Karaoke in Japan: Japanese Phrases and Etiquette
At a Japanese karaoke place, the Japanese you need is mostly at the front desk: staff will ask how many people (何名様ですか), how long you want the room for (お時間はどうされますか) and sometimes whether you want a drinks plan, and you answer with the number of people, a time such as 1時間 or フリータイム, and 飲み放題 if you want all-you-can-drink. In the room, a phone on the wall rings about ten minutes before your time ends to ask whether you want to extend (延長されますか). This guide covers the desk, the room and the etiquette when you go with friends or colleagues.
At the reception desk
| Staff say | Meaning | You can answer |
|---|---|---|
| 何名様ですか | How many people? | 三人です |
| お時間はどうされますか | How long would you like? | 1時間でお願いします / フリータイムで |
| 会員証はお持ちですか | Do you have a membership card? | いいえ、持っていません |
| ワンドリンク制です | Each person must order at least one drink | はい、わかりました |
| 飲み放題はご利用ですか | Would you like all-you-can-drink? | はい、お願いします / いいえ、大丈夫です |
| お部屋は〇番です | You’re in room number… | ありがとうございます |
フリータイム (free time) means a flat price for unlimited time within set hours, which is often good value on weekday afternoons. Prices usually depend on the day, the time and whether you’re a member, and are charged per person.
In the room
- Songs are chosen on a tablet or remote (リモコン). 予約 means queueing a song, and 演奏中止 stops the current one.
- Drinks and food are ordered on the tablet or by the wall phone: すみません、生ビールを二つお願いします.
- About ten minutes before the end, the phone rings: 終了10分前です。延長されますか. Answer 延長します or 大丈夫です、出ます.
- You pay at the desk on the way out. Bring the bill holder or card from your room.
Karaoke etiquette
- Share the microphone. Take turns rather than queueing lots of songs for yourself.
- Cheer others on. Clapping, tambourines and a simple 上手! or いいね! help the mood. Don’t look at your phone while others sing.
- With colleagues, karaoke is often the 二次会 (second party) after a work dinner. Let senior people choose first if they want to, and pick songs everyone knows. See nomikai etiquette.
- Singing in Japanese is always appreciated, even if it’s one simple song. See singing in Japanese.
Useful words
- 一人カラオケ (hitori karaoke): going alone, which is common and has its own word.
- 採点 (saiten): scoring mode.
- デュエット: a duet.
- 盛り上がる: to get lively, as in 盛り上がりましたね!
Planning a trip? See eating out in Japan and making friends in Japan.
Practise before you go
A night out is much more fun when you can handle the desk and chat with the group. Our native Japanese tutors teach one-to-one online, in English, and can role-play the situations you’ll meet on a trip or after work. Your first 15 minutes are a free trial.