Neighborhood directory
Livehouses we love
Live houses we love. Pick an area to discover live music venues across Tokyo and Osaka, with English-friendly venue guides.
Shimokitazawa (Tokyo)
Spotlight
Shimokitazawa BASEMENTBAR
A 150-cap basement room known for rock, punk, indie, and DJ parties with a strong local community vibe.
B1F, Calabash Building, 5-18-1 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0032
About a 6–8 minute walk from the South Exit of Shimokitazawa Station.
Spotlight
Shimokitazawa ERA
Long-established (since 2002) with a standing capacity around 200. Hosts a wide range of genres with a strong focus on live bands.
4F Primaverre Shimokitazawa, 2-34-5 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan
About a 3-minute walk from the North Exit of Shimokitazawa Station.
Spotlight
Shimokitazawa THREE
An indie stronghold (~150 cap) covering alternative rock, funk, and DJ parties—reflecting Shimokitazawa's evolving music scene.
B1F, Calabash Building, 5-18-1 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0032
About a 6–8 minute walk from the South Exit of Shimokitazawa Station.
Spotlight
Shimokitazawa SHELTER
Iconic basement venue from the LOFT group (since 1991). Capacity around 250 with passionate indie/rock shows nightly.
B1, Senda Building, 2-6-10 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031
About a 3–4 minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station.
Spotlight
Music Bar & Live Space CHIKAMICHI
Hybrid music bar and live space (~100 cap) hosting acoustic sets, bands, and DJ events in an intimate setting.
B1F, NH Shimokitazawa Building, 3-31-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031
A few minutes’ walk from Shimokitazawa Station.
Shinjuku (Tokyo)
Spotlight
Shinjuku ANTIKNOCK
A long-standing live house famed for hardcore, metal, and punk lineups with intense sound.
B1, Ray Flat Shinjuku, 4-3-15 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
A few minutes’ walk from JR Shinjuku Station (Shin-Minami or South-East Exit).
Spotlight
Shinjuku MARZ
Since 2001 this 300-cap venue has hosted rock, pop, idol, and DJ events—renowned for its powerful Funktion-One system.
B1F, Daiichi Tokiwa Building, 2-45-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0021
About a 1-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station, or 5 minutes from JR Shinjuku Station (East Exit).
Shinsaibashi (Osaka)
Spotlight
Live House Pangea
A rock and indie venue in Amerikamura with a capacity around 200. The stage is close to the audience, creating high-energy shows with passionate bookings.
1F, Shinsaibashi West 363 Building, 2-10-34 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0086
About a 3-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station or Yotsubashi Station on the Osaka Metro.
Spotlight
Live House ANIMA
A 350-capacity space in Amerikamura that hosts touring rock, punk, and indie bands from Japan and abroad.
B1F Spazio Building, 2-10-21 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0086
About a 5–8 minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station or Namba Station (Osaka Metro).
Minami-Horie (Osaka)
Spotlight
SOCORE FACTORY
Renowned for its top-tier sound system—one of the most powerful in Japan. Hosts bands, club events, and experimental performances across genres.
2-13-26 Minami-Horie, Nishi-ku, Osaka 550-0015
About an 8–10 minute walk from Nishinagahori Station or Sakuragawa Station on the Osaka Metro.
Fukushima (Osaka)
Spotlight
LIVE SQUARE 2nd LINE
A staple mid-sized venue (~250 capacity) that focuses on rock, emerging indie bands, and touring acts in the Fukushima area.
7-11-37 Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka 553-0003
About a 3-minute walk from JR Fukushima Station.
Shindaita / Shimokitazawa (Tokyo)
Spotlight
LIVE HOUSE FEVER
A black-box style venue (~300 cap) with a curated lineup from indie rock to international acts. The adjoining café/gallery POPO adds a community vibe.
1F, Shindaita Building, 1-1-14 Hanegi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-0042
30 seconds from Shindaita Station (Keio Inokashira Line).
Shibuya (Tokyo)
Spotlight
Shibuya WWW
Space Shower TV’s black-box hall showcasing cutting-edge domestic and international acts plus club culture.
B1F, Rise Building, 13-17 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042
About a 7–10 minute walk from JR Shibuya Station (Hachiko Exit).