King of College Since

King of College since 1977: Tokyo’s long-running gay host bar and escort service

King of College since 1977 is a gay host bar and professional male escort service located on the second floor of the Sakagami Building at 2-14-5 Shinjuku, in the heart of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ni-chōme district. Founded in 1977, it belongs to a distinctly Japanese corner of gay nightlife where drinking, conversation and paid companionship come together under one roof. This is not a conventional neighbourhood bar where visitors casually mingle with other customers, and it is not a nightclub with a dance floor. Men come here primarily to meet the establishment’s male hosts and, if they wish, arrange additional time with one of them.

The venue is intended for adult male customers. According to its official information, women and men who are not seeking its gay male services cannot use the service. International visitors are accepted, and the business provides an English-language website explaining the principal options, prices and rules. Nevertheless, spoken English may depend on which manager or host is working, so contacting the establishment beforehand is sensible if you do not speak Japanese. A translation application can also prevent an evening of flirtatious smiles from becoming an unnecessarily complicated administrative meeting.

Guests can visit the bar, order a drink and look through the available hosts’ profiles. Some hosts may be present at the venue, while others can be selected from photographs and requested by arrangement. The official website currently advertises a basic bar charge of ¥1,700, including one drink. Spending time drinking with a chosen host involves an additional table charge calculated in 15-minute intervals. Customers may simply have a drink and leave if they do not meet anyone who interests them; choosing an escort is not compulsory.

King of College also offers paid companionship outside the bar. Depending on availability and the selected service, a customer may leave with a host, arrange a meeting in one of the company’s nearby private rooms or request an out-call visit to a suitable hotel. These options carry separate fees that vary according to duration, location and the chosen host. Anyone considering them should confirm the complete price, supplements, transport charges and permitted services directly with the manager before agreeing. The venue publishes a detailed pricing system, but online information can change and should never replace a clear confirmation on the day.

The establishment sets explicit rules intended to protect customers and workers. Photography and video recording are prohibited, personal contact details must not be exchanged, and meetings outside the official booking system are forbidden. Consent, safer-sex requirements and each host’s personal limits must be respected without negotiation. Illegal drugs and sexual activity in public places are prohibited. Visitors should read the current conditions carefully rather than assuming that practices advertised by unrelated venues are available here.

King of College is in Shinjuku Ni-chōme, Tokyo’s best-known gay district, a short walk from Shinjuku-sanchōme Station. Its central location makes it easy to visit before or after exploring the neighbourhood’s many tiny gay bars. The entrance is upstairs, and the atmosphere is more intimate and service-oriented than that of a large entertainment venue. Discretion is an important part of the operation.

Official information currently lists opening hours from 4 pm to 1 am every day. Hours, host availability and prices can change, particularly around holidays, so checking the official website or contacting the venue before visiting is recommended. Reservations are particularly useful if you have a specific host or an English-speaking manager in mind.

For gay men curious about Japan’s host and escort culture, King of College offers a highly specialised experience with an unusually long history. Visit with a clear understanding of the concept, ask about every charge before proceeding and respect the boundaries of the men working there. This is paid professional companionship, not an ordinary pick-up bar—and knowing that before walking upstairs will make the experience much smoother.