GAY TOKYO | 24 Kaikan in Asakusa (+ Ueno and Shinjuku)

Autumn 2025. We – Sam and Danny, Michel and Wille, and Timothy – are travelling to Japan for a quite classic tour of the Land of the Rising Sun. We are flying separately as we used miles. On the planning: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Osaka, and Expo 2025, Hiroshima, Himeji, Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Hakone, and back to Tokyo. Three weeks plus some extra days.

Prior to the group trip, I – Timothy – am solo in Tokyo. Using artificial intelligence, I concocted a busy four days featuring Ito on the Izu Peninsula and Sawara, also known as Little Edo. I also end this Journey Across Japan with a solo spell in Minato, near Taito and Tamachi Station.

Heads up: this blog post is about gay sex.

I am not a prude. I’ve done and seen things — though I can’t claim to have done it all. I’ve been to gay bathhouses before, but I am not a seasoned cruiser. Still, being in Japan, I wanted to have sex with a Japanese man. They have a reputation for being reserved, even xenophobic, and I’m not exactly getting younger or fitter. I don’t have an Instagrammable body. There’s a market for chubs, sure, but I’m not really a bear — culturally speaking — so I often slip between types and expectations.

I was chatting (negotiating?) with a Mexican guy on The Blowers, but he wasn’t Japanese. I wanted local cuisine. He mentioned that there were gay saunas near me — I was staying in Asakusa, near Sensō-ji Temple — and sure enough, Google confirmed that a 24 Kaikan sauna was just a three-minute walk from my hotel.

Their reputation: all bodies welcome and foreigner-friendly — not something you can take for granted in Japan, where some saunas cater only to young, gym-sculpted men.

So I had no excuse about missing the last train, which stops around midnight.

Anyway, I went. 24 Kaikan combines the meticulous rituals of a Japanese sentō or onsen (public bath) with the unspoken rules of a gay cruising space.

In Japan and Korea, bathhouse attendants sometimes tense up around foreigners, assuming we don’t understand the etiquette. I usually do, but every place has its quirks, and that can still unsettle them.

At reception, I was greeted by a kind older man who produced a laminated sheet — the Japanese do love laminating things — printed with key phrases in Japanese and English. He pointed to each, and I simply had to say “yes.”

“Do you know this is a gay sauna?” — Yes.
“Do you know it’s a cruising spot?” (phrased more politely) — Yes.
“Are you okay with cross-dressers?” — Yes.
“Do you know the price is 3,900 yen?” — I didn’t, but yes.

There were a few more questions, but I passed the test.

I was shown to a tiny shoe locker, whose number matched my main locker inside. I handed over the shoe key as collateral. Then I was given a small bag containing a yukata, ashort cotton robe, one large towel, and one small towel.

I started in the wet area — the actual bathhouse — to wash, soak, and take in the atmosphere. The steam rooms were pitch-black, almost theatrical, but no action seemed to happen there. I gathered that the bathing area is for cleansing, not cruising.

The action happens upstairs. 24 Kaikan also doubles as a capsule hotel, with private rooms, cruising zones, and even a bar.

One floor was set up as a ‘resting area’, with low mattresses and reclining chairs. Some men genuinely rested or slept, but others were more… active. Cross-dressers were especially popular — ‘Catwoman’ was in high demand — and their moans were straight out of a yaoi anime.

I went on a Saturday around 10:20 PM. The crowd skewed 30s to 50s, with a few silver-haired regulars. Two twinks arrived as I was leaving — perhaps after missing their last train.

Another floor resembled a more traditional play area, with dim partitions and mattresses. Someone was clearly being fingered — maybe fisted — judging by the soundtrack. Another was getting enthusiastically fucked.

Above that was a smoking lounge and chatting area, which I skipped; smoke gives me headaches, and I can’t hold a conversation in Japanese anyway. There was also a bar somewhere up there, but I didn’t go — for the same reason.

So I drifted between the floors where things were happening, hoping to get lucky. I made two proper attempts. The first time, I reached gently — and quite demonstratively — for a handsome man’s cock. He declined politely, and I apologised politely. Classic Japanese etiquette.

A bit later, I noticed someone who, even in the half-light, looked handsome and not too old. He’d just rejected another man, but I decided to try. Success. We sucked and jerked each other off. He wanted me to fuck him, but I can’t — certainly not with an audience. Still, we both finished happily.

He was unexpectedly affectionate afterwards, so I stayed a moment, offered a little aftercare, thanked him, and left. He followed soon after. In the brighter light, I saw that he was actually quite good-looking — maybe mid-40s or early 50s. He headed straight to the lockers and left. It made me oddly happy; two men, both satisfied with their small mission for the night.

So I achieved mine: to have sex with a Japanese man, in a local gay sauna, navigating all the subtle cultural codes on my own. Spoiler alert: I will have many other encounters with locals on this Journey Across Japan.

Only a few signs were translated, so most of the time I had to guess. Some of the English phrasing was unintentionally poetic:

“Gentlemen are asked to refrain from chewing gum and dye their hair.”
Or instructions for the towel centrifuge: “The towel is placed in the machine. The door is closed gently. The button is pushed.”

Always gentle. Never commanding.

I stayed just over an hour. I experienced what I came for — pun fully intended — and left satisfied.

24 Kaikan

24 Kaikan (２４会館), sometimes called 24 Kaizen and sometimes spelled 24Kaikan or 24Kaizen has three locations. Asakusa, where I went; Ueno; and Shinjuku.

It calls itself a ‘Member’s Hotel & Sauna 24’.

What others say about 24 Kaikan in Asakusa

24 Kaikan – Asakusa. 2-29-16 Asakusa, Taitō-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The Asakusa branch marks the original home of the 24 Kaikan gay sauna chain. As such, it shows its age: the facilities are older and a little worn compared with its newer counterparts. Staffing is minimal, and the standard of cleanliness can sometimes be inconsistent.

The clientele tends to be mature men and those who admire them. Most of the activity takes place in the wet area, while rooms can be rented for overnight stays. The sauna is open twenty-four hours a day, offering basic amenities such as a bar, steam room, dry sauna, and a few small cabins for rest. It has the feel of an old-fashioned, low-key cruising space rather than a modern spa.

John, writing on 22 February 2017 on TravelGay.com, found the experience underwhelming. He noted that entry after 9 PM. cost 2,900 yen (now 1,000 yen more) and that around eighty per cent of visitors were men over forty, many with larger bodies, while about twenty per cent were cross-dressers. According to him, there was no action in the wet area, and most Japanese guests seemed interested only in each other or in the cross-dressers. A young, fit Asian traveller, he felt unnoticed and found the layout confusing, with no English signage. The wet area, he said, was small and narrow, and the porn shown featured mostly bears. Although he appreciated the friendly front-desk staff and acceptable cleanliness, he concluded that the sauna was not worth the visit.

Forest, who visited on 25 March 2017, advised readers to give the place a miss. Arriving late on a Friday night, he found it almost empty, with several cross-dressers and what he described as an unfriendly atmosphere. A Japanese man told him that the clientele had declined over time.

Ken, reviewing on 17 February 2017, was equally brief: his advice was simply to take the train to Ueno, where another 24 Kaikan branch offers a better experience.

Despite its legacy as the first of the chain, the Asakusa 24 Kaikan now appeals mainly to those who prefer an older, quieter crowd and do not mind dated facilities or a modest setup. It remains open around the clock, but for most visitors, its charm lies more in nostalgia than excitement.

My take on these reviews

I understand and I follow these reviews. The facilities are tired. The clientele is on the older side and there are crossdressers. But 24 Kaikan Asakusa was so nearbiy my hotel I had no excuse not to go. Also, I feared not getting lucky in the other locations. Certainly 24 Kaikan in Shinjuku would be more competitive and I risked not scoring sex.

24 Kaikan Ueno

24 Kaikan – Ueno, 1-8-7 Ueno, Taitō-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The Ueno branch of 24 Kaikan may be smaller than its Shinjuku counterpart, but it is just as lively. It attracts a mainly middle-aged crowd, especially men with bigger or stockier builds — the classic bear or G-men types — along with those who appreciate them. The atmosphere is welcoming, relaxed, and popular with both locals and visitors.

Facilities include a dry sauna, steam room, mist room, and several communal baths offering different water temperatures. There is also a solarium, a video room, private cabins, and a common play area, alongside a bar, gym, and restaurant. Rooms are available for rent, and the venue is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It is also known for being friendly to foreign guests.

Mark C, writing on 2 February 2024, shared a warm experience, thanking a man named Hiro who intervened when another guest was following him. He praised Hiro’s kindness and smile, saying he hoped to meet him again.

Mike, who visited on 22 May 2023 during Golden Week, described his visit as “delectable.” He enjoyed the lively, mostly local crowd and noted that unlike the Shinjuku branch, he saw no Westerners. He added that the walk from Ueno Station was a bit less convenient but worth the effort, calling the sauna a “must experience.”

Guzhi, visiting on 6 February 2019, went on a Wednesday afternoon and found the venue cosy, clean, and full of bears and mature men — perfect, he said, for a chaser like himself. Though initially shy, he was soon approached by a “mature, stocky daddy,” which made his visit memorable.

Jack, who came on 29 May 2018, arrived around 7:30 PM. and found mostly older men, suggesting that the best time to go was between 4 and 6 PM.

Brian, writing on 4 April 2018, described the sauna as “really worth it.” In his sixties, he appreciated how tourist-friendly the environment was and said he felt completely at ease. He reported several enjoyable encounters with younger men and praised the friendly atmosphere.

Iriya, reviewing on 12 March 2018, admired the good-looking crowd, clean facilities, and generous smoking areas. He noted that while not as large as the Shinjuku branch, Ueno was still spacious, and weekends after 10 PM offered the best mix of people.

T, who stayed for two consecutive nights on 31 October 2017, found the experience gentle and affectionate. He enjoyed resting in the bunk area, where men would approach quietly and sometimes fall asleep together — a setting he described as sweet and intimate.

Brandon, writing on 3 June 2017, was more exuberant, calling it “heaven on earth” and “the best cruising place” he had ever been. He preferred Ueno to Shinjuku, finding the men here nicer and friendlier — “just shy at most times,” he wrote, “so be nice and smile.”

Overall, 24 Kaikan – Ueno is a dependable favourite among Tokyo’s gay saunas, known for its relaxed energy, diverse crowd, and consistent friendliness. It remains open around the clock, offering both comfort and connection in equal measure.

24 Kaikan Shinjuku

24 Kaikan Shinjuku, 2-13-1 Shinjuku Ni-chome, Tokyo, Japan. The Shinjuku branch of 24 Kaikan is Tokyo’s largest and most popular gay sauna, widely regarded as the city’s main cruising hub. Spanning eight floors, it offers a full range of facilities including a dry sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, solarium, video room, private cabins, snack room, and lockers. The rooftop features tanning beds and a cold bathtub, while most of the action takes place in the shared spaces, as the private cabins can be expensive to rent.

The sauna is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and welcomes foreign visitors (passports may be required). Upon arrival, guests remove their shoes, change into slippers, and purchase an entry ticket from a vending machine before handing it to reception. They receive a locker key and a small bag containing a robe and towel. Overnight rooms are also available for rent. The Shinjuku venue operates alongside its sister branches in Ueno and Asakusa.

Jon Stewart, writing on 16 March 2025, described his visit as “a great time.” A 69-year-old British traveller, he praised the extensive facilities and reasonable entry price of 3,300 yen. Despite his limited Japanese and the staff’s limited English, he found everyone friendly and welcoming.

David C, who reviewed the sauna on 4 March 2025, called it a “great place.” He visited on Monday afternoons and late on Saturday nights, noting that Saturdays were particularly lively, with queues to get in and men cruising through packed saunas and sleeping areas. He recommended late afternoon visits for newcomers and offered detailed tips on how to navigate the facilities, from shoe lockers to shower etiquette. He described meeting a variety of men—Japanese and foreign—and concluded that the venue was a “must for any gay tourist in Tokyo.”

Coa Castle visited on 9 January 2024 and reported “happy times” at 24 Kaikan Shinjuku. Arriving at 10:30 PM, he paid 3,900 yen for entry and described the process clearly: a shoe locker deposit of 10 yen, a key exchange at the desk, and a green bag with towels and a gown. He found the bathing area calm but observed more activity in the dimly lit upper floors, where men cruised and watched others. He called it an exciting experience and said he would return.

C.L., writing on 9 October 2023, also had a memorable late-night experience. After arriving around 1AM on a Saturday, he stayed until nearly 6 AM, describing a mix of locals and tourists and plenty of activity in the steam room and showers.

Kirk Kirk, reviewing on 25 September 2023, found the sauna “full of guys” when he visited on a Saturday evening. The crowd was diverse, mostly men in their thirties to fifties. He noted that entry cost 3,300 yen, rising to 3,900 yen after 9 PM, and that there was plenty of oral action in the steam room and sauna. He found the venue clean and enjoyable.

Guy André, who visited on 23 September 2023, called it a “very original Japanese-style sauna.” He praised its cleanliness, seven floors, and good mix of locals and foreigners, adding that at €19, it was great value for money.

Kazu Marzu, reviewing on 23 August 2023, complained about rising entry fees—now 3,900 yen compared to 2,500 yen in earlier years—and extra charges such as 600 yen for phone charging. He criticised the wet area’s cleanliness and described the smell as unpleasant.

John Johnson, writing on 20 August 2023, had made several visits and outlined the process clearly: 10 yen for shoe lockers, 3,300–3,900 yen for entry (good for up to 14 hours), and robe and towels provided. He described the second floor as home to the sauna, showers, and jacuzzi, with the third floor functioning as a dorm-style play area where encounters often began with feigned sleep. He noted that the clientele was mostly Japanese or Asian, with some foreigners, and that lube, condoms, and toys could be purchased at reception.

Across the many reviews, 24 Kaikan Shinjuku emerges as Tokyo’s quintessential gay sauna — a clean, busy, and well-equipped venue where locals and visitors of all types mix. With its open, friendly atmosphere and extensive facilities, it remains a must-visit destination for gay men exploring the city’s nightlife.

¥3,900

I had a some communication with Andrew or Meng of TokyoBTM about the price. They say ¥3,900 is steep for Japan. Indeed, salaries haven’t gone up in thirty or so years.

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