Gay sendai
&#;Gayjin&#; find it tough going in Tohoku
I come from Cardiff, a city in Wales, with a very lively and popular male lover scene. It isn’t a massive city, but there are numerous bars and clubs that acquire the rainbow flag flying above the door, and there’s a gay and lesbian Mardi Gras each year which is attended by thousands of people; both gay and straight.
Three of my closest friends are homosexual, so whenever I’m home, the gay clubs and bars are usually where we go for a night out. I would say on a typical late hours out at a gay club, there is a 70/30 split, 70% being gay and 30% straight, and although I retain one incident where I was made to feel unwelcome by a fat lesbian with a lightning bolt shaved into the side of her head, said bars and clubs normally contain no problem with straight people being there.
So it came as a bit of a shock, even though I knew Japan to be a very conservative country, to discover that there were no such bars or clubs in Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region. I understand why the gay bars frequented by friends of mine here in Sendai have a strict "no stra
The Bonds of a Queer Person
Written by: Futoshi
Born and living in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
Gay since birth. Late 30’s at the time of the earthquake.
Representative of collective center ZEL (*1)
Exemplary of volunteer group Yarokko (*2)
▽About the glossary of terms
■March 11
The big quake came when I was at my workplace in Natori. The building was made of old reinforced concrete, and as the stairs and ceiling seemed about to collapse we all waited for the shaking to stop before taking refuge in the parking lot outside. From the neighboring building I could hear the incessant, shrill ringing of an emergency bell. My mobile wouldn’t connect, so I turned on the vehicle radio and learned of the imminent risk of a tsunami. My workplace is located in Natori, but in an area far from the coast. Even so, we were standing near the river, and so we all decided to immediately seize refuge.
I headed unbent for my home in Sendai by car. The gate at the railway crossing was down, and the signals were off due to the blackout. As I drove, I plotted a route in my head that crossed the f
LGBTQ
LGBTQ in Tohoku
Japan is divided into regions such as Hokkaido and Kanto, but when it comes to Japan’s gay scene, it must be said that Tohoku is a lonesome region that is very lacking in activity. At display , Tohoku is the only region in which no queer club parties are held whatsoever. In terms of the number of queer bars, the entire Tohoku region has only in total; even Naha Capital has more than this. (Tohoku has a population of , people, whereas by comparison Naha City has only ,)
But that does NOT mean that the Tohoku region is destitute.
Within Tohoku’s central capital of Sendai, there has been a thriving community for over 10 years now. The ‘Yarokko’ (meaning ‘Boys’ in the Tohoku dialect) HIV prevention and public awareness group has established a small community center, gay bars within the city distribute free newspapers and condoms, and the city’s community center even hosts lively events featuring Japanese drum performances and recitations of the memoirs of HIV-positive individuals. Lately, even Sendai’s lesbian bars are showing signs of activity.
Tankdump stands out in Sendai as a welcoming LGBTQ+ bar. Highly rated by patrons, it charms guests with its cozy atmosphere and engaging décor. Managed by the charismatic Wataru-san, known as 'Sister' by his compatriots in the bar community, the venue offers a warm and sociable vibe. Customers appreciate the attentive service by Wataru-san and his assistant Kazuo, who are both praised for their hospitality. Despite its snug size, Tankdump accommodates guests with ease and applications a lively space where drinks are both potent and enjoyable. Frequent visitors highlight the fun ambiance, making it a must-visit for those in town.
Reviews summary
Tankdump receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with patrons praising the kind and attentive staff, including the owner Wataru-san and bartender Kazuo. The bar's atmosphere is noted as lively and welcoming, making it a popular option for both locals and visitors in Sendai. Some reviews mention a less engaging experience for solo visitors, but overall, it's a well-loved spot.