Daily Life Lessons · Noise
Before playing an instrument at home, check whether and when playing is allowed under your lease or management rules, take soundproofing measures, and if it is difficult at home, be able to find a place to practice yourself, such as a public facility or studio.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, a piano is a loud sound at about 80 to 90 decibels. In apartment buildings (集合住宅), the sound can travel through floors and walls to the surrounding units. Before you play, check the rules for where you live.
In rental housing, the lease or the move-in guide (入居のしおり) may prohibit playing instruments or set the hours when you can play. In owner-occupied condominiums (分譲マンション), the management rules (管理規約) or detailed usage rules (使用細則) may include regulations. Even in properties listed as "instruments allowed" (楽器可), there may be conditions on the hours or types of instruments, so check with the management company or landlord.
When you play, take measures such as laying down a soundproof mat or carpet and closing the windows. Even if you use headphones, the sound and vibration of the keys or pedals may travel. If it is hard to practice at home, another option is to use a music room at a public facility such as a kominkan (公民館, community center), or a private music studio.
ピアノの 音は、約（やく）80〜90デシベルで、とても 大きいです。 マンションや アパートでは、床（ゆか）や 壁（かべ）を 通（とお）って、ほかの 部屋に 聞こえます。
楽器（がっき）を 弾（ひ）く 前に、住まいの きまりを 確認（かくにん）します。 - 借（か）りている 家：契約書（けいやくしょ）を 見ます。楽器が だめな ことも あります。 - マンション：管理規約（かんりきやく）などに きまりが ある ことも あります。 - 「楽器可（がっきか）」でも、時間などの きまりが ある ことが あります。 - わからない ときは、管理会社（かんりがいしゃ）や 大家（おおや）さんに 聞きます。
弾く ときの 工夫（くふう）： - マットや カーペットを 敷（し）きます。 - 窓（まど）を 閉（し）めます。 - ヘッドホンを 使っても、鍵盤（けんばん）を たたく 音や 振動（しんどう）は 伝（つた）わる ことが あります。
家で 練習（れんしゅう）できない ときは、公民館（こうみんかん）などの 音楽室や、音楽スタジオを 使う 方法も あります。
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, about how loud is a piano?
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government gives the sound of a piano as about 80 to 90 decibels. This is loud enough to travel easily to surrounding units in an apartment building.
What is a suitable way to check whether you can play an instrument in rental housing?
Whether you can play, and until what time, is set by each property's contract and rules.
Which statement about "instruments allowed" properties is correct?
Even in "instruments allowed" properties, there may be conditions on the hours or types of instruments. Check with the management company or landlord.
What should you keep in mind when playing a digital piano with headphones?
Even with headphones, the sound of striking the keys and the vibration may travel. Take measures such as laying down a mat.
What is a suitable option when it is hard to practice at home?
You can use a music room at a public facility such as a kominkan, or a private music studio. Check how to reserve and the fees with the facility.
Q. From what time until what time can I play?
A. There is no nationwide rule. The hours may be set in the property's contract, management rules or detailed usage rules. Even if there is no rule, it is safer to avoid nights and early mornings and to check with the management company or landlord.
Q. Can I play in front of a station or on the street?
A. Gathering people and playing on a road may require a road use permit from the chief of the police station. Plazas in front of stations and similar places may also require permission from the manager of that place. Before you play, check with the police station in charge of the area or the manager of the place.
Q. How can I rent a music room at a public facility?
A. Some facilities, such as kominkan and ward community centers, have music rooms or practice rooms. Many facilities require you to register as a user and make a reservation, and the instruments you can use and the fees differ by facility. Check the local government's website or the facility's counter.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original