Going to a Concert in Japan: Tickets, Manners and Useful Japanese
Most concert tickets in Japan are sold by lottery (抽選, chūsen) rather than first come, first served. Fan club members usually get the first lottery, then there are further lotteries and a general sale (一般発売). Many sites need a Japanese phone number or address, tickets are often electronic and tied to your name, and venues may check ID at the door, so buying from resellers is risky and reselling at a profit is restricted by law. Some artists and ticket sites offer an overseas or English sales route, so check that first. At the show, fans are generally quiet between songs, follow the venue’s rules on photos and penlights, and leave in an orderly way.
How tickets are sold
| Stage | Japanese | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Fan club lottery | ファンクラブ先行 | The first and often best chance. Membership may need a Japanese address or payment method. |
| Pre-sale lotteries | 先行抽選 / プレイガイド先行 | Further lotteries through ticket sites, credit cards or CD purchases. |
| General sale | 一般発売 | First come, first served. Popular shows can sell out in minutes. |
| Overseas sales | 海外販売 | Some events offer sales for overseas fans, sometimes in English. |
| Official resale | 公式リセール | Approved resale at face value if you can’t go. |
Words you’ll see on ticket sites
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 当選 / 落選 | tōsen / rakusen | Won / lost the lottery |
| 入金期限 | nyūkin kigen | Payment deadline |
| 電子チケット | denshi chiketto | E-ticket |
| 本人確認 | honnin kakunin | ID check |
| 同行者 | dōkōsha | Companion on your ticket |
| 開場 / 開演 | kaijō / kaien | Doors open / show starts |
| 物販 / グッズ | buppan / guzzu | Merchandise sales |
| スタンディング / 指定席 | sutandingu / shiteiseki | Standing / reserved seats |
On the day
- Bring ID. Your passport or residence card, plus your phone with the e-ticket ready.
- Plan for merch. Lines can start hours before doors open, and some items sell out. Many events also sell online.
- Watch the times. 開場 (doors) is often an hour before 開演 (start), and standing tickets enter by ticket number.
- Follow the rules. Photos and videos are often banned unless announced, and penlights or fan items may have size limits.
- Lockers fill up. Bring a small bag and use station lockers early.
Concert manners
Japanese audiences are known for being enthusiastic during songs and quiet between them, so the artist can talk. Call-and-response and fan chants vary by artist; follow the fans around you. Keep your arms and penlights below head height so people behind can see, and leave by the route staff direct you to.
Connecting with other fans
Fan communities in Japan are a great reason to learn Japanese: reading an artist’s posts, writing a fan letter or chatting in the merch line. See texting in Japanese, Japanese slang and singing in Japanese. Travelling from abroad? See learning Japanese before a trip.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native Japanese tutors teach one-to-one online, in English. We can help you understand ticket rules and emails, practise what to say at the venue, read your favourite artist’s posts and write a fan letter in natural Japanese. We don’t buy or resell tickets.