on May 2019
on May 2019
In essence, pretty much everyone in Japan does karaoke! While there are, of course, people who would rather push needles into their fingertips than sing in public, the private rooms in Japan are much more accommodating for the less-than-stellar singers or the crooners who can’t quite find the right key—but wanna sing out nevertheless. As the only people in the room are those in your party, you can feel more comfortable letting loose and not worrying about a stranger’s harsh judgment. Not to mention, people in Japan are typically very encouraging and supportive. Teasing is not a part of the culture, and keeping the harmony (a big part of Japanese culture) means uplifting the less-talented singers while being careful not to overly praise the power performers.
As with every topic about a group of people at large, this doesn’t apply to everyone. There will always be those groups who are more comfortable with ribbing and joking while singing, but, generally, karaoke in Japan is a safe and open place for all levels of singers.
Furthermore, karaoke rooms can typically accommodate your group, whether large or small. You can rock up to a karaoke shop as a couple, with friends or even a large sports team or company afterparty (keep in mind that large party rooms should be booked in advance). You can even go alone, which is commonly called hitokara (a blending of hitori de, meaning “by oneself,” and karaoke). While some people might consider going to karaoke alone a bit sad, it’s a great way to work on those songs you wanted to master (but couldn’t belt in your shower) or a good place to practice your musical instruments—as music studio rental fees are much higher than a karaoke room.
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