Tokyo / Fukuoka / Sapporo (Japan ) - Massage / Sauna / Places To Visit (Compiled)

[darkflame]

Zushi is a gay beach?!

Wow, because it's really near Shonan.

Saw the name appear in a few brochures but never considered it to be a gay beach.

[doddysapta]

Darkflame, we wanna hear abt your trip please

[zzzzzzzz]

Osaka is quite boring. Just another big city. Try Kyoto. Much nicer.

[taxme7]

Been to Kyoto. I like the place too but the shopping totally cannot make it.

[matong90]

I will be in Japan from 4th Feb to 11th Feb. May I know where can I get personal hotspot for phone?

[Guest Bmobile]

Order data-only SIM card online one week in advance from bmobile and deliver to your hotel. The details are in an earlier post in this thread.

[darkflame]

I will be in Japan from 4th Feb to 11th Feb. May I know where can I get personal hotspot for phone?

Order data-only SIM card online one week in advance from bmobile and deliver to your hotel. The details are in an earlier post in this thread.

 

Speaking of b-mobile, I had an unpleasant experience with it this time! 

Before you get a SIM from b-mobile, check if your phone is able to separate LTE, 3G and GSM modes. 

If your phone has only LTE/3G and GSM modes but not LTE, 3G and GSM separate modes, your phone may encounter a connection issue with the mobile network that is needed to receive 3G mobile data.

Otherwise, check the webpage if your phone model is one of the compatible models. 

As far as I know, Samsung, HTC & iPhone should work fine.

 

My phone has only LTE/3G and GSM options so my phone was unable to connect to the network.

I made an enquiry to them because my phone model (Fujitsu F-06E) was indicated as compatible on the webpage. 

However, they told me the phone was indeed non-compatible after they performed an inspection.

I ended up using my 3G/GSM phone to act as a 'Wifi' router for my main phone.

 

If you are unsure about the compatibility, a wifi router might be better.

For that, I'd recommend using eConnect.

[matong90]

Speaking of b-mobile, I had an unpleasant experience with it this time! 

Before you get a SIM from b-mobile, check if your phone is able to separate LTE, 3G and GSM modes. 

If your phone has only LTE/3G and GSM modes but not LTE, 3G and GSM separate modes, your phone may encounter a connection issue with the mobile network that is needed to receive 3G mobile data.

Otherwise, check the webpage if your phone model is one of the compatible models. 

As far as I know, Samsung, HTC & iPhone should work fine.

 

My phone has only LTE/3G and GSM options so my phone was unable to connect to the network.

I made an enquiry to them because my phone model (Fujitsu F-06E) was indicated as compatible on the webpage. 

However, they told me the phone was indeed non-compatible after they performed an inspection.

I ended up using my 3G/GSM phone to act as a 'Wifi' router for my main phone.

 

If you are unsure about the compatibility, a wifi router might be better.

For that, I'd recommend using eConnect.

 

 

Order data-only SIM card online one week in advance from bmobile and deliver to your hotel. The details are in an earlier post in this thread.

 

Thanks for sharing. I will consider!

[bobovincent]

Planning to go Japan this June. Don't mind having travel buddy to explore the places (Tokyo. Osaka, Kyoto) together. PM me for further discussion if u r interested...

[darkflame]

For those who want to go to Japan in 2014, if you are interested in the major gay club events, I recommend Shangri-La @ ageha.

My September trip is aligned with TRIBAL JOURNEY but I may need to give it a pass due to work commitments.

 

 

You will see many familiar faces at ageha as it is the largest gay club event in Japan.

Even gogoboys and famous porn stars as well.

 

Also, ageha is located at Shin-Kiba (near Disneyland) so if you are heading to club, stay at a hotel near Shin-Kiba for one night or choose to take the first train back.

Otherwise, you can try to adhere to shuttle bus timings that link you back to Shinjuku or Shibuya.

Taxi is always best avoided as it can still be quite expensive for 4 people sharing one.

(Around 4000 - 5000 yen ($48 - $60) from Shin-Kiba to Tokyo station after midnight.)

Edited January 26, 2014 by darkflame

[Guest Guest]

Q up very early for the buses. They're packed and not enough for the demand.

[darkflame]

Q up very early for the buses. They're packed and not enough for the demand.

 

Can provide your experience of clubbing @ Shangri-la? 

[darkflame]

Hey guys, regarding my trip, I don't have much to contribute with regard to the gay side so I'll just fill in the gory details.

 

Here are some pictures I took at Ni-chome. Songkran is coming.

And DJ George Leong will be there!  :oops:

 

 

These photos were taken outside a gay bookshop outside Ni-chome. 

I always frequent this bookshop each time I'm in Tokyo.

The staff is quite friendly as they always think I'm a university student who just want to return to campus to jerk off.

One guy tried to cruise me at that place once.

 

 

The white bear pub. I assume only white bears can enter.

 

When I first landed in Japan, I decided to visit Nikko on the second day so I stayed at Utsunomiya on my first night.

As there is no direct line from Narita Airport to Utsunomiya, I had to board the Narita Express (N'EX) and transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen at Tokyo station.

The Kanto Area Pass (8000 yen, $98) covers the express charge for 3 consecutive days.

If you cannot speak much Japanese, it is good to just get it at Narita Airport since it is one of the few areas that give you the illusion that the whole of Japan speaks really good English.

 

 

This is a picture of Utsunomiya station shortly after I arrived by Shinkansen. It was around 6 plus since the day is shorter in winter.

The temperature was around 2 - 3 degrees since it is north of Tokyo.

The people in Tokyo consider Utsunomiya the countryside so English is hardly spoken.

Decided to try out the gay bar since GClick.jp displayed an event.

 

Actually I was pretty reluctant to enter the bar but it was so bloody cold and I felt like my toes were on the verge of frostbite so I told myself 'Fuck it! Just enter!' 

Plucked up enough courage to enter.

The bar was filled with people in their 20s and 30s, the younger ones mainly here because they were posted to Utsunomiya to work.

I forgot most of their names except Tako-chan and Kazuya. I forgot the bar owner's name!

We showed each other Jack'd profiles and it looked like he viewed the minute my location shifted to Utsunomiya from Singapore.

The people there don't really have an impression of a foreign accent so they thought I was from Osaka since my Japanese was a bit 走音 due to my dry throat caused by the weather.

So, apparently, the Japanese AJs in Utsunomiya think Singapore is the most Westernised country in Asia. (With much respect for it.)

 

Ironically, I told them about the 'prawn' concept (translated it to 'ebi') for Singaporeans, and also the heavy involvement of dragonboat by so many Singapore AJs.

They found it funny and laughed for about 5 minutes.

I had 2 drinks (each 1000 yen; $12) that are comparable in quality to those at DYMK/Out Bar/Tantric. 

Anyway I told them I may come back in spring and left around 11 plus since I needed to rest for my next day to Nikko.

 

To be honest, I thought I wouldn't be welcome since I was a foreigner but Japanese AJs in the outlying cities are more welcoming than those in Tokyo.

 

And here is Ayataka from Heaven & Earth in Japan. They really sell it!

I thought it was just a marketing gimmick using Japanese geisha to stage some ad.

 

Edited January 27, 2014 by darkflame

[darkflame]

On Friday night (17 January), there was event at Townhouse @ Shimbashi.

It was an event to appreciate guys in their 30s so guys in their 30s had a discount for admission and mostly guys who like guys in their 30s attended the event.

I met a Singapore (AJ) friend at Kawasaki so we had lots of makgeolli and so we were kind of high.

My friend had to work on Saturday so he went back to Tsurumi while I made my way to Shimbashi. (15 minutes ride via JR Tokaido Line)

 

Apparently when I look high, people think I am Japanese. 

 

I went into Townhouse and paid the 1000 yen ($12) cover charge with 1 free drink. 

It was bloody crowded and I was asked to remove my outer coat but I declined.

(I wore short sleeve tees with long sleeved shirts meant for summer so I didn't want my cover to be blown!)

I had a wonderful bottle of KIRIN to make myself higher, but the music sucked so I didn't become a party animal.

 

The crowd at Townhouse was pretty clique-ish, just like Singapore, so I will recommend people to go in cliques otherwise it is very boring.

The only positive response I got was this mature man putting the hood of my outer coat on me and said I look younger and cuter like that.

Otherwise, I was viewed as some desperate and lonely AJ trying to pig myself out at a bar.

Nonetheless, there was a lucky draw for all of us.

 

 

I was number 192!

But I didn't win anything. 

[darkflame]

On Wednesday (15 Jan), I went to Ni-chome, hoping to hope into a bar.

I walked around the area but I got scared because there was a variety show being broadcasted at one of the bars so the TV crew kept telling passer-bys to walk in a different direction.

I walked towards the direction of 24 Kaikan Shinjuku where there were many dubious people in sight.

 

I slowly walked down and I realised right outside 24 Kaikan, there were a bunch of Taiwanese tourists.

Not too surprising anyway.

Shortly, one uncle asked me if I was entering 24 Kaikan in Japanese and I simply declined.

He was following me so I decided to walk zigzag to shake him off.

 

Back in the main street, one ang moh overtook me to see how I look and he shook his head and whispered, 'Fugly' to himself.

He probably assumed I was Japanese so he expected that I didn't understand what was fugly.

I said nothing and decided to enter this bar called 'Jet Star'.

Was a bit afraid to enter until one of the staff (a trans) told me not to be afraid and open the door as she was on the way to work at the bar.

 

Had an enjoyable chat with the people around.

One of the customers was this guy in a suit but he was a total queen.

He came to the bar because he was rejected by a guy he met for a first date at dinner.

He showed me the picture but the guy looked so-so to me.

Maybe I got too influenced in SG where anyone with a good body is considered hot property rather than face. 

 

Another guy was super excited to know that I came from SG.

He was a victim of seeing clean streets, MBS and Merlion from his trip to Singapore.

I told him about the gay scene in SG and recommended him Play & Taboo. lol

 

I realised Japanese people and Taiwanese people have very similar behaviour.

Most of them are probably not very interested in speaking English, save for a minority but if you speak their language, they will welcome you. (They have this 自己人 mentality as long as you can speak and understand their language.)

At least, maybe they may be not as 'emotionless' as Singaporeans are, as what some newspaper articles said. 

I left the bar around 12.15am and the bartender escorted me to the boundary of Ni-chome.

[darkflame]

Last but not least, I went to Arty Farty on Sunday night (19 Jan) since they had a liquid buffet (1000 yen, $12) for free flow of drinks on their menu.

However, Japanese AJs are similar to Singapore AJs so they come in cliques.

Those who come alone are usually desperate or emo.

One guy kept drinking and he ended up sleeping on one of the couches at the club.

The bartender kept waking him up and asked if he was okay.

In a dimlit place, I thought the drunk guy looked like Koh Masaki. 

Just one of those guys where your fantasy crashes the minute he comes out of Play/Taboo and you can see his face clearly.

 

 

Arty Farty is quite a small place but it is slightly larger than Taboo.

 

 

This is where you order drinks from the bartender. You can sit near the bartender if you wish to.

 

 

Took a few brochures home. These brochures are found near the toilet.

 

Arty Farty closes at 1AM legally due to Japanese law.

However, there is a secret annex where the partying goes on until 4.30AM.

Usually packed on Friday and Saturday night.

 

And on a short note, I was told that most saunas in Tokyo are patronised by old men.

Hardly young guys go to saunas.

I suppose most young Japanese guys don't come from Tokyo so they usually rent their own place and hence 'got place'.

So they have fun in their own places.

 

 

Some drunk guys already partying hard.

I sat on the couch and become a target for people who needed someone to take photos for their cliques. 

[wailo]

Actually the Taiwanese love the prawn story too. Some of them have this impression (which I can't say is untrue) that Singaporean gay guys are mostly gym freaks because Singapore is a rather boring place and there is nothing to do here, so people gym to kill time. So the prawn story does fit in with that idea they have in their minds lol.

[taxme7]

What is 'the prawn story'? I'm puzzled.

[darkflame]

What is 'the prawn story'? I'm puzzled.

 

Pretty long story but you can refer here. 

 

http://www.blowingwind.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=20751

[Guest Guest]

Pretty long story but you can refer here. 

Hmm.. there is another interpretation of prawn. Not sure if this applies i.e. head full of shit. As per prawns. But this interpretation is nasty so am hoping this is not what is meant.

[darkflame]

I think we are going a bit off topic with the prawn definition.

 

But anyway, I only started the prawn topic with the Japanese guys because they were asking how Singapore AJs determine what is hot and what isn't.

Face is more important than body indeed in Japan.

And it looks like few Japanese men have liking for nerds. I kept getting told to wear contacts.

But in Singapore, I get told to wear spectacles because I look boring without them.

Difference in culture and taste I guess.

 

Thinking on the contrary, sometimes we may have a bodybuilding culture where someone who had a good face ended up having a better body than his face and so he got branded a prawn.

Edited January 28, 2014 by darkflame

[Guest Guest]

I think we are going a bit off topic with the prawn definition.

 

But anyway, I only started the prawn topic with the Japanese guys because they were asking how Singapore AJs determine what is hot and what isn't.

Face is more important than body indeed in Japan.

And it looks like few Japanese men have liking for nerds. I kept getting told to wear contacts.

But in Singapore, I get told to wear spectacles because I look boring without them.

Difference in culture and taste I guess.

 

Thinking on the contrary, sometimes we may have a bodybuilding culture where someone who had a good face ended up having a better body than his face and so he got branded a prawn.

Thanks for the insight on how Singapore AJs determine what is and isnt hot. I was not aware of that as my Singapore friends are varied in their tastes, one likes chubs, one like ginahs, one likes bears, one likes mature so hmm... a variety of tastes. I think a few years ago, chubs used to be in vogue but the trend is now towards people who are fit. Dont know if people agree with that. I think that is also the trend in Tokyo or that is what my experience tells me. Talking about difference in cultures, I still do not know what to think about Japanese guys who shave-shape their eyebrows. It is very common and even straight guys do it.

 

Darkflame, I am fascinated with your discussions with the Japanese. I wish I could have a discussion with them the way you have. I think there are nuances lost in translation when speaking with Japanese even if they speak English fluently.

[darkflame]

Thanks for the insight on how Singapore AJs determine what is and isnt hot. I was not aware of that as my Singapore friends are varied in their tastes, one likes chubs, one like ginahs, one likes bears, one likes mature so hmm... a variety of tastes. I think a few years ago, chubs used to be in vogue but the trend is now towards people who are fit. Dont know if people agree with that. I think that is also the trend in Tokyo or that is what my experience tells me. Talking about difference in cultures, I still do not know what to think about Japanese guys who shave-shape their eyebrows. It is very common and even straight guys do it.

 

Darkflame, I am fascinated with your discussions with the Japanese. I wish I could have a discussion with them the way you have. I think there are nuances lost in translation when speaking with Japanese even if they speak English fluently.

 

I didn't ask them about the eyebrow shaping thing as it didn't come to mind.

Will ask them the next time I'm in Tokyo.

I think Japanese AJs still like men who are swing between fit and bearish.

Many Tokyo bottoms love tops who are wolves though.

 

Actually on the other hand, when Singaporeans speak Japanese, there should also be nuances lost in translation on our side so it's a two-way thing.

Just like straight guys, it looks like few Japanese men will take the initiative to speak English unless there's no choice.

At one bar, since I was there, learning English was a topic but most Japanese AJs can't really bother with speaking English.

 

Nevertheless, I'm quite intrigued by Japanese slang. The queen at the bar loved saying 'busu' which probably translates to 'unglam' or something.

[Guest Guest]

I didn't ask them about the eyebrow shaping thing as it didn't come to mind.

Will ask them the next time I'm in Tokyo.

I think Japanese AJs still like men who are swing between fit and bearish.

Many Tokyo bottoms love tops who are wolves though.

 

Actually on the other hand, when Singaporeans speak Japanese, there should also be nuances lost in translation on our side so it's a two-way thing.

Just like straight guys, it looks like few Japanese men will take the initiative to speak English unless there's no choice.

At one bar, since I was there, learning English was a topic but most Japanese AJs can't really bother with speaking English.

 

Nevertheless, I'm quite intrigued by Japanese slang. The queen at the bar loved saying 'busu' which probably translates to 'unglam' or something.

Love tops who are wolves? But surely wolves would be hard to find as Japanese men are more often than not clean shaven? Especially if they are office workers? I dont think I have seen any on the streets - perhaps the ones who do construction work (plus have their hair covered up with a tied up cloth, if you know what I mean) but definitely not the ones suited up.

 

Lets see, I have met an engineer, a lawyer, a person who worked for the train network, a kindergarten teacher, a brick layer. All of them spoke English, some more fluently than others. I think they understand more than they can speak - I am guessing mentally finding the words in English is difficult, as it would be for me if I started speaking a "non native to me language".

 

Yeah, slang, thats the next phase in ones language development/localisation and it is something "learnt on the street". Easier to learn if one has the opportunity to chat with people - I hear that there is Tokyo slang/accent and Kobe slang/accent and that is the Japanese can tell whereabouts one is from, more or less.

[darkflame]

Love tops who are wolves? But surely wolves would be hard to find as Japanese men are more often than not clean shaven? Especially if they are office workers? I dont think I have seen any on the streets - perhaps the ones who do construction work (plus have their hair covered up with a tied up cloth, if you know what I mean) but definitely not the ones suited up.

 

Lets see, I have met an engineer, a lawyer, a person who worked for the train network, a kindergarten teacher, a brick layer. All of them spoke English, some more fluently than others. I think they understand more than they can speak - I am guessing mentally finding the words in English is difficult, as it would be for me if I started speaking a "non native to me language".

 

Yeah, slang, thats the next phase in ones language development/localisation and it is something "learnt on the street". Easier to learn if one has the opportunity to chat with people - I hear that there is Tokyo slang/accent and Kobe slang/accent and that is the Japanese can tell whereabouts one is from, more or less.

 

I think the definition of wolves is quite widened now that it refers to leaner guys compared to bears.

Lean fit guys who have some muscle definition I suppose.

And also a masculine face.

Few Singaporeans fit the profile of a wolf due to the facial structure.

 

It's quite true that many Japanese in Tokyo can understand better than they speak.

Those who can speak are usually exposed to tourists or are in the service industry where they need to communicate with many tourists.

Many university graduates can speak relatively good English but they are quite reluctant to do so, likely because most of them hardly have interest in speaking English.

[Guest jpn-lover]

Last sept I went to Kyoto to check out the shrines but also to go cruising. Had heard the public bath at Kyoto Tower basement was cruisy. When I went there were lots of cute young locals, but it didn't feel cruisy. And no privacy anywhere. So I went to check out the facilities in the royal palace gardens near the tennis court. There was one guy there but not my type. I want to go back in a few months. Does anyone have any cruising suggestions?

[doddysapta]

Tokyo is really not ready for heavy snow. I was stranded in Sapporo airport the whole night, and now stranded in Narita since morning since no trains or buses services available.

[Enelym1978]

No one can be ready for such heavy snow storms. I rather get stranded than risk dangerous roads or flying conditions.

 

When you have heavy snows like this, buses and cars will need chains on their wheels to drive safely. We do that all the time in Switzerland, we always have a pair of wheel chain ready in winter if we live in mountain or heavy snow prone areas.

 

Just take it easy and relax and wait for it to pass. there are worse places to be stranded in

[wailo]

Yeah this weekend's is really severe, 20cm in a day is no joke.

 

But I also believe that Tokyo is totally unprepared for snow too. 7cm was all it took to cripple the Yamanote, close airports and all the last time I was there. And the weirdest thing was that some of the people tried to get rid of the snow by melting it, by using water from hoses. In temperatures that were below freezing.

 

In their defense though, such snowfall isn't common there. Last year I was told that it was only the second significant snowfall incidence this century in Tokyo, which would make this weekend's the third only (2005/6, 2013, 2014). And it probably isn't surprising seeing how all the Tokyoites keep snapping photos of their city blanketed by snow.

 

Agreed that Tokyo isn't a bad place to be stuck in though. I got stuck in Shinjuku the whole day which ain't too bad at all! And Tokyo is actually very pretty in snow.

Edited February 9, 2014 by wailo

[darkflame]

Tokyo is hardly prepared for snow, since they hardly have heavy snowfall most of the time.

Even in Chiba prefecture, it can be quite warm due to its semi-tropical climate.

 

On a sidenote, I noticed some of the men do not wash their hands after using the toilet in winter.

Which I can somehow understand because the water is freezing cold, and at Nikko, they had to keep the tap running to prevent it from freezing.

Nevertheless, I still maintain the habit of washing and after drying, I tuck my hands into my gloves to warm them up.

[Phil]

Maybe they are not really prepared, but Tokyo is such a beautiful city under the snow!

And I know some other countries equally lost when the snow arrives...

 

Darkflame, do you think that the cooks don't wash their hands either, in some restaurants? :yuk:

Bon appétit!

[darkflame]

Cooks that do not wash their hands in some restaurants...sounds like some Japanese fetish porn. 

[Phil]

I was only joking, I would find that disgusting! :yuk:

[Enelym1978]

Urgh trying to book a cheap hotel in Shinjuku for one night on March 28th.... so expensive geeze...

Followed by a business stay but even with our budget, it's hard to find a convenient and nice hotel....

 

Panicking haha

 

 

OK found this hotel for JPY 7000 a night. The Hotel Park Inn Shinjuku, which is super nearby the 24 Kaikan.

It's super cheap but.... I just read the only two reviews on Tripadvisor and they are not nice....

 

So booked another one, the Hotel Sunlite Shinjuku, near Sanchome as well. But this one is JPY 11,000 a night... quite a difference but the first one's reviews were really not to my taste haha.

 

I'll keep both till the last minute since they can both be cancelled for free... Any other suggestions? Trying to stay as close as possible to $100 per night.... $150 only if it's a nice one...  

Edited February 12, 2014 by Enelym1978

[darkflame]

I stayed at Hotel Park Inn Shinjuku during my trip last June. As what Trip Advisor may have probably advised you, the hotel isn't that great. 

It's within Ni-chome but I wasn't too pleased with the quality of the hotel.

 

Hotels around that area usually start from 5000 yen (if you are lucky), and when I checked out hotels in the vicinity, most standard single rooms usually begin from 7000 yen.

 

You can check out Rakuten Travel. Compared to other international websites, I have always found hotel rates to be better for Rakuten Travel.

Just for example, here are some results for Shinjuku/Nakano/Suginami for hotels on 28 March.

Most cheap hotels are at Yotsuya. 

Nichome is between Shinjuku station and Yotsuya station.

 

http://travel.rakuten.com/eapp/hotel/search/hotel_search.do?cityCode=9951&f_date_in=3-28-2014&f_date_out=3-29-2014&roomNumber=1&adults=1&currpage=1&s1Number=0&s2Number=0&y1Number=0&y2Number=0&y3Number=0&y4Number=0&f_data_area=Tokyo&sortType=3&hotelStar=&guestReview=&facilities=&subCities=F&hotelName=

[Guest Guest]

Urgh trying to book a cheap hotel in Shinjuku for one night on March 28th.... so expensive geeze...

Followed by a business stay but even with our budget, it's hard to find a convenient and nice hotel....

 

Panicking haha

 

 

OK found this hotel for JPY 7000 a night. The Hotel Park Inn Shinjuku, which is super nearby the 24 Kaikan.

It's super cheap but.... I just read the only two reviews on Tripadvisor and they are not nice....

 

So booked another one, the Hotel Sunlite Shinjuku, near Sanchome as well. But this one is JPY 11,000 a night... quite a difference but the first one's reviews were really not to my taste haha.

 

I'll keep both till the last minute since they can both be cancelled for free... Any other suggestions? Trying to stay as close as possible to $100 per night.... $150 only if it's a nice one...  

City Hotel Lonestar is a business hotel that I have stayed in before. Not super flash but is clean and super convenient. Not too sure if there are rooms available - try the net. Not sure if it is within your budget either. Good luck.

[taxme7]

One of my japanese friends told me that all 24 kaikan are mainly patronised by old men and uncles. Is it true? Anyone been there before?

[Phil]

One of my japanese friends told me that all 24 kaikan are mainly patronised by old men and uncles. Is it true? Anyone been there before?

True for the Asakusa one (but you can also find interesting bears there too).

The Ueno one is rather for medium aged stocky GMen (but not only).

And in the Shinjuku one, there are more youngsters and twinks.

But once again, let's not generalize...

Have a nice time!

[eurus246]

Urgh trying to book a cheap hotel in Shinjuku for one night on March 28th.... so expensive geeze...

Followed by a business stay but even with our budget, it's hard to find a convenient and nice hotel....

 

Panicking haha

 

 

OK found this hotel for JPY 7000 a night. The Hotel Park Inn Shinjuku, which is super nearby the 24 Kaikan.

It's super cheap but.... I just read the only two reviews on Tripadvisor and they are not nice....

 

So booked another one, the Hotel Sunlite Shinjuku, near Sanchome as well. But this one is JPY 11,000 a night... quite a difference but the first one's reviews were really not to my taste haha.

 

I'll keep both till the last minute since they can both be cancelled for free... Any other suggestions? Trying to stay as close as possible to $100 per night.... $150 only if it's a nice one...  

 

Hey I'll be in Japan the same time! I'll arrive on 27th March and will head to Hakone and Mt Fuji first before going to Tokyo on 29th. Staying at Hotel Tateshina in Shinjuku for about JPY 7000 a night. Reviews in tripadvisor are pretty good. When I was trying to book last week, all the hotel websites like agoda said it was full but I was able to book a room directly on their website (tateshina.co.jp)

 

Hoping to catch the cherry blossom but seems like the recent bout of cold weather has delayed it. The forecast is now for the 2nd week of April

[Enelym1978]

I've tried Lonestar but they are fully booked.

 

I ended up booking at Hotel Sunlite Shinjuku. I saw Tateshina and it was indeed fully booked on those booking sites...

 

You'll enjoy Hakone, I did But cherry blossom is usually first week of April. I've been to Japan 2 years in a row end of March for work and you only get to see the beginning of it.... not as impressive at the full blossom. Unless you go more south.

[darkflame]

One of my japanese friends told me that all 24 kaikan are mainly patronised by old men and uncles. Is it true? Anyone been there before?

True for the Asakusa one (but you can also find interesting bears there too).

The Ueno one is rather for medium aged stocky GMen (but not only).

And in the Shinjuku one, there are more youngsters and twinks.

But once again, let's not generalize...

Have a nice time!

 

24 Kaikan Shinjuku has more youngsters/twinks indeed but 24 Kaikan in Japan itself has the impression of having many old men and uncles.

I was told there was another sauna where younger people go to but I forgot the name.

[taxme7]

In that case, i will give 24KK a miss. Would rather spend my time doing something else.

[lovehandle]

OMG, what a pity!

In that case, i will give 24KK a miss. Would rather spend my time doing something else.

[Phil]

OMG, what a pity!

Lovehandle is right, I am sure that everybody can have a good fun in Ueno 24 KK...

[taxme7]

Instead of visiting 24 KK, i can use the money to buy myself a Tenga. Haha

[darkflame]

Instead of visiting 24 KK, i can use the money to buy myself a Tenga. Haha

 

I find the bars a better experience than 24 KK or saunas.

At least Japanese gay bar culture is not as clique-ish as Singapore if it's those dainty, quiet bars.

[Guest Guest]

I find the bars a better experience than 24 KK or saunas.

At least Japanese gay bar culture is not as clique-ish as Singapore if it's those dainty, quiet bars.

Yes but thats only cos you can speak the lingo mah, Darkflame.

 

The rest of us are not that fortunate so our experience is limited to the physical kind only .

[Guest Guest]

In that case, i will give 24KK a miss. Would rather spend my time doing something else.

I will echo what the others are saying too, what a waste. If you are going to be in Tokyo, you should at least give 24KK a try. Since you are into twinks, try the one in Shinjuku, but assuming that you are twinkish too. If you are into twinks but you are not one yourself, try the one in Ueno. It is definitely worth the experience. Some people even make a pilgrimage to Tokyo, just for 24KK, year in year out.

[doddysapta]

Yes but thats only cos you can speak the lingo mah, Darkflame.

 

The rest of us are not that fortunate so our experience is limited to the physical kind only .

There's a truth in it, but not entirely. I went a few times to this bar called Keivi in Shibuya. Most of the times I could strike a convo with fellow customers in English. Off course i have to speak slowly and show much respect, hence they wouldnt be too 'scared' to talk back to me.

Btw it's snowing again today but luckily not that serious to disrupt transport, only causing a bit train delay. Ccch-coold! Better prepare boots for those coming these days. And Tokyo Marathon is just next weekend.

[darkflame]

Actually, I think foreigner-friendly bars are manageable.

If they display English signs, it means the bartenders can probably speak English.

Also, you never know if the person sitting next to you speaks really good English too.

 

I met one customer (old uncle) who spoke really good English.

Enough to hold a conversation at ease without the typical hesitation to continue on unlike most Japanese people.

I suppose he was posted to many different countries in his prime by his company so he could attain such a good level of English.

Edited February 14, 2014 by darkflame