Mountain town in Kanagawa, Japan
Is Hakone LGBTQ+ friendly?
Is Hakone LGBTQ+ friendly?
Tolerant but discreet. No scene; couples are usually fine at hotels, though traditional ryokan can be less certain.
LGBTQ+ laws in Japan
Quietly tolerant; Tokyo's Shinjuku Ni-chome has a big scene. Local partnership certificates cover most residents; the Supreme Court is reviewing same-sex marriage.
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | Yes |
| Same-sex marriage | No |
| Civil unions or partnerships | No |
| Legal gender change | Yes |
| Anti-discrimination law | Partial |
LGBTQ+ friendliness across Japan
| Place | Rating |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Osaka | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Niseko | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Yokohama | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Kyoto | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Hiroshima | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Nara | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Sapporo | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Okinawa | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Hakone | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Fukuoka | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Kawaguchiko | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Kanazawa | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Takayama | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Nagoya | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Nikko | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Kamakura | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Kobe | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Hakuba | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Ishigaki | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Nagasaki | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Shirakawa-go | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Miyakojima | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Hakodate | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Otaru | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Beppu | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Matsumoto | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Koyasan | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Furano | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Sendai | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
Quick answers
Is Hakone safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Tolerant but discreet. No scene; couples are usually fine at hotels, though traditional ryokan can be less certain.
Is same-sex marriage legal in Japan?
No.
More about Hakone
Going to Hakone solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hakone meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- Immigration Services Agency: Digital Nomad status
- Visit Japan Web (Digital Agency)
- Odakyu Hakone Free Pass
Ratings combine national law with local attitudes and the scene. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.