Karaoke has long been a staple of Japanese culture, and has even spread to other countries like the United States. A fun activity for friends and family, karaoke is the perfect date night activity. The Japanese have also embraced the trend, and you can improve your vocal skills while singing along to your favorite songs. Here are some interesting facts about karaoke. Read on to learn more!
The most enjoyable aspect of karaoke in Japan is that everyone is encouraged to join in. A song from Piano Man or American Pie is sure to get everyone singing along. When you aren’t the star of the night, cheering and encouraging the singer are great ways to bond. While singing, don’t interrupt the singer, leave the room or hold back. You might be surprised to find that shy Japanese become rock stars when given a microphone.
The word karaoke comes from a portmanteau of the words kara and oke. In Japanese, kara means empty, and oke refers to orchestra. The term was first used in 1971 by Daisuke Inoue, a musician in Kobe. He found a way to incorporate this fun entertainment into his day-to-day life. His band couldn’t provide accompaniment in sing-along cafes, so he created a way for the singers to do it without an orchestra. During the 1960s, America also became a fan of sing-along cafes.
Although karaoke is a worldwide phenomenon, the Japanese tradition was very different than its American cousin. Daisuke Inoue, who invented the game, grew up in a rural town. After his financial crisis, karaoke was seen as a social balm and a reason for revelry. With this in mind, it seems only natural that the Japanese would embrace this popular entertainment.
Inoue didn’t invent karaoke, but it was Roberto del Rosario who first patented the idea in 1975. Filipinos had long enjoyed “music minus one” singalongs. The Filipinos also brought these innovations to Japan in the mid-’60s. The Japanese quickly adopted it. The term karaoke is a combination of the words okesutora, oke, and karappo.
Today, many karaoke places in Japan offer room service, which means that you can order drinks and food from the phone while you are singing. Food and drinks are not included in the price of the event, but some karaoke bars even offer all-you-can-drink packages. If you want to have a good time while singing, you should check out some karaoke venues in Ikebukuro and Akihabara.
Another fun way to learn the language is by taking a language quiz. You can choose from a number of language quizzes on the app itself. This way, you’ll learn the basics of Japanese while having a good time at the same time! You might even discover some fun things about Japanese culture you never knew! So, get started! You’ll be amazed at how many new friends you’ll make if you try karaoke in Japanese.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.