General Gay Tour
LGBTQ+ CUSTOM TOURING
Do it up your way, with an LGBTQ+ guide at your side.
Tour Introduction
For our LGBTQ+ friends looking to have a private tour with a like-minded guide, we’ve got private tours just for you. We are pleased to offer half and full day LGBTQ+ tours in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Historic Landmarks
In both Tokyo and Osaka, there are old parts of the city where gay and lesbian life secretely flourished behind windowless storefronts of bars and perhaps more sordid establishments.
Professional Guide
Real English, real skills, and great personalities. Our guides have the knowledge and expertise to provide you with interesting, fun, and memorable tours.
Fully Narrated Tour
Our tours never leave you to wonder about on your own. Your guide stays with you the whole time, unless, for example, you want a bit of time to roam a garden or have lunch on your own.
Easy Access
This tour starts just outside a rail or subway station, making meeting up an anxiety-free experience.
Tour Overview
Choose your city, then we’ll help choose your fun. More than just a "gay tour," this is a top quality experience simply tweaked a bit for our community.Japan is a safe, friendly country that is well suited for LGBTQ+ travelers. Public affection is generally frowned upon regardless of the genders involved, but you will be hard pressed to find a Japanese person with moral objections towards LGBTQ+ lifestyles.Naturally, any of our standard tours are also perfect for our LGBTQ+ travelers, but we know that there are some out there who prefer the comfort of a pure LGBTQ+ environment. It is with that in mind that we have created this offering. The possibilities are greatly varied. Perhaps you like the looks of one of our existing walking tours in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, and just want an LGBTQ+ spin on it? Maybe you want a little daytime touring followed by the different vibe associated with a bit of nighttime touring afterwards? Or maybe you have something specific in mind? Let us know, and we can create a tailor made “outing” to your liking.
Tokyo for urban adventure, straight or otherwise
As the largest urban center in Japan, it should be of no great surprise that Tokyo has the largest and most spread out LGBTQ+ scene. Let us plan a day for you with some mainstream sights, then sprinkle in some sparkle with a stop or two (or three) that plays to our community. Be it gardens, urban buzz, a shrine, or views from high above, we’ve got the standard covered. Then we’ll take it from there.
Kyoto: Who says cities with a religious history have to harbor agendas?
Buddhism and Shintoism are largely devoid of judgment when it comes to things like sexual orientation, so there’s no need to worry about a supposed express train to damnation when you explore Kyoto. In addition to sharing the general beauty of the city, we will provide you with insight regarding attitudes towards homosexuality over history, how Western thought influenced it (spoiler alert: it wasn’t a boon for us), and how it is today.
Osaka’s got a very Japanese, urban gay experience without all the tourists
Sure, it’s not as big of a scene as Tokyo, but what the city makes up for in size it gains through technique. There’s a solid day of standards to cover in Osaka, but also a less tourist-overrun gay and lesbian scene that is highly recommended. Plus, it’s Pinpoint Traveler’s home town, so you can trust us to know it well.
We may not be able to choose who we are, but we can certainly choose what we do
Our LGBTQ+ tours start at four hours, but you can extend to a whole day and beyond. Though these are walking tours by default, you can add on a vehicle if you like (not available in Tokyo, where it’s best not use a vehicle anyway). Feel free to consult with us regarding any special requests. Odds are good that we can make your dreams come true.
Itinerary
Asakusa and Ueno are oozing with history, and from an LGBTQ+ perspective as well. Shinjuku and Shibuya are more youthful and manic. The Ni-chome section of Shinjuku is considered the epicenter for all things gay and lesbian in Japan. If you’re looking to leave the city for less crowded pastures, may we suggest Kamakura or the Hakone/Fuji area?
Temples galore, but gardens and mountainside strolls too. A great place to see well preserved history and to enjoy a slower pace than Tokyo or Osaka. Basically zero gay scene here. Locals, almost without exception, head to Osaka for that.
During the day, there are interesting urban tapestries, great open markets, plus the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and a great big castle too. Much of Osaka’s charm lies in the character of the people, and it would be our pleasure to be the bridge that allows you to connect. Once night rolls around, there’s a fun and exciting scene waiting for you to dive in.
Historic and Cultural Landmarks
In both Tokyo and Osaka, there are old parts of the city where gay and lesbian life secretely flourished behind windowless storefronts of bars and perhaps more sordid establishments. That scene, thought to a large degree left behind by the younger generation, is still chugging along, and we quite enjoy walking our LGBTQ+ guests through it. On the more modern, youthful side of things, well, the world is your oyster.
Easy Access
We can meet either at your lodging or at a predetermined location. If you opt for car service, we will of course pick you up at your lodging.
Know Before You Go
There are a few things we’d like you to take note of before joining us.
- Depending how many people are on the tour, if you opt for car service do be sure to choose the appropriate vehicle size
- The legal drinking age in Japan is 20
- There is no minimum age to join this tour, but depending on what your plans are, it may not be practical for guests under 18
- Please come wearing comfortable shoes, as there is generally a fair bit of walking regardless of whether we do this as a walking tour or by private vehicle. If you have a preference or restriction to not walk very much, just let us know and we can make the appropriate arrangements.
Inclusions:
- All guide expenses.
- If vehicle option is chosen, the vehicle fee includes all parking, gas, tolls, etc.
Exclusions:
- Food or drink during our time together
- Your public transportation costs while on tour
- Admissions
Options:
- You may add additional hours to the touring day at time of checkout
- A car option is available
- Other options may be available. Please let us know if there is something not covered here.
Our Tour Guides
We've got around a dozen guides at your service. Here we showcase a few of our most active ones.
Kevin
Shoji
Mardi
Dan
Levy
Suzie
Not profiled here are guides who speak Spanish (Kyoto, in addition to Dan in Osaka), French (Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo), and German (Kyoto and Tokyo).
Pickup Point
Varies based on your itinerary. We'll consult with you to determine a suitable meeting point.