The word カラオケ karaoke consists of two parts: 空 kara "empty" and a shortened version of the word オーケストラ o:kesutora "orchestra". Most often, they are located close to the stations, in places where urban life is concentrated.

A special feature of Japanese clubs are separate booths where you can be alone with your company. The most common ones are called Karaoke Kan and Big Echo. Unfortunately, they are also the most expensive. And the prices are calculated per person, not per room!

When you come, first you need to go to the counter and answer how many people there will be and how long you are going to sing. For those who like to hang around for 3-4 hours, there are discounts. Prices are different for hours with high attendance and regular hours. Time starts from the moment of payment, so you should hurry to your room!

If you go with a company, try to prepare in advance! When you stand in front of the music machine, your favorite songs seem to fly out of your head, so it's better to make a list of what you can sing in advance.

Many Japanese go to karaoke alone. Then you can be completely shy, sing and even dance while no one sees - this is a great chance to release tension. The solitude of the rooms allows for other options for relaxation. Couples go to karaoke to hug without limits. So girls should be careful about accepting offers to go to karaoke together from guys!

Another popular option is to rent a room for the whole night, gather a company, take a drink card that includes alcohol. I often heard stories from friends about spending the night at karaoke when I missed the last train. You can stay until the morning, and the price is cheaper than even in hostels!

How often do you go to karaoke? Share your favorite songs in the comments!