How to use Membo's map (music spots) | How to find nearby studios and live music venues

1. Conclusion first: You can find nearby studios and live music venues using the app's map.

When you're in a band, you often find yourself wondering, "Are there any studios I can use near where I am now?" or "Can I find a venue for my next gig outside of my usual haunts?" Finding a place to stop by on the way home from practice, a place to play while on tour, or a live music venue in an unfamiliar city—searching for these places one by one on search engines is a time-consuming process.

The Membo app has a screen that shows music venues around your current location on a map and in a list. The footer is labeled "Connect Locally." If you grant permission, you can see studios, live music venues, instrument shops, etc., within a 5km radius of your current location, in order of proximity, as well as pinned locations on the map.

This article organizes the map screen according to the names displayed on it. It also explains the differences between this map and the web-based list page "National Studio and Live House List" accessible through a browser. The explanation of the map screen's structure is based on reading the app's interface; it's not based on actual testing on a device, so this is noted separately in each section under "Things Not Confirmed."

First, here is a quick reference guide for the whole group.

The map screen is also suitable for those who want to find nearby practice locations without registering. Simply open the Membo app page in your smartphone's browser and select "Connect Locally" in the footer. That's all it takes to get started.

2. How to open the map screen: "Connect Locally"

The map screen is located in the footer at the bottom of the app. It's called "Connect Locally" and has a map pin icon. There's also an item with the same name in the hamburger menu, so you can open it from either.

The actual footer is designed with six items arranged from left to right: "Recruit Members," "Explore Info," "Connect Locally," "Record & Share," "My Page," and "Home." Of these, "Connect Locally" is the map that this article will cover. The same title, "Connect Locally," is also displayed in the bar at the top of the screen when you open it.

When you switch languages, the footer name also changes. In English it's "Connect Locally," in Simplified Chinese it's "本地连接," in Traditional Chinese it's "本地連接," and in Korean it's "지역으로 연결." The supported languages are Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.

The map is a separate entry point from the screen for searching for recruitment. How to find band members is explained in the first article in this series, "How to Find Band Members ." Thinking of "Recruit Members" as searching for "People" and "Connect Locally" as searching for "Places" makes it easier to distinguish the roles of the screens.

3. When you open it for the first time: Allow location access

When you first open "Connect Locally," your browser will ask for permission to access your location. Once you grant permission, a blue circle (your current location marker) will appear at your current location, and the browser will load surrounding points of interest centered on that location.

The process for obtaining location information is as follows:

1. First, try to determine your current location using a highly accurate method : such as GPS. Wait 10 seconds.
2. If it fails, try again using a less precise method : one based on WiFi or IP address. Wait 15 seconds.
3. If permission is denied or the device does not support location services : The process will terminate without retrying.

In other words, if your current location appears slightly inaccurate even though you've given permission, it's possible that the location was acquired using a less precise method. In that case, you can reacquire the location using the "Refresh Location" icon, which will be explained in a later chapter.

It's up to you whether or not to allow location access. You can still use other parts of the app even if you don't allow it. However, your current location is required to automatically load nearby spots. For browser-side permission settings, if you're using Chrome, refer to the Chrome Help guide on location access (this is an example for Android).

4. When location information could not be obtained.

The message displayed when the current location cannot be obtained is written exactly as it appears on the screen.

The important thing to understand here is that when your current location hasn't been determined, the map's center is a predetermined location within Tokyo (slightly west of Tokyo Station). Even if a map of Tokyo appears, it doesn't necessarily mean it's your current location. You can tell if the search is working at your current location by checking if the blue circle (your current location marker) is displayed on the map.

If location information is unavailable, it will be difficult to find nearby spots on this screen. In that case, you can search by prefecture or city/town on a web list page accessible through your browser (see a later chapter).

5. Screen layout: Map, list, and filter panel

The Membo "Connect Locally" screen consists of the following parts:

• Top bar : Title "Connect Locally", refresh icon, settings gear, hamburger menu
• Center : Google Maps (showing current location and pins for points of interest)
• Below the map : A list of drawer-type drawers (with handles)
• Panel overlaid on the map : Spot filtering panel (initially hidden)
• The "<" button on the far right : Opens and closes the filtering panel.

The list is located below the map and has a handle that allows you to pull it out. The basic usage involves viewing the relative locations on the map and then switching between the list to see the names and distances.

6. Display the search range and the number of results.

The map screen searches for spots within a 5,000m (5km) radius of your current location. This radius is fixed in the app's settings. Spots are displayed in order of proximity to your current location.

The number of results found is displayed at the top of the list. The text on the screen says, "N spots found." Immediately to the right of that, there is a blue underlined link called "Filter." Clicking this opens the refinement panel. If no spots are found, it will say, "No music spots found."

In other languages, it will be displayed as follows:

Here's a point to note regarding how to interpret the number of results. There's a limit to the number of results returned at once, with a maximum of 300 results in order of proximity. For example, on October 16, 2026, we checked the data response from the app within a 5km radius centered around Shinjuku (latitude 35.6896, longitude 139.7006), and exactly 300 results were returned. The breakdown was: 151 studios, 84 live music venues, 28 music bars, 16 other, 15 instrument shops, 5 concert halls, and 1 rehearsal space. This 300 is the upper limit and does not represent the total number of results within the 5km radius.

In densely populated areas like Shinjuku, some spots that are further away may not appear in the list. In such cases, narrowing down the search criteria in a later chapter will make it easier to find the type you want to see.

Furthermore, outside of Japan, there will be no results. The system is designed not to return any spots outside the latitude range of 20.0–46.5 and longitude of 122.0–154.0. If you open it from overseas, it will display "No music spots found."

7. Map Markers: How to Distinguish Between Colors and Icons

On the map, each spot is marked with a round pin. The color and icon of the pin are determined by the type of spot. The following table shows the correspondence used on the screen.

Each row in the list will also have the same type of icon. You can see the map pins and the rows in the list corresponded by icons and colors.

Of these nine types, data is available for seven. As of October 16, 2026, the number of locations displayed on the app's map (active locations that are normally displayed) was 8,140. This includes 4,830 studios, 1,553 live music venues, 656 music bars, 592 other locations, 277 instrument shops, 227 concert halls, and 5 rehearsal spaces. There was no data for karaoke or music schools. Therefore, selecting "Karaoke" or "Music School" in the filter will result in 0 results.

8. Items that appear on the first line of the list

The list below the map has one spot per line. Each line contains the following:

• Type icon : The same icon as the map pin.
• Spot Name : To the right of the name, there is an external link icon (clicking it will open Google Maps in a new tab).
• address
• Distance from current location : Distances less than 1km are displayed as "◯◯m", and distances of 1km or more are displayed as "1.2km", etc.
• Rating : Stars and numbers (only for spots with ratings)
• Bookmark : This is an icon for adding items to your favorites.

The distance is displayed on the right side of the list. This is the distance from your current location and is separate from the travel time. To find out how long it will take by train or on foot, please check another route-finding app or Google Maps.

Clicking the external link icon to the right of the name will open Google Maps . Route searching and reviewing will be done through Google Maps.

9. What happens when you click on a row in the list or a pin on the map?

When you press a row in the list

When you click on a row in the list, the map will zoom to that location. The zoom level will increase to 16, and a pop-up (details) will open. At this point, the screen will scroll to the top of the page.

When you press the pin on the map

When you click on a pin, a pop-up (details) will open in the same way. At the same time, a record of the "click" is sent as anonymous usage statistics. This information is not linked to your name or email address and works even without logging in.

Even if you click in a different location, you'll end up in the same speech bubble. Whether you access it from the list or the map, just choose whichever is easier for you. You can look at the map to see "there are a lot of pins around here" and then check the list in order of proximity. Or you can click on a name that catches your eye in the list and then check its location on the map. Either order works.

10. Items that appear in the speech bubble (details)

The following items will be listed in the speech bubble (details):

Phone numbers, websites, and business hours are not available for all locations. If a location is not registered, these fields will not be displayed. If only three lines of business hours are displayed, please check the official website or Google Maps for the complete information.

Studios and live music venues, in particular, have different booking methods, fees, and equipment requirements from one place to another. This screen is easiest to use if you think of it as an entry point to find out "where it is," "what kind it is," and "what contact information it is." When actually using it, please check the latest information on the website or by phone. The studios on the app's map include facilities that may not be music-related based on their names. Please check before you go. The process of renting a studio is written in the Complete Guide to Renting a Band Practice Space/Studio .

11. Filter: Type and Favorites

If the list is long, use the filter panel. Here's how to open the panel:

• Click the blue underlined "Filter" button located immediately to the right of the number of results.
• Press the "<" button on the far right of the screen (after opening, close it with ">").
• Click the "Filter Spots" heading at the top of the panel to open or close it.

To the right of the panel heading, the number of items, "N items," is displayed. The panel automatically closes when you scroll down. It also closes automatically when you select a category or favorite.

The filtering buttons are arranged as follows:

For example, if you want to find a practice space, select "Studio," and if you want to find a live venue, select "Live House." Narrowing down the search makes it easier to see how many studios are nearby. If you want to find instrument strings or accessories, you can use "Instrument Shop."

As mentioned earlier, as of October 16, 2026, there were 0 actual data entries for "Karaoke" and "Music School." Even if it shows 0 entries when you click, it is not a screen malfunction.

The "Favorites" button is for viewing only the spots you've added to your favorites. Instructions on how to use the Favorites feature are summarized in the second article in this series.

12. Re-establish current location

In Membo maps, if you move or your current location is slightly off, press the refresh icon in the top bar. The icon is labeled "Refresh Location." The icon will rotate while it reacquires location information. It will reacquire GPS information and load spots again, centering on your current location.

The refresh icon is a button to "re-capture your current location." Please use this refresh icon when you want to re-capture your location.

13. Can I use it without registering? What's the difference between a guest and a registered user?

The map screen can be accessed without registration. There is no login requirement to open the screen. Furthermore, the app is designed not to use login information when accessing a spot. Therefore, the list of spots is the same whether you are a guest or registered. Bookmarks and "favorites" filtering only reflect the bookmarks saved by registered users.

The spots displayed on the map are retrieved from a database of valid businesses that are normally set to be displayed, and are returned within a specified latitude and longitude range. The following are some of the businesses that may not be returned:

• Spots that are usually hidden
• Spots that are not enabled
• Places outside of Japan
• Over 300 entries (the furthest ones will be cut off first)

The items returned include name, address, latitude and longitude, type, rating, number of reviews, phone number, website, business hours, price range, and area name. Images will not be returned.

The only time you'll be prompted to log in as a guest is when adding an item to your favorites (bookmarks). When you click, a dialog box will appear saying "Login required," and you can choose to "Sign up/Login" or "Cancel." There are no restrictions on operations such as displaying distance, filtering, displaying details, opening in Google Maps, or opening a website.

The full scope of what you can use as a guest is summarized in the fourth article in the series, "Can I use Membo without registering?". Note that this article does not verify what happens when you press the "Favorites" filter button while a guest is using the service.

14. Why is there a difference between the number of locations shown on a map and the number of locations listed on a webpage?

Membo has several pages listing the number of studios and live music venues. The numbers seem inconsistent, so let's clarify them. All figures are based on counts taken on October 16, 2026.

There are two reasons why the numbers differ. First, the types of establishments being counted are different. The web list only includes two types: live music venues and studios. The app's map includes all types of establishments, including music bars and instrument shops. Second, the methods of counting are different. The 1,762 "live music venues" on the web include concert halls (1,536 live music venues + 226 concert halls). Also, of the 4,830 studios in the app, 625 were determined to be non-music-related based on their names (dance, yoga, photography, piano lessons, etc.) and were excluded from the web list. These numbers are based on actual data counted on October 16, 2026. The studios on the app's map may include facilities that appear to be non-music-related. When citing these numbers, please specify which counting method was used and when the numbers were obtained.

The web listings are specifically designed for finding studios and live music venues, allowing you to navigate by prefecture and then city/ward/town. The app's map is for finding venues near your current location. The easiest way to use it is to choose the one that best suits your purpose.

15. How to use the list page "/spots/" in your browser

There's a list page you can view in your browser without opening the Membo app. No registration or login is required. The entry point is the nationwide studio and live house list .

I will describe the page structure as far as I could confirm it on October 16, 2026.

The details page includes headings such as basic information (address, phone number, "copy" button), access and map ("find directions →", "open in Google Maps →"), information for foreign musicians (English-speaking staff, booking difficulty), guidance for finding bandmates ("find bandmates in this area →", "post a request here →"), related blogs, and other spots in the area. In one example of a details page, the "Rehearsal Studio Information" and "Photos" sections were just headings with no actual content. Not all listings are like this.

"View from nearby" switch

The entrance page /spots/ , the prefectural pages, and the city/town/village pages all have a "Show Nearby" switch. This function uses the browser's location information to sort by proximity, and also allows you to switch between card and list views. This switch is not available on the category list page ( /spots/studio/ ).

The languages available are Japanese and English. The English version can be accessed from /en/spots/ . There are only two types of venues: live music venues and studios.

The method for finding this list page is explained in detail in the article on how to find studios and live music venues nationwide . Please note that the number of listings in that article reflects the information available at the time the article was written. The number of listings on this page is the current value.

16. Source of the coordinates

Some of the coordinates (latitude and longitude) used to determine the location on the map are obtained using external public services. The footer of pages under "/spots/" on the web displays a source indication stating, "Some coordinate data is obtained using the CSIS Simple Geocoding Experiment." The English version also has a similar indication.

The CSIS Simple Geocoding Experiment is an experimental service released by the Center for Spatial Information Science at the University of Tokyo to determine latitude and longitude from an address. Sources can be found on the CSIS Simple Geocoding Experiment page .

This source attribution appears on pages under "/spots/" on the web. The source of the coordinates is not displayed on the app's map screen. Also, this article does not verify which spots' coordinates are relevant, or what percentage of the coordinates are relevant. If the pin location appears slightly different from the actual entrance, please reconfirm the location using the website's instructions or Google Maps.

17. Things that cannot be done with maps and things that have not been confirmed in this article

Things that cannot be done with maps

Based on the screen's design, I know that the following is not possible.

• Search by distance : The radius is fixed at 5km. There is no option to select a distance on the screen.
• Search by station name or address : There is no input field on the screen. The system is designed to search based on your current location.
• Search results outside of Japan: 0 results found.
• Viewing more than 300 results : A maximum of 300 results will be returned at a time, sorted by proximity.

If you want to search by station name or address, you can use the web list page to navigate through prefectures and municipalities.

Things not confirmed in this article

• Actual display on the device : The position of the panel and the appearance of the speech bubble are based on the screen layout. This is not a record of actually pressing the buttons on the device.
• The sequence of screens a first-time guest sees before reaching the map : Not verified.
• What happens when a guest presses the "Favorites" button in the filter : Not verified.
• How much of the information on the website's details page, such as opening hours and prices, is filled in : I haven't checked.
• Percentage of map coordinates using CSIS : Not verified.
• Location of the "<" button on smartphones : Based on the screen layout, it appears to be added to the far right, but I haven't confirmed its actual position.

Information about Membo locations may become outdated due to changes in business operations. Relocations, temporary closures, and changes in opening hours may not be immediately reflected on the map. Please check the website or call before visiting.

18. How to use it in different situations: Find practice spaces, find live venues, and connect with band members.

Let's summarize what we've covered so far, broken down by situation.

Find a place to practice

Open "Connect by Location," allow your current location to be used, and select "Studio" to filter. The list is sorted by proximity, so check from the top. Look at the distance, click on a row that interests you, and check the phone number and website in the pop-up bubble. Follow the shop's instructions for reservations and fees. For tips on choosing a studio, refer to the article on how to rent a studio .

Find a live music venue

Select "Live House" in the filter. You can see the area where venues are located by looking at the pins (orange musical notes) on the map. Follow the instructions on each venue's website for performance procedures and conditions. How to find a place to perform is explained in the article on how to find studios and live houses nationwide .

Search by destination (for business trips or moving)

When you open the app while you're out and about, it will show spots near your current location. However, unless you're in a location where it can capture your current location, it will show a default location within Tokyo (west of Tokyo Station). If you want to search for a different area beforehand, you can search by prefecture or city/ward on the web list page.

Finding members and connecting them

"Connect Locally" is the screen for searching for locations. If you want to find band members near the studio or live house you found here, switch to "Recruit Members" in the footer and narrow down your search by region. The detailed web page also has links for "Find members in this area →" and "Post a recruitment here →". For instructions on how to search, see the article on how to find band member recruitment , and for instructions on how to read recruitment messages, see the article on how to read recruitment messages .

The overall process of finding band members can be further explained in articles such as "The Complete Guide to Finding Band Members" and " How to Use Social Media for Bands ."

Guideline for order of use

1. Open "Connect Locally" in the footer and allow location services.
2. Confirm that a blue circle (your current location) is displayed.
3. Look at the number of results and select a type using "Filter".
4. In the list, select the row you're interested in, in order of proximity, to open the speech bubble.
5. Check the phone number, website, and business hours, and open it in Google Maps if necessary.
6. If you want to add it to your favorites, proceed to register/log in.

If you're unsure how to use it, please refer to the help page or user guide . Instructions on how to add it to your home screen and use it like an app are explained on the app's usage page .

19. Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I need to register to use the map screen?

Membo maps can be used without registration. There is no barrier to opening the screen, and the list of spots is the same whether you are a guest or registered (bookmarks and "favorites" filtering are only reflected for registered users). Only the operation of adding to favorites requires registration and login.

Q. I don't want to grant location access. Can I still use it?

You can open the screen without granting permission, but your current location cannot be obtained, so nearby spots will not be displayed automatically. The map will be displayed at a default location within Tokyo (west of Tokyo Station). If you do not want to grant permission, you can search by prefecture or city/ward on the nationwide studio/live house list on the web.

Q. Can I change the search distance?

It cannot be changed. It is fixed within a 5km radius from your current location.

Q. Can I search by specifying a location, such as a station name or address?

The map screen does not have input fields for station names or addresses. Please search by prefecture and city/ward/town/village on the web list page.

Q. Why does the list stop at 300 items?

This is because it returns a maximum of 300 results at a time, sorted by proximity. In densely populated areas, distant locations may not be included. Filtering by type will make it easier to find the type you want to see.

Q. What should I do if the store information is outdated?

Please check the store's website or call them for the latest information. Spot information may be delayed in reflecting changes in operating status.

Q. Can I use it overseas?

Outside of Japan, there will be 0 available spots. This screen is for use within Japan.

Q. Are there any photos on the map?

Based on my research for this article, neither the list nor the speech bubbles display photos. While the detailed web pages have a heading labeled "Photos," no photos were displayed in the examples I checked.

Q. Which languages can it be used in?

The available languages are Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean. Spot names, addresses, and area names will be displayed in the selected language if a translation is available; otherwise, they will remain in their original form.

Q. Is it free?

The landing page (LP) states that all features are basically free to use. Future pricing and advertising plans are outlined on the LP, so please check the news page for the latest announcements.

Q. Where can I read the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy?

It's a good idea to read the terms of service and privacy policy , including how location information is handled, to ensure your peace of mind.

20. Summary: First, open by current location, then narrow down by type.

This article organizes the "Connect Locally" screen in Membo 's map interface, following the order of the screen names.

1. Open from "Connect Locally" in the footer : No registration required.
2. If you allow location access, music venues within a 5km radius of your current location will be displayed in order of proximity : up to 300 venues will be returned at a time, and 0 venues outside of Japan.
3. The type of venue can be identified by the color and icon of the pin : a studio is represented by a blue microphone, and a live music venue by an orange musical note.
4. Clicking on a row or pin in the list will open a pop-up bubble displaying the address, rating, phone number, website, and business hours.
5. There are 9 filtering options and Favorites : Data is available for 7 of these options, with 0 entries for Karaoke and Music School.
6. There's no distance selection or station name/address input ; you use the web list page when needed.
7. The numbers differ depending on how you count them : the map contains 8,140 items, while the web list contains 5,967 items (both as of October 16, 2026).

First, try searching for a nearby studio on the map. Once you find one, check their website or call them to see the latest information. If you then want to find people to play music with, switch to Membo 's "Recruit Members" feature. That way, you can find both places and people in one app. This is the first , second , third , and fourth article in the series. For information about the writers, please see the About the Writers page.