You've found the perfect event in Tokyo — a headliner you've been waiting to see, a legendary club night, or an underground techno set at a venue you've heard about for years. Then you try to buy a ticket and hit a wall: a Japanese-language website, a payment form that rejects your foreign card, and a confusing lottery system that feels like buying concert tickets on hard mode.
Japan's ticketing ecosystem is genuinely unlike anywhere else in the world. Most major shows route through a handful of domestic platforms, many were built years ago for Japanese-only payment methods, and almost nothing works the way you'd expect if you're used to Ticketmaster or Eventbrite. This guide breaks down every major platform, how to use them as a visitor, and where to go when the mainstream options fail.
Why Japan's Ticketing System Is Different
Japan's major ticket platforms — e+, PIA, and Lawson Ticket — were built in the early internet era when international credit cards weren't a consideration. They're deeply integrated with Japan's convenience store infrastructure. Many shows require you to pay and collect physical tickets at a convenience store terminal, even when you bought online.
The other major quirk: lottery pre-sales. Most large concerts don't sell on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, there's a lottery window — usually one to three weeks before tickets go on general sale — where you register your interest and get selected at random. If you win the lottery, you then complete payment within a tight window (often 48 hours). Miss the payment window and you're out.
General sale after a lottery is often limited. For popular shows, the lottery is your real shot.
e+ (eplus): The Biggest Platform
e+ (pronounced "e-plus") is Japan's largest ticketing platform. If a major artist is touring Tokyo, there's a good chance their tickets are on e+.
Website: eplus.jp
The interface is entirely in Japanese, so you'll want Google Chrome with auto-translate turned on. The layout is fairly standard — search for artist or event name in the search bar at the top, navigate to the event page, then select your dates and ticket type.
Registration: You'll need to create a free account. The registration form asks for a Japanese phone number — use a Japanese SIM or eSIM if you have one. If you don't, some travelers report success using a VoIP number, but this isn't guaranteed. Name entry uses furigana (Japanese phonetic spelling) — you can leave this with your name written in katakana using a basic converter online.
Payment options: e+ accepts Visa and Mastercard from international issuers on their standard online checkout — this is one of the more foreigner-friendly major platforms. They also accept convenience store payment (combini), which is covered below.
The lottery system on e+: When a lottery pre-sale is active, you'll see an application window (申込期間) on the event page. Click through, select your desired ticket quantity and date, submit your entry. You'll receive an email result (当選 = winner, 落選 = not selected). If you win, you'll have a payment deadline — act fast.
Picking up tickets at FamilyMart: Many e+ tickets are set for FamilyMart collection. After purchasing, you'll receive a confirmation code. Take that code to a FamilyMart, use the Famiport terminal (the red touchscreen kiosk near the entrance), select チケット (Ticket), enter your confirmation number, and print. Take the printout to the register and pay in cash. The cashier prints your actual ticket.
PIA: Japan's Other Major Platform
PIA (pia.jp) is the second-largest ticketing platform in Japan and works almost identically to e+. Many shows are available on both, so if one fails you, try the other.
Website: pia.jp (also at t.pia.jp for the ticket-specific subdomain)
PIA also runs a lottery system for high-demand shows. The registration and payment flow mirrors e+. PIA uses Loppi terminals at Lawson for physical ticket pickup (see below), and also supports FamilyMart collection for some events.
International cards on PIA: PIA's track record with foreign cards is mixed. If your card is rejected, the combini payment route is your backup — choose convenience store payment at checkout, then collect and pay in cash within the stated time window (usually 3 days).
Lawson Ticket (L-tike): Tied to the Loppi Terminal
Lawson Ticket (l-tike.com) is the official ticketing arm of Lawson convenience stores. Many concerts, theater shows, and club events sell via L-tike.
Website: l-tike.com
The site is Japanese-only but Chrome's auto-translate handles it well. Account creation requires a Japanese mobile number for verification, similar to e+.
The Loppi terminal: Lawson's in-store kiosk is called Loppi — the green terminal you'll find at every Lawson near the entrance. You can use the Loppi to buy tickets directly without any online account.
Buying at the Loppi terminal (step by step):
- At the Loppi homescreen, tap 各種番号をお持ちの方はこちら (For those with a number, tap here) — or look for the ticket option
- Enter the L-code (a 6-digit number for the specific event — found in event listings and promotional materials)
- Select your date and ticket type
- Review your order on screen and confirm
- The Loppi prints a reservation slip
- Take the slip to the cashier immediately (within about 30 minutes) and pay in cash
- The cashier gives you your ticket
The Loppi works well for walk-in purchases when you know the L-code in advance. L-codes for major events are often listed on the artist's official website, social media, and event flyers.
Convenience Store Ticket Pickup: Step by Step
Regardless of which platform you use, collecting tickets at a convenience store follows the same basic flow:
At FamilyMart (Famiport terminal):
- At the Famiport (red kiosk), tap チケット (Ticket)
- Select the relevant service (e+ or other)
- Enter your receipt/confirmation number
- Confirm your order on screen
- Print the slip
- Take the slip to the cashier — pay in cash — receive your ticket
At Lawson (Loppi terminal):
- At the Loppi (green kiosk), select 申込番号をお持ちの方 (For those with an application number)
- Enter your confirmation number
- Confirm on screen
- Print the slip at the kiosk
- Take to cashier, pay cash, receive ticket
At 7-Eleven (7-Spot terminal): 7-Eleven uses the 7-Spot kiosk for some ticketing. Tap マルチコピー機 on the main screen, navigate to ticket pickup, enter your number, and follow prompts. Less commonly used for concert tickets but works for some events.
Important: Most combini pickup windows are short — often 3 days. Don't sit on your confirmation email. And carry cash — combini ticket counters are always cash-only.
Club and Small Venue Tickets: Different Rules Apply
Tokyo's club scene — especially Shibuya and Shinjuku — largely operates outside the major ticketing platforms. For smaller clubs and underground events, the system is more informal.
Door sales: Many mid-size clubs sell tickets at the door on the night. Arrive early if the event looks busy — popular nights can sell out by 11pm. The door price is usually ¥500–¥1,000 higher than advance.
Direct booking via DM: Some promoters and venue accounts on Instagram or X (Twitter) ask attendees to reserve in advance by sending a direct message. You'll get a name on a list — show up, give your name, pay at the door.
e+ for clubs: Many larger club events — resident nights at major Tokyo venues, big international bookings — do use e+ for advance tickets. Search the venue or event name on eplus.jp.
Resident Advisor (RA): For electronic music, Resident Advisor is now a standard ticketing option in Tokyo. ra.co/events/jp/tokyo lists upcoming events with direct ticket links. RA accepts international Visa/Mastercard without issues — it's by far the easiest option for foreigners buying tickets to club events. If the event you want is on RA, buy there first.
International Cards: What Works, What Doesn't
Here's the honest summary:
| Platform | Foreign Visa/MC | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Advisor | Yes | Best option for foreigners |
| e+ | Usually | Visa/MC accepted; try combini fallback if rejected |
| PIA | Sometimes | Hit or miss; combini is safer |
| Lawson Ticket | Rarely online | Use Loppi terminal + cash instead |
| Door sales | Cash only | Always bring yen |
VPN tip: Some platforms geo-block non-Japanese IP addresses at checkout. If your card is rejected and you're on a Japanese IP already, try clearing your browser cookies. If you're outside Japan trying to book ahead of your trip, a VPN with a Japanese server can sometimes help — though this isn't guaranteed and some platforms actively check.
PayPal: A small number of independent event organizers accept PayPal. Check the event's official social media for payment options.
Best advice: Get a Japanese SIM or eSIM before trying to register on e+ or PIA. Carry enough cash for any door or convenience store payment. And if the event you want is on RA, that's your cleanest path.
Ticket Resale: Yahoo! Auctions and ticket.co.jp
Unlike many countries, ticket resale is legal in Japan (as of the 2019 anti-scalping law, resale above face value without authorization is restricted, but casual resale is common and largely tolerated for face-value or near-face-value transactions).
Yahoo! Auctions Japan (auctions.yahoo.co.jp) is the most common secondary market. You'll need a Yahoo Japan account and the site is Japanese-only — use Google Translate. Many sellers list concert tickets at or near face value, especially for dates that are still weeks away.
ticket.co.jp is a dedicated ticket resale platform, somewhat easier to navigate. Both buyers and sellers set prices; you can often find tickets at face value or with a small premium.
Caution: For sold-out major shows, prices spike significantly. Always verify the ticket type and face value before paying. Also check that the event uses physical tickets — some venues have moved to QR codes, which complicates resale.
Navigating Japanese-Language Ticket Sites
A few practical tips for non-Japanese speakers:
- Google Chrome auto-translate works well on eplus.jp and l-tike.com. Enable it by right-clicking any page and selecting "Translate to English."
- Key words to recognize: 申込 (apply/register), 当選 (lottery win), 落選 (not selected), 支払 (payment), 発券 (ticket issue), コンビニ (convenience store), 締切 (deadline)
- Dates in Japan: Written year/month/day. 2025年3月15日 = March 15, 2025.
- Ticket categories: 一般 = general admission, 指定席 = assigned seating, 立見 = standing
Same-Day and Walk-In Tickets
For events that aren't sold out, same-day tickets (当日券, tojitsuken) are often available at the venue box office from one to two hours before showtime. This is standard practice at most Tokyo venues.
Seikatsuken and identity verification: Some high-profile shows require identity verification at the door. Your ticket is linked to your name, and you'll show your passport. This was introduced to combat scalping. If your ticket says 本人確認 (identity confirmation required), bring your passport.
How early to arrive: For popular door-sale nights at clubs, arriving 30–45 minutes before the listed start time is often enough. For major concerts using identity verification, doors typically open 30–60 minutes before showtime — arriving at open doors is safest.
Finding Tokyo Events to Begin With
Before you can buy a ticket, you need to know what's on. Check Tokyo's upcoming events for club nights and live shows, and browse Tokyo DJs to see who's performing at venues across the city. Resident Advisor (ra.co/events/jp/tokyo) is the go-to for electronic music listings. For J-pop, rock, and mainstream concerts, the artist's official site will list ticketing links to e+ or PIA.
Tokyo's event calendar is dense year-round. Once you've got the system figured out, buying tickets here is actually quite smooth — it just takes one successful convenience store pickup to demystify the whole process.
