Itinerary

Your group of no more than six people will meet at 6:30pm in Asakusa, which aside from being a major visitor destination for Sensoji (Temple) and the shopping arcade on its approach, is also the center of the "elder gay" Tokyo population. A century ago, Asakusa was in many ways what Shinjuku and Shibuya are like today. In fact, the Asakusa to Ueno stretch was so popular back in the early 20th century that Asia's first subway was built between those two areas (this is now known as the Ginza line). As the area aged, the clientele aged and changed faces too, and especially in more recent years, there has been a plethora of gay bars, saunas, and even cruising areas for the daddies and granddaddies of the gay persuasion. We'll walk around the neighborhood, talk about history, cultural context, and take a gander at some notable sights from the outside.

From the older east part of the city we ride the subway to Shinjuku, getting up close and personal to what's considered the modern day gay capital of Japan. But first, a bite to eat at a festive and very local restaurant. Depending on the scene and interests of our guest, we may have some yakitori in an open-style restaurant (where grilled chicken of virtually every sort is available) or perhaps some "kushikatsu", which is fried meat and vegetable goodness on skewers. There'll be a side dish or two as well, and and we'll cover varieties from mild to wild, depending on your level of adventurousness. Having a beer with this type of food is pretty much a given, but there are also other drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) to choose from. The food and one drink is included here, and vegetarian options are available on request. Strict vegans may find the evening challenging.

Fortified with some food and a drink, it's time for a proper walk around the 'hood. We'll see bars, book and video stores (yes, they still exist here!), and other establishments catering to the LGBT community. You'll learn about the stratification of the community, social constructs, and remaining secretive aspects of living life outside the proscribed norm in Japan. Along the way, we'll stop off for a beer (or other drink) at a local bar popular with both foreign visitors and Japanese alike. Before you know it, it will be 9:30pm, at which time your guide will be able to point you towards wherever you'd like to go.

Even though this in an LGBT-oriented tour, you are welcome to join regardless of how you identify!

Meeting place

Kamiya Bar

Method of payment

Immediate credit card payment（VISA / MASTER / JCB / AMEX / DINERS）

Cancellation policy

Cancellation By You:
The lead name on the booking must give notice to cancel the tour in writing or mail at our office and we shall refund the tour cost after deduction cancellation charges as under.

Full refund up to 1 week (168 hours) before departure
50% when less than 1 week prior to departure but more than 48 hours
no refund at all with <48 hours notice or for no shows.


Changes Made By Us Before Travel:
We reserve the rights to do any change in your Tour program due to unexpected conditions. If you do not want to accept a significant change, which we will tell you about before you depart, we will (if we are able to do so) offer you an alternative tour of equivalent or closely similar standard and price at no extra cost, or a less expensive tour, in which case we will refund the difference in price. If you do not wish to take the alternative we offer you, you can choose a different tour offered for sale by us and pay, or receive a refund of, any price difference. Or, if you prefer, you can cancel your tour and receive a full refund.


Circumstances Beyond Our Control:
We cannot pay any compensation, reimburse expenses, or cover losses for any amount or otherwise accept responsibility, if as a result of circumstances beyond our control, we have to change your tour after booking, or we, cannot supply your tour, as we had agreed, or you suffer any loss or damage of any description. When we refer to circumstances beyond our control, we mean any event that we could not foresee or avoid, even after taking all reasonable care. Such circumstances will usually include, but are not limited to, war, threat of war, airport closures, epidemic, natural or nuclear disaster, terrorist activity, civil unrest, industrial dispute, bad weather.

Your Responsibility:
We want all our customers to have an enjoyable, carefree holiday. But you must remember that you are responsible for your actions and the effect they may have on others. If we, or another person in authority, believe your actions could upset, annoy or disturb other customers or our own staff, or put them in any risk or danger, or damage property or you are unfit to travel, we may end your tour and terminate your contract. You and your travelling party will be prevented from using your booked accommodation, transport, and any other Travel Arrangements forming part of your booking and we will not be liable for any refund, compensation or any other costs you have to pay. Alternatively at our discretion, you may be permitted to continue with your tour but may have additional terms of carriage imposed upon you.

In addition to the above and the effect your actions may have on others, you must particularly also bear in mind that you are responsible for your safety, and that you are responsible for the condition of the property you occupy. We are not responsible for any accidents which occur in or around irresponsible behavior or for any accidents which occur anywhere on properties because of glass, china or the like which you have broken and/or have left in a way in which injury can result.

We expect that you will enjoy your holiday with us. We appreciate that you may well drink alcohol as part of your enjoyment. You must, however, do so responsibly and we will have no liability to you for any injury, loss or damage you suffer as a result of your judgment being impaired wholly or partly by alcohol.

We will hold you and the members of your travelling party jointly and individually liable for any damage to the accommodation, furniture, apparatus or other materials located within the accommodation, together with any legal costs we incur in pursuing a claim. It is your duty to report any breakages, defects or damage to an appropriate person immediately.

If your behavior or the behavior of any members of your travelling party causes any diverted we and/or the carrier will hold you and those members jointly and individually liable for all costs incurred as a result of that diversion. We cannot accept liability for the behavior of others in your accommodation, or for any facilities/services withdrawn as a result of their action.