This is a basic overview on how to navigate live houses for minor visual kei lives in Japan.

*Disclaimer: this is all based on personal experiences since 2014*

Minor visual kei bands are those who perform in low capacity (300-500) venues such as Ikebukuro Edge, Ikebukuro Black Hole, Shibuya Deseo, Shinjuku Holiday, Shinjuku Heist, Shibuya REX, and more! They generally have under 100 fans. Depending on the band there can be 10 fans or 60 fans in the audience.

*In this post I will not be explaining saizen (front row)* 

Some quick terms:

Taiban: a live where multiple bands (3+) are performing

One-man: a live with only one band performing 

Two-man: a live where only two bands are performing

If you don’t speak Japanese, don't worry! 

There are only two things I recommend you prepare in advance, and I'll tell you about them soon.

On the day of the live show, most fans arrive at the venue 10-20 minutes prior to doors opening.

Once it is time, a staff member will call out numbers one by one, so listen closely. I highly recommend memorizing your ticket number in Japanese in advance.

When you hear your number, walk towards the staff member and show them your ticket. When you get their quick nod of approval, you join the line to enter the venue. Be sure to have your drink fee money ready!

In Japan, many concerts are based on the numbered ticket system, especially vkei. The lower your number, the closer you'll be to the stage! #1 means you're the first to enter. #54 means you're the fifty-fourth person to enter.

If you're attending a taiban or two-man, you need to share the name of the band you're seeing to the staff member inside the venue.

When you enter the venue and hand over your ticket and drink fee, say “(band name) desu.”

This is so they can count the amount of fans for each band, separate ticket sales, etc. If you're interested in seeing multiple bands who are playing, please pick only ONE to tell the venue staff.

If you're attending a one-man then you'll skip that process. Just hand over your ticket and money!

Most venues will give you some type of token to use as a drink ticket. You receive this after paying at the front entrance. Sometimes it's a pick, a button, or an actual laminated paper with "drink ticket" written on it. You use that ticket to redeem one drink at the bar; however, if they don't give you anything, that means you use your paper ticket. Bar staff will mark your paper ticket so they know you've already gotten your drink. This will happen at Ikebukuro EDGE. Each venue usually has a menu up at the bar. If you're unable to read hiragana or katakana there's usually coca cola, beer, and water.

For HOLIDAY, you can immediately grab a bottled drink or can from the mini refrigerators that are beside the entrance doors. Staff will point them out to you after you finish with your ticket and paying for the drink fee.

Once that's all finished you can head to the main stage area to secure a spot. You'll see other fans doing the same. Generally you want to line up with people in a neat and orderly fashion with small gaps between you and the other person. Once space fills up a new row will form. 

Now, if you need to leave your spot to use the restroom or grab your drink, all you need to do is place your bag or any item on the floor where you were standing. Everyone will avoid your spot because it's already been claimed. You can only do this before the live starts and in between sets when a band isn't performing.

From there you just wait for the live to begin!

Many gya (girls) will place their belongings to the side against the wall instead of using cloak or lockers. Feel free to do the same!

Think of cloak as "coat check". You pay a fee and the venue gives you a bag to put your belongings in. It’s usually a new plastic trash bag that you open up by yourself. After putting whatever you want inside, you have to tie it yourself before handing it to staff who will then give you a numbered item. Don't lose your number, so you can get your stuff back!!!

When the live is completely over and you're ready to retrieve your items from cloak, there will be a designated staff by the exit. Hand them your numbered item and they will grab your bag for you. 

If you're attending a taiban, once a band finishes their set you can go to their merch table in the back of the venue to buy goods. Buying cheki is another reason you'll want to brush up on numbers in Japanese! 

Many people will be moving about during this time. Some fans will be trading spots with other fans, on their way to buy goods, use the restroom, grab their drink, or even to leave. Then it'll become organized again.

I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect. When you're actually there, it won't be that bad at all, trust me!

Enter the venue -> secure a spot -> done!

If you have any questions or vkei info requests, feel free to comment or @ me on Twitter.

I’m definitely interested in explaining how to do 2shots.  ^^

Have fun!