Tokyo Updates?
 

Anyone have any? As wonderful as it is, I'm getting a little tired of 24 Kaikan. I've read the usual listings, but would appreciate personal recommendations from you guys.

OK, I'm back from Tokyo and am no longer tired of 24 Kaikan. It seems the older and fatter I get, the more I'm in demand over there. Had a great time!

I'm still curious about other places, like HX, Doberman, Treffpunkt, Jinya, etc., though, so if anyone has any experiences, please share.

Is this the latest 24 in Shinjuku? Do you know if there is a map on any site? Last time I checked, the master 24 site did not have one. Thanks

Yes, the one in Shinjuku.

Don't know about an online map, but there is a very good one with all the gay venues in it in the Time Out guide to Tokyo. They carry it a Kinokuniya in Bangkok.

I was at Treffpunkt a few years ago. Was one of only 2 Western guys there....and was in demand! But the selection of guys is quite slim, since it's really small--like a traditional Japanese "cruising house"--one or two stories of cruising space, maybe 2 rooms, like 15-25 guys at a time. Nearly all Cruising Spaces in Japan are like this, as opposed to the 24 Kaikan megaplexes.
Icon, can you tell us more about your visit to 24 Kaikan? :)
I lived in Japan for 5 years, and had decidedly mixed success at bathhouses there. Thanks!

Thanks Icon, I went to Kinokuniya at the Emporium - and found the Time Out Guide in Asia Books en route! It is excellent with easily understood maps and descriptions of some venues, including the three 24 saunas and Treffpunkt.

You are welcome! It's a great guide book, and not just for the extensive gay section. Some very good recommendations on places to see, shop, and eat.

Midwestbottom boy, I too have had mixed luck in Japanese saunas (24 Kaikan at Ueno and Shinjuku, plus one other one in Shinjuku ni-chome the name of which I can't recall). This time, though, even though (as mentioned) I'm fatter and older than my previous visits, I found myself in greater demand. I even had THREE different farangs hit on me (I politely declined, not because I have a thing against farangs, but because they were not my type).

I had five "major" and a much larger number of "minor" sexual encounters during my two visits there over the weekend. All were Japanese.

I met one in the mist room, one in the showers, one in the sling room, and two in the common futon rooms. They were pretty much evenly divided among wanting to be active, passive, and versatile.

I had a great time!

Would appreciate any info on how to proceed from Narita to Shinjuku via subway.Am staying at the Lornstar,a hotel which some of you may know.The article below,which may be of use to future travellers,only mentions bus.

http://www.stickyrice.ws/?view=sec-TRV/gaytokyo

(excuse the sterotypes mentioned on the link)

Fastest option is the Narita Express direct to Shinjuku station - about 3,100 Yen and takes about 75 mins. Leaves every hour from the station under the airport, and you have to book a specific seat before you board. There is a ticket office just at the entrance to the platform. From Shinjuku station, take the South Exit, then turn right and take the underpass to the Toei Shinjuku subway station. Buy a ticket and go just one stop to Shinjuku Sanchome station. At the ticket barrier, turn left, go to the end of the Underpass (exit C8 I believe) and you will come out in the BYGS building. This is very, very close to the Lornstar hotel.

If that's too pricey, you can take one of the regular trains for around 1,000 Yen. These have stops, take longer and get you only to Ueno station. Here transfer to the subway (in the same station) and buy a ticket to Shinjuku Sanchome (but this time the station on the red Marunouchi Line) - about 190 Yen. First take the orange Ginza Line to Akasaka-Mitsuke station, then make the easy change to the Marunouchi Line. This time, make sure when you exit the barrier to walk in the direction of the rear of the train. Here you are in the same long underpass system, so walk along till you come to Exit C8. Total journey time will be around 2.5 hrs. There are other ways but this is, I think, about the cheapest - and the least complicated!

In addition to Time Out's excellent city Guide recommended by Icon, you should purchase the Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide. It's paperback, slightly larger than the Time Out Guide and invaluable for mastering how to find Japanese addresses.

Appreciate the time you have taken to provide the detailed information above Fountainhall.It's a small load off my mind and a good example of the strengths of CFS Thailand for finding time and money saving information.

Will purchase the publications mentioned.I have used Time out for many countries before and like ther angle on things.While Lonely Planet is useful it lacks the zip of Time Out and Rough Guide publications.

Once again thanks a million.

You're most welcome. Tokyo can be daunting if it's your first visit and the subway system is a maze with some tickets only valid for certain lines. But there are signs in English everywhere and you soon get used to it. Just be careful of taxis. They can end up being hugely expensive if you are stuck in one of the frequent traffic jams or, as is common, the taxi driver doesn't know where you want to go (something he may not admit!). I find it's best to take a subway to the station nearest my destination, and then either walk or take a taxi from there. Always get the hotel receptionist to write the full address you want in Japanese. Have a great trip!

Agree, that's a "must do" when travelling in Japan and China if you cann't speak Jap / Chinese. Do also keep a hotel card in your wallet. The card always has the hotel's name and address in local language which is very helpful in case you have to get a taxi back to hotel. Don't leave your hotel without one.

Lornstar hotel
 

Just saw this thread. This might be useful for you.

http://www.japanhotel.net/data/acces...=60&area=TOKYO

Map, rates and pix of rooms

Thank you,I have booked via this site.They only need credit card details and do not bill in advance.You can also see a plan of vacant rooms for the dates you require.