Gay Kyoto: First Timer’s Travel Guide

‘Seby, remember now. The Japanese are very polite people. So don’t act like your usual, sassy self.’

‘Excuse me, I’m not the one who rolls his eyes so hard they can see how rainbow-colored his brain is!’

A wee snippet of a conversation we had to have before jetting off to Kyoto – the former capital of Japan.

Throughout our many visits to Kyoto, we were swept off our feet by how kind, gentle, and pleasant its people were. It’s truly a city of old souls.

Kyoto has held onto its ancient charm, yet, it has still found a way to feel modern, trendy, and exciting. Where else in the world could you find a street lined with temples, frequented by geishas, whilst being a stone’s throw away from a cocktail bar?

Our trip to Kyoto was probably the least chaotic experience of our life. There were no mad gay clubs, or sneaky trips to a sauna, or exotic dance battles. Even the bars we visited had a relaxed, homely vibe. Perhaps, the one exception was World Kyoto, which had DJ acts and music into the wee hours of the morning. 

Kyoto is the place to go if you are rundown by the madness of Berlin or the high speeds of gay Barcelona. It’s a tender, relaxed city that is oozing in historical and spiritual significance. Here is our gay guide to Kyoto for Queer travelers visiting for the first time.

Experience Japan on a gay tour

Psst! Want in on a secret? Our friends at Out Adventures recently launched a super kawaii tour of Japan. On this all-gay foray, travelers will ride the Shinkansen bullet train between Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Highlights include a street food tour, samurai experience, a night in an authentic onsen, and an evening in Tokyo's gay district, Shinjuku Ni-chōme.

Find out more

How to get to Kyoto?

There are many ways to reach Kyoto. But it is most likely that you'll be flying into Osaka (Kansai International Airport) and make your way to Kyoto from there. However, many LGBTQ travelers will also be going to Tokyo first (especially if this is your first time visiting Japan). We outline here, how to get into Kyoto from Osaka and also Tokyo.

1. From Osaka (Kansai International Airport)

You will LOVE the Japanese trains! They are always on time, they are super fast, and very smooth. The most efficient way to reach Kyoto from Kansai International Airport (KIX) is by taking the Haruka airport express train. The train travels through Osaka and continues onto Kyoto. The journey time is around around 65 minutes.

To get on the Haruka airport express train, you can purchase tickets directly online or utilize a JR pass if you have one (assuming it offers unlimited usage).

2. From Tokyo

Kyoto is located approximately 370 kilometers (225 miles) west of Tokyo. For the ultimate Japanese travel experience (and yes it's totally a part of experiencing Japan), we highly recommend taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto. Nothing beats the Japanese bullet trains (and we've traveled all around the world!).

The fastest journey time between Tokyo and Kyoto is 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is if you take the Nozomi train which is also the most expensive Shinkansen service. If you take the cheaper ones, add about 20 minutes to your journey time.

How many days should you stay in Kyoto?

During our first trip to Kyoto, we managed to experience the must-see attractions in just 2 days. However, be prepared for a packed schedule! The ideal duration depends on your travel style. For a more relaxed and comfortable holiday, we recommend allocating 3 to 4 days. This will allow you more time to chill and enjoy the gay scene too.

Early risers and night owls can make the most of 2 days, while those seeking a leisurely pace should consider extending their stay. Check our handpicked list of Kyoto's top things to do below, it will help you decide how long you wanna stay in the city.

Is Kyoto safe for gay travelers?

Japan is very safe for travelers, both gay and straight. Japanese people are beyond welcoming to foreigners and are committed to making a good impression of their country. Therefore, they wouldn’t say or do anything that would make any traveler feel unwanted.

That being said, the locals are quite a conservative bunch and have gotten exasperated with tourists in the past. Though to be fair, those attitudes go both ways. As even a straight couple would get a sassy side-eye if they were seen making out in public. 

In terms of LGBTQ rights, our queer friends still have a long way to go in Japan. By Asian standards, it is easily one of the most gay-friendly Asian countries, yet this doesn’t mean they are on the same level as Western Europe or the Americas.

Overall, we found Kyoto to be very accepting. We never ran into any problems, whether it was booking a double bed in a hotel, sharing a table in a restaurant, or holding hands in the commercial district. Read more in our detailed gay travel guide to Japan.

Where is the heart of Gay Kyoto?

There sadly isn’t a proper gay neighborhood in Kyoto. Though the Pontocho neighborhood comes quite close to what we would define as the gay area of Tokyo. It’s a vibrant spot full of bars, clubs, and restaurants. Just walking around and inhaling the mix of various aromas is an experience all by itself. At night, signs and lanterns light up, coating the streets in a majestic glow.

It’s always buzzing with young people, students, and fellow travelers. So if you are young and a part of the LGBTQ community, this would be very much your scene. Another tip – gay Osaka is not too far away from Kyoto which has plenty of gay bars and parties.

Which Hotels Welcome LGBTQ+ Travelers in Kyoto?

There are no exclusively gay hotels in Kyoko, so our focus was on finding the most gay-friendly hotels instead. We were nervous, initially, about how staff would react when we tried to check-in to our double bedroom. Yet, we had no issues. Every place we visited couldn’t have been more receptive to us, with staff going out of their way to make our stay extraordinary. 

Here are the best gay friendly hotels in Kyoko:

01

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

In a nutshell

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• Beautiful five star luxury hotel
• Rooms with gorgeous views
• Massive swimming pool and sauna
• Nine on-site restaurants/cafes/bars

We’d heard great things about Hotel Granvia. That it was stylish, elegant, gay and welcoming. The exact same adjectives we’d use to describe ourselves!

Standard rooms are your best option if you aren’t planning on spending much time in the hotel. They feature all the essential amenities you could need. Though if you're looking for an opulent edge, then look to the sky, and nab yourself one of the luxury suites. Each of them boasts tons of living space, plus exceptional views of the city. 

We swung by the pool and fitness center one of the days (mainly because we felt guilty from how much we ate the night before). The pool is huge, open to those 20 years or older. The highlight for us was the infra-red sauna, a gem of relaxation (where we escaped after ditching the gym…)

Each of our evenings in Kyoto either began or finished at the in-house bar. Known as Orbite, it had such a warm, homely vibe to it. Not to mention how divine their cocktails are.

You don't need to leave the hotel to experience incredible cuisine either, with NINE different dining options on-site, from cafes to Japanese, Chinese, or even French specialty restaurants. Our favorite was Cotociel, if only for the stunning views.

Prices at Hotel Granvia start from $81 per night:

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02

Yuzuya Ryokan

In a nutshell

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• Traditional Japanese hospitality
• Fabulous location
• Delicious cuisine 
• Incredible warm service

This gay friendly hotel is what is known as a “Ryokan.” It is a traditional-style inn that features tatami-matted rooms and communal baths. Typically, more expensive than “regular” hotels, the ryokan experience is like no other, and totally worth the big bucks.

Rooms are stylish, modern, and cozy. Guests are provided with yukatas (a type of kimono) to wear when they are lounging around, dining in the on-site restaurant, or when socializing with fellow travelers. Seby and I got adorable matching ones and we never felt so elegant.

The ryokan is based in the Gion district, a prime spot for spotting geishas and admiring the various shrines and temples dotted around the streets. It’s close to must-see tourist sites like the Kodai-ji Temple and the Philosopher's Walk.

The on-site restaurant whips up scrumptious Asian dishes. On our first night there, staff welcomed us with open arms, gave us fascinating tidbits on the area, and recommended the best foods we could try. We ended up gorging on the red tiger dumplings – the chef’s specialty!

Prices at Yuzuya Ryokan start from $273 per night:

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03

Guesthouse Keiko

In a nutshell

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• Excellent budget option
• Beautiful, classic design
• Great central location
• Cooking classes available

Something for the gay traveler eager to relish in the traditional Japanese experience, whilst sticking to a tight budget. The Keiko guesthouse is affordable, close to Kyoko’s best attractions, and all the while remaining quintessentially Japan. 

Keiko is a kyomachiya-style guesthouse, meaning it is made from wood, designed in the Minka style. These guesthouses contain earthen walls, baked tile roofs, and feature a court garden called a tsuboniwa.

It’s based in a quiet enough area, giving it a special tranquility that we often crave when we find ourselves in a big city. Yet, it’s a short 7–10-minute walk from the main commercial area.

Rooms are simple –  some of them can host up to 4 people, perfect for when you’re traveling with a group – but still comfortable. Throughout the guesthouse, you can see how much love and care was put into the design. It’s decorated in fine art, gorgeous woods, and traditional-style furniture… meaning you have to sit cross-legged on the ground to use the table! 

The owners host Japanese food workshops for international guests looking to broaden their cooking skills. Otherwise, there is a small shared kitchenette for self-catering. But if you're a bit too cranky in the mornings to cook (*cough* Seby), then you can also opt for an American breakfast to be provided.

Prices at Guesthouse Keiko start from $109 per night:

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Looking for Gay Bars in Kyoto?

While there isn’t a specific gay scene in Kyoto, we tracked down three gay bars across the city. They were each on the smaller side, but we weren’t let down. After all, we weren’t expecting the same type of energy we found in Tokyo's gay scene. Kyoto’s nightlife does have lots to offer, especially on the club scene (which we’ll get to later). But if you are looking for a chilled/laid-back night, then these bars are the perfect shout.

Here are the best gay bars in Kyoto. Note that the iconic Jam Jar gay bar of Kyoto has shut down for good.

Azure

We can azure you that this place is fab-u-lous! It’s a male-only gay bar, which can be found on the third floor of a building. It is a tad small, and if you don’t go on the right day, you risk showing up to the place being empty. We’d say swing by on the weekend for the best experience. There are cocktails on the menu, which you know is enough to keep us happy. If that ain’t your thing, there are plenty of other choices, like beers, wines, and tequila. The bar staff are total cuties – especially with their profiles on the website, so you can become familiar with them before you head in.

Open: Azure is open daily until 4am

Location: It can be found at 126 Kamimisucho Shimotoba Fushimi-Ku

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Apple

Not to be confused with a certain electronic store… What? It’s not like we put the name ‘Apple’ into our navigation app and ended up walking to an iPhone shop instead of the bar…*cough* When we eventually found the right place, we couldn’t have been more charmed by it. This gay bar is men-only, has a wide range of drinks, and best of all, has free karaoke. Maybe it wasn’t so pleasant for the other guests in attendance, but we certainly had a fun time belting our hearts out.

Open: Apple is open Tuesday – Sunday until 4am

Location: You can find it at 3F Kobayashi Building, Kiya-machi Street, Shimogyo

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Any exciting Gay clubs in Kyoto?

Sadly, there are no gay clubs in Kyoto. We focused on rounding up the most gay-friendly clubs that we came across. If you were to close your eyes and imagine what a night out in Japan could look like, each of these clubs would be it. Flashy. Colorful. Loud. Over-the-top. And truly, out of this world.

Here are our favorite gay friendly clubs in Kyoto

World Kyoto

Quirky décor. Pumping music. Flashing lights. World-renowned superstar DJ performances. It must be a night out in World Kyoto. The crowds definitely don’t hold back on showing their best moves on the dancefloor. And we thought we were fierce movers… The bar staff were some of the coolest people we’d ever met. They made us their special cocktails, containing shots of coffee, which certainly helped a lot with our jet lag. They also stock a local gin called Kyoto Kinobi Gin, giving it a unique kick. 

Open: World Kyoto is open Wednesday – Sunday, closing at 1am on Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday, and 5am Friday/Saturday

Location: It can be found in the Imagium Building at 97 Shincho Nishikiyamachidori Shijo-agaru, Shimogyo-ku

Kitsune

Kitsune is set in the beating heart of Pontocho, Kyoto’s trendiest neighborhood. The gay friendly club is simply two floors, with two themes: Land and Sea. Their use of neon lighting and glossy décor makes you feel as if you are dancing in a video game. There are lots of seating spaces around the dancefloor, which anybody who has ever went clubbing before knows is super rare. They’re a handy spot to catch your breath, grab a drink, and get chatting with some new people. On weekends, students can get drink discounts, which makes it popular with the younger crowds. 

Open: Kitsune is open daily until 4am, until 5am on Friday and Saturday

Location: You can find it in the FS Kiyamachi Building 3&4F at 179 Zaimokucho Kiyamachidori Sanjosagaru, Nakagyo-ku

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Where Should LGBTQ+ Travelers Eat?

We're always eager to try out new foods and Kyoto didn’t disappoint. From seafood to new styles of cooking to savory treats, this city doesn't hold back on unlocking a whole new flavor palate for us. We chose most of our restaurants through word-of-mouth or serendipitous chance – that’s what Seby likes to call those moments when we get lost and we end up picking the first place we see!

Here are the best places to eat in Kyoto for gay travelers:

Okonomiyaki Katsu

This restaurant has kickstarted what we expect to be a long love affair with okonomiyaki. Before our trip, we had never heard of it. But locals kept telling us to try it out, and we discovered it to be a Japanese savory pancake. We thought… big whoop, right? But it is so mouth-wateringly delicious – and this restaurant is one of the best places to sink your teeth into the national delicacy. The restaurant is small enough, but it helped make the experience feel that much more intimate. Believe us when we say, there is so much more you can do with a pancake than tossing it…

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Kyoto Tempura Endo Okazaki

Our trip to Kyoto truly introduced us to many different cuisines we'd never tried before. One of those being the sizzling deliciousness of tempura – deep-fried fish, meat or veggies coated with spices and batter. Kyoto Tempura is a quiet enough spot, we almost missed it entirely. Luckily for us, the scent wafting from their front door was a reason to give us pause, and we instantly fell in love. The staff were charming and served us promptly. And each of our dishes was utterly delightful.

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Kobe Beef Niyama Teppanyaki

“Where’s the beef?” Apparently at Kobe Beef Niyama Teppanyaki. We’d heard from fellow travelers that this spot had the city's most “premium” beef. Naturally, we wanted to judge that for ourselves but it didn’t disappoint! Our steaks were tender, succulent, and bursting with flavor. We kept thinking how we wished we could cook something like it at home. Well, as we voiced the thought out loud, a waiter let us know the restaurant offered Teppanyaki cooking courses. There is no better way to spend an afternoon than learning to cook with a special someone!

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Must-do things in Kyoto

You’ve landed in Kyoto. You’ve checked into your gay friendly hotel. You’ve gotten a bite to eat. And now it’s time to find out what the city has to offer. Thankfully, Kyoto is bursting with things to do. From ancient temples, to nature walkways, to geisha spotting, your itinerary is about to become bursting with plans:

The Golden Temple (Kinkaku-Ji)

This is one of the most popular tourist spots in all of Kyoto… and for good reason. The building was transformed into a Zen Buddhist temple out of the dying wish of the owner, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, back in the 14th century. It still stands today, despite having faced many disasters over the years; everything you can think of, from fire to war to betrayal. The top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, hence the name. Plus, the garden is a beautiful place to stroll around, snap a few pics, and absorb the serene atmosphere. Join a tour of the city that includes the temple if you want to learn more about its fascinating history.

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The Philosopher's Path

If you are ever in need of a life epiphany, taking a stroll down Philosopher’s Path is the way to do it. We say this because the name of the walkway originates from two Japanese philosophy professors, Nishida Kitaro and Hajime Tanabeit, who used to exercise along the path daily. The walkway goes beneath blossoming cherry trees, full of vibrant colors and lush foliage. It’ll take 30 minutes to walk down the whole way, so get those sneakers on and get movin’.

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The Silver Temple (Ginkaku-Ji)

When we showed up, we were confused. “Where is the Silver Temple?” we kept asking. Turns out we were looking at it. The story goes that the temple was never painted silver, as was intended. Yet people still called it as such. A wander around the surrounding gardens is a true delight, as it’s filled with ponds, bridges, little streams, and lovely plants.

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Fushimi Inari Shrine

This iconic Shinto shrine is constructed with thousands of torii gates – stretching for over 230 meters. Built as an homage to the Shinto god of rice, it’s a great place to soak up the spiritual culture of Kyoto. Walk through the gates and you’ll reach the forest of sacred Mount Inari and visitors are welcome to hike up to the top. It took us about 2.5 hours to go up and down. We noticed a few fox statues here and there. We found out from our tour guide that it's because foxes are seen as divine messengers from Shinto gods, so they are held in very high regard.

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Geisha spotting in Gion

Geishas remain one of the most iconic parts of Japanese culture. The best place for seeing them is in the Gion district, Kyoto’s historical district. We were, at first, hesitant about going somewhere specifically to see them. We didn’t want to ogle at them as if they weren’t human. Yet, Japanese locals told us that geishas appreciate and understand tourist interest in them, are happy for people to come along to take pictures, as long as they’re respectful. The best time to spot a geisha is in the evening, between 5:45pm – 6pm. This is when tourists gather around Hanami-Koji Street to spot them.

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The Sagano Bamboo Forest at Arashiyama

If there was ever a place to make us feel like we were on a horror film set, this was it. The forest is made up of thick, green bamboo that stretches high above visitor’s heads, making it appear as if you’re wandering through a dark tunnel. It is a fascinating spot, not just for the Insta photo op, but to take in that borderline-eerie sensation. Plus, if you follow the path through the forest, you’ll end up at the Okochi-Sanso Villa – a charming villa and garden, that once belonged to iconic Japanese actor, Okochi Denjir.

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Plan your perfect gay trip to Kyoto

Your handy gay map of Kyoto

We've put together this map with all the places we've mentioned in this post so you can easily find them. We hope it helps you have your own fabulous gay trip to Kyoto!

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Read more travel adventures like this in our book!

We've published our very own gay travel book called, ‘Out in the World'. It has all our practical safety tips, first-hand advice, and travel stories from some of our favorite destinations.

We hope it inspires you to have a fun and safe trip!

Click on the book to order:

For more inspiration:

• Find out what it's like to grow up gay in Japan in our interview with local boy Shintaro
• Read about visiting Japan's Yaeyama Islands – which we'd never even heard of before!
• Find out which are the best gay tours to explore Tokyo
• And read about our Geisha makeover experience in Tokyo!
• Read what we rate to be the gayest places in Asia
• Check out what we rate as the best gay beaches in the world.