[Video] Tokyo Tour Guide - Shinjuku Including Gay Area "Nichome"

NHK, Japan's only public broadcasting organization, is known for being stuffy and conservative. But its weekly travel show "TOKYO EYE" recently covered the Shinjuku area in Tokyo including the Japan's largest gay town which is called "nichome (pronounced as knee cho meh)."

It was particularly interesting that the host Chris Peppler (half Japanese) admitted that he has been to a gay bar in nichome!

Here are video clips which someone else has put out on YouTube. Nichome comes up in the third segment, and Chris Peppler shares his experience in nichome in the fifth (last) segment. The footage about the gay area is very brief, though.

***A Message for my Japanese readers who do not understand English***

NHK Worldの『TOKYO EYE』っていう海外向け英語番組を見てたら、新宿の紹介してた。外人目線で新宿を紹介してるんだけど、昔から変わらない新宿がかいま見られたよ。

しかも、NHKの番組なのに二丁目のゲイバーを紹介してんの。しかも、司会のクリス・ペプラーが、二丁目のゲイバーに行ったことがあると最後に告白、、、。話しっぷりがカチコチに固かったけどなんか笑えた。あくまで、女性と一緒に行ったって念押ししてるあたりが、往生際が悪りーって思ったけどね。

***

TOKYO EYE
May 14, Wed.
Shinjuku Labyrinth, Part 2
URL: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/tokyoeye/archives201405080400.html

Synopsis

This time we explore the south and east sides of one of the world's most complicated train stations. On a search for offbeat destinations, we visit a globally famous entertainment district and a long-established cafe. We also enjoy a walk in a park.

Further Info

- Old-fashioned coffee shop: Coffee Times
* Address: 3-35-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
* Open 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

- French toast: Cafe Aaliya
* Address: B1 Yamamoto bldg., 3-1-17 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
* Open: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

- Hanazono Shrine
http://www.hanazono-jinja.or.jp/mt/page/access.html (in Japanese only)
* Address: 5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku

- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
https://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/index.html

- Shinjuku's oldest cinema: Musashino-kan
http://shinjuku.musashino-k.jp/ (in Japanese only)
* Address: 3F Musashino bldg., 3-27-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku

- Cinema multiplex: Shinjuku Piccadilly
http://www.smt-cinema.com/site/shinjuku/index.html (in Japanese only)
* Address: 3-15-15 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku

- Puppet theater: PUK
http://www.puk.jp/ (in Japanese only)
http://www.puk.jp/map/ppt_map_e.html (map)

- Tomoshibi Singalong Cafe
http://www.tomoshibi.co.jp/sinjyuku/eigyo.html (in Japanese only)
* Address: 6F FS bldg., 3-20-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
* Open: (Daytime) 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, Thursdays through Saturdays 1:30 p.m.-3:50 p.m., (Evening) Monday through Wednesday 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 4 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Sundays and Public Holidays 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
* Charge: 800yen

- Bar: Marohige
http://marohige.net/ (in Japanese only)
* Address: 2F Satake bldg., 2-16-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
* Open: 8 p.m., closes at irregular time

- Bars (Pony, Heavy Gauge): Golden-gai
http://goldengai.jp/index.html (in Japanese only)