Let’s Karaoke in Japan

Satsuki Moriguchi, February 12, 2024

Karaoke was born in Japan!!! It is short for “karappo,” which means “empty,” and “orchestra,” which means an orchestral recording with no vocals.

To your enjoyment, all rooms are private, and Wi-Fi is available. It costs around 1,200 yen for one person for 9 hours, including a drink bar on weekdays.

Nowadays, more and more people are enjoying karaoke, so you can find them everywhere in Japan. And since prices are set comparatively lower during the daytime, it seems that they are often used by groups of older people, friends, and high school students.

There is also a service called “hitori karaoke” that can be used by one person. Especially in big cities in Tokyo, this is where you sing with headphones in small rooms. Recently, the number of people who go to karaoke alone has grown in Japan because singing releases endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety. Including me too!!!

KARAOKE MACHINE’S FUNCTIONS

Since the scoring functions are getting more and more sophisticated, you can compete with your friends over the high score and find out how highly you scored compared to everyone else in Japan. You can change the key and tempo. There is also a harmonizing function. It can be used if you are too embarrassed to be heard by others or to practice before competing with someone. Songs that play the real singer’s music video on the screen or explain the choreography are also popular.

FOOD & DRINK BAR

There are also karaoke places that offer a full range of food services, so you can enjoy the food even if you do not enjoy singing. If you want something, you use the phone in the room and tell your order. You can take your all-you-can-drink with many options like hot/cold teas, soft drinks, and alcohol at the drink bars.