COLUMNS

Osaka Celebrates Pride 2026!

Osaka Celebrates Pride 2026!

 

Every year, the month of June is increasingly recognized internationally as Pride Month, originating from the Stonewall Riots in New York in June 1969.

 

LGBTQ-pride-flag-osaka

While celebrating the diverse identities among the LGBTQ+ individuals, Pride Month sees parades and events around the world that also bring recognition to the need for equal rights and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month has recently gained momentum among Japanese companies and organizations as well.

The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB) proudly leads these efforts, being Japan’s first tourism office to launch a Pride campaign and has spearheaded initiatives in LGBTQ+ travel since 2018. This commitment was further cemented when Osaka hosted Asia's first-ever IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association) Global Convention in 2024. Couple with being chosen as one of New York Times "52 Places to Travel in 2025", Osaka is continuing to gain notoriety on the global stage. This year, the OCTB continues to celebrate Pride by supporting numerous Osaka organizations dedicated to recognizing and uplifting LGBTQ+ individuals, working together towards an even more inclusive Osaka.

 

What:

The OCTB strives to make Osaka a more welcoming destination for all travelers and recognizes the importance of Pride Month as an opportunity to raise understanding and recognition for the LGBTQ+ community. By working to create a more welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ travelers, the OCTB aims to make Osaka into Asia’s number one LGBTQ+-friendly city.

 

How:

This year for Pride, the OCTB has gathered information on Pride events and campaigns from organizations across Osaka. It is our goal to bring even more global attention to Osaka’s diversity and let the world know just how LGBTQ+-friendly Osaka is.

 

LGBTQ Downtown Logo.jpg

See more information on our LGBTQ+ tourism initiatives here:

 



2026 Pride Campaign Participating Partners

(in alphabetical order)

 

Events and Special Offers

CRYSTAL HOTEL

Hotel Universal Port / Hotel Universal Port Vita

InterContinental Hotel Osaka

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

Recognition and Support

Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi

Dorsett by Agora Osaka Sakai

Grand Cube Osaka (Osaka International Convention Center)

Izumisano City

Patina Osaka

THE OSAKA STATION HOTEL, Autograph Collection



Events and Special Offers

The below partners have special events and items available only during Pride Month!

 

CRYSTAL HOTEL

As part of CRYSTAL HOTEL’s support for the LGBTQ+ community, rainbow-themed decorations are displayed at the hotel entrance and guests will receive a small rainbow support keychain during check-in. Through staff training and hospitality initiatives, the hotel strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for all guests.

crystal1.jpg
crystal2.jpg

Hotel Universal Port / Hotel Universal Port Vita

In addition to displaying rainbow flags throughout the hotels, rainbow-themed cocktails inspired by the LGBTQ+ flag is available at Lounge R in Hotel Universal Port. The hotel is also conducting internal seminars to raise employee awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and improve customer service practices.

rainbowflag.jpg
lgbtqcocktail.png

InterContinental Hotel Osaka

Located on the 20th floor of the hotel, adee Lounge & Bar is offering a rainbow cocktail for the month of June.

intercontinetal1.JPG

 

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

Celebrate Pride Month at NAMBAR10, the hotel’s retro bar on the 10th floor, with the limited-edition "Frozen Rosé" cocktail. The bar is also hosting a number of Pride Month events including Drag Queen Bingo, Voguing Event, and more.

2605_Swissotel_Pride Cocktail.jpg
2605_Swissotel_Vouging.JPG


Recognition and Support

The below partners have openly declared support for the LGBTQ+ community!

 

Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi

Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi has displayed dedicated flags and banners in their front lobby, counter, and on each guest room floor. The hotel has also committed to promoting understanding and empathy among guests and business partners, providing training for staff, and installing gender-neutral restrooms.

IMG_6770 1.jpg
pride-best-western-lobby.jpeg

 

Dorsett by Agora Osaka Sakai

Striving to create an environment where all guests can feel comfortable and be themselves, staff are showing their support by wearing rainbow flag badges. Additionally, the candy bar has been decorated with rainbow colors.

dorsett2.jpeg
dorsett1.jpeg

Grand Cube Osaka (Osaka International Convention Center)

Located on Nakanoshima island, in the heart of Osaka, this conference facility has placed rainbow flags and LGBTQ+ promotional signage inside the building for any meeting and event attendee to feel welcome.

OICC_Pride-01.JPG

Izumisano City (Izumisano City Promotion Partnership)

As the air gateway to western Japan and home to Kansai International Airport, Izumisano City demonstrates its LGBTQ+-welcoming stance by displaying rainbow flags in its two major tourist information centers (Izumisano Machidokoro at Nankai Izumisano Station and Rinku Machidokoro at Nankai/JR Rinku Town Station), ensuring all travelers feel welcome upon arrival in Osaka.

pride-izumisano-1.jpg
pride-izumisano-2.jpg

 

Patina Osaka

“Happy Pride” messages and rainbow-themed visuals are being displayed via digital signage in addition to rainbow flags decorated throughout the property.


THE OSAKA STATION HOTEL, Autograph Collection

This hotel is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where every guest and staff member feels respected, valued, and free to be themselves. To visibly express this commitment and warmly welcome guests from around the world, rainbow-colored decorations are featured at "WATER STATION" in the lobby on the 29th floor.

osakastationhotel_01.jpg
osakastationhotel_02.jpg

 

 

 

PAGE TOP