With its stunning scenery, rich culture and vibrant city, Japan continues to be welcoming as a holiday destination where you can experience everything.
While campaigners have long sought equal marriage rights across the country, many hotels, restaurants and bars want to welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community.
After attending the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) conference in Osaka this year, which was first held in Asia, PinkNets has all the best tips and plans a trip to Japan.
Where to stay in Osaka and what to do
The first destination for Pinknews’ tour was in Osaka. It is welcomed as a “Japanese kitchen” and it doesn’t take long to learn why. We are approaching Dotonbori, a hot spot in the city. If bright neon lights and greater signs than creatures don’t attract your attention, the sights and smells of local food certainly do.
Stop by the Takoyaki stand. A fluffy dough bowl filled with octopus drizzle with sticky sweet sauce and mayonnaise. Another must-see is okonomiyaki. This delicious pancake combines a selection of dough with proteins such as chopped cabbage, green onions, cheese, bacon and shrimp. The result is a crunchy yet fluffy mix of deliciousness.
Once you fill your belly with local pleasure, you can rest your head somewhere. A gentle stroll from the city hub and sits directly above Namba Station (conveniently providing direct train access to Kansai International Airport and other cities). Swissôtel Nankai osaka.
This 5-star hotel and spa offers bright modern rooms in a 36-storey tower. Many of them offer unparalleled views of the city. The Pürovel Spaand Sport Center features a fully equipped gym, hot tub, Japanese sauna, bath and an indoor swimming pool.
The hotel itself is Iglta and is Travel Proud certified. If you still have the energy to spare, you don’t need to look elsewhere in the Faerie Drag Show on nambar10.
Where to stay in Tokyo and what to do
Tokyo is a capital and economic powerhouse in Japan and is becoming an LGBTQ+ hotspot with over 40 queer nightlife venues. The journey via Shinkansen (a bullet train with something like Beyoncé among past passengers) led to the new uk, which was welcomed as the second centre of Metropolis. Walking through the district is about encapsulating the essence of the city itself with adoring displays of skyscrapers and neon lights and the promise of seemingly unclosed bars and restaurants.
But perhaps the best district is Shin juni-ni-chome, a gay district in Tokyo. It is renowned for being the most concentrated LGBTQ+ friendly business in the world. If you have the opportunity, please stop by Queen Tokyoa lesbian bar with free karaoke from Sunday to Thursday, and drink great deals all week. If singing isn’t yours, dance the night at their sister venue, Tokyo King All across the street.
But that’s not to say that cities lack daytime activity. Except for many tourist destinations, TeamLab Borderless It’s a museum with a different feel. It offers immersive artwork that blends with each other, relates to each other, and responds to movement. If you have time, stop by the tea house where flowers bloom in front of you. It’s magic.
For a welcoming break from the bustle of the city, book your stay at Hotel Groove New Yu. Located in Kabukicho Tower, Japan’s largest entertainment complex, you can go to bars and restaurant hopping before resting in the hotel’s modern, bright, airy rooms.
Where to stay and what to do Nara
A short train ride away from Osaka is Nara, the country’s ancient capital, where wild deer, believed to be sacred by those following Shinto, roams through historic streets and lush parks.
There are many sites worth traveling, but walking by the deer is a good reason to visit the city. Nara Park, only a 5 minute walk from History Nara Hoteloffering a fun walk.
There is a scenic pond that reflects cherry blossoms and maple trees, and you will have the opportunity to make friends with around 1,000 deer who live there. You can also buy deer crackers from nearby food stalls and watch the animals bow in the hopes of being given their favorite snacks.
Inside the park is the Eastern Ji Temple, which has a bronze statue of a Buddha statue that is 15m (49 feet) tall. Behind the statue is a pillar with a hole, which is said to be the same size as the Buddha’s nostrils. If you want to crave inside, legend says you will be enlightened in your next life.
All that walk is tied to appetite for you, and what is a better way to refuel than a light, fluffy shaved ice dessert? Less than 10 minutes from Kinetu Nara Station Kakigori Hosekibakoserves a series of flavorful melted desserts in the mouth, served with matcha and fresh milk from farms in the area. You can choose from seasonal fruits such as chestnuts, Permont, Shine Muscat grapes, peaches and strawberries.
Where to stay and what to do in Hakone?
Leaving two hours from Tokyo by public transport is the mountainous region of Hakone, known for its calm scenery of Hot Springs and Lake Asi. On sunny days, you can see Mount Fuji, but the town offers more than just an unparalleled view.
There are many heights. There are hot springs that are said to have properties that make sulfate-rich water increase circulation, relax tight muscles and joints, and soothe the skin. Hakone Gora Onsen Hotel KasansuiFind it easily on Booking.com and offers two onsen and a stunning traditional breakfast and dinner service.
It is traditional to bathe naked, Yunessun Spa Resort It offers unique experiences such as coffee, wine and outdoor scenic scenery, ensuring visitors maintain their swimsuits.
Please make sure to visit after you get in the spa Outdoor Museum Outdoor foot spa for immersive art and sculpture experiences, including stained glass spiral staircases that can be climbed to reach the park’s perspective.
Aboard the nearby Hakon Ropeway, view the active hot springs below the ground, and stop by Lake Ashinoko for a tourist cruise on a pirate-style boat. And make sure to stop Hakon Cheese Terrace It uses fresh milk from southern Hakone to give its produce a gorgeous, smooth bite.
Please visit the official Japanese tourism website here For more information about visiting the country. For more information about IGLTA, please visit our website here.
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Source: PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news – www.thepinknews.com
