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JGIGLIVE HOUSE GUIDE JAPAN
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Coming from Germany? What works differently at Japan's live houses

A lot will feel familiar. Japanese show pages list a doors time and a start time, just like Einlass and Beginn, and cash still matters. The main differences: a drink fee at the door at most shows, entry by ticket number, and a drinking age of 20.

This guide is for small live houses in Tokyo and Osaka. It doesn't cover arena or dome concerts, clubs, or after-midnight nightlife. Facts checked 15 October 2026.

By JGIG editorial · Updated Oct 15, 2026

At a glance

The short version

In GermanyAt Japan's live housesWhat to do
TimesEinlass and BeginnOPEN (doors) and STARTPlan around doors. See doors or start
Minimum spendMindestverzehr at some eventsA drink fee at the door, at most showsSee the drink fee
Door ticketsAbendkasse; none for sold-out shows at some venues (e.g. LOGO)Door tickets often cost more; none if sold outBuy in advance if you can
Getting inNo numbered entry mentioned at the venues we checkedCalled in by ticket number (整理番号)See ticket numbers
Drinking age16 for beer and wine, 18 for spirits (JuSchG)20 for all alcoholIf you're under 20, order a soft drink
CloakroomGarderobe, about €2–2.50, sometimes cash onlyCoin lockers or a cloak room at some venues, neither at othersSee lockers and bags
CashStill common; some cloakrooms and box offices take cash onlySome merch stalls take cash onlyCarry some yen. See cash

Is there a Mindestverzehr at Japanese live houses?

In effect, yes: most shows come with a fixed drink fee at the door.

In Germany, some events have a Mindestverzehr. Artheater in Cologne, for example, listed €3 (Mvz.) for a jam session in December 2024. At most Japanese live houses, a similar charge comes with most shows: one drink ticket, bought at the entrance on top of your ticket. JGIG listings show ¥600 more than any other amount. Soft drinks count. More: How much is the drink fee?

What do OPEN and START mean on Japanese gig listings?

OPEN is Einlass and START is Beginn.

German show pages list Einlass and Beginn, such as 19:00 and 20:00 at Privatclub in Berlin. Japanese show pages work the same way, with OPEN for doors and START for the first band. Entry starts at OPEN, so that is the time to plan around. See Doors or start.

How does Einlass work in Japan?

You go in by the number on your ticket (整理番号), in blocks called by staff.

The German venue FAQs we checked don't mention numbered entry. Japan does it by number: the 整理番号 on your advance ticket sets your turn at Einlass, and the Abendkasse crowd goes in last. See What does the ticket number mean?

Can you drink beer at 16 or 18 in Japan?

No. The drinking age in Japan is 20 for beer, wine and spirits alike.

Under the German Youth Protection Act, beer and wine can be served from 16 and spirits from 18. In Japan, there is one line: 20 for all alcohol, and for smoking too. In Germany you can order a beer at 16. In Japan, you have to wait until 20.

Who can get in is decided per show. A few all-night shows in Tokyo set 20 as the minimum, others 18. Venues that name specific IDs include a passport, so bring yours.

Is there a Garderobe, and should you bring cash?

Some venues have lockers or a cloak room, and carrying yen is wise.

  • Cloakroom. Badehaus in Berlin charges €2 an item, and LOGO in Hamburg takes cash only at the Garderobe. Japanese live houses vary: some have coin lockers or a cloak room, and some have neither. See lockers, bags and re-entry.
  • Cash. Cash was used for about 45% of payments by number in Germany in 2025 (Bundesbank). Carrying cash helps in Japan too, as some merch stalls take cash only. See Do you need cash?
  • Tipping. visitBerlin says tips and VAT are included in prices, and gives 10–15% of the bill as a guide for restaurants. In Japan, tipping is not common, according to JNTO. The drink fee is not a tip.

What works the same as at home?

  • End times. LOGO in Hamburg says its concerts end by 23:00. JGIG doesn't list end times, so check the event page and your last train: see last trains.

Before you go: a quick checklist

  1. Pick a show: tonight in Tokyo or any date.
  2. On the show page, add the ticket price and the drink fee.
  3. Check the official event page on the day, as times and ticket status can change.
  4. Arrive around OPEN, with your ticket, some yen and your passport.

JGIG data

What the listed shows say

JGIG lists each show's ticket price and drink fee together. Across listed shows (Oct 16, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026), the median total for one ticket plus the drink fee is ¥4,100.

Based on 510 upcoming shows listed on JGIG in Tokyo and Osaka (Oct 16, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026), updated Oct 16, 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.

All the numbers: Live House Index

What to do next

What to do next

Find a show for your dates

FAQ

Questions people ask

Can I buy Japanese gig tickets from Germany?
Often yes, but some sites need a Japanese phone number. See ticket sites.
Is the drink fee the same at every venue?
No, it varies by venue. On JGIG listings, the most common amount is ¥600.
Do I need ID?
At some late or all-night shows, yes. Bring your passport; venues that name specific IDs include it.
Can I order a soft drink with the drink ticket?
Yes. Soft drinks are usually on the menu.

Sources

Sources and last checked

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