03 Jun LGBTQ+ Students’ Guide to Internships Abroad: Safe Spaces in Tokyo
If you’re wondering whether Tokyo is a safe place for LGBTQ+ students to complete an internship, you’ve come to the right place. By the end of this blog, you’ll see that the city isn’t just bursting with incredible food, art, and pop culture—it also has a thriving queer scene that warmly welcomes both locals and international students like you.
Let’s start with the city’s most popular destination for the LGBTQ+ community: Shinjuku Nichome!
Shinjuku Nichome: Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood
Shinjuku is famous for its cutting-edge street fashion and is a go-to spot for students doing fashion internships in Tokyo. But within this colorful district is Nichome (pronounced nee-cho-meh), a neighborhood that has evolved into a welcoming safe haven for Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ community.
Nichome started out as just another red-light district, but by the late 1950s, it began evolving into a safe haven for Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ community. One by one, bars, cafés, and other community spaces opened their doors—spots where queer individuals could gather and express themselves without judgment.
With hundreds of establishments in the neighborhood, Nichome is a great place to visit if you’re an international student looking to learn more about the local LGBTQ+ culture, relax in a safe and welcoming space, or connect with other members of the community.
Where can international students eat in Shinjuku Nichome?
As an international student in Japan, one of the things you might be looking for during your internship in Tokyo is a list of restaurants that are foreigner-friendly. That’s why we’ve put together a Venn diagram of LGBTQ+ friendly and English-speaking restaurants just for you!
Shinjuku Dialogue
This proudly LGBTQ+ and vegan café serves coffee, sandwiches, and cakes that are perfect for a quick and healthy bite.
Alamas Café
Craving Mexican food? Alamas Café offers an affordable but hearty menu. Make sure to not miss their tacos!
Ashiyu cafe & bar Donyoku
Donyoku is a welcoming social space where you can eat, play board games, meet people, and join workshops while enjoying a relaxing foot bath.
LGBTQ+ friendly places to dine in outside Shinjuku Nichome
Want to avoid the crowds in Shinjuku Nichome? We’ve got you covered! Here are some other LGBTQ+ friendly places in Tokyo where you can enjoy some tasty treats:
Ojizo Coffee
Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or not, you’ll be happy to know that Ojizo Coffee uses—and advocates for—fair trade beans. On top of its commitment to food equity, this LGBTQ+ couple-owned café also champions inclusivity. You can find it in Koenji, a Tokyo district known for attracting a younger and more creative crowd.
Monsta Sweets
Owned by Miami-born graphic designer Gregorio Narvasa and proudly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, this bakery in Koenji serves American-style cookies that both locals and foreigners line up for. If you’re an international student doing an internship in Tokyo—especially if you’re from the U.S.—this might just be your go-to for a sweet taste of home.
Black Bird Eatery
Serving a fusion of American, Japanese, and Middle Eastern cuisine, Black Bird Eatery also doubles as an event space in Sasazuka, a district in Shibuya. They host all sorts of events, including open mic nights, creative workshops, and social gatherings where queer individuals can connect.
LGBTQ+ community spaces in Tokyo
Tokyo has a handful of welcoming community spaces where young LGBTQ+ folks and allies can gather, learn, and connect. From activist bookshops to karaoke bars with queer history, these three spots can offer you a safe space to be yourself:
Irregular Rhythm Asylum (IRA)
If you’re looking for materials—books, workshops, exhibitions—on counterculture and LGBTQ+ activism, IRA is the place to be. This 20-year old infoshop is a spot for meeting like-minded people, swapping ideas, or simply discovering great queer reads!
Pride House Tokyo Legacy
Founded by the local collective Pride House Tokyo, this center in Shinjuku aims to provide LGBTQ+ information to the community and a safe and supportive space for everyone. Feel free to join workshops, attend events, and or browse through their library while you’re in the city.
Kusuo
Up for some karaoke? Head to Kusuo! It’s a great spot to bring along friends you’ve met during your internship. You might even hear stories from the staff about Queen’s legendary bisexual frontman, Freddie Mercury, and his visits to this karaoke bar back in the day.
LGBTQ+ events in Tokyo that you cannot miss
Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ community is thriving with events that celebrate love, identity, and creative expression. While many of the places we mentioned above host LGBTQ+ themed events throughout the year, here are two of the biggest happenings in the city that take place around Pride season—perfect if you’re doing a summer internship in Tokyo!
Tokyo Rainbow Pride
The city held its first-ever pride parade in 1994, and it has since grown into one of the biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations in Japan. The celebration usually spans a week, with live performances, an extravagant march, vibrant markets, and insightful talks by guest speakers. Check out the schedule of festivities and start planning your calendar!
Rainbow Reel Tokyo
It doesn’t matter if you’re a Video Production intern or not—if you love cinema, you need to check out the city’s LGBTQ film festival, Rainbow Reel Tokyo. The first festival was held back in 1992, and since then, it has always featured films with LGBTQ+ themes.
Tokyo might be known for its bright, colorful lights and buzzing streets, but it’s the pockets of community and connection that make the city special—especially for LGBTQ+ students looking for safe spaces while interning abroad.
Whether you prefer quiet, cozy cafés or lively parades and gatherings, you can always find a welcoming space to explore, express yourself, and meet people who get you.
Ready to kickstart your internship in Japan?
Check out our internship programs in Tokyo and discover a city where you can grow your career, explore new cultures, and find your people. Apply now and let’s make it happen!
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