©Photo by iStock: sasirin pamai

LGBTQ+ Events in Tokyo for 2024

Outings For The Queer Community

By Sydney Seekford |
March 20, 2024 |
Community Support, Lifestyle

Creative ways to get out and be yourself around Tokyo, from everyday activities to annual celebrations.

According to Loann Halden, VP of communications at the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, Japan is fortunate to have a relatively queer-friendly culture. Compared to many other APAC region nations, Japan’s government and society are welcoming to sexual minorities and take measures to make the community feel safe and accepted. However, tight-lipped Tokyo can still be a hard place to be 100% of your authentic self for anyone, much less members of the LGBTQ+ community. We’ve rounded up a reliable set of LGBTQ+ activities and events in Tokyo where queer folk are encouraged to be themselves while building connections and having a great time.

Every Day Can Be “Gay Day”

Campy Bar Shibuya

Famous or infamous, Campy Bar provides a safe and casual place for members of the community to gather. The original location remains clustered among the many LGBTQ+ bars and clubs in Ni-Chome Shinjuku. However, this time we want to make a point to highlight spaces that are queer-friendly but don’t necessarily carry the pressure of Ni-chome’s nightlife scene (which, frankly, is not for everyone). Thankfully, Campy Bar’s success has allowed it to open a second location in a much friendlier part of town.

Campy Bar Shibuya is tucked into a back corner next to a fortune-telling booth—where we suspect they feel right at home. Nightly drinks and light bites are hosted by Campy Bar’s drag-dressed staff, all of whom are experts in standing out while making guests feel right at home. The bar is open until 5 a.m., and there’s no cover charge for general seating.

Hours: Campy Bar Shibuya Parco: 7 p.m.-5 a.m.; Campy Bar Original: 7 p.m.-4 a.m. (Mon-Sat), 5 p.m.-12 a.m. (Sun)
Where: Campy Bar Shibuya Parco: Shibuya Parco B1, 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo; Campy Bar Original: Musashino Building 1F, 2−13−10 Shinjuku, Tokyo

Tokyo Disney Resort

While Disneyland in other countries might set aside special dates or events for “Gay Day” celebrations, visitors to Tokyo Disneyland will be happy to hear that the parks provide a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people every day of the year. Starting in 2012 with its first LGBTQ+ wedding ceremony, Tokyo Disneyland has been an active supporter of the community.

Celebrate “Gay Day” any time you visit Tokyo Disneyland with exclusive Pride merchandise lines. These are released around the same time as the Tokyo Rainbow Pride parade (in spring) and sold throughout the year. It may not be an official calendar event but the magic of Disney makes any visit to the park a special enough outing that we feel it should be included!

Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Where: Tokyo Disney Resorts, 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba
Ticket Price: ¥7,900-¥10,900

Monthly Events

Tokyo Comedy Bar

On the third Wednesday of each month, the Tokyo Comedy Bar (TCB) hosts an LGBTQ+ comedian-only show. Located just a few steps away from Shibuya station, TCB has long been a haven for foreigners of diverse backgrounds to get together and laugh at the shared tribulations of expat life. At-the-door ticketing is welcome, but space is tight, so advance tickets are recommended. If comedy’s not your thing, the attached bar offers a good opportunity to meet other queer people without buying a seat for the show.

When: Third Wed of the month from 9 p.m. (Show doors open 8:30 p.m.)
Bar Hours: 6 p.m.-12 a.m. (Sun from 5 p.m.)
Where: The Renga 3F, 1-5-9 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo
Ticket Price: ¥2,000

Taimei Book Cafe

For anyone who can speak Japanese (or is satisfied just being a welcoming space) Taimei Book Cafe in Ikebukuro offers a monthly consultation event. It’s a space to gather and seek resources and support or share stories about work-life in Japan as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As an expat or foreigner living in Tokyo, consider these meetings a safe space to talk openly with peers about struggles and personal concerns when it comes to living and working in Japan. Invite friends for a heart-to-heart surrounded by books and zero judgment.

When: Monthly (varies, announced on site)
Where: Taimei Book Cafe, Ikebukuro

Annual Events

Tokyo Rainbow Pride

The biggest and best-known queer-friendly event in Tokyo is the Tokyo Rainbow Pride Festival and Parade, which happens in the spring every year. The 2024 edition will be happening right at the peak of cherry blossom season, from April 19 to 21, so attendees can look forward to the addition of one more color to the rainbow.

Every year the vendors and performances are a little different, but representatives from around the world gather to celebrate and say a few words in support. Last year that included members of the British, German and Canadian Embassies. Corporate sponsors such as Soup Stock Tokyo also make appearances. More than an opportunity to experience a huge LGBTQ+-focused event, Tokyo Rainbow Pride provides a chance to support businesses owned by other members of the community and discover resources that aren’t as active on online channels.

The festival takes place in Yoyogi Park from about midday to 6 p.m. all weekend long. The parade held on Sunday from 1 p.m. cuts through Shibuya and Harajuku too. Participants can just come out in their rainbow best and enjoy the festivities!

Additionally, Tokyo has hosted a dedicated Trans March in the fall of the past three years. The Trans March is expected to return in 2024 sometime around November in Shinjuku Chuo Park. Since this is a relatively new event, keep your eyes out for official details in the coming months.

When: Annually in Spring
2024 Dates: Fri, Apr. 19-Sun, Apr. 21 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Fri from 1 p.m.)
Where: Yoyogi Park, 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo
Ticket Price: Free (for most events)

Bills Pride Celebration at Omotesando

Celebrate Pride at Bills Omotesando, an Australian restaurant that reflects the country’s sunny, easy-going and generous spirit. For one afternoon, see drag performances by the likes of Labianna Pinklady, Kosmic Sans and Sasha B Savannah. Come as you are and treat yourself to an afternoon of great performers and tasty treats. From April 20 to 28, 2024 all sales from avocado toast orders will be given to ReBit, an NPO that supports LGBTQ+ community initiatives.

2024 Dates: Sat, Apr. 20 from 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Tokyu Plaza, Omotesando Harajuku 7F 4-30-3 Jingu-Mae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Ticket Price: Order something on their menu, sit down and enjoy the show!

LGBTQ+ Resources

A great Japanese resource for LGBTQ+ events, community connections and more is B-Light Japan. This service not only features large events, like a list of pride parades across Japan, but makes a point to highlight individuals, organizations and businesses that exist to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

Nijiiro Diversity, an NPO backed by big-name supporters like Tokyo Disneyland (N.D. is the main recipient of fundraising from Tokyo Disneyland’s Pride-goods sales) also disseminates information about groups, events and support for LGBTQ+ community members across the country.

Finding community as a queer person in Tokyo

If possible, try reaching out to others you already know in the same circle or public services like Meet Up to begin with. Anyone who has moved to a new city alone knows that it’s rarely so easy to find spaces you can feel comfortable in right out the gate. For this reason, joining official events and participating in larger public gatherings can offer safety (as opposed to meeting a small group of strangers) and an opportunity to build community at one’s own pace.

Are any LGBTQ+ events in Tokyo already on your calendar? Let us know!