Karaoke in Japan

A trip to Japan is simply not complete without a visit to one of the many karaoke bars or boxes available. You have not sampled karaoke properly until you have tried it the way it was meant to be experienced.

Karaoke is one of the main social activities of Japanese adults, especially businessmen or “salarymen”. These men visit “lounge” or “snack” bars after work, drink for hours, and divulge their worries and concerns to the women at hand. In between, they sing their favourite tunes at which the women clap enthusiastically, regardless of talent.

But karaoke is much more than just businessmen loosening their ties. The bars are popular with people from all walks of life. It is a staple form of entertainment.

Many karaoke bars are open 24 hours. You hire a room with a group of friends for around $12 per person per hour. This sometimes features an all-you-can-drink or an all-you-can-eat deal.

Participants are guided to their own room, which is kitted out with all the karaoke paraphernalia necessary, such as microphones, TV, video/karaoke machine and sometimes tambourines and maracas for friends to accompany the singer.

Rooms vary in size and style. Cheaper places tend to be bare walled and basic but they can get very colourful indeed. The TV and karaoke equipment will be at one end, with seats along the sides and a table in the middle. Food and drinks can be ordered by phone.

With just you and your friends in a room, it is far more private than karaoke in other countries which usually involves a DJ and a bar full of strangers, and hence is a lot more fun.

Many places in Japan have a good selection of songs. While the songbooks bulge with Beatles tunes, they also have a surprising number of new British and American songs too. Although Japanese people usually sing Japanese songs, they do love to have a go at a Western number from time to time, and especially if there is a Westerner present.