Insider tips Tokyo: The other side of gay life!

This week we introduce you to a friendly couple of hosts in Tokyo. Working as a freelance designer and a blogger, Jon and his boyfriend enjoy cooking and playing videogames. Their passion for the city they live springs in the answers below. Enjoy your reading and add Tokyo to your lists of places-to-be.

What makes your city a favorite gay destination?

Tokyo is one of the most gay friendly cities in Asia. Pride last year was amazing and is definitely going to grow this year and there's even a drag scene. We hung out with Jujubee in the gay district just last weekend. It's also one of the few major cities with a bath house culture. So you can enjoy cute guys all over the city at the various hot springs.

What is the best gay event that takes place in your city?

"No Pants Sweat Night" at AiSOTOPE Lounge is by far one of my favorite gay events. It's held on a Wednesday every two months. Cheap admission for guys wearing sweatpants/sweatshorts with no underwear. The staff at the door thoroughly check to make sure you're following the dress code. Then go inside and drink and dance with a ton of cute guys. When the lights go down anything goes. Although, I suppose it's pretty much the same when the lights are up!

Shangrila at Ageha Nightclub is probably the largest event. Just about every party-loving gay will be there but the inconvenient location means you're committed to be there all night until the morning train unless you want to pay for a taxi back to your place.

What is your favorite gay establishment to grab a bite for lunch? Or a nice dinner?

Tokyo is perhaps the best city in the world for food. What makes it unique isn't this or that restaurant. It's the fact that there are NO bad restaurants. In 9 years, I've never been to a restaurant that had poor quality. Whatever people do here they commit to doing well. 

Best gay bar for a refreshing cocktail?

You can't go wrong with Aiiro, Dragon Men, or Arty Farty. My personal favorite is Dragon Men. It has a diverse crowd, the waiters often wear nothing but underwear and you can both dance and find intimate seating throughout the bar. The menus are in English and Japanese as well and the staff speaks English.

Ready to go dancing - what is the best gay dance club?

Arty Farty is definitely a great place for dancing although Dragon Men has a dance floor too and one of the friendliest staffs.

Which gay bar offers the best happy hour on a Wednesday?

Tokimeki in Shinjuku's San-chome district (next to the ni-chome gay district) is a good spot on a weekday.

Where to start a gay tour in your home city?

Ni-chome all the way. It's the heart of gay Tokyo. But Tokyo is really a lot of mini-cities in one big city. Each one has distinct personality and the gay bars springled amongst them cater to very different crowds. The Marunouchi area near Tokyo Station is an oasis of hot young Japanese business men in perfectly tailored suits. 

Best place to socialize with the local gay community?

The onsen Ofuro no Osama's branch in Oimachi is a popular hang out spot for gays in the city. You undress in the locker room and then enjoy the various baths and enjoy the nude eye candy.

Another popular spot is Shiba Pool near Shiba Koen (Park) near Tokyo Tower. A great place to see hot guys in skimpy bathing suits. 

How gay-friendly is Tokyo?

Japan is pretty apathetic to gay people. I have out and proud gay friends who hold hands and show affection in public and nobody pays any attention. The culture avoids confrontation. To be fair, even straight couples avoid affection in public so if you're looked at it may be for showing any affection. Not being gay. Tokyo is super gay friendly.

A gay place for brunch on weekends?

Good Honest Grub is owned by a gay couple and has amazing western breakfast on the weekends. Honorable but not gay mentions go to Rose Bakery, Clinton Street Baking Co (my personal favorite), Ivy Place and Criss Cross. My friends are a fan of Cinnamons in Harajuku as well.

What is gay life like in Tokyo?

Gay life in Tokyo is diverse. Multi-lingual foreigners and locals mingle, chat and hook up. But the English level in Japan is one of the lowest in Asia so you may have to rely on body language in some instances. Frankly that's often more fun anyways...

What are your favourite gay venues in Tokyo?

Any of the bars or restaurants I've mentioned are worth your time. But the real stars of the show are Japan's "Love Hotels." My favorite is in Ni-Chome (the gay district) is pretty cheap if you go earlier in the evening.