Most people know what Karaoke is but many do not know the difference between a Karaoke bar and a Karaoke box. Karaoke bars are scattered across Japan and can be found on just about every single street block. The bars are usually very small, wooden interior saloons with a TV set, some speakers and a Karaoke machine. The patrons, mainly old people, sit around and drink while taking turns singing old Japanese “Enka” music.
The fact is that mostly everyone in this type of Karaoke bar is there to get drunk. They could care less what song you sing or if you sing it well. The sounds that come out of these saloons should be considered criminal.
When I first moved to Japan I rented an apartment in a little city called Yono. I made the mistake of moving into the apartment without checking the immediate surroundings for noisy establishments that might possibly prevent my sleeping. I overlooked the Karaoke bar directly next door and, since apartment walls are paper thin in Japan, the horrible sounds kept me awake until to closing time.
Karaoke Boxes, on the other hand, are usually large, modern buildings divided into tiny rooms that are shared by groups for private parties. Each room is equipped with its own Karaoke machine, microphones, air condition control, light control and most important – a telephone. This is no ordinary telephone. It’s a phone that connects your private room to the bar! Simply pick up this phone and bark out your order. Within seconds someone will show up with your drinks or food.
There are different deals depending on which Karaoke box you go to. Some offer all-you-can-drink or “Nomi-hou-dai”. Others charge per drink and can get quite expensive if you drink like my friends and I.
I have a ton of Karaoke tales that deserve their own page.
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