カラオケ ～ Karaoke

(Pronounced “kah-rah-oh-keh”.)

Finally, after nearly 4 months in Japan, I’ve been karaoke-ing!

I’m going to type a bit about karaoke, since the American vision of it isn’t complete.

In most American movies, karaoke is depicted as a random person getting up in front of dozens of people in a bar and singing terribly. Basically, it’s an absolutely humiliating thing that’s funny to the T.V. audience and annoying to (or ignored by) the audience within the movie or television show. I can’t imagine singing in front of a bunch of people I don’t know. I can’t imagine singing in a place where I’m not surrounded by friends!

When you go to karaoke in Japan, you are assigned a room that looks a lot like this:

The one we were in was longer, and had two tables, but this gives the general idea. There are large books with songs lists in them, both in Japanese and English. The screen shows the lyrics, as well as various videos. There are loud speakers in each of the two corners above either side of the screen. There is a menu filled with various snacks and meals and desserts to order. Near the door there is a phone to order the food with, and the workers just knock on the door when they bring an order. Drinks are out in the main lobby, and refills are free up to a certain time. (Melon soda!) If you look on the table, you see a device with the stylus attached. That is what you use to search and reserve your songs. You can also make it put up written messages on the screen, or have a fake audience applaud for the current singer, and so on. Very fun!

There are dozens of karaoke places in the area. It’s a very popular activity here!

For anyone wondering, yes, I did sing! Oh, and did I mention I was one of the three (group total was eight) that stayed for 7 hours? O.O