Nightlife

Walk into an izakaya without knowing the drill and you’ll spend the evening nodding at things you don’t understand. Walk in prepared and you’ll have one of the best nights Japan has to offer. Here’s exactly what to expect and how to order. What Is an Izakaya? An izakaya sits between a bar and a restaurant. You order food and drinks simultaneously throughout the evening — it’s not a dinner followed by drinks, it’s both at once, continuously. ...

Karaoke in Japan is not the public humiliation most Westerners imagine — it’s private rooms, cheap drinks, and one of the most fun social experiences the country offers. First-timers are always surprised. Here’s how to enjoy it from the moment you walk in. How Japanese Karaoke Works Enter and book — tell the front desk how many people and how long Get your room — private, soundproofed, with a TV, microphones, tambourines, songbooks Order drinks and food — via phone or tablet to the room Sing — search songs on the tablet, add to the queue, take turns or all sing together Pay when done — either on exit or extend your time Nobody is judged. The private room format means you sing for your friends, not a crowd. Even terrible singing is enthusiastically supported. ...

You will go to karaoke in Japan. It’s not optional. Your coworkers will invite you, your friends will drag you, and eventually you’ll go voluntarily. Japanese karaoke is nothing like the bar karaoke you might know — it’s private, it’s social, and there’s a whole system you need to understand. How Japanese Karaoke Works In Japan, karaoke is done in private rooms (カラオケボックス, karaoke box). You rent a room by the hour with a group, not sing on a stage in front of strangers. This makes it far less terrifying and far more enjoyable. ...