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[title]Published especially for the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, the ‘Over the Rainbow: 10 LGBTQ-Friendly Spots in Osaka’ brochure aims to highlight the city's most exciting businesses for the queer and rainbow community. They include restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs that are gay-owned, inclusive and welcoming to people of all gender and sexual identities.
Osaka is setting a benchmark in Asia with its steadfast commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. In an effort to be more diverse and inclusive, the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau has undertaken multiple initiatives to cultive LGBTQ-friendly environments and in turn, position Osaka as a prime destination for LGBTQ+ tourists.
For restaurants, head over to gay-owned Dining Bar Rakuto to indulge in tapas and hearty Japanese meals paired with wine or sake. If it's premium Japanese wagyu beef you're after, make a beeline for Yakiniku M Namba. Vietnam Sakaba, on the other hand, offers a diverse menu of Vietmese dishes that go beyond pho.
After your meal, make your way to Saryo Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo Namba for tea and matcha desserts including kakigori shaved ice and zenzai (sweet red bean soup), or Cafe LA for coffee and cocktails while playing board games.
In the after hours, visit Doyamacho, the city's LGBTQ+ district, where you'll find inclusive gay and lesbian bars and clubs like Dungaree, Salamat, Grand Slam and Explosion. You'll be glad to know that LGBTQ+ bars are not limited to Doyamacho, as there are women-only bars in other parts of the city, too, including Lemon near Namba.
If you're planning to explore the city, opt for an LGBTQ-friendly tour by Out Asia Travel Tours. It offers fun cultural experiences across Osaka, led by gay-friendly tour guides. Alternatively, just kick back and relax while cruising down Dotonbori river with Ipponmatsu Kaiun Cruise.
In the brochure, you'll also find an exclusive interview with international queer collective Haus of Kinki's co-founder Nikuman.co, who talks about their artistic community as well as the LGBTQ+ scene in Osaka.
You can pick up a free copy of the 'Over the Rainbow: 10 LGBTQ-Friendly Spots in Osaka' guide at Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports and Osaka's Kansai International Airport as well as selected hotels and tourist information centres in Osaka.