shellyshally

As others said it's fine to wear anything you want, but I would add a small exception - don't wear other artist t-shirts or goods. It's not a rule, but fans here definitely don't do that (while it's totally normal thing in the West). Unless you know that those two artists hang out/do events together/etc.
I actually see people wearing business clothes at lives a lot, I'd also been to a live wearing a white shirt few times  when I didn't have time to change (but it's way too hot!).
 
The only bag checks done in Japan I experienced was at huge venues (arenas), so going to a v-kei live you should be totally fine. You can bring bags in, but it's simply more comfortable to use a locker. If it's a standing live you don't know if suddenly fans won't do some furi having everyone moving.
Most venues allow you to bring a drink in, sometimes they can simply ask if you carry a camera.

I've always been wearing what I've wanted to and what I felt comfortable with. I don't care about being the only one looking different (I already do because I have turquoise hair and there aren't many people with unusal colors, at least at those lives I went to) and nobody cares about what you're wearing. Already seen girls being dressed as lolita, some in short skirts and blouses and even some that looked like they just came out of their bed still wearing their pyjamas.  Most of them do dress up tho just to get the attention of their favorite bandomen

I also could carry whatever I've wanted into the live houses, nobody checked the bags, no matter how many I was carrying with me. Got into the hall with a bag filled with drinks and food. They might ask you to put drinks and food away (without checking, if you say you don't have any you just can go on lol)  but I've never seen anyone to do so.

Japanese gyas come to vk gigs all dressed up with giant heels but just before the show is about to start they put on crocs or slip on and they come with a lot of bags.
Nobody is checking what's inside, I came with water bottle inside a plastic bag and the staff didn't notice (and probably don't care)
You'll get a drink ticket when you get to the doors so no need to bring something to drink actually
Note that I went only to vk gigs in really small live houses, idk if it's the same in bigger venues

I recommend wearing the most comfortable shoes you have, specially for gigs that go on for hours and then there's a lot of jumping and moving around, you'll regret wearing any kind of heel. 
Some bands have dress codes like Sukekiyo, you can only wear black as they want everyone to look like they're going to a funeral or something lol but most bands aren't like that, you'll see a lot of girls dressed up as if they're going on a date (cute outfits and make up, made up hair, cute accessories). You could always carry another outfit with you so you can change from your work uniform, I suggest going with a small bag and placing it in a locker if you can, I think most venues have them.
  Don't worry about your look too much, the majority of people just dress nicely with trousers or a skirt, top and minimal make up. I actually didn't see any cosplayers  or crazy harajuku fashion to the gigs I went to in Japan, I think most people just want to be comfortable while looking decent. 
 
Edit: I don't remember my bag being searched for water or things like that, but then again I either made my bf put everything in his pockets or I placed my stuff in a locker, so I can't help with that question 🤔 

Hii welcome to the forum!
I'm sure you'll find tons of cool bands to check out
Sadly, I won't be in Japan until August, otherwise I'd totally invite you to join me for the next gig I go to  But there's plenty of other users here who are currently in Japan.

@shellyshallyyou might find this thread useful before you go to your first vk live
 

Hi, my name’s Katie. I’ve been listening to VK and some other J-rock bands since 2000, but I took a long break from searching up new bands and keeping up with discographies around 2011. I’ve recently been diving in again, and eager to catch up on the scene.
 
I had a pod-o-matic podcast a decade ago called J-rock North, and I was thinking of creating a YouTube channel to discuss bands. I was inspired by the MUCC discography review thread to take that similar concept across several bands. I’ve started cataloguing with the “A’s”, and it’s put me in a position to seriously re-evaluate some bands that I initially dismissed or never really followed.
 
I’ll be super swamped with working 70 hr weeks pretty soon, but I hope to release my first video sometime in June.
 
I’m also taking the plunge this year of attending my first J-rock live by flying to Toronto to see Miyavi.
 
Hope to have fun talking with everyone here.

The general rule is 'once vk, always vk'. So even if Dir En Grey don't sport crazy looks anymore they're still part of the scene. 
Gazette have just release a new song from their upcoming album and アルルカン has a new release this month too. I love both bands. 
There's quite a few people here located in Japan, if there's a particular gig you want to go to, maybe make a thread or status asking if anyone else is going
 

Very nice to meet you hope you enjoy yourself here.

Hello everyone!
 
I'm shellyshally and  being in my early to mid twenties, I'm barely getting back into being a fan of the visual kei music scene I was so obsessed with as a middle/high school student. 
My favorite band has been and always will be the GazettE, though I also really like Dir en Grey (are they still considered visual kei? not sure if I remember anymore haha)
I'm open to learning about new bands! A friend introduced me to アルルカン and I've seen mejibray around too
 
I joined because I wanted to meet some cool new friends I can go to vk concerts/lives with. I have never been to a concert/live before so it's a bit intimidating to go by yourself ><      I live on the border between Kanagawa and Tokyo so if anyone is in the area and free and knows where the good concerts are, hit me up lol
 
Nice to meet you all!!

Hello everyone!
 
I'm shellyshally and  being in my early to mid twenties, I'm barely getting back into being a fan of the visual kei music scene I was so obsessed with as a middle/high school student. 
My favorite band has been and always will be the GazettE, though I also really like Dir en Grey (are they still considered visual kei? not sure if I remember anymore haha)
I'm open to learning about new bands! A friend introduced me to アルルカン and I've seen mejibray around too
 
I joined because I wanted to meet some cool new friends I can go to vk concerts/lives with. I have never been to a concert/live before so it's a bit intimidating to go by yourself ><      I live on the border between Kanagawa and Tokyo so if anyone is in the area and free and knows where the good concerts are, hit me up lol
 
Nice to meet you all!!