You Don’t Have to Sing in Public! The Beginner’s Guide to Japanese “Karaoke Boxes”
When you hear “Karaoke,” you probably imagine a crowded bar, a stage, and a drunk stranger booing you while you try to sing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Terrifying, right?
But in Japan (the birthplace of Karaoke!), it is completely different. Here, we don’t sing in front of strangers. We go to “Karaoke Boxes.”
It’s a private, soundproof room just for you and your friends. You can order pizza, drink cocktails, wear costumes, and sing as badly as you want because nobody else can hear you.
It is the ultimate stress relief. But the reception desk can be confusing. As your friend, here is your step-by-step guide to booking your own private concert hall.
Step 1: Finding a Place (Look for the Big Blue Signs)
You will see giant neon signs everywhere. The big chains are safe bets:
- Big Echo
- Karaoke Kan (Famous from the movie “Lost in Translation”)
- Joysound
- Manekineko (Look for the cute cat logo)
Walk in and go to the front desk.
Step 2: The Reception Interview (Don’t Panic)
The staff will ask you a few questions. It happens fast, so here is your cheat sheet:
- “How many people?” (Show with your fingers).
- “How long?” (1 hour? 2 hours? Or “Free Time”?).
- Friend’s Tip: “Free Time” doesn’t mean it’s free ($0). It means “Unlimited Time” for a fixed price (usually until 5 AM). If you plan to stay for more than 3 hours, pick this!
- “One Drink Order?”
- Most places require you to order at least one drink per person.
- OR, you can choose “Nomihoudai” (All-You-Can-Drink). If you want to party, this is the best value.
- “Which Machine?” (DAM or Joysound?)
- They might ask “DAM or Joysound?” These are the two rival karaoke systems.
- The Answer: Pick “Joysound.” It generally has a slightly better selection of English/International songs.
Step 3: Into the Box
The staff will give you a room number and a slip of paper (your bill). Walk to your room. Inside, you’ll find:
- A big TV screen.
- Two microphones.
- A tablet controller.
- Tambourines and Maracas (Yes, really. Use them!).
Step 4: How to Pick Songs (The Tablet)
Don’t worry, the tablet controller usually has an “English” button on the main screen. Tap it. Now you can search by:
- Artist (e.g., Queen, Taylor Swift, BTS)
- Song Title
- Ranking (See what other people are singing)
Tap “Enter” or “Reserve,” and your song will be added to the queue. When the music starts… GO WILD.
Step 5: Ordering Food (The Phone)
Karaoke food is surprisingly good. Pizza, fries, takoyaki, parfaits… it’s all there. You can order directly from the tablet, or there might be a phone on the wall. If you chose “All-You-Can-Drink,” keep those beers coming!
Step 6: Extending or Leaving
10 minutes before your time is up, the phone on the wall will ring. It’s the staff calling to say: “10 minutes left. Do you want to extend?”
- Say “Extension, please” (Encho please) to stay longer.
- Say “No, finish” to leave.
Take your bill (the slip of paper) to the front desk and pay on your way out.
Why You MUST Do It
Japanese Karaoke is safe, clean, and incredibly fun. It’s where Japanese people show their true selves. You might think, “I’m not a singer.” Trust me. After one drink and a tambourine in your hand, you are a singer.
It’s the perfect rainy day activity, or the best way to end a night out in Tokyo.
Want to experience Karaoke but afraid to go alone? Or want to find the unique “Concept Karaoke” bars (like ones with cosplay or instruments)? Our nightlife tours often end with a karaoke session. Come sing with us! We promise not to judge your high notes.
