How much does it cost to see a gig in Tokyo?

Why is the ticket price not the full cost?

At most live houses, the ticket only covers entry. A drink fee is charged separately at the entrance, and staff give you a drink ticket for the bar. You pay it even if you don't drink alcohol. JGIG adds the ticket and the drink fee together, so the total on a show page is closer to what you will spend. For more on the drink fee itself, see How much is the drink fee at Japanese live houses?.

What does the total depend on?

Your ticket type. A show can sell advance tickets (前売, maeuri), door tickets (当日, tojitsu) and torioki reservations. JGIG's total uses the advance price when the event lists one, and the door price otherwise. If the official page lists different advance and door prices, plan for the one you will actually pay.

The drink fee. Among listed shows with a drink fee, 87.6% charge ¥600. The rest charge a different amount, so check the show page.

The city and the night. For Tokyo shows alone, the median total is ¥4,100. To see how the total changes by night of the week, read Which night of the week is cheapest for live music in Japan?. For a full Tokyo and Osaka comparison, see Tokyo vs Osaka live music.

What is not in the total?

• Extra drinks. Your drink ticket covers one drink. Some venues sell more drinks at the bar.
• Merch. Merch tables often open after each band. JGIG has no price data for merch. See Buying band merch at small gigs in Japan.
• Lockers. Some venues have coin lockers, and the number varies by event. Some venues have none. Check the venue page.
• Food. Only a few live houses serve snacks, so eat before the show if you need a meal.
• Earplugs. Some venue counters sell them.
• Trains. Your fare there and back.

When can the cost be different?

• Some shows cost far more than the median. The price bands in the JGIG data below show how many listed shows fall into each range.
• Some show pages have no total. If a show has no drink fee listed, JGIG cannot add the two. Check the official event page for the drink fee.
• Prices can change. Promoters sometimes change prices, times or lineups at short notice. Check the official event page before you go.

How do you work out your budget?

1. Open the list of upcoming shows on JGIG and pick a date.
2. On the show page, note the total (ticket and drink fee).
3. Open the official event page from the show page. Check which tickets are on sale and their prices.
4. Add cash for extras: another drink, merch or a locker.
5. If you will pay at the door, carry the full amount in cash.

What if you are alone, have no Japanese or cash, or buy at the door?

• Going alone: You pay the same ticket and drink fee as everyone else. For tips on the night, see Going to a concert alone in Tokyo.
• No Japanese: If the official page is in Japanese, look for 前売 (advance), 当日 (door) and 1D (one drink) next to the prices. How to read a Japanese gig flyer explains each term.
• No cash: Some venues take cards or IC cards, but JGIG's guides advise carrying cash. Torioki is paid in cash at the door. See Do you need cash at Japanese live houses?.
• Door ticket: Door tickets are sold only if there is space. JGIG does not have door-ticket status for most shows yet, so check the official event page. Bring cash for the ticket and the drink fee.

What to do next

What to do next