Get Ready for the BEAR-TRAIN 8th Anniversary Bash!
BEAR-TRAIN, one of Japan’s biggest and most popular bear parties will celebrate its eighth anniversary on July 6 with a party called “The Naked Bear” at the AiSOTOPE LOUNGE in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
“With 15 go-go boys, this is one of the biggest parties in Japan!” said event organizer DJ Takemi. Of those fifteen gogos, Bear World Magazine Award nominee Gogo Nao will be in attendance along with Gogo Hao whom we have previously featured in our Gogo Spotlight column. Sasuke, one of Japan’s hottest and most popular dancers will also be appearing to entice the crowd. And in a word – WOOF!
The secret to BEAR-TRAIN’s success has been its amazing cast of gogo dancers. Featuring gorgeous bears from throughout Asia, the boys draw in the crowds. “When we started Bear Train, there were no big, full-scale house music parties for bears in Japan” DJ Takemi told us. “It was quite difficult to cast the dancers without compromising. It is very unique and quite amazing that we had a cast of people from overseas and all over Japan who wanted to participate as dancers.” Eight years later and it’s still a recipe for success.
With respect to the venue, DJ Takemi specifically utilizes the AiSOTOPE LOUNGE because it has always been a champion for sexual minorities, and it is a way for him to give back to the club and honor the owner who has been a longtime colleague and friend to him and the event. Plus, it is said that they mix a mean cocktail and have some of the best staff on hand in Shinjuku.
As you might have assumed, in addition to organizing the event, Takemi also serves as the DJ. “I’ve been composing and making music since I was 12 years old, and I’ve been a DJ for 22 years now. I feel like I’ve finally figured out what kind of music I want to make. I still have a long way to though (laughs).”
Besides spinning at BEAR-TRAIN, DJ Takemi also spins at Eagle Tokyo (where Gogo Nao serves as bar manager) which, according to him, is the epicenter of Japanese bear culture along with Bear Train. Both attract big, international crowds of bears. Takemi explains that the Japanese definition of what a bear can be quite rigid with respect to beards and body types, but that too is gradually changing since people like him are embracing diversity within the bear community which, of course, we love to hear.
So, if you’re ever lucky enough to be in Tokyo during one of their events, we highly recommend you stop in on a Bear-Train party. Tell DJ Takemi, Bear World Mag sent you!
