10 Best Karaoke Bars in Tokyo

Karaoke Kan is an iconic Japanese singing bar set in a tall skinny building, spanning several floors. It’s featured in the Sofia Coppola film Lost in Translation, so book room 601 to recreate the Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson scene. Come here for the comfy leather couches, colourful neon lighting and inexpensive boozy drinks, including ice-cold beers and kitschy cocktails.

Arrive at dinnertime to enjoy a menu of fast-food classics, before belting out cheesy pop songs and tear-jerking ballads well into the night. If you really want to up the ante, hire a costume from the friendly desk staff or book a top-floor room for views of the Shibuya skyline.

Uta Hiroba, a chain karaoke bar located in Tokyo's Kabukichō entertainment district, is known for its seriously fun cheap nights out. Apart from singing all your favourite hits, you can play Nintendo Switch games on giant-screen projectors and enjoy all-you-can-drink beverages from the well-stocked bar.

What sets Uta Hiroba apart from other venues is its ever-changing food menu that celebrates the seasons, like when the sakura bursts to life in spring or when the autumn trees begin to change. Treat yourself to cherry blossom milkshakes, eggy udon noodles, platters of French fries and nuggets and indulgent ice cream sundaes.

An LGBTQ+ hotspot situated in the Shinjuku Ni-chōme gay district, Eagle Tokyo Blue features a bar served by bearish staff. It has an interior drenched in cobalt-hued neon, top-shelf gins and whiskies and a giant mural by artist JIRAIYA. This buzzing urban hub plays an eclectic array of music that you can sing along to, from mainstream house and pop hits to regional Japanese songs.

When you're not screaming your heart out at midnight, you can party with patrons and GoGo Boys on the venue’s buzzing dance floor. ETB also hosts regular events that have drawn media attention including the much-hyped Opulence: Japan's Greatest Drag Show.

Glam is a posh private members club that’s accessed through a discreet front door in a midnight black wall in the Nishi-Azabu neighbourhood. Select from 6 enviable rooms that are elevated with sumptuous furnishings and ambient lighting, where you can enjoy a spot of karaoke.

Order rare wines, effervescent champagnes and a delectable selection of freshly made sushi. In terms of interiors, we love the Violet and Purple rooms for their wraparound lounges, theatrical curtains, wall-mounted televisions and state-of-the-art sound systems.

Located in Tokyo’s pulsing Ginza district, Karat is a karaoke bar with one major difference: its music isn't piped through a set of stereo speakers. This unique party spot offers a concert-style setting for singers brave enough to try it, including a 50-seat audience capacity and a professional live band.

When you're not crooning away on stage doing your best Celine Dion impression, soothe your vocal cords with oolong tea, Coca Cola and a classic selection of cocktails. The food menu is Mediterranean-focused with a broad selection of dishes like Quattro Formaggi pizza and freshly sliced carpaccio.

Boasting several venues across the nation, Joysound has made a name for itself as a leading karaoke bar. It features English-language songs, super-tasty party platters and all-you-can-drink options spanning alcohol and soda. Visit Tokyo’s Kyobashi for digs decked out with old-school decor like diner-style tables and leatherette lounges.

The food menu is generous with a fine selection of global dishes including pizzas, noodles and Japanese curries. If you’re hosting a party, you can place an order for a celebratory cake decorated with chocolate flakes or freshly picked raspberries.

If you're a bit of a wallflower but still want to belt out your favourite Madonna track, head to 1Kara. This futuristic-looking Shibuya haunt rents out solo karaoke boxes to singers who are crowd-shy. Fitted with professional recording equipment, including sound mixers and microphones, you can easily spend a couple of hours here dreaming of that record deal.

There are self-serve drink stations peppered around the place, as well as ice-cold beer and snacks at the venue’s front desk. Hire a ‘1st class' room to benefit from a bigger TV and personal coffee maker. Audio-Technica headphone rentals are available.