodles, what better way to show your appreciation then with several beautifully timed, loud SLURPS!? You read right. In Japan, slurping is considered good manners and a sign you’re enjoying your meal. Just take care of the splash back on your clothes…! So, should I slurp my noodles in Japan? Absolutely – and with plenty of gusto and pride.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

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Gay Tokyo – The Nomadic Boys

Nomadic Boys - Gay Tokyo Japan is one of the leaders of gay rights in Asia. Gay TokyoSurprising isn’t it? Japanese society is so regimented, conservative, with strict social norms and little room for acceptance for anything different. Despite this, Japan (along with Taiwan) is one of the few countries in Asia which has truly started to accept and protect its gay community to the point where it’s opened the door to gay civil unions. More and more districts across Japan are legalising gay civil unions, two of them in Tokyo: Shibuya and Setagaya. So what better time to come visit the city as a gay couple? A very patient (unmarried) Stefan secretly hoping this could be THE moment… Tokyo itself is massive, made up of 23 wards, each governed as a separate city and inhabited by over 9 million people. Statistically that’s just under 1 million gays waiting to welcome you. Gay Tokyo is mainly congregated in Shinjuku’s Ni-chome (Area 2) where all the action happens. We enjoyed our time there so much that we decided to write our LGBT travel guide to Japan’s capital city.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

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ANA Business Class Review: Tokyo Haneda to London – Nomadic Boys

Stefan Nomadic Boys The very sweet Japanese cabin crew girl onboard our ANA business class flight from Tokyo to London giggled at this proud Frenchman as he pouted fiercely, preparing to tuck into his beef steak fillet and Aomori black garlic confit. Stefan also looked on in a fit of giggles as Sebastien so effortlessly settled into his ANA business class experience. And wouldn’t you? All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, is not only recognised as one of the seven 5-star Airlines by Skytrax, its business class was rated as the fourth best in the world at the 2015 World Airline Awards. The accolades don’t stop there: in the same year, ANA’s business class was also highly rated for its seats, airline staff, catering and comfort amenities.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

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Geisha Makeover in Tokyo – Nomadic Boys

Geisha Makeover “As Sayuri was standing beneath the Cherry tree, speaking to the one man she loved but could not have, a sprinkle of delicate pale pink petals fell upon them like snow…” At this point, Sebastien GRABBED the remote control, interrupting the most beautiful moment of Memoirs of a Geisha to declare: “STEFAN! One day, we too, will become geisha!” Fast forward a few years and we find ourselves in the unassuming Studio Geisha Cafe in Morishita, suburbia Tokyo, ready for our own Geisha makeover and experience of a lifetime. “50% of our customers are in fact Japanese (mainly heterosexual) men who simply want to transform into something completely different”. Michiru, a former model/actress, set up the Studio Geisha Cafe with her husband to provide people the chance to live out their dream. She’s used to Japanese men who want to be transformed and we were fortunate to be her first foreign male geisha makeover.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

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Ten Favorite Traditional Foods of Japan – Nomadic Boys

Gyoza-Stefan-Kyoto Japanese food is hands down one of the best in the world. Even Sebastien, a very proud Frenchman admitted it was his favourite. But don’t just take our word for it: in December 2013, the Japanese cuisine (called washoko), was added to UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage list. Which other cuisines do you know are UNESCO listed?!! (Sebastien was quick to point out the French cuisine is also in the same UNESCO list). Proud Frenchman aside, after finding a great deal on Skyscanner, we decided to go to Japan for 2 weeks and visited Tokyo, Takayama, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Okinawa. So, get ready for some serious foodporn in our run down of our 10 favourite traditional food of Japan.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

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