10 Best Districts in Japan to Open a Karaoke Box [With Profit Calculator]

The beating heart of Tokyo nightlife. Kabukicho never sleeps. The demand for “Nijikai” (Second Party) locations is infinite. Competition is fierce, but if you secure a building sign here, you print money. The key is catching the overflow from Izakayas at 11 PM.

Osakans are louder and more outgoing than Tokyoites. Dotonbori is a sensory overload. Karaoke here must be paired with excellent food (Takoyaki/Okonomiyaki). The “Snack Bar” culture in nearby Namba is also massive for smaller investors.

The center of youth culture. High schoolers and university students flock here. They want “Instagrammable” rooms (Projector screens, dual monitors, ring lights). The “Hitokara” (Solo Karaoke) specialty shops like 1Kara started here.

The global HQ of Anime and Gaming. Standard karaoke won’t work here. You need “Concept Rooms” themed like Evangelion or Gundam. The song library MUST utilize JOYSOUND (best anime selection).

Nakasu is the largest entertainment district in western Japan. Famous for “Yatai” (food stalls) and hostess bars. Rent is significantly cheaper than Tokyo, but alcohol consumption per capita is higher. Perfect for high-margin bar models.

Because of the long, harsh winters, entertainment in Sapporo is strictly indoor. Susukino is a massive grid of vertical nightlife buildings. Renting a higher floor (5F-10F) is very cheap and viable here.

This is “Expense Account” territory. High-ranking executives entertain clients here. The model is “Member’s Bar” or “Luxury Box”. You need polished staff, leather sofas, and aged whiskey.

The hub for expats and international tourists. While Shinjuku is local, Roppongi is global. You need a system (like DAM or Joysound Global) with a massive library of English, Spanish, and Chinese songs.

Kyoto is a student city (Kyoto University, Ritsumeikan). Kiyamachi runs along a canal and is packed with students. The goal here is volume and “Free Time” packages during the day for students skipping class.

30 minutes from Tokyo, Yokohama is a popular date spot. Karaoke boxes near the station or Minato Mirai focus on “Couples Plans” with nice interiors and romantic food menus.