"NINJA cafe*" on the 2nd floor of Ochiai Building in Yamagata's Koshocho is one of the city's few explicitly LGBTQ+-only bars, billing itself as "gay and lesbian only." A short walk from Yamagata Station, it's a low-key safe space the local queer community keeps returning to.

Women Welcome

Gay Bar

XXB (Chome Chome Bar)

Yamagata City

A gay and okama bar near Yamagata Station. Open from 9 PM with a popular 60-minute all-you-can-drink plan for 2,200 yen. Enjoy karaoke and darts in a homey atmosphere that welcomes everyone regardless of gender. A rare spot where you can casually experience Yamagata's LGBTQ+ culture.

Women Welcome

Gay Bar

Juku

Yamagata City

"Juku" (十九) is a gay bar at 1-19 Sakuracho in Yamagata City — a small, local spot and one of the few gay venues in town aimed at a regular crowd. The vibe is relaxed and homey enough that even first-timers in Yamagata tend to settle in fast.