Hit the Right Note at Karaoke
Karaoke is a common way for Japanese people to let off steam and they take their karaoke seriously. Housewives, college students and both young and old professionals can be found in the many karaoke bars in and around Tokyo. The word Karaoke derives from the Japanese word ‘kara', meaning empty, and ‘oeksutora", meaning orchestra. While you won't have a band, you'll be signing along to the music and a typically kitschy music video with subtitles on a television, or an audience, other than your friends, you will still be the star for a time, if only in your own mind. Make an effort to participate in this uniquely Japanese form of entertainment on your next visit; you will likely never forget the experience.
You don't need Japanese language skills to sing your heart out as many karaoke establishments in Tokyo offer a selection of popular songs in English. Show off your best Britney Spears, channel Elvis or The Beatles, and if you are homesick you could try Take Me Home, Country Roads by the late John Denver. If you are shy, be sure to have a drink, or two, or three before you take hold of the microphone. Food and beverages are usually offered at karaoke bars and many have private rooms where the food is ordered by telephone and delivered to your room promptly.
Shidax*, in the Shibuya area of Tokyo gets good review by foreigners and is open from 11AM to 5AM. They have 106 rooms that can seat anywhere from 1-40 people and prices range from Y150 to Y490 per person for each 30 minutes depending on the time of day.
*Website translation provided by Babelfish.