How to buy live house tickets in Japan
Small live house shows in Japan usually offer up to three ways in: advance tickets (maeuri), door tickets sold on the day if there is space (tojitsu), and torioki, a reservation with the organizer that you pay for in cash at the door. Which ones are available depends on the show, so check the official event page first. The drink fee (usually ¥600) is paid separately at the door.
By JGIG editorial · Updated Oct 15, 2026
At a glance
The short version
| How it works | Good for travellers when… | Watch out for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance (maeuri / 前売) | Sold online or by the organizer, often with a number for entry order | You know your dates and can complete the online purchase | Some sites may be Japanese-only |
| Door (tojitsu / 当日券) | Sold at the entrance on the day, if capacity allows | You decide on the day | Not every show sells them; door-ticket holders enter last |
| Torioki (取り置き) | You message the organizer or band to reserve, then pay cash at the door | You can't buy online but can send a short message | Reply times vary; bring cash |
How do you check which way works for your show?
- Open the show page on JGIG and follow the link to the official event page.
- Look for 前売 (advance), 当日 (door) and 取り置き (torioki) next to the prices.
- If door tickets are listed, note that availability is often decided 5 to 30 minutes before doors. Arrive early.
- If only advance tickets are listed and you can't buy online, look for a torioki contact (email or social media) on the official page.
- Keep the confirmation on your phone, and save a screenshot. Reception can be weak underground.
Will door tickets be available?
Often, but not always. Small shows can sell out, and many official pages only confirm door tickets close to the day. JGIG doesn't yet have door-ticket status for most listed shows, so the official page is the place to check. If a show matters to you, a torioki or advance ticket is the more reliable choice.
What does the number on your ticket mean?
It is your place in the entry order (整理番号, seiri bangō). Staff call numbers in blocks before letting people in, and door-ticket holders enter last. See What does the ticket number mean?.
Stay with official sales
Buy from the organizer, the venue or the ticket site linked on the official event page. Avoid resale listings: they may not be valid for entry.
JGIG data
What the listed shows say
JGIG show pages link to the official event page for every show, and show the ticket price and the drink fee together. Among shows listed on JGIG in Tokyo and Osaka (Oct 15, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026), the median total is ¥4,100.
Shinjuku, Tokyo
Highway Star vol.18
Shinjuku ANTIKNOCK
Adv ¥2,500 / Door ¥3,000 + ¥600 Drink
Ticket + drink: ¥3,100
TonightDoors 16:30 · Start 16:50DetailsShimokitazawa, Tokyo
utopia
Music Bar & Live Space CHIKAMICHI
¥2,500 + drink fee not listed
TonightDoors 18:00 · Start 18:30DetailsShindaita / Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
The Live Show!!
LIVE HOUSE FEVER
¥1,000 + ¥600 Drink
Ticket + drink: ¥1,600
TonightDoors 18:30 · Start 19:00DetailsShimokitazawa, Tokyo
sadness & Saidan Live in Tokyo
Shimokitazawa ERA
Adv ¥6,500 / Door ¥7,500 + ¥700 Drink
Ticket + drink: ¥7,200
TonightDoors 18:30 · Start 19:00DetailsShibuya, Tokyo
Novel Core
Shibuya WWW
¥6,800 + drink fee not listed
TonightDoors 18:00 · Start 19:00Details
Prices and door tickets can change. Check the official information on each show page before you go.
Based on 521 upcoming shows listed on JGIG in Tokyo and Osaka (Oct 15, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026), updated Oct 15, 2026. These numbers describe JGIG's listings, not every live house, and are not a promise of any price. Check the official event page before you go.
What to do next
What to do next
Find your show and open its official pageFAQ
Questions people ask
- Can I buy tickets at the door?
- At many small shows, yes, if there is space. Check the official page. Availability is often decided shortly before doors.
- What is torioki?
- A reservation with the organizer or band. You pay in cash at the door.
- Is the drink fee included?
- No. It is paid at the door, usually ¥600.
- Who enters first?
- Numbered advance tickets go first. Door-ticket holders enter last.
Sources
Sources and last checked
- JGIG guide: Ticket types · checked Oct 15, 2026
- JGIG guide Q&A · checked Oct 15, 2026
By JGIG editorial · Updated Oct 15, 2026. Show details can change, so check the official information before you go.
This column was drafted with AI and checked by a person against official sources. How we make JGIG