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 The land of the rising sun is a fascinating mix of ultra-modern and deeply traditional. Immerse yourself in Japanese life – travel on the legendary Shinkansen express train, spend the night in a temple with monks, soak in the high culture of Kyoto, and experience the latest trends in the megacity of Tokyo. Japan is fascinating and impressive, Western and yet so very different, unique and multilayered, and so much more!
Tokyo and Kyoto – it’s in these two cities that Japan’s opposites
converge. Austere Zen gardens and flamboyant street life, ornate wooden houses and ultramodern skyscrapers, traditional tea ceremonies, and conveyor belt sushi restaurants – contrasts go hand in hand in Japan. And in between, glimpses of the Japanese Alps and the sacred Fuji-san.
• Travel the Japanese way - aboard the legendary Shinkansen
• Live with monks - overnight in a traditional temple
• Discover Japan’s refined traditions - in timeless Kyoto
• Follow the trends - dive into Tokyo’s urban pulse
• Introduction to the art of sushi making
Day 1
After your individual arrival in Tokyo, you’ll transfer to the hotel on your own - either by taxi or public transport. You’ll receive a detailed description of how to do this prior to your departure (flights and transfer to the hotel are not included in the price of this tour). Upon your arrival at the hotel, you’ll have the day to either relax or start exploring the largest city in the world at your leisure. In the evening, you’ll finally meet the other guys and your guide for a short briefing of your exciting gay adventure ahead!
Accommodation: Citadines Shinjuku Hotel, Tokyo
Day 2
Today, you’ll embark on a two-and-a-half-hour journey on the Shinkansen express train to Osaka. From the observation deck of the Umeda Sky Building, you’ll get your first impression of the buzzing city. But then it’s time to join in the action – in the high street, it’s shop till you drop! You’ll definitely find some wacky souvenirs for your friends back home. Osaka is known for its delicious street food – your guide will show you where to find the best takoyaki in Japan! As soon as it gets dark, you’ll move on to the nightlife district of Dotonbori. In one of the many cosy izakayas (Japanese pubs), you and the other guys can raise a toast to your gay holiday with hot sake over dinner.
If you want to turn night into day, the guide will give you the best tips for a bar tour on your own afterwards. Your hotel is located near the city’s largest gay district, so a lot of locations are just around the corner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Elcient Osaka Umeda Hotel, Osaka
Day 3
After getting off to an early start, you’ll take the train through the scenic mountains and transfer to the funicular for the last stretch of the journey. You’ll spend the afternoon, exploring Mount Koya - the sacred mountain. Your guide will take you on a fascinating tour of the vast and mysterious Okunoin cemetery. From there, you’ll discover the holy Garan temple complex with its one-of-a-kind revolving pagoda. In the evening, you’re invited to tap into your inner self during a meditation session with the monks. Tonight, you’ll sleep on a traditional futon and tatami mat as well as learn the ins and outs of Japanese bathing culture in the temple’s communal bath. After a restful night, you’ll be woken for morning prayers by the echoing sound of the gong.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Sanbo-in Ryokan , Koyasan
Day 4
After a traditional vegetarian breakfast with steaming Japanese tea, you’ll bid the spiritual heart of Japan “farewell” and continue by bus to Nara. At the gigantic Todai Temple you’ll be in awe of the enormous bronze Buddha inside. If you can fit through the legendary opening the size of Buddha’s nostril, you’ll be rewarded with eternal enlightenment. But even if you don’t fit, you’re sure to feel the energy of this sacred place. In the afternoon, you’ll continue by bus to Kyoto, the former imperial city and cultural metropolis.
The first thing on the agenda is a stroll through the traditional geisha neighbourhood of Gion with its wooden merchant houses.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi Hotel, Kyoto
Day 5
No gay holiday in Japan would be complete without temple hopping in Kyoto!
You’ll start with the magnificent Golden Pavilion, which shines majestically from its surrounding gardens. At Ryoan-ji Temple, you’ll feast your eyes on one of Japan’s most stunning rock gardens. Afterwards, you’ll head to another highlight - the Fushimi-Inari-Taisha shrine, famous for its impressive avenues lined with thousands of bright vermilion torii gates. The rest of the day is yours. Fancy hiking all the way to the top? Or would you rather start with a comforting bowl of noodle soup along the village street?
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi Hotel, Kyoto
Day 6
You’ll start off another unforgettable day of your gay holiday with a visit to Nijo Castle, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The expansive complex covers 275,000 square metres and includes Ninomaru Palace with its amazing "nightingale floors", which make chirping sounds when walked upon. At Nishiki Market, a narrow, five-block-long street lined by over one hundred shops and restaurants, you’ll have the chance to sample all sorts of local delicacies. The afternoon is free for you to explore Kyoto at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi Hotel, Kyoto
Day 7
You’re still not done with Kyoto – after visiting the ornate Heian Shrine and the Imperial Palace, the former palace of the Emperor of Japan, you’ll indulge your taste buds during an interactive Japanese sushi making class at a local restaurant. Reinvigorated, it’s back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen. You’ll arrive at the hotel in Tokyo in the afternoon, and in the evening, accompanied by a local English-speaking gay guide, you’ll explore the open-minded neighbourhood of Shinjuku Ni-chome, Tokyo’s largest gay district. A truly unique gay experience!
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Citadines Shinjuku Hotel, Tokyo
Day 8
Get ready for the Tour de Tokyo! There’s so much to do in this amazing city that you can only begin to scratch the surface of what it has to offer. The first adventure of the day is riding the Tokyo subway – is it really as crowded as people say? Your first stop is Asakusa where you’ll visit the stunning Senso-ji temple – an absolute must-see. The street leading to the shrine is the souvenir mile par excellence, with kimonos and fans on sale at every corner. From the giant Tokyo Skytree television tower, you’ll have an unforgettable panoramic view of the mega metropolis. Make sure to take lots of selfies! Afterwards, you’ll visit the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Citadines Shinjuku Hotel, Tokyo
Day 9
Today will be wild! In Harajuku, you’ll visit the famous Meiji Shrine before diving into Japan’s pop culture. Get ready to see teenagers in fabulous manga costumes and one crazy fashion boutique after another on Takeshita-dori. In Shibuya, you won’t find any cats in Cat Street, but you will find lots of unique shops, second-hand stores, and cafés. From the Starbucks on the corner, you’ll have the best of the iconic Shibuya Crossing, probably the busiest intersection in the world – another perfect photo op. The afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure – with a few tips from your guide, of course. After a fun-filled day of gay adventure, you’ll have a delicious farewell dinner with the guys at a local restaurant in the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Citadines Shinjuku Hotel, Tokyo
Day 10
Your unforgettable gay adventure is sadly coming to an end – we hope you’ve had an amazing time! our guide provides you with a detailed explanation of the route to the airport where you’ll board your flight home (flights and transfer to the airport not included in this tour).
Meals Included: Breakfast
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• The Land of the Rising Sun is simply fascinating - a country of striking contrasts, where the ultra-modern and the deeply traditional exist side by side. Tokyo and Kyoto embody these contrasts like no other cities. Strict Zen gardens meet loud and lively street life, delicate wooden houses stand next to futuristic skyscrapers, and traditional tea ceremonies coexist with running sushi - in Japan, opposites truly belong together.
• On this tour you’re not a tourist - you become Japanese: you’ll travel on public transport, eat and drink at local restaurants, pubs, and street food stalls; you’ll spend a day in a temple meditating with the monks and enjoying traditional bathing culture; you’ll learn how to make sushi and how navigate your way through the streets of Tokyo with a local.
• Traveling through Japan on your own isn’t easy. The language, writing system, and cultural codes can feel unfamiliar and complex. But not for you - because that’s exactly what Happy Gay Travel is here for.
• Homosexuality has been accepted in Japan since the 10th century and has never been seen as a sin by society or religion. However, sexuality remains a private matter, and is rarely visible in public life. Gay bars are not easy to find, and foreigners may have trouble gaining access. That’s why a local guide will introduce you to Tokyo’s gay district and give you an authentic glimpse into the local LGBTQ+ scene.
• Autumn is an ideal season to experience Japan. In October, you can look forward to mild temperatures around 20°C, clear skies, and the beginning of Japan’s stunning autumn foliage.
• Transfers, excursions, and round trip by train and other public transportation as described in the itinerary
• Separate luggage transport Tokyo – Kyoto – Tokyo | For 3 nights (Day 2, 3, and 6), only light hand luggage will be available.
• 8 nights in mid-range hotels
• 1 overnight stay in a temple hostel in a shared or single room with a shared bathroom and a typical communal Japanese bath
• 8 Breakfasts
• Welcome dinner in Osaka on day 2
• Vegetarian dinner at the temple ryokan
• Sushi making class in Kyoto
• Farewell dinner in Tokyo
• Guided tour through the gay district of Tokyo
• Various excursions and activities,
including a meditation session at the temple
and a guided tour through the gay district of Tokyo
• English-speaking gay tour guide in Japan
• Entrance fees according to the itinerary
• CO2 compensation – climate neutral gay tour
Citadines Shinjuku Hotel, Tokyo
Featuring a 24-hour fitness room, Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo is just a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoenmae Subway Station and a 7-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Subway Station. This design hotel offers studio apartments with free WiFi and wired internet access.
Shinjuku Tokyo Citadines provides coin-operated laundry facilities. Guests will find drink vending machines and a 24-hour front desk with luggage storage service. Paid parking is available on site.
The air-conditioned studios at Shinjuku Citadines Tokyo boast a smooth modern style. The fully equipped kitchenette features a variety of cooking utensils, cutlery and tableware, while the en suite bathroom comes equipped with a bath and shower. Free toiletries, a hairdryer and slippers are provided. Guests can enjoy DVDs on the flat-screen TV. For their convenience, guests will also find personal lockers and ironing facilities, as well as a seating area and desk.
Elcient Osaka Umeda Hotel, Osaka
Hotel Elcient Osaka Umeda in Osaka offers comfortable rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a sauna, and a restaurant serving Japanese and European cuisines.
Located in the city centre, nearby attractions include Hosei-ji Temple just a few steps away, Hokai-ji Temple a 2-minute walk, and Honden-ji Temple 300 metres distant. Guests appreciate the public transport options and bathroom comfort.
The hotel features a public bath, lift, 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, full-day security, bicycle parking, and luggage storage. Additional amenities include an executive lounge, sofa bed, and private bathrooms with baths.
Sanbo-in Ryokan, Koyasan
Koyasan Shukubo Sanboin- in Koyasan offers a serene ryokan experience with a beautiful garden and terrace. Guests enjoy free WiFi throughout the property.
The ryokan features a lounge, public bath, family rooms, and culture classes. Additional amenities include air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and garden views.
A vegetarian and Asian breakfast is served, featuring local specialities. Guests can also enjoy tea and coffee makers, yukata, and tatami floors.
Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi Hotel, Kyoto
Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi in Kyoto offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, city views, and soundproofing. Each room includes a bath, bidet, hairdryer, refrigerator, free toiletries, shower, slippers, TV, and wardrobe.
Guests enjoy free WiFi, a lift, 24-hour front desk, housekeeping service, full-day security, and luggage storage. Additional amenities include an inner courtyard view, work desk, carpeted and parquet floors, and a buffet breakfast.
Located in the city centre, the hotel is less than 1 km from Kyoto Station. Nearby attractions include TKP Garden City Kyoto (9-minute walk), Sanjusangen-do Temple (2 km), and Kyoto International Manga Museum (4 km).
Highly rated for its nearby shops, public transport options, and laundry services, the hotel ensures a comfortable and convenient stay.
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