Insight about hook ups/dating in Japan.
I received quite a bit of DMs from a previous post I made about Japan. Some people who had previously visited Japan said they had no luck in the gay scene or hookup scene in Japan and I just wanted to give some insight to people who may have similar question/curiousities.
So, in Japan (specifically) image is kind of everything here. So being thin or being muscular/lean muscle are the 2 main body types Japanese guys are attracted to. Also, if you're not fashionable or don't have a trendy style then you might get passed over. A lot Japanese guys care about how the person they are with looks alongside them, so that's why I said that image is everything.
Also, in the gay scene, having short hair is the "gay style", here. Most guys who have longer hair or mid length hair tend to be straight guys (interesting right?)
Heavy perfumes are a turnoff for a lot of Japanese guys.
So just go with unscented deodorants or something with very faint scents.
Most of the time if you're a foreigner you won't be first priority unless maybe you're white. And if you're not white, but handsome, then you'll be fine. If you're of another Asian ethnicity, then they might be fine talking with you, but I've had friends say that once they reveal their country of origin, they have either gotten blocked or ghosted, so just keep that in mind.
And if you're not handsome then you should either have one of the body types I mentioned above.
Also if you're a foreigner, you're more than likely going to be assumed to be a top by default, don't ask me why that is, I have no clue why. But most Japanese gay men I think may have a complex about topping someone that they feel is bigger than they are.
Also there has been rumor/stereotype that there aren't that many tops in places likes Tokyo,Osaka, etc.. and most big cities have the most bottoms.
If anyone has any other questions feel free to put them down below!
Posted Jun 30, 2026, 2:52 AM UTC