Karaoke is (to me at least) a highlight of Japan. There are numerous places you can go karaoke-ing and the prices are very fluid. The rule of thumb is that prices will be highest on weekend nights in extremely popular areas like Roppongi or Shinjuku. It is super cheap to karaoke in the middle of nowhere (the countryside, or the suburbs).
Price is charged per 30 minute intervals. I think the cheapest 30 mins I have seen was 50 yen. Depending on the place you might have to order one drink as well. When it gets late out, there is usually a “free time” plan. Free time is a set price for the hours after midnight-> 5 a.m. It is usually around 2,000 yen or less.
When you get to the front desk you have to tell the store person how long you want to sing and show a valid ID. When you are in the room you can order food and drinks via the phone on the wall. When your time is up a 10 minute warning call usually comes and the store person will ask you if you want to extend your singing time.
Where can you karaoke? Let’s review the big chains:
Maneki Neko
Traits: It is known as an extremely cheap karaoke place. There are many of them in the country, and are harder to find in the city.
Cons: Sometimes cheap places can be dirty, and with karaoke rooms, the dirtiness can be a bit stifling.
Ban Ban
Traits: Also known as being very inexpensive. I have seen them around the city.
Cons: Sometimes cheap places can be dirty, and with karaoke rooms, the dirtiness can be a bit stifling.
Shidax
Traits: I think there are several classes of Shidax, because they tend to have very nice rooms. They also seem to be geared towards parties and groups.
Cons: Whenever I see a Shidax, I usually think it is on the pricey side.
Jumbo Karaoke aka “Jyan Kara”
Traits: I always see a lot of young people here. Maybe because I am a crotchety old person, or it is because there is an all-you-can-drink soda bar at the Jyankara.
Cons: Young people like these. There always seems to be a line.
Karaoke no Tetsujin
Traits: Known for being the anime geek karaoke. You can get costumes at the front desk and wear them to enhance your singing experience.
Cons: They are hard to find! Also, do you really want to where that maid uniform, knowing what sort of people could have been previously wearing it…?
Big Echo
Traits: Been around for a long time? Not really sure what sets it apart. I never find myself at Big Echo, but I am sure it is a good establishment.
Cons: Oh Big Echo! I don’t even know what your deal is. I guess it is normal; no real draw-backs to coming here.
Pasela Resorts
Traits: Honey toast! ( If you don’t know what honey toast is please refer to this.) Also, the entire place is Bali-themed. Not sure why! The other thing that makes Pasela great is the EXPANSIVE SONG SELECTION. Want to sing only obscure songs? Maybe you should go to Pasela Resorts.
Cons: It’s a bit expensive and every time I go here I convince myself that I need to eat honey toast. That stuff is caloric.
Karaoke Kan
Traits: Kinda awesomely tacky. The psychedelic black-light paintings are actually hand-painted and differ based on room!
Cons: There are creepy jazz statues in the lobby. Sometimes tackiness is not a good thing?
One Kara
Traits: You come here by yourself. It is literally one person karaoke. Doesn’t sound so different from a normal karaoke place? Well, the rooms are even geared towards singles. For some reason it also has a space theme. And if you like the way you are singing, you have the option to even record yourself!
Cons: You could seriously just go alone to karaoke at any of the chains I mentioned alone. And if you do that, you get to have the whole room to yourself! Nobody is going to hear you nail that high note…But I guess you could make a CD of it to give to your friends later.
Hope this inspires you to get singing!
