GMPD travel advice for a first time traveler to Japan

[freis]

Hello! Thank you for checking this out and offering any and all experiences, tips, and guides. 

I'm a first time traveler going to Tokyo, Japan for 2 weeks wanting to explore the GMPD culture there. Here are some facts about myself:

• 29
• Only knows English, but learning basic phrases and words
• 'P' in the GMPD community
•  Want to experience clubs, saunas, and cruise areas
•  Bottom but more emphasis on oral

Some things I'd like to learn from other people's experiences/opinions are:

• Places to buy Jockstraps & Spats? Or are they mainly online only?
• Apps to use? I mainly use growlr + sniffies
• clubs, saunas, and cruise area recommendations? 
• What level of Japanese would be enough to explore these spaces?
• I'll be traveling to Osaka for 3-4 days if there's anything there worth exploring

 

Thank you again and hope to gain any wisdom for y'all!

[floridarob]

General Motors Parts Division ?

I really had to Google it 🙄

[khaolakguy]

16 minutes ago, floridarob said:

General Motors Parts Division ?

I really had to Google it 🙄

Well you could have shared the result! I have googled as well and the result is:

Quote

Acronym for a gay men body type which originated from Japan. It's similar to bears in America.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=GMPD

 

 Although I can't work out what this means, perhaps like a chubby chaser........

6 hours ago, freis said:

'P' in the GMPD community

Anyway thanks Freis for giving us new things to learn. Unfortunately I have no information with which to help you although I expect someone here has. Also try searching the Japan forum, there is a very good search engine at the top of the page.

Safe travels and have fun!

[freis]

4 hours ago, floridarob said:

General Motors Parts Division ?

I really had to Google it 🙄

Sorry! I should've included it in my post 🫣

GMPD is an acronym in the Japanese gay community for body types: Gacchiri (muscular/well-built), Mucchiri (plump/voluptuous), Pocchari (chubby), and Debu (large/fat). It's used to categorize and describe different masculine or husky physiques, often within the bear subculture

[freis]

4 hours ago, khaolakguy said:

Well you could have shared the result! I have googled as well and the result is:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=GMPD

 

 Although I can't work out what this means, perhaps like a chubby chaser........

Anyway thanks Freis for giving us new things to learn. Unfortunately I have no information with which to help you although I expect someone here has. Also try searching the Japan forum, there is a very good search engine at the top of the page.

Safe travels and have fun!

Sorry! I forgot to include the meaning of the acronym in my post

GMPD is an acronym in the Japanese gay community for body types: Gacchiri (muscular/well-built), Mucchiri (plump/voluptuous), Pocchari (chubby), and Debu (large/fat). It's used to categorize and describe different masculine or husky physiques, often within the bear subculture.

Appreciate you, thank you! I've looked around and didn't see any specific mention of this sorta thing and hoped maybe someone else might have any clue about it if this, I'll read through other posts that come close though.

[Travelingguy]

I don’t have anything for the GMPD thing, but Japan is weird about you bringing someone to your hotel room.

Google guest-friendly hotels when trying to decide where to stay.  It might make the difference between having a good time and being very disappointed about missed opportunities. 

[Keithambrose]

3 hours ago, Travelingguy said:

I don’t have anything for the GMPD thing, but Japan is weird about you bringing someone to your hotel room.

Google guest-friendly hotels when trying to decide where to stay.  It might make the difference between having a good time and being very disappointed about missed opportunities. 

When I stated in business  class hotels in Tokyo,  I never had an issue.

[FunFifties]

I was in Tokyo recently. Visited 24 Kaikan Shinjuku 3 times. Had loads of fun. Thanks to @joizy s excellent reporting, I knew excactly where to go when I had time for myself. So check his reviews out in this section and be inspired

[joizy]

1 minute ago, FunFifties said:

I was in Tokyo recently. Visited 24 Kaikan Shinjuku 3 times. Had loads of fun. Thanks to @joizy s excellent reporting, I knew excactly where to go when I had time for myself. So check his reviews out in this section and be inspired

Glad you had a good time! I'm planning on returning in a few months. 

[joizy]

8 hours ago, Travelingguy said:

I don’t have anything for the GMPD thing, but Japan is weird about you bringing someone to your hotel room.

Google guest-friendly hotels when trying to decide where to stay.  It might make the difference between having a good time and being very disappointed about missed opportunities. 

I stayed at the Apa hotel in Ginza and Tokyu Stay in Nishishinjuku and didn't have any problems. There was a sign at the Apa saying unregistered guests were not permitted, but I just met my friends outside and then walked in with them and got on the elevator together - people at the desk were always too busy to notice. Same in Kyoto - no problem. Last time I had an Airbnb and again, no issues with guests (though some Airbnb listings make a point of saying no guests and making it sound pretty scary if you break the rule). I think there may be issues in some hotels and Airbnbs, but not all. I doubt any hotels will say they are "guest-friendly".

[Keithambrose]

12 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

When I stated in business  class hotels in Tokyo,  I never had an issue.

Sorry, bloody predictive txt.   "stayed"

[PeterRS]

On 12/16/2025 at 3:08 AM, Travelingguy said:

I don’t have anything for the GMPD thing, but Japan is weird about you bringing someone to your hotel room.

Having lived in Tokyo for a couple of years and visited at least 70 times before and after, i have never once had any problem bringing a guest to a room. Same with friends who have visited. And this covers almost all types of hotel from 5-star deluxe (paid by client) to 2-star tiny business hotel. This includes hainvg guys stay overnight.