Jankara's Online Karaoke App "UTAO" Hosts Major Singing Contest "UTA Rock 2026" to Resonate Souls! - Grand Prize of Up to 200,000 Yen & Special UTAO T-Shirt Awarded -

Jankara, which operates 208 stores nationwide and boasts the largest scale in the karaoke industry in Western Japan, will hold a major singing contest "UTA Rock 2026" on its supervised online karaoke app "UTAO".

"UTA Rock 2026" is a major summer singing contest for UTAO, held under the concept of "Rock is not a genre. It's soul." Participants will perform songs that evoke rock, and streamers who advance through the preliminary rounds will clash their respective "souls" on the final stage.

This competition features final rounds in three divisions: "New Streamer," "General/Bronze Streamer," and "Silver Streamer and Above," making it an event where everyone from newcomers to veterans has a chance to win. The winner of the Silver Streamer and Above division will receive a grand prize of up to 200,000 yen, and all finalists and supporters of the award-winning streamers will receive a special UTAO T-shirt. This competition will judge not only singing ability but also each individual's personality, expressiveness, and passion displayed during live performances. It is an event where you can fully express your own "rock" this summer.

Event Overview

Event Name: UTA Rock 2026

Platform: Online Karaoke App "UTAO"

Event Divisions: New Streamer Division / General & Bronze Streamer Division / Silver Streamer and Above Division

Event Schedule:

Preliminary Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed), 12:00 PM - July 12, 2026 (Sun), 11:59 PM

Preliminary Results Announcement: Scheduled for July 16, 2026 (Thu)

Final Period: July 17, 2026 (Fri), 12:00 AM - July 26, 2026 (Sun), 11:59 PM

*The final period may vary by division.

Final Results Announcement: Scheduled for July 31, 2026 (Fri)

Event Format: (Preliminary) Filming and posting of singing videos / (Final) Live streaming of singing performances

For judging methods and detailed rules, please visit the special page below.

▶ Special Page: https://site.karasta.net/contests/UTAROCK2026

How to Participate in the Event

Film a singing video (face not required) within the "UTAO" app and post it with the following hashtags.

Posting Hashtags: "#UTAロック2026" "#UTAロック2026新人戦"

Application Deadline: Sunday, July 12, 2026, 11:59 PM

*For users registered before December 31, 2025 (Wed), please post with "#UTAロック2026". For users registered on or after January 1, 2026 (Thu), please post with "#UTAロック2026新人戦".

*Please note that submissions without the correct hashtags will not be considered for judging.

About the Online Karaoke App "UTAO"

Our karaoke chain, "Jankara," was forced to temporarily close all stores during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, we developed the online karaoke app "UTAO" with the desire to "provide more accessible moments of singing enjoyment" and "deliver an authentic karaoke experience anywhere."

After its beta release in April 2023, we continued to improve it and officially released it on August 29, 2023. Furthermore, on August 19, 2024, we acquired the karaoke app "KARASTA," and on February 5, 2025, it was reborn as an online karaoke app that leverages the strengths of both applications.

This app, which allows users to "enjoy karaoke with high sound quality," "post and share songs through live streaming," and "listen to others' songs and interact," is widely supported by users who love singing.

For details and to download the "UTAO" app, click here.

▶ https://utao.jp

Jankara Overview

Since starting our karaoke business in 1990, we have expanded our operations by offering all-you-can-sing, all-you-can-drink options and transparent pricing, which have been well-received by customers.

We have developed unique concept rooms and new stores with overall store concepts that are not found elsewhere. In addition to private rooms, we also have open counters and BAL UTAO where customers can communicate with each other in open spaces, and we currently operate over 200 stores nationwide as the largest karaoke chain in Western Japan.

In recent years, we have also promoted DX (Digital Transformation) and were the first in the industry to introduce unmanned reception and payment machines in all stores to pursue highly convenient services.

Furthermore, we have equipped our official app with the industry's first feature "SuguKara," which allows reservations, check-in, and payment with just a smartphone.

We have also introduced food and drink ordering functions and song selection functions, realizing a next-generation karaoke experience where everything can be completed within the app.

Continuously creating new value, as a "AI-native company" promoting the company-wide strategy of "To→AI," meaning "moving towards the AI era," as embodied by our company name TOAI, we will continue to challenge ourselves to create karaoke spaces that customers have never experienced before.

TOAI Corporation Overview

Company Name: TOAI Corporation

President and Representative Director: Motonori Higashihara

Established: June 17, 1986

TOAI Corporation Corporate Site: https://www.toai.co.jp/

Jankara Service Site: https://jankara.ne.jp/

Business Overview: We develop entertainment businesses centered around "Jankara," the largest karaoke chain in Western Japan.

Leveraging the know-how and abundant resources cultivated in the karaoke business, we continue to create new experiences that excite our customers. In addition to the karaoke business, we currently offer a wide range of services including an online karaoke app, women-only fitness studios, shopping assistance services, virtual restaurants (8 brands, over 200 locations), hot spring facilities, restaurants, storage units, and candy stores.

We plan to continue boldly challenging new businesses to foster management talent and build a dynamic business portfolio.

<Related Links>

Online Karaoke App "UTAO": https://utao.jp/

Shopping Assistance App "HELP!": https://help-solutions.jp/

Women-Only Body Make Studio "PORT": https://port-fitness.jp/

Hot Spring Facility "Yukai no Yu": https://yukainoyu.jp/

Authentic Italian Restaurant "Le NAPOLI": https://tl-corp.co.jp/lenapoli/

Indoor Storage Unit "Smart Box": https://www.sbox-ss.com/

Easy and Relaxing Authentic BBQ! "Jan'Oku": https://www.instagram.com/janokukoshiki/?hl=ja

Complex Entertainment Facility "ENTERTAINMENT HUB KYOTO": https://entertainment-hub-kyoto.com/

Our group's group vision is to provide wonderful experiences (moving customer experiences) to customers worldwide, and we will continue to evolve for their smiles.