How to Enjoy Karaoke: The Ultimate Guide to Singing Your Heart Out in Japan
Karaoke once a week has become an indispensable pleasure for me. When I grab the microphone and passionately sing my favorite songs, I feel the daily fatigue and worries disappear.
However, when I invite my foreign friends, I often hear responses like "Japanese lyrics seem difficult" or "I'm embarrassed to sing in front of everyone."
Indeed, karaoke is a unique Japanese culture and might seem intimidating for first-timers. But once you discover its charm, you'll surely be hooked.
In this article, I, a karaoke enthusiast, will introduce tips for foreign visitors to fully enjoy karaoke.
Experience the joy of singing at karaoke, overcoming language barriers and cultural differences!
Table of Contents
・What is Karaoke?
・Where Can You Enjoy Karaoke?
・Three Ways to Enjoy Karaoke, Taught by Japanese
・Frequently Asked Questions About Karaoke
What is Karaoke?
Karaoke is an entertainment culture originating from Japan, now enjoyed worldwide. "Kara" means empty, and "oke" is short for orchestra, meaning singing along with just the accompaniment.
For Japanese people, karaoke is not just a place for singing, but plays an important role as a stress reliever, a place for socializing with friends, and even as a means of self-expression on social media.
Basic Karaoke Equipment and How to Use It
When you enter a karaoke room, the first things that catch your eye are the large screen and control panel. By mastering these devices, you can fully enjoy the essence of karaoke. Let's look at the details of each equipment.
Microphone
The essence of karaoke is, of course, holding a microphone and singing. Each room is usually equipped with two or more microphones, accommodating duets and larger groups. Recent microphones are high-performance, allowing even beginners to sing with beautiful sound quality.
Touch Panel
The touch panel is used to select songs. The latest systems allow efficient searching by song title, artist name, as well as by era and genre.
What's great for foreigners is that you can choose English display. Even if you can't read Japanese, you can easily find your favorite songs.
Key Control
One of the charms of karaoke is being able to adjust the key of the song to suit your vocal range. You can adjust up or down in half-tone increments, allowing you to comfortably sing high-pitched songs that you normally couldn't by lowering the key.
Conversely, you might raise the key to make the most of your voice. Thanks to this function, the joy of being able to sing like a professional singer is exceptional.
Echo Adjustment
Echo is also essential in karaoke. You can easily set it from the karaoke machine or touch panel according to the size of the room and your preference.
By adding an appropriate echo, your voice resonates beautifully, making you feel like you're singing in a concert hall. I prefer a slightly stronger echo, which makes me feel like my singing skills have improved.
Video
One of the thrills of karaoke is the video that plays along with the song. Basically, it's original karaoke video, but for popular songs and new releases, music videos might be played.
Lyrics are displayed on the screen, so even those who struggle with Japanese can sing with confidence.
Time-Based System (Karaoke Box)
Karaoke boxes generally adopt a time-based system. It's common to choose in 30-minute units, with most people booking for 2 or 3 hours.
I recommend the free-time plan where you can sing as much as you want within a specified time. This way, you can keep singing to your heart's content without worrying about time.
You need to be careful about the fee system. Generally, rates are higher at night than during the day. Also, during long holiday seasons like New Year's, rates may be higher than usual.
When I was a student, I often used karaoke during cheaper daytime hours. Even now, when I go to karaoke with friends, I try to choose the most affordable time slots.
About Karaoke Machine Types
There are mainly two types: DAM and JOYSOUND. DAM is known for its good sound quality in karaoke, with some songs having live performance sound sources. On the other hand, JOYSOUND has a rich selection of songs, especially anime songs and Western music.
I've used both types of machines, and each has its strengths. When I sing with DAM, I feel like my voice sounds more beautiful, boosting my confidence. Meanwhile, JOYSOUND is useful when I want to enjoy various genres of songs due to its wide selection.
Especially when I go with foreign friends, I often choose JOYSOUND for its wider selection of Western songs.
Where Can You Enjoy Karaoke?
There are various places to enjoy karaoke, suitable for everyone from beginners to experts. By knowing the characteristics of each, you can have the best karaoke experience that suits you.
Recommended for Beginners: Karaoke Box
The greatest charm of a karaoke box is that you can sing to your heart's content in a soundproof private room. You can immerse yourself in your own world without worrying about others.
There are various types of rooms, from small rooms for two people to large rooms that can accommodate more than 20 people. They cater to various uses, from friend gatherings to company drinking parties and birthday celebrations.
Many stores offer all-you-can-drink plans or drink bars, allowing you to keep your throat moist while singing for long hours. My favorite is a plan that combines all-you-can-drink with free time. I can sing, drink, sing again... and enjoy without worrying about time.
Also, many stores operate late night or until morning, with some stores available 24 hours after the last train or after work. When I was a student, I sometimes sang with friends until morning. Now it's a nostalgic memory.
Recommended major karaoke box chains include Manekineko, Karaoke-kan, Big Echo, Utahiroba (in the metropolitan area), and Jankara (in Kansai). All these stores have well-equipped facilities and are safe for beginners to use.
I often use these stores myself, and each has its own characteristics that make them enjoyable. For example, Manekineko's attraction is its relatively reasonable pricing, which I often used during my student days.
Karaoke Snack Bar
The charm of karaoke snack bars is, above all, the support from the "mama" or master. Getting advice on song selection and singing techniques is very helpful for beginners.
Interacting with regular customers is also one of the pleasures. There are opportunities to meet people of various ages and professions, and you might have unexpected encounters and discoveries even if you don't understand Japanese.
In terms of equipment, some places have professional-grade sound systems, allowing you to experience a genuine stage feeling. Once, when I sang at a karaoke snack bar with sound equipment like a live house, I felt like I had become a professional singer.
Moreover, the unique atmosphere of karaoke snack bars is also attractive. You can experience something out of the ordinary with retro interiors and lighting. For foreigners, it might feel like a space that gives a sense of a foreign country.
I sometimes take my friends from overseas to karaoke snack bars, and they always enjoy it, saying "It feels like being in a movie."
Karaoke Experience at Home
You can enjoy karaoke at home using Apple Music features or dedicated apps. I myself was obsessed with practicing karaoke at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are apps that display lyrics on the screen and even have scoring functions, allowing for serious practice.
The good thing about karaoke at home is that you can sing as much as you want, whenever you want, without worrying about others. You can work on practicing new songs or difficult high notes at your own pace. It's also fun to invite family or friends for a home party.
However, when enjoying karaoke at home, don't forget to be considerate of your neighbors.
Three Ways to Enjoy Karaoke, Taught by Japanese
Karaoke is not just about singing songs; there are various ways to enjoy it. I'll introduce you to the ways Japanese people have developed to enjoy karaoke over the years. Knowing these will definitely make karaoke more fun.
Theme-Based Karaoke Parties
One way to enjoy karaoke more fun and creatively is through theme-based karaoke parties. This involves selecting songs according to a specific theme and getting excited together.
I particularly love anime song-only karaoke parties. Singing the theme songs of anime I watched as a child makes me feel nostalgic and emotional. It's really enjoyable to gather with friends, each singing their memorable songs, and sharing stories from those times.
Themes that focus on specific decades like the 90s or genres like J-POP are also popular. When I sing 90s songs, we get excited remembering our school days. When we limit it to J-POP, we can rediscover the richness of Japanese music culture.
Impersonation contests are also a staple of karaoke parties. Singing while impersonating famous singers is a way for even those who aren't good at singing to enjoy themselves.
Scoring Battles
One of the thrills of karaoke is battling using the scoring function. Competing for points with friends or family makes karaoke even more exciting.
The latest karaoke machines are equipped with high-performance scoring functions. They comprehensively judge pitch, rhythm, volume, and other factors to give a score. It's typically scored out of 100 points, and if you score over 90 points, you can be considered quite advanced.
In my experience, scoring battles really liven things up. Once, at a company drinking party, we had a scoring battle where a usually quiet colleague surprised everyone by singing an unexpected masterpiece and getting a high score. I remember that day brought us closer.
The charm of scoring battles is that it's not just about singing ability, but also about the sense of song selection. Do you aim for a high score with a song you're good at, or do you choose a song everyone knows to liven up the atmosphere? Strategy is also important. I often aim for high scores with anime songs or popular J-POP hits.
Enjoying Food and Drinks
Karaoke is not just about enjoying singing, but food and drinks are also important elements. Many karaoke shops offer extensive food menus and drinks, allowing you to enjoy it almost like a restaurant.
The menus at karaoke shops are very diverse, ranging from light snacks to full meals. They have everything from standard snacks like French fries and pizza to more substantial dishes like pasta, and some places even offer ramen.
The drink menu is also extensive, with a wide selection from soft drinks to alcoholic beverages. Many shops offer all-you-can-drink plans, which are perfect for enjoying for long hours.
More people are using karaoke as a dining venue. It's not uncommon to choose karaoke for meals with friends or small drinking parties.
I sometimes stop by a karaoke place with colleagues after work, enjoying a light meal while singing. It's killing two birds with one stone - releasing work stress while enjoying delicious food.
Frequently Asked Questions About Karaoke
There are several points that many people wonder about when enjoying karaoke. Here, I'll share the problems I've actually experienced and overcome, along with their solutions.
I Often Sing Off-Key in Karaoke, What Should I Do?
Singing off-key is a problem many people face. I also had this concern at first. One possible cause is that the key might not be suitable for you. Karaoke machines have a key adjustment function, so try adjusting it to match your vocal range.
In my case, I realized that the key of songs I usually listen to doesn't necessarily suit my voice. I was surprised to find that slightly lowering or raising the key can make singing much easier.
Furthermore, it's good to refer to the pitch bar displayed on the screen in karaoke. By singing while watching this pitch bar, you can visually confirm the height of your voice, and gradually develop a sense of pitch.
It's My First Time Going to Karaoke, What Should I Prepare?
Your first karaoke experience might make you a bit nervous, but you don't need any special preparation. However, there are a few points to keep in mind.
First, I recommend going to one of the major karaoke box chains introduced in this article. Their facilities are well-equipped and systems are easy to understand, making them safe for beginners.
If there's anything to prepare in advance, deciding on the duration of your visit and the songs you want to sing will make things smoother. About 2-3 hours is appropriate. Also, it's good to think of a few favorite songs or songs you're good at.
Lastly, the most important thing is to have a mindset to enjoy. There's no need to worry if you can't sing well. Karaoke is simply a place for enjoyment.
At first, I was embarrassed to sing in front of others and my voice would become small, but I gradually got used to it and started to enjoy it. Approach it with a spirit of having fun to the fullest.
Can I Sing Songs Other Than J-POP?
Of course, you can sing many songs other than J-POP. The song lineup in karaoke is very extensive, with songs from various genres available.
K-POP is particularly popular. Korean music has become a big trend in Japan recently, and K-POP songs are well-stocked in karaoke. Among my friends, many often sing songs by BLACKPINK and BTS.
Western music is also well-represented. I myself often sing U2 songs. Songs like "With or Without You" and "Beautiful Day" are all masterpieces, and singing them lifts my spirits. There's a wide range of choices from classic songs by the Beatles and Queen to the latest pop hits.
Anime songs are also plentiful. For those interested in Japanese anime culture, karaoke is an excellent opportunity.
Being able to sing world-famous anime songs like "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" from "Neon Genesis Evangelion" or "Gurenge" from "Demon Slayer" is a unique charm of Japanese karaoke. When I get together with friends, we always sing a few anime songs. It's fun to get excited together singing nostalgic songs.
If you want to sing songs other than J-POP, I especially recommend JOYSOUND. JOYSOUND has a rich selection of Western music and songs from various genres, making it easier to find even minor songs.
Can I Use Karaoke Alone?
Previously, karaoke was something you did with multiple people, but over the past 20 years or so, going to karaoke alone has become common and is called "Hitokara."
You can use major karaoke box chains alone without any problem, and recently, karaoke boxes exclusively for "Hitokara" have also appeared.
By all means, visit a Japanese karaoke box even on your solo trip and sing to your heart's content!
Even if you sing off-key or aren't a good singer, as long as you have the spirit to enjoy, anyone can have fun with karaoke. That's the essence of karaoke.
You can enjoy karaoke in various forms, from the latest well-equipped karaoke boxes to retro-atmosphere karaoke snack bars, and even karaoke at home.
The enjoyment is limitless, whether it's battles using the scoring function, themed parties, or singing while enjoying delicious food and drinks.
To all the foreign visitors, sing your heart out at karaoke and create wonderful memories in Japan!
