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vendors and shops. The most popular festival that takes place at the temple is Sanja Matsuri, occurring over three to four days. No stay in Tokyo would be complete without a visit to the
legendary Robot Restaurant (shinjuku-robot.com). This dinner theatre is mixed with one psychedelic production that will leave you asking yourself, “What just happened?” Take in the sights of oversized robots, dancing women with feather headdresses, and an abundance of lasers. Stick around and party it up in the neighborhood of Shinjuku Ni-Chome where you can find a collection of LGBTQIA+ centric bars that fit all interests. While the Japanese tend to be me more reserved when speaking about LGBTQIA+ identity, there’s no shortage of establishments that cater to the community.
Campy Bar (campy.jp/campy_bar.html) is as as camp as it
sounds with drag queens, a bright retro design, and stiff cocktails. Also, the Eagle Bar (eagletokyo.com) is generally the go-to for those looking to find bearish beauties in a modern bar setting. If you plan your trip correctly you can visit during Tokyo
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Rainbow Pride (tokyorainbowpride.com) which is one of
the largest Pride festivals in Asia. Started in 1994 with 1,000 marchers, it has grown to attract over 150,000 participants. Typically held in late April over multiple days, this event showcases the best and brightest LGBTQIA+ artists and activists within Japan.
EAT
Oumigenji (oumigenji.co.jp), located in the district of Shinjuku,
is a traditional Shabu-Shabu dining establishment tucked away and set apart from the nightlife heavy neighborhood. ShabuShabu is a traditional Japanese culinary method where thin cuts of high-quality beef are cooked in a pot of boiling water and then dipped in ponzu sauce layered with sesame-seeds. One would not think sushi being delivered via a conveyor belt would be so delicious but it is. Known as Kaiten style, guests simply sit and take as many moving dishes they can devour. Remember to not eat too much, as the Japanese tend to eat lightly comparative to American appetites. Some of the best Kaiten style sushi can be found at Kura Sushi (kura-corpo. co.jp) near Shinagawa station.
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