dista

dista is a drop-in community and sexual-health space for gay and bisexual men, on the fourth floor of a building in Doyama-cho, the gay bar district of Kita Ward, Osaka. It is run by the NPO MASH Osaka and has operated since 2002. It offers free HIV and STI information, condoms, testing referrals and a quiet place to meet people. It opens on selected evenings only, so check the current schedule before going. Information is mostly in Japanese, though staff can usually help with basics. It is a useful starting point before exploring the bars around it.