Japan’s cities have some of the most exciting live music scenes on Earth. You should check them out while you’re here!
Tokyo’s music hubs of Shimokitazawa and Koenji, as well as Shinjuku and Shibuya, have probably the highest density of music venues of anywhere on the planet. Every single night, you can find unbelievably high-quality acts of every genre playing their hearts out in the small underground venues known as ‘livehouses’, with thoughtfully-crafted shows just waiting to blow you away.
Major concerts that utilise the big Japanese ticket sites are infamously difficult for tourists to access, and unless the organiser specifically creates a tourist-friendly ticket page, they are essentially off-limits. But the good news is that indie shows – the real, raw, living, exciting events that define Japan’s subculture – are extremely accessible once you know where to look, and tick about every box of things you want from a travel itinerary item:
✅ Fun, memorable, truly unique experience
✅ You can meet people
✅ Off the beaten track
✅ No need to leave downtown Tokyo
✅ Band merch makes great souvenirs
✅ Not expensive (most shows are ¥3000-ish)
✅ You will be supporting independent artists
Also if you watched the anime *Bocchi The Rock!*, this is that, but real.
The rough-and-ready nature of the scene means it has a few quirks and things to know in order to access, but once you’re clued up, you’ll be surprised at how easy and casual it is to find your way into a truly excellent show.
# Finding Event Information
There is no single aggregator of livehouse shows, as every venue hosts their own schedule separately. The only way to find *everything* is to go on Google Maps, search ‘livehouse’, and click through each venue to check their calendars.
However, there are a few attempts to collect gig information in one place, in Tokyo at least:
* [Gigs in Tokyo](https://www.instagram.com/gigsintokyo/) ^(my page, shared here with mod permission)
* [Tokyo Gig Guide](https://www.tokyogigguide.com/en/)
* [More Than Music](https://www.instagram.com/morethanmusic.jp/)
* [Sonbei](https://sonbei.jp/en)
* [japangigs](https://www.instagram.com/japangigs/)
If you’re totally lost, just head to [Shimokitazawa BASEMENT BAR](https://toos.co.jp/basementbar/) or [THREE](https://www.toos.co.jp/3/) in Tokyo, [Socore Factory](https://socorefactory.com/) in Osaka, or [Utero](http://utero.jp/) in Fukuoka. The organisers here have an unmatched sense when it comes to uncovering the best up-and-coming acts, and every show is a hit.
# Getting Tickets
At the majority of indie shows, you reserve a ticket in advance by sending an email or DM to an artist or organiser. In it, you state your name and how many tickets you want. Many events will also ask that you specify which featured act you are most interested in seeing.
Working out where to send your email/DM can be tricky sometimes when the information is only in Japanese (On Gigs in Tokyo, we solved this with [a bilingual one-tap ticket page](https://smily.bio/gigsintokyo)), but the contact info will always be listed somewhere on the event page or associated social media post(s). If you really can’t find it, try contacting one of the featured artists and they will usually be happy to take your reservation or point you in the right direction – there’s nothing a band loves more than someone who wants to come to their show.
Ticket reservation isn’t essential, as you can buy on the door and indie shows rarely sell out, but doing is always worth doing as it guarantees you entry and usually knocks ¥500 off the ticket price. The deadline for ticket reservations is typically midnight the day before the show, but depending on the organiser, they may still be accepted up to a few hours beforehand.
Once your email/DM is sent, you are good to go. You don’t pay anything up front.
# Getting Into The Venue
When you arrive, the person at the desk will ask your name and, if applicable, which band you’re most interested in seeing. Almost all venues only take cash at the front desk, so have the amount ready.
Invariably, you will also be asked to buy a drink ticket (¥500-700 depending on the venue) that you can exchange at the bar inside. This is mandatory, and standard practice at venues across Japan.
With that done, you’re in! Re-entry policy varies by venue: some will allow re-entry, some will not, and some will ask that you buy a new drink ticket each time.
# Gig Etiquette
Japanese audiences are likely much more subdued than where you’re from. Many people here treat live music spaces almost like art galleries: as places to appreciate the art of live performance, even when that performance is an energetic rock show.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to stand still and stay quiet! Every artist I have spoken to says they love it when audience members dance, cheer, and sing along. So if you want to let loose, feel free to do so as long as you don’t bump into anyone, and don’t talk over the performance.
Filming at concerts is generally okay. Doing so was banned for a long time and those rules have only recently been loosened, so most Japanese audience members will still avoid pulling out their phone to film things. But except in cases where it is made explicitly clear that filming is not allowed through signs and/or announcements, filming is fine and indie artists almost always appreciate it when you share your video of them on social media (be sure to tag them!). Just don’t watch the whole thing through your phone screen.
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And that’s it! With one more special travel memory, perhaps a few more friends, and maybe a new band T-shirt obtained, you will almost certainly be walking out of the show thinking about how you can find the next one. Japan’s underground scene is waiting for you, and will always reward you for the time and attention you give it.
See you in the livehouse!
29 comments
>Major concerts that utilise the big Japanese ticket sites are infamously difficult for tourists to access, and unless the organiser specifically creates a tourist-friendly ticket page, they are essentially off-limits.
Does not even have to be major concerts. There is several bands I like that had shows but they all used Ticket Pia or e+, that require a phone number to create an account. I was lucky enough to have a friend who let me use his number so I could go see a show. I think some of the show I spotted where sold out, so trying to get tickets at the door is still a bit of a gamble (I think).
But I went to a show from a band I saw playing in Yoyogi park and I think I just went and got my ticket at the door.
Thank you for this write up.
I have been wanting to go to live music in Japan but big concerts are difficult to buy from abroad (and planning a trip around it is also challenging in general).
Thanks for the post. I’m saving it to see what’s going on later this year.
By the way, I entered some of these pages and was laughing to myself seeing what it seems to be some extreme metal festivals in Tokyo.
This write up is great, thank you! I’m heading there in a month and will definitely check some of these places out
Good writeup. I have spent many great nights at [Koenji High](http://koenji-high.com/) watching obscure nugaze bands.
>Also if you watched the anime Bocchi The Rock!, this is that, but real.
Not gonna lie, you had me at this sentence. 😅 Awesome guide!
This is an awesome post and exactly what I’ve been looking for!! I’m hoping to see some live music when I come in October!! Thank you!
Thanks for the write up. I remember your j-music iceberg post a few years back and discovered shibano so through it.
Secured 4 livehouse gigs/concerts this Aug/Sep for my upcoming trip and am looking forward to it.
How do you get tickets in advance to see idols like AKB48 or other indie ones?
Thank you for sharing this! Are metal/punk/rock/india/alter gigs common in Japan also?
>The organisers here have an unmatched sense when it comes to uncovering the best up-and-coming acts, and every show is a hit.
Fwiw, the majority of shows in the smaller venues are “pay to play”. Each act has to sell X tickets to their friends in order to perform.
Great write-up OP. I can tell you think about and cherish those live experiences, especially whilst in foreign countries, similarly to myself and no doubt others in this thread.
I’m going to check out these sites and districts for my next trip in a few months.
I’m **really** interested in underground electronica gigs, if anyone can point me in the right direction other than Resident Advisor I’d be so appreciative! DM ok 🙂
ありがとう！
Good write up! One important thing to add is about timing. In US or Europe, bands usually go on stage late, and especially small gigs never start on time. Often you have to wait for several hours. In Japan, it will almost always start within 30 minutes of the opening, and there are usually 4-5 bands to go through. The venue will then promptly close at about 11 pm so that people can catch the last train home, whereas in other countries it usually stays open for a few more hours for drinks and socializing.
Thank you so much for this. Any chance you know any venues like this for jazz, funk, groovy kind of music? Osaka or Tokyo. Appreciate it 🙏
This is amazing, thank you so much!
Thank you for this, I’m currently in Osaka, while theres nothing that currently sounds up my alley, I plan to hopefully find something down the line.
This is amazing. Only been to two music bars, but highlights for sure.
Great post! During my trip in September, my friends and I are seeing Masayoshi Takanaka live, very excited.
What a great post! Thank you! I subscribed to your Instagram and connected to your web page. I like the setup, the site generates an email to the concert organizers.
Great post, thank you!
I remember going to a random live show in 2008, not knowing any bands but just wanting to have the experience – totally worth it.
One band was more hardcore and attempted crowd surfing. They had just enough fans to support the guy that dove for a tiny bit, but as soon as they tried moving him to other people, the whole audience moved away, kind of like a school of fish. Very fun to watch, lol.
Great post – wish I had this info when I was there but I’ll be back someday. The Japanese hard rock and metal scene, particularly the girl groups, has become a big thing overseas in recent years even if not all that popular at home. These bans combine some amazing musicianship with a sense of melody and genre-mixing that you don’t see in Western harder rock acts.
Thank you for this post! I have scouring the internet trying to find great places with live music! Heading there in November so I will have to check out some of these places!
Great post. Seeing some indie shows was my favorite thing in Japan. Shout-out to Antiknock in Shinjuku
This is simply outstanding, thank you so much for putting this together. My wife and our friends are planning a trip to Japan for about 2 weeks, and on the top of my list is absolutely wanting to check out indie bands, I’d love to go see two or three different shows if we can. It’s kind of daunting to figure out how to, so this is exactly what I was needing!
i wanted to see Puffy when i was there since they were playing in Odaiba (back in 16), but the only way to get tix would to have been able access a 7-11 or something. of course by time i got to japan there was no way to get tix.
Sick write up! Followed your IG page immediately, this’ll be super useful for my upcoming trip. Really appreciate your effort!
This is perfect. I’m planning a month long trip starting in October, and I’ve been looking for info on music venues and bars to hit up in the evening during my time in Tokyo and Osaka (in Tokyo for 10 days at the start, Osaka for 6 days). Shimokitazawa and Koenji in particular are the areas which have stood out the most in my search (the former being the setting for Bocchi the Rock). I do hope I can catch some bands I follow live when I’m in Tokyo (Chili Beans, tricot, DYGL, Haru Nemuri, Otoboke Beaver, Mass of Fermenting Dreggs, yonige etc)
And I agree, seeing live local indie bands in any city in general is a great use of your time in the evening. I’ve seen random indie bands in Montreal, Madrid, London, and Paris and it’s a great way to take a peek into a local scene or facet of life in any city.
Thank you for this. When you say extremely accessible, does this mean I could also find earlier shows that will allow children (ours is 10yo)? And also, are the venues smokey? I’d love to support Japanese indie bands when we travel there in Oct, but I always find that most concerts don’t start until we’re already in our pjs–and it’s typically near impossible to find a venue that will allow children since the venues have bars. That said, I haven’t been to Japan before so you would know better than me!