Japan Concert Companion Registration (同行者登録): The Complete Guide

If you've ever bought concert tickets in Japan, you've likely encountered the term 同行者登録 (doukousha touroku) — companion registration. It's a system that requires every person entering the venue to be pre-registered by name before the event. Fail to complete this step, and you will be denied entry at the gate, even if you hold a legitimate ticket.

For foreign fans, this is one of the most confusing and stressful parts of attending a concert in Japan. The interfaces are in Japanese, the deadlines are strict, and the consequences of mistakes are severe. This guide breaks down exactly how companion registration works across every major ticketing platform, what to watch out for, and how to make sure you get in on the day.

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Why Does Companion Registration Exist?

Japan has some of the strictest anti-scalping measures in the world. The Ticket Resale Regulation Act (特定興行入場券の不正転売の禁止等による法律), enacted in June 2019, makes it illegal to resell tickets above face value for specified events.

Companion registration is the enforcement mechanism. By requiring every attendee's identity to be linked to the ticket before the show, organizers can:

• Prevent scalping — Tickets can't be sold to random buyers if every name is checked
• Ensure security — The venue knows exactly who is entering
• Protect fans — Eliminates the risk of buying fraudulent tickets from scalpers

This system is now used by the vast majority of concerts in Japan, including virtually all major artists, K-pop acts, Johnny's/STARTO Entertainment artists, and music festivals.

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How It Works: The General Process

While the exact steps vary by platform, the basic flow is the same:

1. You win the ticket lottery (or purchase tickets) as the "representative" (代表者 / daihyousha)
2. You register your companion by entering their information through the ticketing platform
3. Your companion accepts the registration on their end (via email link, app, or QR code)
4. On the day, both of you present your digital tickets on your respective smartphones
5. Identity verification may occur — either mandatory or random

The critical detail: this must be completed before the deadline. Depending on the platform and event, the deadline can be days or even weeks before the show. Miss it, and you may lose your ticket entirely.

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Platform-by-Platform Guide

1. eplus (イープラス / e+)

eplus is Japan's largest ticketing platform and uses a dedicated companion registration system.

How it works:

• When purchasing or winning tickets, you select "visitor setting required" (来場者設定が必要) events
• Go to My Page → Order History → select the event → "同行者登録"
• Enter your companion's eplus member email address
• Your companion receives an "approval request" email and must click to approve
• Both of you must be registered eplus members

Key rules:

• Companion changes are only possible during the application period — once it closes, no changes allowed
• The companion must have an eplus account registered with the email you entered
• If the approval email doesn't arrive, check spam folders or have the companion re-register their eplus account email

For foreign fans:

• eplus accounts require a Japanese phone number (090/080/070) — a tourist SIM with SMS capability works
• The interface is Japanese only, but the process is straightforward once you know the steps
• Your registered name must match your passport exactly

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2. Tixplus (チケプラ)

Tixplus uses a "ticket distribution" (チケット分配) system rather than traditional companion registration.

How it works:

• The ticket winner opens the Tixplus app → selects the event → chooses "分配" (distribute)
• Select the companion's ticket and choose a distribution method: LINE, Email, or QR code
• The companion must have the Tixplus app installed and a Plus member ID (free registration)
• The companion opens the distribution link/QR and accepts the ticket

Key rules:

• The distribution URL is valid for 24 hours — if it expires, the winner must cancel and redistribute
• The winner's own ticket (first ticket) generally cannot be distributed
• The distribution period varies by event — some close days before the show
• Once the companion receives the ticket, it shows as "received" on both screens

For foreign fans:

• The Tixplus app is available on both iOS and Android in the Japan App Store
• Plus member registration is free but requires a Japanese phone number for SMS verification
• Distribution via LINE is easiest if both parties use LINE (very common in Japan)

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3. STARTO Entertainment (旧ジャニーズ / Former Johnny's)

STARTO artists (Snow Man, SixTONES, Naniwa Danshi, etc.) use their own Family Club (FC) digital ticketing system with companion registration.

How it works:

1. The ticket winner logs into the FC website → finds the winning event → opens the "同行者登録" tab
2. A unique companion registration URL is generated
3. Send this URL to the companion via LINE, email, or message
4. The companion opens the URL and enters their name, email, and contact information
5. Day before the show (from 18:00): Both the winner and companion must complete the "同意チェック" (agreement check) — this confirms attendance
6. After the agreement check, the QR code digital ticket is generated for entry

Key rules:

• Both the representative and companion must be FC members for most concerts
• The agreement check cannot be done earlier than 24 hours before showtime
• If you fail to complete the agreement check, your QR code will not generate and you'll need to go to the venue's help desk with ID
• Companion changes: possible by having the current companion select "来場しない" (not attending) from the agreement check page on the day before, then re-registering a new companion

Common mistakes:

• Trying to display the QR before the companion completes their agreement check → error
• Forgetting the agreement check entirely → no QR code on show day
• Companion not being an FC member → registration rejected

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4. ticket board (チケットボード)

Used by many K-pop acts in Japan (BTS, SEVENTEEN, etc.) and some Japanese artists.

How it works:

• Both the winner and companion must register as ticket board members (free)
• Both must upload a photo for identity verification
• Both must download the ticket board app
• The winner registers the companion's ticket board account information during the ticket application
• On the day, both present their digital tickets on their own smartphones

Key rules:

• Companion information is typically entered at the time of ticket application (before the lottery) — not after winning
• Changes after winning are generally not allowed
• VIP tickets often require both people to be official fan club members
• Identity verification: mandatory for VIP, random for standard seats

For foreign fans:

• ticket board registration requires a Japanese phone number
• Your name must match your passport — use romaji exactly as it appears on your passport
• Bring your passport on the day as your photo ID

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5. Lawson Ticket (ローチケ) Electronic Tickets

Lawson Ticket's electronic ticket system also supports companion distribution.

How it works:

• The winner accesses My Page → Electronic Ticket → selects the event
• Choose "分配" (distribute) and enter the companion's email
• The companion receives an email with a link to claim the ticket
• The companion must have a Lawson Ticket account and the Lawson Ticket app

Key rules:

• Distribution period is set per event — check the event page carefully
• The winner's ticket cannot be distributed
• Once distributed, the companion's ticket appears in their Lawson Ticket app

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6. Ticket Pia (チケットぴあ) — MOALA Ticket

Ticket Pia uses the MOALA Ticket system for electronic tickets.

How it works:

• Tickets appear in the winner's MOALA Ticket page after purchase/winning
• For companion tickets, the winner selects "分配" and enters the companion's email
• The companion creates a MOALA Ticket account and claims the ticket

Key rules:

• Some events require companion information at application time
• MOALA Ticket is web-based — no separate app download needed
• The companion needs a valid email address that matches their MOALA account

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Critical Timelines and Deadlines

Timing	What to Do
At ticket application	Some platforms (ticket board, some FC) require companion info at this stage
After winning	Most platforms: register companion within the specified period
Days before show	Complete any required agreement checks or confirmations
24 hours before	STARTO FC: agreement check opens
Day of show	Have smartphone charged, app ready, ID in hand

The most dangerous mistake: assuming you can register your companion on the day of the show. For most events, the deadline is days or weeks before. Check the specific event's registration period immediately after winning.

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Identity Verification at the Venue

Even after completing companion registration, you may face ID checks at the gate.

What to expect:

• Mandatory checks: Common for fan club events, VIP tickets, and high-demand shows
• Random checks: Standard for general tickets — any attendee may be selected
• Documents needed: Government-issued photo ID (passport for foreigners) + fan club membership card (if applicable)
• Name matching: The name on your ticket registration must exactly match your ID

For foreign fans:

• Always bring your passport — it's the only universally accepted photo ID in Japan
• If your name was registered in Japanese katakana, make sure it matches the katakana reading of your passport name
• Residence card (在留カード) is also accepted if you're a resident

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The 7 Most Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Missing the registration deadline → Set calendar reminders immediately after winning
2. Companion doesn't have an account on the platform → Have them register ASAP after you win
3. Name mismatch between registration and ID → Use your full legal name as on your passport
4. Phone battery dies at the gate → Bring a portable charger — if your phone dies, you cannot enter
5. Forgetting the STARTO "agreement check" → Set an alarm for 18:00 the day before
6. Trying to change companions after the deadline → Most platforms don't allow this — choose carefully
7. Companion doesn't accept the registration → Follow up with them immediately — unaccepted registrations are as good as no registration

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What If Something Goes Wrong?

QR code won't display

→ Go to the venue help desk with both IDs. Staff can verify your identity manually, but this is not guaranteed and lines can be long.

Companion can't come last minute

→ Check if the platform allows changes (STARTO allows changes from 18:00 the day before). For most other platforms, you may need to enter alone and the companion's seat goes unused.

Name is in the wrong format

→ Contact the ticketing platform's support before the show. Some platforms have a name correction window.

You're a foreign fan without a Japanese phone number

→ Purchase a Japanese SIM with SMS capability at the airport (available at major airports). Some platforms accept international numbers, but most require a 090/080/070 number.

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Tips for Foreign Fans

1. Get a Japanese SIM card immediately upon arrival — You'll need it for account registration and the ticket app
2. Register on all major platforms before buying tickets — eplus, Tixplus, ticket board, Lawson Ticket all require accounts
3. Use your passport name exactly — No nicknames, no shortened versions
4. Screenshot everything — Take screenshots of your registration confirmation, companion registration, and QR codes as backup
5. Arrive early — If there's an issue, you'll want time to visit the help desk before the show starts
6. Learn key Japanese phrases — "同行者登録" (doukousha touroku), "本人確認" (honin kakunin = identity verification), "QRコード表示" (QR code hyouji = display QR code)
7. Use TIXVOY for secondary market tickets — Tickets purchased through TIXVOY include guidance on companion registration requirements, and the platform supports English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do ALL concerts in Japan require companion registration?
A: Not all, but the majority of major concerts do. Smaller live houses and some general admission events may still use physical tickets. If you're buying through a lottery or for a popular artist, assume companion registration is required.

Q: Can my companion be a non-Japanese person?
A: Yes. As long as they have a valid ID (passport) and can complete the registration process on the platform. The challenge is that most platforms require a Japanese phone number for account registration.

Q: What if I'm going alone — do I still need to do companion registration?
A: If you applied for 1 ticket only, no companion registration is needed. You just need to complete your own registration and have your digital ticket ready.

Q: Can I register a companion who is a minor?
A: It depends on the event. Some events require companions to be of a certain age. If the minor has their own platform account and ID, registration is generally possible. Check the specific event's terms.

Q: Is companion registration the same as ticket transfer?
A: No. Companion registration adds a second person to your ticket booking. Ticket transfer changes the primary holder entirely. Most Japanese events prohibit ticket transfer as an anti-scalping measure.

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Recommended Reading

• Complete Guide for Foreign Ticket Buyers
• e+ (eplus) Complete Guide
• Japan Ticket Platforms Comparison