Covering just three square blocks, the famed Shinjuku Ni-chome gayborhood must have the world's highest density of LGBT bars packed in to its few streets and alleys. Most of the bars aren't much bigger than the quarters at a "capsule hotel," usually

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Covering just three square blocks, the famed Shinjuku Ni-chome gayborhood must have the world's highest density of LGBT bars packed in to its few streets and alleys. Most of the bars aren't much bigger than the quarters at a "capsule hotel," usually consisting of a bar counter and enough space for a few people to stand. Estimates of the number of bars ricochet from as few as 50 to upwards of 300. Crammed into every corner and onto every floor of three- to seven-story buildings, with ladders of neon signs climbing up the outsides, there's a bar for every interest, sub set, and persuasion. Bars tend to be strictly for their target market. Women are not allowed in the majority of gay bars, and men are not permitted into the few lesbian bars. At street level, you'll find restaurants, cafés, stores, saunas, hotels, hustler dens, and a Shinto shrine.

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