[No need to worry!] A guide to buying entertainment tickets in Japan

• Table of Contents
• Why does buying tickets in Japan seem so difficult?
• This is what makes Japanese ticket sales unique!
• [Very important] Points that foreign tourists often get stuck on
• Recommended ticket purchases for foreign tourists
• Examples of ticket services that are easy for foreign tourists to use
• How to buy tickets (easy guide)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does buying tickets in Japan seem so difficult?

In Japan, you can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment, including concerts, sports, theater, and anime events. However, there are many ticket sales rules that differ from overseas, such as lotteries and advance sales, and many people have probably found it difficult to understand how to buy tickets.

In this article, we will clearly explain the unique ticket sales system in Japan and explain how to purchase tickets.

This is what makes Japanese ticket sales unique!

Entertainment tickets in Japan are sold primarily along two axes:

[Sales Phase]

[Sales Method]

In most cases, combinations such as "advance sale x lottery" or "general sale x first come, first served" are used, but this varies depending on the event, so be sure to check the sales information before purchasing.

[Very important] Points that foreign tourists often get stuck on

Here, we will explain as simply as possible the points that foreign tourists in particular are likely to make mistakes in if they are unaware of them.
These are common ticket sales methods in Japan, but you should be aware that they are very different from purchasing methods overseas.

Foreign tourists may not be able to participate in the "pre-sale" event.

For tickets in Japan, there may be a period called "advance sales" where you can purchase tickets early.

However, in most cases, you will need to register as a member of a play guide to participate in advance sales, and in many cases, this membership is limited to people living in Japan .

Therefore, foreign tourists staying for a short period of time may not be able to apply for advance sales.

👉 Tip: For foreign tourists, it is often easier to make a purchase if you aim for "general sales" from the start.

"Lottery" does not mean "entry = purchase"

With lottery sales, even if you apply during the application period, you are not guaranteed to be able to purchase tickets. Tickets are drawn at random, and only those who are selected can purchase tickets.

👉Point: It is risky to enter a lottery when your travel dates have not yet been decided.

Generally, tickets cannot be cancelled or changed after purchase.

In Japan, entertainment tickets generally cannot be cancelled or changed after purchase or after winning the lottery.
When purchasing, please make sure to check the details carefully before applying.

👉 Tip: It's safer to apply for tickets after your flight and accommodation dates have been confirmed.

Recommended ticket purchases for foreign tourists

If you want to enjoy entertainment while traveling in Japan, it's useful to search for services based on the following criteria:

If you meet these requirements, you can easily purchase tickets at any time.
As an example of a service that actually meets these conditions, we will introduce one of Japan's play guides.

Examples of ticket services that are easy for foreign tourists to use

What is Lawson Ticket?

Lawson Ticket is one of the major ticket agencies that handles tickets to entertainment events held throughout Japan.

We handle a wide range of entertainment tickets, including concerts, music festivals, plays including 2.5-dimensional musicals, sports events such as baseball and soccer, anime events, art exhibitions, theme park and movie tickets, and more.

Benefits for foreign tourists

*1: Credit cards issued overseas cannot be used except for some events. If you are unable to pay by credit card when making an online reservation, you will need to pay at a Lawson store in Japan within the payment deadline.
*2: Paper tickets only. Electronic tickets cannot be issued at Lawson stores.

How to buy tickets (easy guide)

1️⃣Find the ticket you want on the Lawson Ticket website .
(You can also use the "Advanced Search" to search not only by artist name, but also by performance date, venue name, performance genre, and venue area.)

2️⃣Pre-order your tickets.
(For details, please see the Lawson Ticket Guide page "How to reserve tickets" )

3️⃣Once your reservation is complete, your reservation number will be displayed on the screen. Be sure to record it in a memo or take a screenshot.

4️⃣Go to a Lawson store in Japan during the payment or collection period indicated at the time of reservation and complete the procedure using the "Loppi" terminal inside the Lawson store. After completing the procedure, take the application form you will be issued with to the cashier and pay and collect your ticket within 30 minutes.
(For details, please see the Lawson Ticket Guide page "Payment after reservation and ticket collection method" )

For details on ticket reservations and purchases, please see the guide page.

Important points to note when reserving and purchasing tickets

・Sales methods and sales periods vary depending on the event. The details screen for each event will contain information about sales and reception methods, so please be sure to check before applying.
・Membership registration may be required. For details on membership registration, please see the Lawson Ticket Guide page "About Membership" (membership registration is limited to residents of Japan).
・Cancellations and changes to reservations cannot be made after they have been made. Please be sure to check the details before applying.
・After completing your reservation, you will need your reservation number and the phone number you registered when applying to complete the process at Loppi.
・The application form issued by Loppi is not the actual ticket. Please be sure to complete payment and collect your ticket at the cash register.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I purchase tickets even if I can't read Japanese?
A: Yes, you can. The Lawson Ticket website is available in English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), and Korean.

Q: Can I cancel my ticket?
A: Cancellations or changes to reservation details cannot be made after purchase. Please be sure to check in advance before purchasing.

Q: What do I need to collect my ticket at Lawson?
A: You will need the reservation number issued when you made your reservation and the phone number you registered when you made your reservation.

Q: Do I need to register as a member?
A: It depends on the reception. In particular, "advance" reception often requires membership registration. "General" sales can be used without membership registration, with some exceptions.

Make your trip to Japan even more special
If you understand Japan's unique ticket sales rules, you can easily enjoy concerts and sporting events while traveling.
Be sure to enjoy unique Japanese entertainment with Lawson Ticket tickets!