GAY FRIENDLY JAPAN

Feb 3
4 min read

on request

from € 4.500,00 per Person

Discover Japan through a gay-friendly lens — where timeless traditions, refined beauty, and modern city life coexist in a uniquely harmonious way.

From the neon energy of Tokyo to the serene landscapes of Hakone, and from the artisan streets of Takayama to the elegant temples of Kyoto, this multi-day journey blends iconic highlights with a deeper cultural perspective on identity, aesthetics, and social codes.

INQUIRY

WHAT TO EXPECT?

Japan has a fascinating relationship with same-sex love that predates modern language and Western concepts of sexuality. In pre-modern Japan, male-male bonds were documented in literature and in samurai culture, where mentorship and loyalty could also take romantic forms. These stories help frame how Japan’s past shaped its present — and why today the country offers a travel experience that feels both safe and intriguingly layered, even though legal equality is still evolving.

Along the way, you’ll explore historic districts, traditional inns and hot spring towns, world-class cuisine, and vibrant nightlife — with the comfort of a tour designed for international gay travelers, balancing culture and leisure in the right proportions.

Destinations: Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto (with optional extensions to Osaka & Hiroshima).

DAY 1:

Arrive at Tokyo International Airport. Meet & greet assistance at the airport, followed by a private transfer to your hotel.

Check-in and time to settle in.

Overnight in Tokyo.

DAY 2:

After breakfast, join a group city tour covering Tokyo’s most iconic sights and neighborhoods. The itinerary includes Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace area, Ginza, and Hama-rikyu Gardens, followed by a river cruise. Continue to Asakusa, Kappabashi (Kitchen Town), Ueno, and Akihabara.

After the tour, return to the hotel or enjoy some free time for shopping and exploration.

In the evening, meet your English-speaking gay guide for a night out in Tokyo’s gay scene, with a visit to one of the city’s popular gay bars.

Overnight in Tokyo.

DAY 3:

After breakfast, depart for Hakone.

You will have the Hakone Free Pass to explore independently. We recommend experiencing a traditional onsen (Japanese hot springs) and enjoying the natural landscapes that make Hakone so famous.

In the evening, enjoy a Japanese-style dinner at your ryokan (traditional inn).

Overnight in Hakone.

DAY 4:

Day at leisure to continue exploring Hakone at your own pace. You may choose to relax at the onsen, visit scenic viewpoints, or enjoy a quieter day surrounded by nature.

Overnight at the ryokan in Hakone.

Optional: additional local guide service in Hakone.

DAY 5:

In the morning, forward your luggage to your next hotel in Kanazawa (assistance provided by the staff). Bring only what you need for one night.

Enjoy your last moments in Hakone before departing for Takayama by high-speed train. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Takayama.

DAY 6:

Arrive in Kanazawa, a refined coastal city on the Sea of Japan, known for its high quality of life, traditional elegance, and well-preserved cultural heritage.

Today you can explore some of Kanazawa’s iconic sights, including the Nomura Samurai House, a beautifully maintained former samurai residence featuring a classic Japanese garden. Continue to Kenroku-en, considered one of Japan’s top landscape gardens, celebrated for its harmony of space, water features, and seasonal scenery.

Nearby, visit Kanazawa Castle, a historic symbol of the region’s feudal past. Later, stroll through Omicho Market, perfect for tasting local specialties.

In the afternoon or evening, discover Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa’s atmospheric geisha district, famous for its wooden teahouses and timeless streets.

Overnight in Kanazawa.

DAY 7:

Free day to continue exploring Kanazawa at your own pace—revisit favorite spots, enjoy local cuisine, or focus on arts and crafts that made the city famous.

Overnight in Kanazawa.

DAY 8:

After breakfast, transfer from Kanazawa to Kyoto by high-speed train.

Arrival and the rest of the day at leisure to begin discovering Kyoto’s unique atmosphere, between temples, traditional districts, and refined cuisine.

Overnight in Kyoto.

DAY 9:

After breakfast, join a group tour of Kyoto and Nara.

In Kyoto, explore iconic areas such as Miyagawacho/Gion, the Shirakawa River, and the Imperial Palace area. Continue to Nara to visit Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Nara Nagomi-kan.

Overnight in Kyoto.

Optional: upgrade to a private tour (supplement applies).

DAY 10:

Free day to enjoy Kyoto at your own pace.

We recommend an optional day trip to Osaka (known for its street food scene and vibrant nightlife), or additional nearby cultural destinations based on your interests.

Overnight in Kyoto.

Optional: private tour service (supplement applies).