Buying Japanese Concert Tickets Overseas ~ 2025

If you’re a fan of Japanese music, it makes sense to factor in a concert or two to your travel plans. Quickly however, you might run into one or two issues with getting tickets. I’m here to make it easy; where to look for gigs, how to get tickets, and other ways you can explore Japan’s rich music cultures.

GOING DIRECT

In some cases, the tickets you want to buy will be available to buy directly from the ticket site using your native information (phone number etc.), with an email or paper ticket pick-up option. I used ePlus in March 2024 to see WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA at the Budōkan with relative ease.

Larger pop shows and festivals will be easier to find tickets for on English ticket sites than mid-level domestic artists. The problem comes when you have to use a site like Ticket Pia [a major ticket guide].

PHONE NUMBERS, LOCATION & E-TICKETS

Commonly you may find tickets, put in your information, and then realise that you need a Japanese phone number and address. You can likely get past this issue by using an eSIM and the address of your accommodation, but you should double check the delivery method.

I recently bought a ticket to SYNCHRONICITY '25 in Shibuya and the only way to receive the ticket was via Moala – an e-Ticket app. With some of these apps you may only be able to download them if your region is set to Japan (this is at least the case for my android).

RESALE TICKETS

If nothing has worked so far, you may be tempted to buy a resale ticket. I would advise against this.

Japan has an anti-scalping law which affects the way you can buy resale tickets. In short, the law protects buyers from being fleeced by scalpers, but it is enforced randomly and via identity verification.

You may be tempted to use Viagogo or similar sites, but you risk both getting scammed and not getting into the show if you’re not the person on the ticket*.

*people have varied experiences with this.

Moreover, the resale ticket may be an e-Ticket, and if you’re unable to use the app then you’ve lost out; in addition to region locks, they can have face verification features!

PROXY SERVICES

There is a way to get tickets by using a proxy service.

They are few, but you can find buyers online who will buy you a paper ticket in your name from Japan. I have used one before, contacting by email. In my case, I received an email and was instructed to go to a Lawson convenience store to print my ticket off.

For ease and peace of mind I think this is a good option if you don’t have a Japanese phone number or want to let someone else take care of it.

It is a service however, so you pay for it, but it wasn’t much in my experience.

ON THE GROUND

You could pull a rogue move and wait until you get there.

Once in Japan you can use ticket machines like the ‘Loppi’ at stores like Ministop and Lawson or visit a Kinken store; a counter that resells tickets including those for concerts. The obvious risk is that the closer you leave it to the date of the show, the less tickets available.

OTHER OPTIONS FOR LIVE MUSIC

If you’d like to experience music in Japan but don’t fancy shopping for tickets ahead of time, there are ways to do so.

Live houses host shows from local bands in large cities like Tokyo, music bars are a great place to meet people and listen to or play some music. Street music isn’t uncommon, and there are plenty of clubs if you prefer that kind of thing.

Japan is a country of music lovers, evidenced by it being the world's second largest music market [source: IFPI Global Music Report 2025], so there's no shortage of options!

WHAT'S ON & CLOSING THOUGHTS

I left this until last because you now know where to get the tickets. The main ticket guides will have most shows on them. You can keep a closer eye on your favourite artist's social media accounts or check their websites (I'm always looking at the indigo la End website).

Most of the time you'll be directed via link to one of the main sites like ePlus or Ticket Pia; this does most of the work for you.

Many tickets are sold in "receptions" using a lottery system. In many cases it will start with fan club members before opening up to others. Safe bet: wait for general reception and buy using your Japanese number, or by proxy service.

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