KARAOKE!!

We were all starving by the time we arrived back in Nagoya after our day in Shirakawa-go.  After we ate dinner at a local izakaya, we crossed the street and karaoked for a couple of hours.

How to karaoke in Japan

Step 1: Once you and your friends are in your rented karaoke room, select a song using the song book.

Step 2: Wait for the song to queue up and appear on the television screen.

Step 3: Pick up a microphone and start belting out some tunes.

Yuri and Greg

Note that no one cares about how good or bad a singer you are.  In fact, you will be able to hear a bit of other people's performances through the wall.

Massa, Elaina, and Greg

 Step 4: You will get a phone call on the in-room phone when your allotted time is almost up.

Yuri, Massa, and I

 Step 5: Put down the microphone, get your stuff together, put on your coat, and walk out the door.

Yuri, Greg, and I

 And there you go, how to karaoke in 5 easy steps.