There’s no argument that karaoke is one of Japan’s most favored pastimes. But with the ascent of bouldering as an alternative activity, karaoke joints are beginning to feel the heat. So to cope with the competition a Japanese operator of karaoke chains is combining bouldering with karaoke to create an entirely new and grueling activity called boulkara.
Jumbo Karaoke Hiroba, commonly known as Jankara, is a Kansai-based operator of Karaoke joints with about 140 locations throughout Japan. On December 11, 2015 they announced that they had opened an entirely new concept of karaoke rooms that replace seating with a climbing wall. You can sing as you climb, or climb as others sing. How you use the space is entirely up to you. The only stipulation is that you can’t consume alcohol because drunk climbing and singing is just a recipe for disaster.
Currently the only location that offers bouldering karaoka, or boulkara, is the main Kawaharamachi location in Kyoto. But if it proves popular we would expect other locations to begin offering it as well.
