Tokyo Pride 2026

Tokyo Pride 2026

Tokyo Pride returns in June, 2026. Formerly Rainbow Pride, the event balances political messaging and partying to further LGBTQ rights across the country.

• Visiting for the event, stay close to Ni-chōme in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo’s gayborhood. The Mitsui Garden Hotel is rated” Fabulous” by guests with spacious rooms and a modern gym and pool.

The Event

• Next Edition: Awaiting dates- Tokyo Pride will host events running throughout Global Pride Month in June.
• Signature events such as the pride parade tend to take place on the first weekend in June.
• LGBT pride with a host of events, including an energetic parade that last year saw thousands of people gather and take to the streets in fancy dress alongside floats.
• This year the highlights of the Tokyo Pride includes the Pride Festival on Friday and Sunday’s Tokyo Pride Parade, starting at Yoyogi Park and marching through Shibuya & Harajuku.
• Stay at the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu. We love its location, a stone’s throw from Shibuya’s attractions and the pride parade, offering great views and easy access to both gay-friendly spots and mainstream Tokyo sights.

Pride Festival

• Awaiting dates – The Festival in Yoyogi Park takes place on Saturday and Sunday, with a variety of booths opened in Yoyogi Park by LGBT-friendly companies and artists. The booths will be open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Tokyo Pride Festival features drag, shows and live music performances.
• Stay close to the venue at the Trunk Hotel, located just 3 mins rideshare or 9 minutes walk from the park. Rated “Superb” by guests, the hotel has a zen-like design with high end amenities and superb guest services.

Tokyo Pride Parade

• Awaiting dates, Sunday – The 3km parade takes in the Harajuku/Shibuya area on the Sunday with participants marching and riding on floats.
• Pride Parade begins at 12:00 pm, starting at the Yoyogi Park Event Plaza, winding through Shibuya and Harajuku, covering about 3 km before returning to the park.
• Around 7,000 marchers in over 52 groups join floats, live performances, and street energy.
• Pride Festival continues at Yoyogi Park in the same hours (11:00–18:00).
• Tip! Grab a spot near the start at Yoyogi Park Plaza is high-energy and central. Crowd small in scale compared to other countries, but lively.
• Viewers frequent sidewalk areas near Yoyogi Plaza or along Meiji Avenue; atmosphere is intimate, friendly, and diverse. While smaller than Pride events in bigger cities, many attendees find Tokyo Pride warm, inclusive, and uplifting.

Tokyo Pride Night

• Awaiting dates – Typically after the parade – Pride Night – from around 18:00–24:00.
• A ticketed event full of performances, DJs, and queer nightlife vibes.
• Think drag queens, gogo boys, live music and more.
• The event takes over Aisotope Lounge in Shinjuku’s Ni-chome district.
• Search for Shinjuku Ni-chōme (新宿二丁目) in your map app. Once you’re there, it’s walkable.
• Many venues don’t open before 8–9 pm, and some are on upper floors—look for the signs and small doorways.

Happy Pride Tea Dance

• Awaiting dates – Happy Pride Tea Dance – takes place at Wall to Wall from 4pm. The perfect post-parade party running until 10 pm.
• This event is also known as the “Opening Beat of the Tokyo Pride Beats Circuit Festival.

Tokyo Pride Beats Circuit Festival

• Awaiting dates – Tokyo Pride Beats features multiple parties held at Club Asia, mainly on the final Sunday before the bank holiday – Shōwa Day.
• Events include three different parties taking over Club Asia with a Circuit, Disco and Techno floor.
• Other events include the OPPA K Pop party and the after hours event.

Fancy Him

• Saturday – Awaiting dates – Fancyhim hosts a special afternoon event with as an exciting lineup of DJs and drag queens, at Shibuya PARCO.

Where to Party during Tokyo Rainbow Pride

• Just a convenient walk from Shinjuku, lies Ni-chome, Tokyo’s gayborhood overflowing with outdoor bars, karaoke pubs, and cozy clubs for anyone on the spectrum.
• There are countless options for food and drink. Ni-chome also features outdoor bars with large terraces.
• Stay close to the gay bars at the Tokyu Stay Shinjuku Eastside, rated “Fabulous” by guests. We love its perfect location, delicious buffet breakfast, super chilled rooftop garden and minimalist vibes.
• The closest station is Shinjuku San-chome station, one stop from Shinjuku on the Fukutoshin, Marunouchi and Shinjuku metro lines. Take the C5 exit and then just cross the street into Ni-chome.
• For a taste of old Tokyo, explore the narrow alleys of Omoide Yokocho, near Shinjuku Station. They are filled with tiny yakitori (grilled chicken) stalls and bars.
• Shibuya: Known for its iconic scramble crossing, Shibuya also offers a welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ+ individuals, with a growing number of gay-friendly bars and spaces.

Popular Gay Venues in Tokyo

• In Ni-Chome, there are over 300 small bars that cater to different specific groups, known as Kei in Japanese. You can find a variety of bars for heavyset men, transvestites, those who enjoy BDSM, hairy men, seniors, twinks, and young guys.
• Due to limited space, many of these unique bars can only accommodate up to 15 patrons. This limited capacity may affect the diversity of the clientele. While most bars are open to non-Japanese visitors, when the space fills up, guests not fitting the target group may be politely asked to wait leave.
• AiiRO Cafe: Start your night at this cozy spot in Shinjuku Ni-chome. Enjoy a cocktail under their iconic rainbow lantern with happy hour from 6 pm to 9 pm. Tokyo’s most popular open air bar.
• Dragon Men: A popular bar in Shinjuku Ni-chome attracting a diverse crowd. Not to big, so always seems busy. Staff are friendly and English speaking. Very busy dancefloor at weekends.
• AiSOTOPE Lounge: Situated in the bustling Shinjuku Nichome, Tokyo’s famed gay district, AiSOTOPE Lounge is Tokyo’s  largest gay dance club. The venue is unique for its inclusion of a dark room, alongside hosting various themed nights. With affordable drinks and drag queen entertainment, it’s a welcoming space for everyone.
• Arty Farty: A staple in Tokyo’s gay nightlife, Arty Farty offers an expansive dance floor paired with a large bar area in Nichome, Shinjuku-ku. The club and its sister venue, The Annex, are interconnected, allowing guests to move freely between the different vibes each space offers. Friendly atmosphere with a mix of locals, expats, and travelers. Arty Farty also features special events and reasonably priced drinks, making it a popular choice any night of the week.

Where to stay?

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to the gay bars and clubs.

Keio Plaza Hotel,    Hotel Gracery,    Shinjuku Granbell Hotel,    Super Hotel Shinjuku