©Photo by iStock: franckreporter

Savvy’s Guide To The Best Lesbian Bars and Apps in Tokyo

Where To Go And What To Do If You're A Woman Seeking Women In Tokyo

By Lucy Dayman |
November 10, 2024 |
LGBTQ+, Lifestyle, Love & Relationships

Tokyo is home to an eclectic and vibrant queer community, one that loves to party and is open to everyone.

The LGBTQ+ scene in Tokyo is well and truly thriving. However, thanks in part to the nation’s, at times, prudish attitude to sexuality, it remains a little more hidden than its queer contemporaries across the globe. If you’re new to town and don’t know where to begin, or you’re looking to build a community of similar folks, here’s a crash course of the best lesbian and bisexual-friendly bars and apps in Tokyo.

The Nicho Neighborhood

Ni-chome, aka ‘Nicho’ for the locals, is Tokyo’s best-known gay neighborhood and home to the densest population of clubs, bars and other LGBTQ-centric establishments in the city. Apart from the occasional rainbow flag during the day, the area is almost indistinguishable from many of inner Tokyo’s bar-populated back streets, but as the sun sets, it truly comes alive.

Here, you’ll find an eclectic, friendly crowd of expats, locals, visitors and every in-between. Though the regulars who frequent the area come from all walks of life, everyone is chasing the same three things: community, fun and booze. It’s here where you’ll find most of Tokyo’s lesbian-centric bars. Relatively easy to access from anywhere in Tokyo, Nichome is less than a 10-minute walk from the east side of Shinjuku Station, and practically on the doorstep of Shinjuku-Sanchome Station.

Lesbian Bars in Tokyo

Lesbian bars in Tokyo offer a warm, welcoming space for women to connect, relax and have fun. Check out the following spots for their laid-back atmospheres where women can be themselves without judgment.

Bar Gold Finger

Bar Gold Finger has been a Nichome institution since 1991 and is probably still your first point of call for those looking for female company. A popular alternative to the EDM-heavy nightclub dance floors, this shabby-chic hangout is jam-packed on the weekends. It’s open to both guys and girls most nights, except for Saturdays, which is strictly a female-only affair. If you’re a bit of a show-off, it’s worth noting that the bar also has a public karaoke machine that you’re more than welcome to ambush.

Hours: 6 p.m.–2 a.m. (Fri-Sat until 5 a.m.)
Address: Hayashi Building 1F, 2-12-11 Shinjuku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

LAGOON

This women-only bar is ideal for first-timers or solo visitors. Their cozy, counter-only seating means you’ll be seated close to others, making it a great place to meet new people. The staff are very welcoming and will make you feel at ease, whether you’re a regular or visiting for the first time.

Hours: 7 p.m.–1 a.m. (Fri-Sat until 3 a.m.); Closed Mon & Sun
Address: Shinchidori Building 1F, 2-18-10 Shinjuku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

Ellevie

Located next to LAGOON, Ellevie is a bright, cheerful bar with a welcoming staff that makes first-time visitors feel right at home. The bar features both counter and table seating and has a very friendly, community-oriented vibe. The staff often engages with customers, leading to great conversations and a relaxed atmosphere, so you’ll have fun wherever you decide to sit.

Hours: 6 p.m.–12 p.m. (Fri-Sat until 4 a.m.)
Address: Shinchidori Building 2F, 2-18-10 Shinjuku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

Dorobune

Known for its savory okonomiyaki (Japanese-style savory pancakes), fresh veggies and a wide selection of drinks, Dorobune is a great place to enjoy food and socialize. The bar regularly hosts events and meetups, providing a fun opportunity to meet new people. And the best bonus: It’s also dog-friendly!

Hours: 7 p.m.–12 a.m. (Fri-Sat until 1 a.m.); Closed Mon & Holidays
Address: Vera Heights Shinjuku Gyoen 205, 2-7-3 Shinjuku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

agit

Agit is a welcoming space for women and men (with a female accompaniment). The entrance is open and inviting, so you can get a sense of the vibe before walking in. Although the bar has both table and counter seating, if you’re looking for a more intimate experience or have concerns about being a first-timer, go with the counter seat. The friendly staff will make an effort to engage with you and make sure you’re comfortable.

Hours: Weekdays: 7 p.m.–1 a.m.; Weekends: 7 p.m.–3 a.m.; Closed Mon & Tue
Address: Matsui Building 1F, 2-15-9 Shinjuku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

Adezakura

A little deeper into the Nicho labyrinth is where you’ll stumble across Adezakura, a laid-back bar for women that is welcoming to everyone else, too. There’s no cover charge but entry requires you to buy one ¥900+ drink. At the bar you’ll find a mix of friendly local and international patrons, so even if your Japanese isn’t perfect, there’s always somebody to chat with.

Hours: 8 p.m.–4 a.m. (Fri-Sat & Holidays until 5 a.m.); Closed Mon & Tue
Address: Shinoda Building 1F, 2-15-11 Shinjuku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

Bar Five

Sitting on the second floor of a nondescript building complex is Bar Five, the ideal hangout for a relaxed glass of wine and a casual chat. This intimate bar is the perfect antidote to the sometimes manic energy of the world below.

Hours: 7 p.m.–2 a.m. (Fri-Sat until 5 a.m.; Sun & Holidays until 12 a.m.); Closed Mon
Address: 2F, 2-15-8 Shinjuku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

New Sazae

This one is not a lesbian bar, but it is arguably one of the area’s most legendary spots. Opened in 1966, New Sazae was one of the earliest gay bars to pop up in Nichome. It’s killer retro soundtrack, friendly staff and effortlessly cool crowd have made it the best party in town 365 days a year.

Hours: Fri-Sat: 10 p.m.–6 a.m.; Closed Sun-Thu
Address: Shinjuku Ishikawa Building 2F, 2-18-5 Shinjuku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

Locations Outside Nichome

Bar Urue

Located in Ikebukuro’s very own “Nichome” area, Bar Urue is a relaxed lesbian bar in Tokyo with both counter and sofa seating. The staff is known for being friendly and engaging, with some even offering life or love advice! The bar hosts regular meetups, which is a fantastic way to meet new people and expand your social circle. For regular visitors, the bar has a points card system where you can earn stamps with every drink purchase, ultimately getting free drinks once you collect enough stamps.

Hours: 7 p.m.–12:30 a.m. (Fri-Sat: until 1:30 a.m.) Sun: 7:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.; Closed Wed
Address: 2-61-15 Ikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

News Cafe

Although not strictly a gay establishment, or a bar, News Cafe is an LGBTQ-run cafe located in the slightly more upmarket neighborhood of Jiyugaoka. If you’re looking for Japanese-Western cuisine, great coffee and an LGBTQ-friendly environment, stop by.

Hours: Mon-Sat: 12 p.m.–8 p.m. (Sun & Holidays: until 7 p.m.); Closed Tue & Wed
Address: Hachikou Building 4F, 2-9-11 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

See our LGBTQ+ owned/operated eateries in Tokyo article for more casual dining options.

Tips For Visitors

Most of the bar venues will charge an entry fee or a minimum drink fee to enter. This is standard practice throughout Tokyo’s nightlife scene, so don’t be surprised if you get asked to pay at the door, even if the bar looks like a cozy hole-in-the-wall establishment.

If you have fallen in love with a bar and it’s set to become your new local, some venues in Nichome offer a “bottle keep” service. The system is this: you pick a bottle of your favorite poison from the bar (sake, shochu, whiskey, whatever) and the staff will keep your bottle in the fridge ready and waiting for you each time you visit. If you seriously like to drink, it’s an excellent excuse to go out and a great way to integrate into the local bar scene.

Some bars have gender-specific restrictions on certain days, so to avoid the embarrassment of realizing you’re the only girl in the room or your friend is the only boy, it’s best to read the door signs carefully. If the bar staff does ask you to leave, don’t be offended. You have to remember this is Japan, after all, a nation that loves rules, plus there are so many other places to visit.

One useful tip before you head out is to download the Japanese messaging app Line, which is the most popular app for communication in Japan. If you’re looking to exchange contact information with someone, particularly a girl, doing so through Line is a great casual approach.

Online Meet-Ups

If you’re looking to build a network of gay comrades, you’re more interested in dating than drinking or just want to go beyond the boozy streets of Nicho, then consider hopping online to try your luck.

5 Dating Apps for Lesbians & Bisexuals in Japan

HER (English & Japanese): A favorite for sexual minority women (lesbian, transgender, queer, bisexual). HER offers many gender, sexuality and pronoun options, making it a safe space for all.
Cosy (English & Japanese): For lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. Cosy allows users to message anyone they’re interested in (not just mutual matches) and has a phone call feature.
Zoe (English & Japanese): A dating app for sexual minority women with customizable profiles (identity, desires, appearance). However, Zoe’s user base may be smaller than that of other mainstream apps.
PIAMY (English & Japanese): A social networking app for lesbians and sexual minorities. PIAMY focuses on connecting people based on empathy and shared interests using hashtags.
Spindle (Japanese): A more casual, Twitter-like app that allows users to tweet, like and comment. Also hosts real-life events to meet others in person.

Tinder & Bumble

These days Tinder and Bumble are so ubiquitous that they really need no introduction. One interesting little cultural quirk, however, is that here in Japan, a large portion of female users who identify online as ‘interested in women’ have downloaded these dating apps as a way to meet new people and make friends sans romance. To avoid any confusion or miscommunication, it’s definitely worthwhile adding to your bio your status (looking to date, meet gay people, etc). On Tinder, you can choose your gender, set your sexuality and hide it from others if desired; Bumble allows users to select their gender and sexuality.

Stonewall Japan

Stonewall Japan is an excellent online community resource and group populated by a mix of local and international queer members who are someway connected to Japan. If you are planning on coming to Japan and want at least one source of relevant info, join the Stonewall Japan Facebook Group. The group is like a community noticeboard or virtual roundtable, a queer brains trust where people come together to share news, stories, ask for advice and connect with one another.

Outdoor Meet-Ups

To avoid maxing out your data limit and spending hours swiping through the wrong digital catalogs, here’s a rundown of the most popular IRL lesbian events in Tokyo.

Lesbian Meetups in Tokyo

Meetup is like a friend-making app built to help people meet in real life. There are occasional lesbian events listed here for Tokyo, as well as broader-reaching LGBTQ+ events. The Tokyo Lesbians Meet & Connect group, in particular, is for women who identify as lesbian (or bisexual/transgender) and want to meet other like-minded people over delicious food! The group mostly meets on weekends for lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant.

TIPSY

TIPSY is Japan’s largest women-only event for lesbian and bisexual women. Since its inception in 2012, it has quickly gained popularity through word of mouth. With a mission to bring L-culture into the mainstream, TIPSY has earned widespread support from women across Japan by hosting successful parties at top domestic clubs like Shibuya’s clubasia, Roppongi’s V2TOKYO, Shin-Kiba’s ageHa, Osaka’s JOULE and Fukuoka’s bijou. See their offical website for more information on their next upcoming event!

Tokyo Rainbow Pride

Tokyo Rainbow Pride is the widest-reaching, most public event on Tokyo’s LGBTQ calendar. During the event, there are a series of small, queer-centric parties, gatherings and art events. The centerpiece of the event, a large, open fair home to numerous stalls and live performances, runs across the road from Yoyogi Park. With food, booze, novel attractions, and informative booths, it’s always a whole lot of fun.

If you want to learn more about LGBTQ+ people in Japan or share your insider knowledge, Savvy’s sister website, GaijinPot, also has an LGBTQ-specific page, so be sure to check it out!

This article has been updated with the latest information for 2024 by The Savvy Team.