Japanese Style Karaoke in America

Numark · 24 May 2009

What is up with american style karaoke! I think it sucks. Most people will only do it if they are very drunk, you have to sing in front of the entire bar/restaurant!

I am having a really hard time understanding why the US doesn't (in general) offer Japanese style karaoke (A private room that fits 5-15 people just for you and your friends). I talked to the people they know and they all said they would go to a place like that if it were available.

Are there Japanese style karaoke establishments in the U.S.? maybe in LA or Hawaii where there are large populations of Japanese people?

MeAndroo · 25 May 2009

The Japanese style karaoke box is indeed available in LA and, perhaps surprisingly, is probably more popular amongst the Korean crowd. Koreatown boasts a large number of establishments, and they're often full of young folks belting out the hits after leaving the K-clubs.

It's perhaps a bit ironic that one of the most popular karaoke joints in Little Tokyo in LA (Oiwake) has typical American style karaoke, where you stand on a stage and sing in front of everyone. They also have a room for private parties, but the majority of the public has to get the nerve up to perform in front of all. I did it fairly often

justin · 26 May 2009

I saw a Japanese style karaoke place in San Francisco once. Sadly, it wasn't very nice and the part of town was a little on the creepy side.

Pachipro · 28 May 2009

In Japan you also usually have to sing in front of the entire bar/snack unless, of course, you go to a private karaoke box that you rent with friends. ANd when you are out with friends EVERYONE sings regardless of ability and no one will ever be booed as it is considered rude.

The main difference between American style Karaoke and Japanese style is that in America people boo you if you can't hold a tune and that really sucks as they do not understand the meaning of true karaoke.

With Japanese karaoke you get up and sing a tune you like. Whether you can hold a tune or not is not important. What's important is that you get up and sing and let your true feelings out and "let your hair down" so to speak and the audience will kindly applaud you after every verse regardless of your ability as you had the guts to get up sing.

In America (and maybe other countries, I don't know) they act like they are Simon Cowel and voting for the next American Idol without giving any respect to the feelings and true meaning of karaoke. In a sense, it is quite cruel and I would never put myself up to that sort of ridicule.

In Japan no one cares one iota whether you can sing or not. It's the comraderie and friendship that is shared and most important. In America, they judge you on you singing ability and nothing else. If you suck, they will surely let you know. In America they can't even pronounce it right. They call it "kary okee" instead of karaoke.

Yes, America needs "karaoke boxes" as outsiders are too cruel. Maybe you can start the business in Minnesota and make a fortune.

Good post.

MeAndroo · 28 May 2009

Wow Pachi, you've been booed in karaoke? Or seen it happen? Never once happened at any of the spots I've been to in the States, and I've done quite a bit of karaoke in front of strangers. I can't sing, my friends can't sing, and the strangers can't sing, but there's usually a fairly supportive vibe going through the spots that I've been to.

I will say the attitude IS different though. Rather than assess strangers, in the US you're ignored far more often. People just want to look up the next song, or are talking while waiting their turn. In Japan, even if it's the first time you meet someone, they'll usually politely listen or offer some small comment as you start (I like this song, or wow, you're really good, or hey should we get some drinks?). Only when you're with your really close friends do people start ignoring the singer mid song and start furiously browsing the remote/books for their next tune

justin · 28 May 2009

Pachipro said:
In Japan you also usually have to sing in front of the entire bar/snack unless, of course, you go to a private karaoke box that you rent with friends. ANd when you are out with friends EVERYONE sings regardless of ability and no one will ever be booed as it is considered rude.
The main difference between American style Karaoke and Japanese style is that in America people boo you if you can't hold a tune and that really sucks as they do not understand the meaning of true karaoke.
With Japanese karaoke you get up and sing a tune you like. Whether you can hold a tune or not is not important. What's important is that you get up and sing and let your true feelings out and "let your hair down" so to speak and the audience will kindly applaud you after every verse regardless of your ability as you had the guts to get up sing.
In America (and maybe other countries, I don't know) they act like they are Simon Cowel and voting for the next American Idol without giving any respect to the feelings and true meaning of karaoke. In a sense, it is quite cruel and I would never put myself up to that sort of ridicule.
In Japan no one cares one iota whether you can sing or not. It's the comraderie and friendship that is shared and most important. In America, they judge you on you singing ability and nothing else. If you suck, they will surely let you know. In America they can't even pronounce it right. They call it "kary okee" instead of karaoke.
Yes, America needs "karaoke boxes" as outsiders are too cruel. Maybe you can start the business in Minnesota and make a fortune.
Good post.

Very well put my friend.

Numark · 28 May 2009

Pachipro said:
In Japan you also usually have to sing in front of the entire bar/snack unless, of course, you go to a private karaoke box that you rent with friends.

I've actually never seen a karaoke place in Japan where you sing in front of the whole bar... but then again i've never looked for one either!

Karaoke boxes are one of my favorite things to do in Japan, something that Japanese and non-Japanese friends and acquaintances can always have a fun time doing.

Most large karaoke establishments have very extensive english song lists as well as the Japanese song lists.

RavenRockstar · 29 May 2009

When we went to visit my dads internet girlfriends in China we went to a dance club and then a kareoke bar ^^
I was really confused because people kept giving me beers, I didnt find out until later that theres wasnt a legal drinking age

Momotaro · 30 May 2009

We have a fun little joint here in Columbus, Ohio
momogroup.net

hideway · 30 May 2009

Pachipro said:
Yes, America needs "karaoke boxes" as outsiders are too cruel. Maybe you can start the business in Minnesota and make a fortune.
Good post.

Actually I think "Japanese boxes" are unique in the world, I was really amazed at the concept when I tried, and I simply loved it.

Pachipro · 3 Jun 2009

Numark said:
I've actually never seen a karaoke place in Japan where you sing in front of the whole bar... but then again i've never looked for one either!

Just visit any local snack or bar and you will find them as all have the karaoke option for patrons. It's rare that you don't find a local snack/bar that doesn't have it.

MeAndroo said:
Wow Pachi, you've been booed in karaoke? Or seen it happen?

Seen it in the states yes, but NEVER in Japan.

hideaway said:
Actually I think "Japanese boxes" are unique in the world, I was really amazed at the concept when I tried, and I simply loved it.

I believe they are also, but they could very well become popular in Asia and maybe even in America I believe.

MadamePapillon · 4 Jun 2009

@Pachipro

I think you're kind of exaggerating the 'cruelness' of American karaoke. I've never once been booed by random strangers when singing karaoke. If anything it'll be your friends that will boo you but they do it in a playful way and you know they're just joking.
But random strangers tend to either ignore you or not really care if you can sing or not. I've never one felt like I was being judged on my singing abilities and after you're done your friends will usually smile and congratulate you even if you did completely butcher the song.

In America they can't even pronounce it right. They call it "kary okee" instead of karaoke.

Trust me when I say this, if you pronounce it the Japanese way when you're among Americans you look like a tool. Japanese pronunciation sounds very awkward when speaking in English. "Kary okee" flows better.

Pachipro · 4 Jun 2009

I don't visit bars or karaoke establishments here in the US. I am only writing of the couple of times I did experience it and took it for granted that it probably happens elsewhere as well.

But random strangers tend to either ignore you or not really care if you can sing or not. I've never one felt like I was being judged on my singing abilities and after you're done your friends will usually smile and congratulate you even if you did completely butcher the song.

Very much as they do in Japan.

Believe me, I've seen it a couple of times here in Nashville, TN ("Music City, USA" as they call it) and is usually the drunk "rednecks" that tend to be the loudmouth critic. "You suck!" "Get off the stage", etc. I'm sure 99% of the places do not do it throughout the country, but the fact that it does happen shows that the person(s) doing the booing have no class and have no idea as to the true meaning of karaoke, umm I mean karyokee. Besides, they're just being a**holes anyway.

MadamePapillon · 5 Jun 2009

Believe me, I've seen it a couple of times here in Nashville, TN ("Music City, USA" as they call it) and is usually the drunk "rednecks" that tend to be the loudmouth critic. "You suck!" "Get off the stage", etc. I'm sure 99% of the places do not do it throughout the country, but the fact that it does happen shows that the person(s) doing the booing have no class and have no idea as to the true meaning of karaoke, umm I mean karyokee. Besides, they're just being a**holes anyway.

Haha, true enough. Though I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'the true meaning of karaoke'.
I always though it was just to get up on stage and have fun. Does it have some sort of alternate purpose in Japan?

Chidoriashi · 5 Jun 2009

I have to agree too with Madame, saying karaoke instead of karyokee, would sound funny.. same with sake "saki" and karate "karati". Its just the way the words have been imported into English.. or in karaoke's case.. been half imported from English into Japanese, and then back into English. I used to find a lot of katakana words to be funny, but in reality they are just part of the Japanese language now (no matter how pointless like "sankyu" thank you). Anyhow as not to get off topic i think Japanese style karaoke boxes in America would be awesome.. hopefully somebody will be brave enough one day to invest the capital and get it started.

Japanese Style Karaoke in America

Numark

先輩

MeAndroo

先輩

justin

The Rise of Cobra

Pachipro

JREF Resident Alien

MeAndroo

先輩

justin

The Rise of Cobra

Numark

先輩

RavenRockstar

I'm a whale. Bawwwoooo!

Momotaro

後輩

hideway

still hiding

Pachipro

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MadamePapillon

Fear my Niftyness

Pachipro

JREF Resident Alien

MadamePapillon

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Chidoriashi

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