TL;DR: Browse venues by area with address, access, and tips.
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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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).
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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).
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