Ace Hotel Kyoto

For this year’s Pride Month, Ace Hotel Kyoto is living up to its reputation as one of the city’s coolest spots by hosting an exciting lineup of events and a glamorous party to celebrate love and diversity. The main highlight is the extravagant pride party, themed ‘Accidental Affair’, on Sunday June 21 from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets are ¥3,000 in advance, or ¥3,500 at the door, and they are inclusive of one drink. The night promises non-stop dance music and performances, headlined by members of Diamonds Are Forever, Kyoto’s long-running queer collective renowned for their exuberant cabaret-style shows fusing drag, dance, burlesque, live DJ, fashion and underground culture. Aside from the party, the hotel will also host a free photography exhibition by Tokyo-born photographer Kohey Kanno, from June 13 through June 30. Titled ‘The Personal is Political,’ Kanno’s work aims to spark discussions about diversity and societal structures. Also not to be missed is the Queer Book Fair on the weekend of June 20–21 (12noon to 6pm). Organised by independent bookstore and publishing house Loneliness Books, the two-day event will curate a selection of books and zines to help broaden readers’ perspectives through the stories of strangers.