Who doesn’t like karaoke? No matter if you’re a casual shower singer, or a professional vocalist, Japan is the place to put your skills to the test in one of thousands of establishments. Maybe you think only big cities like Tokyo or Osaka have karaoke boxes but you would be wrong, they are everywhere.
The Origins of Japanese Karaoke
To see when karaoke was first created, we have to go back in time to the year 1881. It first began from a chorus of an entire class in the year 1881. It was here that not only musical instruments and performances, but singing was also taken into the education system. It is thought that the reason so many Japanese people like singing is due to this fact.
After this, in the year 1970, the karaoke business begun. On the first day of this business, together with the music, people would read a lyrics card while singing into the microphone. Furthermore in the year 1980 and onward, the birth of the subtitled video on screens was born allowing people to read them on-screen while singing their hearts out.
As an interesting fact, the word, Karaoke, is actually originated from the Japanese words for Sky Orchestra. The prototype for Karaoke was when singers would use recording of orchestras and sing over them.
What Karaoke Means to Japanese People?
Japanese people have typically all experienced Karaoke at least once in their lives.
In the 1970's when karaoke bars were first invented, they were typically thought of as a place to enjoy alcohol with a side of entertainment. They were placed in restaurants and hotels for their parties, there is a long history of karaoke being enjoyed alongside alcohol. From the years 1980 and onward, there were karaoke institutions dedicated to karaoke boxes allowing people to sing in private. From there on out, it became possible to have fun at karaoke with the need to drink alcohol.
Currently the activity is performed and enjoyed by everyone and anyone including students, working men and women and even retirees. For example, teenagers are typically used to karaoke as something to do on the way home from school or as a popular date spot.
Furthermore, as people reach their twenties, they are typically used to have drinking parties after university or work to wind down and have some fun.
Not only this, but in recent years solo karaoke has even become a little more popular in Japan. People go to enjoy and practice singing their hearts out.
What is a Karaoke Box?
Karaoke Box is a term used for an institution that specifically caters to karaoke. Thanks to the spaces being completely private, it allows one or a group of people to enjoy karaoke in their own personal way.
The amount you pay for these rooms is typically decided in 30 minutes or 1 hour intervals. The price vary depending on time, location and store but you can expect anywhere in the range from 80-300 yen for 30 minutes per person in a room. If you wish to use the room for a long time, you can usually get a plan which allows you to stay for however long you would like for a set price typically called Free Time. These typically range from 800-2,000 yen per head. (As of October 2019).
In these karaoke boxes there is not only singing but also food and drink which you can order to your room. This includes sweets, alcohol and a wide range of other menu items.
There are a great variety of different karaoke boxes including Karaoke Kan, BIG ECHO, Karaoke Ban Ban, Karaoke no Tetsujin among many others. Each of these stores surely has something special to offer whether it be room types, costumes, free drinks and other characteristics, why not try and visit multiple to see which suits you best?
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