Travel Guides
Japan Karaoke Guide
Private Rooms · Chains · Costs · English Songs
Karaoke (カラオケ) was invented in Japan in 1971 and has since evolved into one of the country's most beloved social activities. Unlike the Western open-stage format, Japanese karaoke means renting a private room with your friends or colleagues — nobody judges you, the drinks flow freely, and the song library spans every genre from J-pop classics to the latest Taylor Swift albums. It's an unmissable cultural experience.
How Private Room Karaoke Works
Walk in or book online
Most chains accept walk-ins. For weekend evenings in busy areas, booking via the chain's app is wise. Tell the front desk: number of people and how many hours you want.
Choose your room and plan
Select room size, duration, and whether to add a nomihodai (unlimited drink) plan. Rooms come in sizes: solo, 2–4 people, 5–8 people, large party.
Pay upfront or on exit
Some chains charge upfront, others on exit. Keep your receipt — it shows your room expiry time. Front desk will give you a key or escort you to your room.
Browse and queue songs
Use the touchscreen tablet or handheld remote to search songs by title, artist, or genre. Songs queue up automatically. You can add multiple songs at once.
Order food and drinks
Use the in-room phone or tablet to order from the menu. Staff deliver directly to your room door. If you have nomihodai, order as many drinks as you like.
Extend if needed
When your time is almost up, the screen will show a countdown. Call the front desk or press the extension button to add another 30 or 60 minutes — subject to room availability.
Best Karaoke Chains for Tourists
Joysound (ジョイサウンド)
★★★★★The most tourist-friendly chain. Joysound system has the largest English-language library including recent Western hits and K-pop. App available in English. Locations throughout Japan.
💰 ¥400–¥800/h daytime · ¥700–¥1,500/h evening
💡 Download the Joysound app before your trip to queue songs from your phone.
Big Echo (ビッグエコー)
★★★★☆DAM music system, stylish room designs, and an excellent food & drink menu. Party rooms can get large and festive. Strong Japanese pop catalogue.
💰 ¥500–¥900/h daytime · ¥800–¥1,600/h evening
💡 Great option if your group wants a full food experience alongside singing.
Karaoke-kan (カラオケ館)
★★★★☆The Shinjuku branch appears in the film "Lost in Translation." Excellent song library, clean rooms, and reasonable prices. A great choice for movie fans.
💰 ¥450–¥750/h daytime · ¥750–¥1,400/h evening
💡 The Shinjuku branch at 1-9-1 Kabukicho is the famous one.
Manekineko (まねきねこ)
★★★★☆Known for very affordable nomihodai plans. Popular with students and young groups. Rooms are functional rather than stylish but prices are hard to beat.
💰 ¥300–¥600/h daytime · ¥600–¥1,100/h evening
💡 Their unlimited soft drink plan (¥350–¥500/h) is excellent for non-drinkers.
Karaoke Cost Breakdown
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room rate (daytime) | ¥400–¥800 / person / hour | Before 6 PM; Mon–Fri usually cheaper |
| Room rate (evening) | ¥700–¥1,500 / person / hour | After 6 PM, weekends, holidays |
| Nomihodai (unlimited drinks) | ¥800–¥1,500 / person for 2h | Includes beer, highball, cocktails, soft drinks |
| Nomisho (soft drink nomihodai) | ¥350–¥600 / person for 2h | Non-alcoholic only option |
| Single drinks ordered | ¥300–¥600 each | Beer, cocktails, juice — listed on room menu |
| Food items | ¥300–¥800 per dish | Pizza, fries, edamame, karaage chicken, desserts |
| Minimum charge | 30 minutes | Most chains bill in 30-minute increments |
English Song Availability
All major chains have extensive English catalogues. Joysound and DAM systems both cover the following:
Search tip:Enter the artist or song title in English using the touchscreen keyboard. Select "English" or "洋楽" (western music) filter if available. New releases may not be available immediately — typically 2–6 months after a song charts.
Solo Karaoke (一人カラオケ)
Going karaoke alone (hitori karaoke) is completely normal and even popular in Japan. Many chains offer special solo rooms sized for one person.
Hitokara (ヒトカラ)
The common term for solo karaoke. Search online for "ヒトカラ" + your city to find solo-friendly venues.
Room fee
Solo pricing is typically the same per-person rate as groups — you only pay for yourself, so it's very affordable.
Benefits
Choose every song yourself, no waiting. Perfect for practising a song, stress-relief, or simply enjoying your favourite artist.
Peak hours
Weekday afternoons (2–5 PM) are best for solo: cheaper rates and more rooms available without booking.
Insider Tips for First-Timers
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Say "nani-nin desu ka?" (何人ですか？) — staff will ask how many people you have. Hold up fingers if needed.
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For time, say "ni-jikan" (2 hours) or "ichi-jikan" (1 hour). Many staff in tourist areas speak basic English.
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The score at the end of each song is just for fun — it shows pitch accuracy and timing, not overall quality.
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Tambourines, maracas, and other small percussion instruments are often available in the room to use for free.
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Late-night packages ("free time" / フリータイム) after midnight at some chains offer unlimited hours at a flat rate.
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Bring cash — some chains do not accept foreign credit cards at the room ordering system, though the front desk usually does.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does karaoke work in Japan?+
Japanese karaoke is almost always done in private rooms rented by the hour. You pay at the front desk, get escorted to your room, and use a tablet or remote to search songs. A phone by the door lets you order food and drinks. There is no audience — just your group.
How much does karaoke cost in Japan?+
Typical daytime rates: ¥400–¥700 per person per hour. Evening and weekend rates: ¥700–¥1,500 per person per hour. Unlimited drink plans (nomihodai) add ¥800–¥1,500 per person for 2 hours.
Do Japanese karaoke rooms have English songs?+
Yes — all major chains have thousands of English-language songs. Joysound and DAM systems include songs from Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The Beatles, BTS, anime theme songs, and many more.
Can you drink alcohol at karaoke in Japan?+
Yes. Most establishments serve beer, highballs, cocktails, and soft drinks. Many offer nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) plans. Food menus typically include pizza, fries, takoyaki, edamame, and desserts.
What is the best karaoke chain for tourists?+
Joysound and Big Echo are recommended for tourists. Joysound has the best English-friendly interface and large English song library. Karaoke Kan in Shinjuku is famous for appearing in Lost in Translation.
Is solo karaoke acceptable in Japan?+
Absolutely. Solo karaoke (hitori karaoke / hitokara) is completely normal and popular. Most chains offer solo rooms. You pay the same per-person hourly rate, but you have the room to yourself and can sing every song.
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