Experiences at GB in Shinjuku 2-chome, Tokyo

A few years ago I worked for a Japanese bank, and a couple of times a year I would have to visit head office in Tokyo. There is a thriving gay scene in Tokyo, especialy in the Shinjuku 2-chome district, although as with many things in Tokyo there’s one scene for gaijin (foreigners) and another Japanese only scene.

The most famous gay bar in Tokyo for gaijin (and Japanese guys who like gaijin) is called GB, which apparently stands for “Ginger Bar” named after the singer Ginger Rogers. It’s just a single room in a basement, quite small and often packed. As well as using gay.com to find guys for fun, on each trip to Tokyo I would also try and visit this bar to try and meet guys in the old-fashioned (off-line) way.

On one occasion I picked up a young but slightly overweight Japanese fashion designer who drove me back to his appartment for a bit of fun. He was definitely a style queen, the car he drove was a two seater convertible. After we’d had a bit of fun he didn’t want me to stay the night with him because he had to head off early to put on a fashion show somewhere south of Tokyo. I also had a plane to catch.

But the most interesting visits to GB related to when I left the bar alone.

On one occasion, it’s late in the evening when I leave GB. I decide to try and find the gay sauna which I know is located near there, so I get out a small map to try and work out the way. Perhaps I should be more careful in foreign cities to avoid publicising the fact that I don't know my way around, but the street outside GB is almost deserted, apart from a couple of young guys seated on the steps opposite who look completely harmless.

I find the sauna, it’s in a small back alley, but when I get to the door there’s a sign on it in both Japanese and English – Japanese speakers only. Ahhh well, too bad. Apart from GB I know there are also several other bars in the area, so I head off to try and find one of them. But I fail! Maybe my information is out of date, or maybe it’s just that I’m having trouble working out the Japanese system for specifying addresses – no less logical than the western method of “house number, street name” but just completely different.

I head back to the subway. I’m half way down the steps and someone says “Hey”. I look up and there’s a young Japanese guy, dressed in loose fitting clothes with a small rucksack, talking do me.

“Don’t go yet, I can show you where to go”. He seems anxious for me not to go back to my hotel.

How does he know what I’m looking for? Why does it matter to him whether I go or not? Am I going to be mugged? Is he employed by the owner of a local gay bar to entice gaijin inside where there are expensive rent boys? I can’t decide whether to trust him a bit, or to head back to the hotel. He can tell I’m wavering.

“Can I just show you a bar, not too far? We can go inside if you like, it’s up to you.” He looks me up and down smiling – with his eyes resting just momentarily on my crotch. He’s cruising me! But is he paid to do this? Or if I recriprocate, will he end up wanting money? Against my better judgement I have to find out.

“OK, why don’t you show me”, I say, giving in. I’ve only had one drink at GB, I hope that I’ll be able to look after myself if things turn nasty.

As we’re walking back along the streets near GB bar, he tries to talk to me. His English isn’t very good, but we can just about communicate. He seems like a nice guy, perhaps he just wants to practise his English on me? We go into another bar together and he doesn’t seem to know anyone there. I get him to order me a beer and he orders a soft drink for himself, although I pay. Same price as GB, so that’s not the scam. We sit down next to each other and chat. He’s still a student. Gradually we get closer to each other, and then he rubs my knee every so gently.

“Is there anywhere we can go?” he says.

Well if he’s not going to ask for money, maybe it’s my lucky night. He is a lovely looking, young Japanese guy, and he’s effectively just asked to have a bit of fun with me.

“Do you want to come back to my hotel?” This is it, if he wants money I should find out now.

“OK sure”. He smiles at me and rubs my hand. So he doesn’t want money, he just wants my body! Fine my me!!

Outside we take a cab and spend a lovely night together. In the morning I take him down for breakfast in the hotel restaurant, and after that we say goodbye.

On my next visit to Tokyo I also visit GB one evening. Leaving alone, again there a couple of harmless looking young Japanese guys on the steps opposite the bar. But as I walk off, one of them gets up and follows me. Like last time I wander round the streets trying to find another gay venue. Yes, although he’s trying to make sure I don’t see him, he’s definitely following me.

Thinking back to my last visit, it all starts to make sense. The guy last time knew I was gay because he saw me come out of GB. Nothing more sinister than young Japanese guys who like having fun with gaijin.

So the same thing happens again. I end up talking to the guy who’s following me, although this time we dispense with the bar and head straight back to my hotel. This one was gorgeous, just as young but somehow he’s fitter than the prevoius guy. We have fun, he stays the night, and in the morning I take him to breakfast.

Now I think I know how things work, on my next visit I try the same method. But I’m too eager. I leave GB, I get followed by one of the young guys on the steps outside GB, but perhaps because I try and talk to him too soon he runs away. Damm!! Next time I’ll be more careful.

Before my next trip to Tokyo happens, I get a job with a different bank. But if I ever return to Tokyo, I’m definitely going to see whether there are still young guys outside GB looking for fun with gaijin.

Update 8-Jan-2011: I went back to GB bar for a drink with boyfriend T, see Another visit to GB in Shinjuki 2-chome, Tokyo.