Gay Osaka, Japan | The Essential LGBT Travel Guide!


Osaka might fly within the radar as a destination oft-forgotten amongst Kyoto’s background and Tokyo’s modernity. Nonetheless, inside lively city, you’ll find the individuals slightly much less conventional, more lively, as well as ready to celebrate.


The place to find Japan’s second-largest homosexual world, Osaka is the perfect place so that free and watch where night guides you.

Discover three primary gay areas in Osaka, but Doyama is very easily the largest and a lot of welcoming to people from other countries. Just like in Gay Tokyo, the pubs listed here are generally hyper-niched, providing toward a specific tribe – bears, salarymen, youthful twinks, etc. – and oh-so-

Japanese. Discreet, compartmentalized, often smaller compared to a cruiseship cabin and enthusiastic about purchase, though fortunately not quite since uptight as
Tokyo
.

Ladies probably know many homosexual lifestyle spots in Doyama cannot enable female consumers, but there are a few lesbian taverns which do not allow male clients, generally there is one thing right here for everyone.

The essential daring homosexual traveler may also wish to check out the smaller Namba gay scene, Kabukiza-ura (“behind the Kabuki theater”), in fact it is distinctly much less intercontinental but nevertheless very inviting. Or if you speak Japanese, try the Tennoji gay world, in the region around Tsutenkaku Tower – the original post-war homosexual place that nowadays draws mainly earlier locals.

Local perceptions, however, indicate a lot of people from other countries can only sample but a few spots, specifically away from Doyama, as individual relationships with people and rigorous Japanese-only policies determine who is going to enter. You could think this is xenophobic – as well as being – but this is done in big part to protect people from becoming judged by unfamiliar expectations.

Japan is similar to nowhere otherwise on the planet, so that as anyone who has checked out before will know, the Japanese do things very in another way. Luckily the ongoing economic stagnation in Japan makes the united states – and homosexual scene of Osaka – a lot more ready to accept people from other countries, and there are increasingly being numerous gay hot rooms, pubs, and clubs that actively welcome Gaijin (japan term for people from other countries) into their center.

Homosexuality never been prosecuted in Japan – it was not considered a sin, simply shameful. Today, despite previous developments of tolerance and freely gay spaces in cosmopolitan locations like Osaka,
Yokohama
, and
Tokyo
, a lot of Japanese homosexual guys and lesbians still conceal who they are.

Being homosexual might be still regarded as your own choice, and even though homophobia is actually unusual, Japanese society views becoming homosexual as not something as flaunted or freely discussed.

This live-and-let-live attitude – providing external looks tend to be preserved – towards LGBT men and women now’s positively limiting homosexual rights in Japan. There’s no governmental and personal friction to drive circumstances ahead, unlike in
Vietnam
,
China
, and
Korea
.

You can find couple of honestly gay lawmakers, a-listers, or internet marketers, together with nationwide eating plan provides yet to do this on such as intimate orientation in the country’s civil-rights signal.

Same-sex matrimony is not appropriate within national amount, though by 2019, twenty locations and urban area wards concern same-sex collaboration certificates, which provide some advantages; however, they truly are entirely symbolic.

Taiwan at this time causes Asia in LGBT rights
, along with the expanding energy and huge plans of Kansai Pride, we hope this will remind Japanese society and lawmakers to go over protections and equivalence regarding people.

Not surprisingly, gay people to Osaka – and Japan – tend to be extremely unlikely to have any discrimination whatsoever with regards to intimate choices.

With a dazzling gay scene – endless skyline, delicious street food, quirky personalities, and much more destinations than one could ever aspire to learn – in conjunction with a refreshing desire for apparently absolutely every thing –  Gay Osaka is one of the world’s most underrated towns and cities and homosexual scenes.

Pop society, fashion, and neon-lit streetscapes collide with cherry flowers, concealed shrines, and silent alleys assure you will not end up being bored in Osaka. Plus if you should be, Osaka is not known as the ‘nations kitchen’ for nothing, and everyone we have found relatively out permanently meals – and an enjoyable time!

Here we are going to protect…



Destinations in Osaka


Obviously, being homosexual will not establish which destinations the majority of us would want to see in each urban area, & most queer tourists would want to read the leading what to see in Osaka in the day!

There was really to accomplish here – but we discovered our favorite thoughts were roaming through, next acquiring lost in seemingly unlimited meals roads, visiting all the unusual cafes,
hitting-up Common Studios
and soothing on one of the many
Osaka lake cruise trips!
Nonetheless – it can help to own some idea of what’s going on, therefore here you will find the most useful things you can do in Osaka, relating to all of us!

Naturally, as soon as you allow Osaka and head back residence, you will not be able to bring these street vendors and sushi cooks along with you – why-not discover ways to prepare many of these traditional Osaka dishes from residents on your stay?

AirKitchen, is actually an online gay-friendly cooking class service
that delivers people with a chance to go to an ordinary Japanese home to master to prepare – immediately after which share a meal together. Its Airbnb-esque, and the perfect way of getting experiencing the credibility and comfort of regional Japanese people.

The cooking class choices tend to be since diverse as Osaka by itself: sushi-making, ramen, bento cardboard boxes, takoyaki (octopus golf balls) and okonomiyaki (a Japanese savory pancake) – to name a few.

Among the best guidelines we are able to give you for discovering Gay Osaka will be pre-order a travel SIM credit for simple airport pickup and activation the minute you arrive you cannot spend a lot of money in intercontinental roaming costs.

Get restaurants referral and reservations on the travel, trains and buses instructions up to the minute, club beginning several hours, and, if it’s your thing – access to homosexual hook-up apps to find out more towards local scene.

Smartphone data is quickly, low priced, and readily available all over the place in Asia, so it is no wonder the majority of travelers elect to stay linked and acquire from the beaten track (without actually ever fretting about acquiring missing). So just why wait?
Pre-order a local SIM card now for it available in Osaka when you arrive.


Activities to do  in Osaka


Mario Go Kart Adventure

Set off on a real-life Mario Kart tour through the hectic streets of Osaka. There is nothing that can match it around, and besides having your heart putting and adrenaline operating – you will probably end up being the best man in Osaka, with natives working once you just for a picture! Just don’t forget about: you will want an international driver’s license when you leave home.


Mameshiba Café

Recently exposed from inside the tourist-popular Dotonbori location, this uniquely Japanese destination enables you to wake up close and individually with all the impossibly sweet Mameshiba dogs. Costing 880 yen for thirty minutes (including one comfortable drink), it is quite busy but still an enjoyable small activity – and a terrific way to ensure you get your daily dog fix! Taking pictures and films is fine with flash-off.


Universal Studios

Probably the most popular appeal in Osaka, spend the time immersing yourself in your favored motion pictures with use of most of Universal’s themed areas based on famous Hollywood blockbusters.

Just a short excursion from Osaka facility, we adored the parades, thrill trips, wacky restaurants, and interest of regional Japanese in dressing up in motif – but I have to confess this place is actually much, far busier as opposed to those in
Singapore
,
L. A.
, and
Orlando.

As much as possible, get a common Express Pass for fast-track access to USJ’s most popular tourist attractions to save yourself time.


Osaka Castle

Explore among Japan’s most well-known attractions, which played a significant character in unification of Japan through the sixteenth millennium. Demolished in 1868 and since reconstructed, the palace is actually eight stories high, each flooring has exhibits, and there is also an urban area observance platform.

Even though you choose not to go in, the expansive grounds are able to explore, with numerous options for road meals, picnicking and viewing local life play around. If you possibly could occasion the see for cherry blossoms, better yet, and this refers to one of the better areas for watching inside the whole country.


Osaka Computer Game Arcades

While in the american globe, arcades went the way of cassette tape and hammer trousers, in Japan, they are still huge company. The Osaka game arcades are not only for the children either; in fact, pop into virtually any arcade around, lunch and you’ll see row upon row of businessmen all acquiring their particular fix before proceeding returning to work.

A lot of have actually multiple levels full of machines addressing everything, from horse racing to dancing to subway driving. Taito Station is amongst the top labels in Japanese arcade gaming and has now a place in Namba, but you will get a hold of a good amount of large arcade spaces dotted about.


Osaka Aquarium

Perfect for a wet time. Check out the seals at world’s biggest dome-shaped ceiling tank inside the Arctic region, notice the unique squawks of rockhopper penguins inside the Falkland Islands region, next reach sharks and radiation inside Maldives region. There’s also to love right here, nevertheless the main reason tourists apparently get should marvel from the beautiful whale shark, the greatest seafood in the field.


Nara Park

Book a day tour or make use of your
JR Pass
to head out of Osaka and travel back once again to the 8th century with a visit on imperial money and UNESCO globe Heritage website of Nara. Discover the area’s wealthy history, wander old temples and, definitely, simply take precious pictures with the tame ‘bowing’ deer of Nara Park.


Kyoto

Another fantastic tour you can get to from Osaka with the aid of the
JR Pass
or a trip. Kyoto is the crown jewel of Japan’s cultural tourism crown, very you should not miss the opportunity to uncover the tranquil appeal of Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, a noted UNESCO World Heritage website, before going to the gold-leaf zen temple of Kinkaku-ji and explore their immaculate Japanese landscapes.

Subsequently, of course, walk through hundreds of orange tori entrance winding through the wooded forests with the Fushimi Inari Shrine of course you have time, spend the night Geisha detecting for the Gion history area…all over time to capture the train back in time for a night call at Gay Osaka.


Attempt The Famous Puffer Seafood

Visit Guenpin Fugu, the number 1 pufferfish sequence in Japan, and enjoy the special style of Japanese fugu. Brave a taste for this toxic catch which chefs need many years of instruction and a fugu permit! Take to the torafugu, or tiger pufferfish, the highest quality in the nation, while you admire the bistro’s traditional environment and atmosphere.


DIY Takoyaki

Love a fun and distinctive dinner experience and learn how to make genuine Japanese takoyaki with useful employees and the English guidelines given.

Make takoyaki with an octopus that is thus fresh they could be eaten as sashimi and coupled with some yummy salad, okonomiyaki, sobameshi, a treat, and even a 90-minute all-you-can-drink meal. Osaka is the house of takoyaki, and if you are perhaps not already enthusiastic about it-You, you certainly will soon end up being!


Salon Industry

Spend trip to Osaka’s enormous hot springtime motif park and treat you to ultimately a first-class day spa knowledge featuring European and Asian-themed hot spring bathrooms. Love the means to access Spa earth’s gymnasium, and interesting amusement swimming pools with substantial drinking water slides, next soothe your muscles, alleviate all tensions, and knowledge pleasure everything in one spot.

Cannot skip the chance to encounter this insanely huge onsen intricate located in the Shinsekai place and find out about the Japanese past time.


Maid Cafe Experience

If you wish to experience strange Japan, take a look into Japan’s cosplay world whenever maids welcome you whenever go into the café and obtain conscious solution from waitresses dressed up in pretty maid outfits. What appeal is there for homosexual people? We’re not rather positive, but one thing informs us there are many than some lesbians who can enjoy this!


Osaka River Cruise

Also known as Japan’s liquid City, Osaka consists of many urban canals and bridges, many of which act as the namesake with their surrounding neighborhoods. While a river sail around Dōtonbori Canal is found on many visitors’ container lists, there’s so much more to understand more about – including a Jazz sail!

There is also multiple other dressing up event cruise trips from year to year, like those where you could appreciate the cherry blossoms of Okawa into the Hanami period and a xmas sail where you could benefit from the lighting complete of light.

For homosexual tourists, they also offer little personal cruises where go-go men and pull queens can be arranged – but these tends to be difficult to find, so we inspire you to receive touching Out Japan to arrange!


Mandrake

Society’s biggest anime and manga reseller, founded in the past in 1987 as an used manga dealership, Mandrake nowadays provides morphed into Osaka’s largest seller of utilized anime and manga-related items with two limbs in Osaka.

Our favorite is the Mandarake large Chaos shop in Namba – but there’s also a spot in Umeda – with several degrees dedicated to various memorabilia, manga works and art. Maybe not your faint of center, there are some pretty serious anime works that cross some limits (let’s say
Japan just made the ownership of kid pornography a crime in 2014
, and explicit anime is certainly not covered).

A time tablet of Japanese pop culture, a trip towards the claustrophobic aisles of Mandarake has to end up being just about the most unusual things to do in Osaka, so if you’re not careful, you might invest times here.


Dotonbori Street-Food

One of the most significant tourist destinations in Osaka with a selection of local food particularly Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki, unique shopping, temples, neon lights, and plenty of shocks. You are able to explore yourself, however for a experience, we advice
a led trip with an educated neighborhood
who is able to show you towards best-hidden delights and must-try dishes of the “nation’s kitchen”.


MenZ-MenZY

Located above  Frenz Frenzy, one of the more outlandish gay bars in Osaka, MenZ-MenZY sells sensuous underwear, swimwear, add-ons, and to have you looking your best. Consider
Andrew Christian
and
AussieBums.
Tempt your self.


Kansai Queer Movie Festival

A
gay movie event
taking place in locations across
Kyoto
and Osaka in Sep, and now in its 13th 12 months. Cross types and motifs, that is a festival that believes
love is love
, pleasant everybody else, and supplying an advanced planet where to interact making use of the neighborhood Kansai LGBT society.


Kansai Rainbow Pride

A surprisingly family-friendly event, the Kansai Rainbow Parade may be the biggest LGBT procession in Japan outside Tokyo. The big event is designed to advertise understanding and enjoy variety and features a parade, stage programs, parties, and fun activities in Ogimachi Park from year to year in Oct.

Whilst the organizers have big plans to develop case into one of the biggest in Asia, Osaka Pride reveals in many ways Japan is in the Stone era whenever just 5,000 people participate when compared to thousands and thousands in
Hong-kong
,
Taipei
and
Sydney
– and of course Europe or me! Nonetheless, it really is amazing observe NGOs and brands acquiring on-board due to the fact event grows.

In a country in which modesty around outsiders is vital and sexual inclination is not one thing to end up being flaunted, we are able to only expect increased exposure in the future helps brand new years of Japanese feel safe sufficient to end up being who they’re.



Gay-Friendly and Gay Resorts in Osaka


As Osaka is among the much more modern and gay-friendly nations in Asia, pretty much every resort in Osaka can be viewed as gay-friendly, and nothing your readers will experience any problems here. Most likely, becoming gay-friendly isn’t about trendy luxury, but about providing friendly service and welcoming every person with open arms!

Osaka is an international mega-city with a lack of area, so place dimensions tend to be smaller than all over the place otherwise around – but as enough gay guys know, it isn’t really all about size, but how you utilize it! The audience is talking about design, efficiency, and opinions, darling!

Everyone wants to end up being enclosed by people with common passions. As a result, there are many famous gay-friendly hotels in Osaka which can be hot places for gay travelers to stay – either due to their location nearby the Doyama district homosexual village – the number 1 place to remain in Osaka if you’re looking for gay nightlife – or their concept and inclusive vibes.

This amazing motels in Gay Osaka have all had glowing guidelines from gay tourists in past times, but of course,
you’ll find numerous various other places in Osaka
if these are generally nearly what you are finding.

Whether you prefer a great and personal hostel, an inexpensive place to crash after a night of partying, or an ultra-chic designer choice to sip cocktails and encircle your self with fantastic folks  – Gay Osaka features something for everyone!


Gay-friendly Resorts Near Umeda / The Doyama Gay World


InterContinental Resort Osaka â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Redefining luxury, the InterContinental Osaka affords incomparable deluxe and sophistication. Your knowledge starts in the dazzling and soaring lobby, a bright and serene realm of artwork, modern décor, and breathtaking views.

It continues throughout any stick with Michelin-star eating, stimulating health spa treatment options, and Japanese-style washing. Then there’s the stately spaces, suites, and houses that provides unparalleled service and facilities to discriminating company and leisure traveler. This service membership listed here is second-to-none, and may you be lured to keep, the homosexual scene of Osaka begins just a few mins out.


The Ritz-Carlton Osaka â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Enjoy classic deluxe at the 5-star lodge that catches the essence of Osaka, Japan. Found in the prestigious region of Nishi-Umeda, The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka will pay tribute to Japanese social heritage, while lavishing guests with contemporary extravagance.

With a 450-piece art and antique collection, a health spa, and impeccably developed hotels, this urban retreat supplies stylish sophistication near distinctive attractions, old town views, while the gaybourhood of Osaka!


Hilton Osaka Resort â˜†â˜†â˜†â˜†

Centrally located, this top-quality resort is preferred by many homosexual tourists for the convenient area, amazing opinions, and thoroughly clean style. There is certainly a selection of dining choices, and an inside swimming pool, fitness center, relaxation space, and magnificent city views are just a number of the amenities waiting for your arrival.


ibis Osaka Umeda â˜†â˜†â˜†

A global economy brand name hotel located in the Umeda region providing appealing, modern, and cozy areas, with comfortable beds. Discover complimentary WiFi and on a clean design, but we are honest – you may be staying here when it comes down to low price label and place!


Nest Hotel Osaka Umeda â˜†â˜†â˜†

A rather low-cost accommodation option offering a tranquil base to explore Osaka by-day, with easy access to the gay world of Doyama by night! Freshly unwrapped, the areas are instead tiny but well equipped, and the resort even provides breads and coffee for morning meal.

There is also a roomy and well-designed lobby to hold out in. Given the area and {design|style|layout|conce
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Dana DiRenzo, MD