As JE fangirls, January probably the best month for you to go to Japan as there are so many concerts from different groups being held. We managed to go to not just one, but three concert venue. Sadly we didn’t actually attend the concert as we couldn’t get the ticket (someday we will!). So for our consolation, we went for Karaoke and made our own concert, lol. This particular karaoke chain located in Yotsuya-sanchome, Shinjuku not only a place for having fun, but also they offer Halal menu for Muslim visitor.

We were lucky as staff at the reception area is able to speak English. Thanks to our hijab, she recognized us immediately as Muslim and gave us a room that equipped with English information and Halal menu (which unfortunately in Japanese).

At first we thought the meal offered are only snacks and light meal. Turn out they have Ramen, Curry, and even Pizza. We were so hungry at that time (already past dinner time) so we ordered Curry and Pizza. To order your meal, you can do it via phone available in the room. Again, the staff is able to speak in English so we could do it without any difficulties.

While waiting for our meal (somehow our intention swift from singing to eating, lol), we sang some JE and Exile’s songs. Well, actually most of the time only me who was singing because the text is in Hiragana/Katakana/Kanji, and A is still not that fluent reading Hiragana. Also, I’m the type of person who’s just kept singing in Karaoke no matter how suck I am, lol. Sorry A….

So our tips if you were in situation like A, prepare the lyrics beforehand and bring duct tape to shut your friend for awhile.

The only time I stop singing was when finally our meal arrived. The taste was okay.  Next time we want to try their recommended menu: Ramen, Gyoza, and Chicken Karaage.

We wrote our song list in advance to maximize our time, so we could create the playlist without wasting time thinking what song to sing. In the end we still have some time left, so I put two songs from my current favorite K-pop group, Seventeen (again, sorry A….). When the text appeared, I was stunned as the text was in Hangul! Well…. they have Katakana text on the top of the Hangul, but the problem is my ability to read Katakana is as suck as Hangul. So I just blabbered random sound and completely gave up when it came to rap part. Except Vernon’s rap part, since it has some English words XDD.

We had a good two hours singing and our tummy were also happy (btw, you can order the food for take away). Actually they also have separate prayer space, but we didn’t use it.

What: Karaoke Honpo Maneki Neko Yotsuya-3chome
Where:左門町3-1左門イレブンビル2F（3-1 Samon-eleven Bldg. #2F）
160-0017 Shinjuku-ku [map]
How to go: One minute walk from the Yotsuya-3chome Station on the Tokyo-Metro line (Exit 1)
How much:  Karaoke: 750-800 yen/hour/person; Food: 500-1400 yen.

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Januari menjadi bulan yang tepat bagi fans JE untuk pergi ke Jepang, karena pada bulan ini banyak grup yang menggelar konser. Kami aja sampai mendatangi 3 tempat konser! Bukan untuk nonton konsernya, tapi cuma buat beli goodies. Ya kali aja suatu hari nanti bakal kesampean untuk beneran nonton konser #dimanaadatekaddisitukitanekad. Nah, untuk mnegihubur diri, maka kami pun pergi karaokean di Karaoke Honpo Maneki Neko. Cabang mereka yang di Yotsuya-3chome, Shinjuku menyediakan menu untuk muslim.

Rejeki traveler sholehah, kami dapet staf yang bisa berbahasa Inggris sehingga ga susah untuk komunikasi baik untuk proses pemesanan ruangan maupun makanan. Kami mendapat ruangan yang sepertinya memang untuk turis asing karena ada instruksi bahasa Inggris, menu makanan halal, sampai petunjuk arah kiblat!

Awalnya kami kira makanan yang ada hanya berupa makanan ringan aja, ternyata mereka punya menu makanan berat. Lagi-lagi rejeki traveler shalehah, karena kami waktu itu masih belum menentukan mau makan di mana padahal perut udah keroncongan. Nasi kare dan pizza pun menjadi pilihan untuk santap malam kami. Proses pemesanan makanan dilakukan via telpon yang ada di ruangan.

Berhubung kami berdua #kopedtraveler, jadi sebelum ke tempat karaoke, kami udah buat list lagu-lagu yang bakal dikaraokein biar ga buang-buang waktu mikir bikin playlist pas udah di tempat karaoke. Mulai dari grup JE tuwir macam Shonentai sampai yang kinyis-kinyis kayak Sexy Zone, ga ketinggalan lagu abang-abang Exile juga.

Teks karaoke yang muncul tentunya dalam tulisan Jepang, makanya A ga banyak nyanyi lantaran belum terlalu lancar baca Hiragana (dan ga hafal lirik pula). Walhasil saya yang banyak mendominasi selama 2 jam sesi. Iya, saya emang tipe yang ga berenti nyanyi kalo di karaoke meski suara kayak ibu-ibu qasidahan di toa masjid kelurahan sebelah. Nah, makanya tips dari kami kalau kamu kondisinya kayak A, persiapkanlah lirik sebelumnya (bisa print atau simpen di hape), dan juga bawa lakban buat bikin mingkem temen kamu.

Saya sempet masukin 2 lagu dari grup K-pop kesukaan saya, Seventeen, ke playlist. Begitu teks karaokenya muncul, yang ada saya cengo’ karena teksnya dalam tulisan Hangul! Emang ada sih tulisan Katakana kecil di atas tulisan Hangul, cuma masalahnya kemampuan membaca Katakana saya sama payahnya dengan baca Hangul. Walhasil saya cuma gumam-gumam ga jelas sekenanya dan menyerah sepenuhnya pas bagian rap (yes keles….). Paling pas rap bagian Vernon aja saya bisa dikit-dikit ngikutin karena ada kata-kata Bahasa Inggris, hehe.