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The song echoes out through the open door onto the street in downtown Helsinki, and I can’t help but peek inside. The gently flickering neon lights dance across the floor and the leaves of the houseplants, as if living a playful life of their own. Amid the singing, I hear bursts of laughter and a cheerful buzz of conversation, and before I even realize it, I’ve slipped through the door. All around me is Finland’s very own Tokyo— Tokio Karaoke, which opened in January 2025, where Japanese aesthetics meet the Finnish pub atmosphere. How on earth did this come to be?
Things just happen
A single conversation can change everything. That’s exactly what happened with Tokio Karaoke. It was May 2024 when Tulikuuma Kumpu Oy, one of Finland’s largest restaurant chains, acquired the Hemingway’s restaurants. At that time, a Hemingway’s was also operating out of the Tokio Karaoke space; and there were still no signs of any changes on the horizon.
When Tulikuuma Kumpu’s owners, Santtu Kankkunen and Jyri Kettunen, decided to stop by the Hemingway’s restaurant in Hietalahti, they were greeted by Sami Liukkonen, who was already working at Tulikuuma at the time. Sami’s extensive experience in the restaurant industry—and particularly with karaoke restaurants—had led him to realize there was a need for a new karaoke bar.
“I floated the idea that Hemingway’s on Mikonkatu should be turned into a karaoke restaurant,” Sami explains. This idea quickly became a reality—and no wonder! It was a brilliant idea, and in true Tulikuuma Kumpu style, the team eagerly set out to develop and experiment with the new concept.
The actual transformation also happened at breakneck speed; Hemingway’s on Mikonkatu was renovated in record time, and Tokio Karaoke opened its doors on January 10. And the doors have been open 24/7 ever since! So Tulikuuma Kumpu’s corporate values aren’t just made up out of thin air, because “We’re flooring it” and “Things are always happening here” capture the team’s vibe perfectly.
Singing and laughter around the clock
At Tokio Karaoke, which is always open, there’s literally plenty to do around the clock. Sami currently serves as Tokio Karaoke’s co-manager alongside Tom Forsman. “As a rule, we always have someone singing. It’s quieter in the morning, of course, and a bit busier at night from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., but you can sing anytime. If you like daytime karaoke, we also have Happy Hour every weekday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.," Sami explains.
As I’m chatting with Sami, the speakers blast “If you’re in the mood, clap your hands together.” The entire karaoke restaurant joins in the clapping—myself and the staff included, of course. “I’ve heard this song quite a few times,” Sami chuckles. Despite that, the smiles on Sami’s and the other Tokio Karaoke employees’ faces never fade—the atmosphere feels like it’s through the roof nonstop.
“It’s worth hiring people who are interested in karaoke. It’s good to keep that in mind when interviewing applicants,” Sami advises. “Of course, get your own staff excited about it too and cheer them on.”
I can’t help but think that’s very well said. In the case of Tokio Karaoke, this isn’t just empty talk—it’s clearly put into practice. Laughter rings out on both sides of the counter as the joy of singing brings people together.
A karaoke bar where even quiet people feel at home
If singing isn’t your thing, you can, of course, go to Tokio Karaoke just to hang out. The well-designed and executed sound system ensures that chatting with friends works perfectly even in between songs. Whether you’re looking for an after-work get-together or a Saturday night party, Tokio Karaoke invites you to enjoy life.
“We have 100 seats inside and 80 seats on our newly opened summer terrace. The terrace is a nice place to sit; it gets plenty of sun, but there are also shadier spots,” explains Sami.
At Tokio Karaoke, they also know how to make the most of Feelment’s services. When a karaoke song ends, background music automatically starts playing through the speakers. With the music playing nonstop, the good vibe stays alive, and the staff can focus fully on serving customers. While the next singer prepares for their performance, advertisements also flash across the karaoke screens. Ready-made beverage ads from Feelment’s ad library alternate seamlessly with Tokio Karaoke’s own ads.
The professionalism of Tokio Karaoke’s staff is also evident when it comes to technology. Sami himself has a long history with karaoke; he started performing karaoke in 2006 and began working behind the counter in 2007. Over the years, Sami has witnessed the changes brought about by digitalization: “I don’t miss physical karaoke discs at all. When it comes to efficiency, this is the most efficient way—you can start songs in a second and don’t have to wait for discs to load. The reliability of the systems is also top-notch these days. If there are any problems, they’re usually due to internet connections.”
Tokyo Karaoke makes heavy use of the karaoke add-on service Digitilaus, which lets customers browse and order karaoke songs right from their own phones. “The pandemic did away with paper lists and slips once and for all, purely for hygiene reasons,” Sami notes.
A toast is the first step toward friendship
So goes a Japanese proverb found on Tokio Karaoke’s social media, among countless other sayings. Tokio Karaoke’s marketing is full of proverbs—little nuggets of wisdom that describe friendship, togetherness, and embracing life. It’s the same positive attitude toward life and vibe that reigns under Tokio Karaoke’s roof.
“The best thing about karaoke is the sense of community. Everyone cheers everyone else on, and people take it easy. It’s like having your own karaoke family,” Sami sums up.
I completely understand what Sami is talking about; the atmosphere at Tokio Karaoke is so warm that even the shyest singer dares to grab the mic. And there’s no need to climb onto a separate stage, because the entire restaurant floor doubles as a karaoke stage. Perhaps that’s the secret behind Tokio Karaoke’s unique and captivating vibe. The person taking the mic is never alone—as you step into the center of the restaurant, the energy builds, and soon everyone is singing along. A solo karaoke performance turns into a shared experience.
Tokio Karaoke is more than just a karaoke bar—it’s a space where everyone can be themselves, get into the spirit, feel the vibe, and let loose. Tokio Karaoke is at the heart of it all, not just in terms of location, but also in terms of atmosphere. There, people sing from the heart, even if it’s 4 a.m. on a Monday. Or maybe that’s exactly why.
As I head home, I feel lighter. The stress and rush are gone, replaced by a sense of calm. After just a few hours there, I found something I didn’t even know I was missing. I felt at home among people who were complete strangers to me. And the best part? No matter the day or time, I can stop by to pick up a bit of karaoke magic for my journey exactly when I need it in my life. So if and when this feeling ever fades, the doors of Tokyo Karaoke are always open. “This is Tokyo. Welcome home.”
Any tips for other restaurants still thinking about starting a karaoke business?
“Don’t skimp on sound quality. It’s something worth investing in if you want to run a karaoke business. I recommend the Soundcraft digital mixer, which we use here as well. It’s always worth taking a moment to mix the sound, and of course, the speakers need to be properly positioned. It’s also worth investing in staff training. Spending a few hours on training pays for itself in customer satisfaction.”
What’s the best thing about Feelment’s services?
"The service and technical support are absolutely top-notch! They respond quickly to inquiries, and our overall collaboration works very well. The range of services is also great; you get all your entertainment needs met under one roof, so to speak. And the fact that they’re not standing still—things are constantly evolving.”
Do you have anything new coming up in the future?
"We’re getting Finland’s largest selection of sake. The sake cabinet has just been installed." Things are also moving full steam ahead at the chain level, as Tulikuuma Kumpu is expanding its operations to Turku this summer. So there’s definitely something new on the horizon in that area as well.
