Getting a ticket for a concert in Japan can be confusing.
In this post, I will guide you through the ticket buying process.
There are some other guides online, but most of them are trying to sell their own services.
This is an unbiased guide from someone who lives in Japan and attends a lot of concerts! Hope this is helpful for you.
The Ticket Buying Process
In Japan, there are four main ticket websites. Pia, Lawson, LivePocket, and E-plus.
Major artists will sell through one or all of the websites, and an account with a phone number and credit card are required for purchase.
For popular shows, there is a “lottery” which only allows a select chosen few to purchase the tickets. First, you apply to the lottery, then you are sent a purchasing link later on if you win.
This is to protect against scalpers and resellers, and it keeps the price of concerts affordable in Japan.
Tickets are either printed at a convenience store or delivered in the form of online tickets.
How to get an account?
Buying tickets requires a cell number verified account.
To verify an account, you need a Japanese phone number. This is necessary for the majority of sites, and there is NO way around it.
A credit card is also needed for purchase.
Here are all the ways you can get a verified account to buy tickets.
Proxy
Proxy services will do the ticket buying process for you.
You pay them up front – they will buy the tickets then deliver it to you.
Some people recommend using Tickets Galore , saying that “the communication isn’t the greatest but they do deliver tickets in the end”.
Please be careful when using Proxy sites. It is the most “hands off” of the options and requires no work from your side. Because of that, it is also one of the more risky and expensive choices as you have no control.
Pros: Easy, no work from your end – Just pay and wait
Cons: Expensive, no guarantees
Use A Friend’s Number
This is what I did when I first came to Japan.
If you know someone in Japan who doesn’t care about going to concerts, you can ask to use their phone number for your account.
They only need to verify the code on their end once, so it isn’t much work for them. After that, you can freely use the account.
Take care with security issues – they could use their phone number to reset the password and enter the account.
Once in the account, they can see the home address you input. Your card is protected by the security code.
Please only share an account with someone you trust and change the info and delete cards after making a purchase.
Pros: Closest to having your own personal account without having a Japanese number, full control over the ticket application process
Cons: Security issue – take care to change your info after purchase
Ask a Friend to Purchase
If you have a friend willing to purchase tickets for you, you can pay them back later.
I have been in situations where:
- Friend purchased the ticket and gave me their log-in information so I could get the ticket and print it myself.
- Friend did all the hard work and purchased + printed the ticket, Met me in real life to pass it on.
Either way, be sure to compensate your kind friend.
**There are some situations where an ID check is required to check if the ticket name matches your name. I have never run into this after 20+ shows… But, it is stated in the purchasing rules. Keep that in mind, but you should be OK.
Pros: (Usually) More trustworthy than a Proxy
Cons: Extra steps and people involved
Buying a Sim Card in Japan
This is a great option especially if you are in Japan for one month or more. If you have an unlocked phone, you can order a sim card online and easily get a Japanese number.
Sim cards are actually pretty affordable (around $30-$60 for a month) and don’t require a big contract. If you have an unlocked phone, read here on how to get a number.
Pros: Best for security and control
Cons: Only useable with unlocked phones, better if you are staying in Japan longer to get full value
Foreign friendly options
E-plus is one of the major ticket vendors and is the most foreign friendly as of 2025.
For some shows, a special English purchasing page will be available through E-plus.
Instead of a Japanese phone number, you will need a credit card with two factor protection.
If you don’t have two factor protection set up on the card, call your credit card company to set it up.
Pros: Easiest way to purchase from overseas
Cons: Not always available, needs a card with two-factor protection
Going to a concert in Japan is a ton of fun. Buying a ticket is the hardest part, so I hoped this guide helped simplify the process for you.
I have guides for other common concert questions too!
Until next time.
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