buying tickets in japan

For smaller or less famous artists, you can just buy tickets from the venue on the day of the show. For shows that might sell out, or to save about 500yen, you can get tickets in advance. Sometimes in the comments section of this gig guide, it will say where tickets can be bought from. Usually from Lawson or Pia. The numbers next to 'Lawson' or 'Pia' are the code numbers you can use to find the event on the ticket machines. If the place where tickets can be bought is not indicated, check the venue, promoter, or artist's website to find out.

lawson tickets

Most tickets are sold from Lawson / l-tike / LawTicke. A convenient way to buy these tickets is from the Loppi machines in the ubiquitous Lawson convenience stores. If you cannot understand much Japanese, print these instructions out and bring them to the store.

how to use the loppi machines

If you know the Lawson code:

1. Touch anywhere on the screen to bring up the menu.
2. Touch the red icon in the top right of the screen.
3. Touch the top left icon.
4. Enter the 5 digit code.
5. Touch the orange button.
6. Now the concert info, venue, times etc will be displayed. On the right it will show the types of tickets available. Usually it will only display one type (all-standing), so select that box. If the same artist is playing on more than one day, a calendar will be displayed. In that case, just select the date you want to attend.
7. You will see a box with a zero and an arrow next to it. Click the arrow to select how many tickets you want to buy. Then touch the bottom right orange icon below. Wait while the computer checks if there are tickets left.
8. If there are tickets left, a screen will appear asking if you have a Lawson ticket card. Two yellow icons will be at the bottom of the screen. The left one says "iie" (no) and the right one says "hai" (yes). Touch the left one.
9. A screen displaying the katakana syllabet will be displayed. Enter your first name in katakana, then click the second icon down on the right of the syllabet. Enter your second name, and the same icon. Then touch the yellow icon on the bottom right. Note: If you don't understand katakana, maybe just try entering random characters.
10. Enter your phone number in the format 03-1234-1234. Note: If you're visiting Japan and don't have a telephone number, maybe try entering random numbers. Tokyo phone numbers start with 03.
11. A confirmation screen will appear. On the bottom right will be two yellow icons. The one on the right is to confirm and the left one is to cancel. If all the information is correct, select 'confirm.'
12. Wait for a while and the computer will print a receipt. When the receipt has finished printing, take it.
13. Take the receipt to the counter and give it to the clerk. Pay for the ticket and wait while the clerk prints the ticket for you.

If you don't know the Lawson code:

1. Touch anywhere on the screen to bring up the menu.
2. Touch the red icon in the top right of the screen.
3. Touch the top left icon.
4. Touch the bottom right yellow icon.
5. Touch the top left concert icon.
6. If you're looking for a gig by a Japanese artist, choose the Japan icon. Otherwise, choose the World icon. Note: For some reason, international artists are occassionally in the Japan section and vice versa.
7. You should see a map of Japan. Choose the area of Japan the concert is located in. The Tokyo area is the light blue region.
8. Now there will be a listing of concerts in grey boxes. Scroll through them using the arrow icon at the bottom until you find the artist you're looking for. Click the grey box. Note: Unfortunately, they are not listed in alphabetical order. Most artist names will be written in English, but will sometimes be in katakana. Sometimes the name of the concert or tour will be listed instead of the artist names.
9. Go to step 6 in the above instructions.

Note: If you need to go back at any stage, press the red arrow button on the far right. The green arrow button above it will bring you back to the start.

ticket pia

Tickets will often be available at Ticket Pia agents around Japan. The website lists the locations of the shops in Japanese. Machines selling Pia tickets can often be found in Family Mart convenience stores. The procedure for buying tickets is quite similar to the machines in Lawson stores as described above. Otherwise, look out for the little shops displaying the Pia sign. Tell the clerk what concert you want to buy tickets for. It will help if you write down the artist/tour/concert names, the venue and the date on a piece of paper and hand it to the clerk.

venues

Usually, the clubs/bars/live houses themselves will sell tickets in advance. Find directions to the venues on the Live Houses page. Tell the person at the door what concert you want to buy tickets for. If you can't speak Japanese, it will help if you write down the artist/tour/concert names and the date on a piece of paper and hand it to the clerk.

record stores

The artist, venue or promoter's website will indicate whether tickets are available from certain record stores. For links to record shops, check out the Links page. Tell the clerk what concert you want to buy tickets for. It will help if you write down the artist/tour/concert names, the venue and the date on a piece of paper and hand it to the clerk.

others

Tickets are sometimes available from other agents, promoters or websites such as eplus. A knowledge of Japanese will be necessary to order the tickets by internet or telephone.

buying tickets from overseas

Tickets can sometimes be bought from Japanese agencies online from overseas, but only in Japanese and you usually need a Japanese address for them to be sent to. Tickets to some larger events are sold from Mosaico. You could also try FDJP.

arriving at a show

Shows in Japan start early! Usually about 6:00. The good thing about this is that they finish before the last train. Club events, on the other hand, often start at 11pm or midnight and go until the first train. There are usually two listed times; the opening time when people are admitted, and the start time when the first band starts. At some shows, particularly larger ones, ticket numbers are called out at opening time and people are admitted in order of ticket number. So the further in advance you buy your ticket, the earlier you can get in. If you can't understand Japanese numbers, show your ticket to the person calling out numbers and they will help you. If you don't have tickets, arrive early so you can buy them at the door before they sell out. When you arrive at most shows, you will have to pay another Y500 for a drink ticket on top of the door price or even if you have an advance ticket. Bring the drink ticket to the bar inside and exchange it for a drink. Upon arriving, you may be asked which band you came to see. Then you are given a handful of flyers. You will often find lockers somewhere inside where you can put your bags and stuff.