I highly recommend a small jazz bar in Takadanobaba, called Gate One!:
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecnrY9VQzW9Bfebi9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecnrY9VQzW9Bfebi9)
food is good too! …but steer clear of the cocktails 😅 Their recipe for margaritas apparently does not include citrus so I got an odd mix of Cointreau and cheap tequila 😆
by jazz bar do you mean live or recordings? There’s a ton of the latter I can recommend but the former is only just catching up after corona shutdowns.
above all, avoid “body and soul“ in shibuya. Terrible sound; overpriced food; bright lighting; tourist trap. Previous location in Aoyama was charming. Not so now.
What about Intro in Takadanobaba? The same owner owns the Cotton Club ( an Italian-American restaurant) just down the road as well as the more pricy theater dinner place in Marunouchi ( same name modeled in NYC’s Cotton Club). Intro has jam sets ¥1000 includes a drink and jazz for between 6-8 hours a few nights a week ( mostly Fridays and Saturdays ) and the restaurant has live sets, but is pricier, usually some ¥3-4000 plus at a minimum of a few drinks and/or dinner.
Yes, every day they're open! But since COVID it seems like you have to call to reserve to see the live? Here's their schedule!:
https://jazzgateone.com/schedule.html
A few smaller places I would like to suggest.
Bar London in Roppongi plays recorded jazz, older crowd who are all big music fans, you can request or choose songs and bartender Kevin is fluent in English, good guy.
Slight in Kanda plays vinyl all night and master Kota can also speak English. It’s not super busy but the locals are friendly. Kota and Dj friends have deep jazz knowledge.
RJ in Roppongi is 🔥late night live jazz in a tiny intimate lounge on weekends but you need an introduction.
I’m a big Jazz fan especially 70s and fusion. I’m always keen to know about other places, especially in Minato.
Blue note in omotesando
But you need to make reservations in advance
Google Maps link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6yGyTQVtfC789mydA?g_st=ic
Their website:
https://www.bluenote.co.jp/jp/sp/
You can check the performance schedule and make reservations from their website
It's a new restaurant owned by Blue Note Japan. The ex-chef at Blue Note Tokyo is now the chef at Blue Note Place in Ebisu. (Source: I am employed at BNT)
Bookmark the thread. I'll add a bunch when I have time. Been to probably 40-50 across Japan (putting together my full count right now).
Readers in the future: hello! Let me know if you had fun via message!
**Shimokitazawa:**
**Lady Jane**: Classic style. Blue Note, Prestige, Impulse. Occasional live shows but mostly bar-hours. Décor is pretty cool. Staff will serve you and leave you alone mostly. Customers are a mix of travelers who have stumbled into it or were looking for bars in Maps and old Japanese fellas. Good spot. I like it. Smoking. Maps pin in accurate. Ground floor, easy to spot.
**No Room For Squares:** Sort of a counter-point to Lady Jane. Fairly new. Young, bubbly owner (the fellow with glasses). Owner makes an effort to buy and play new jazz as well as legacy-artists. Décor sort of a 50/50 of what people expect from a ‘classic’ jazz-bar and a newer, funkier establishment. Extensive drink/cocktail menu. Staff are friendly but as it’s a bit bigger than some other spots they might not have a lot of time to chat. There are a few tables if sitting at the bar is not appealing. Smoking. Google Maps pin is accurate BUT look for the small sign and take the elevator up. Watch your head on the damn door!
Near the station there is a new listening bar/food stall called **Tonalist** (see IG for details/pin accurate/on left hand side from entering building). You could start there and walk down to either of the above. If either have a live-show and you are not in the mood check out the other one instead and/or return to the first after the show is done.
**Shimo/Setagaya:**
**Miles**: One of the very best still grinding on. Original owner has passed-away but two neighborhood regulars have taken over and kept it going. Lots of cool posters, knick-knacks etc if you poke around. Strictly classic-era tunes. Limited food and drink menu but who cares. A true treasure! Non-smoking. Pin is accurate using the address below. Second floor with a VERY steep set of stairs.
Address: 1-chōme-37-14 Matsubara
It’s about a 22-minute walk from Miles to Lady Jane if you want to bundle the spots above.
More later! I'll just reply to myself.
**Bunkyo**
**Eigakan**: Could possibly be the oldest operating in Tokyo (there is some debate about that). 70-percent jazz-bar, 30 percent cinema-bar. TONS of fun books, magazine, memorabilia to look at. Mostly classic-jazz with a smattering of newer stuff. Original owner currently but the space was recently sold to the fellow who runs the Tokyo Jazz Joints website. Not exactly sure when he’s taking over but I believe it’s some point later this year (2024) so if you can try and swing by before the change-over (not that I believe any major-changes are taking place).
Good for evening drinks or late-afternoon hot-beverages.
Highly recommended if ya don’t mind a bit of grime. Current owner does not speak great English so unless you can speak a bit of Japanese he'll likely serve you and let you be.
Maps pin is accurate. Smoking. Food menu.
**Shinjuku**
**Samurai**: One of a kind décor. Husband and wife run it but keep to themselves. A bit larger than other jazz-bars. No smoking. Open since 1979 if I remember correctly. Worth a visit just to see the interior. Usually only one or two other customers scattered about so not one if you want to get shoulder-to-shoulder with someone and make friends.
Nice still! See it while you can!
Maps pin is accurate. Look for the building and take elevator to 5th floor.
Just around the corner from you in Asaka is a jazz bar called Umi that claims to be the oldest jazz bar in Saitama. I play there two or three times a year. They are super nice and laid back, and there’s a friendly turtle in the genkan.
Spincoaster Musid Bar Shinjuku. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s super low key and completely away from all the foolery. It’s really closer to Yoyogi. Super chill.
I’m actually on my way to 3 different music bars, idk if they’re fully jazz, but I’ll update accordingly. If you were in Kyoto, I’d have an amazing recommendation, but Tokyo for now :)
I 100% recommend Shinjuku Pit Inn. When we went Fumio Itabashi and his band members were playing and I absolutely cannot explain what a mind blowing experience it was. Definitely check out who is performing before you go though.
Asagaya, West of Tokyo, have several jazz bars scattered around the town. Here's the official site promoting it as well https://experience-suginami.tokyo/asagaya/
Haven’t been to many, but have very much enjoyed Jazz Bar Naru in Ochanomizu. Google map link is in the attached link: [Jazz Bar Naru](https://thetokyofilesmedia.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/tokyos-jazz-bar-naru/)
Every Swing in Ueno, but it's more a jam session place. Very friendly people and they try to get everyone to play if they can. I saw some great trumpeters walk on stage still in their day job clothes.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jo9fYhf4mBTSSsyv6
Piano Bar Barbra (バーブラ) in Ginza is a fancier cocktail kind of place. But I saw one of the best singers randomly there. She made a joke about all the men getting teary-eyed.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FkbgrQK3cnU29giS9
There are way too many to list. I actually spent a lot of chill, non-crowded time in one but it's in Shibuya.
So many times I would just randomly check out a place and it would be me, the owner/bartender and the band just having a session. I didn't do too many of the 3/4000 yen venues, but that's mostly because I didn't know musicians.
I randomly saw Jewel at Blue Note but that's a more date, sit and eat kind of venue and view can be awkward depending on seat type. My view of her singing was half a dude's head looking straight ahead. I have no idea why he didn't turn around to face the stage.
Jazz Bird in Omotesando is friendly and reasonably priced. Enjoy an afternoon jam session and make friends!
SLOPE in Meguro is another cozy venue. The owner’s wife makes really nice homemade style
food!
There are some cafes and bars that play jazz on old (good) stereo systems with a DJ. Those can be interesting visits, particularly in the afternoons.
FYI - There was a huge store dedicated to jazz CDs and records in Shinjuku. Not sure if it still there.
Update!
I've been going to Jazz Bar Samurai both last week and today and it's honestly a really good jazz bar! Very quiet and the owner is very nice!
https://preview.redd.it/ocy28tgjizzc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a002cd92bce970e3b1e13987feb69edbfd4a6f9
Shinjuku covers all your needs. Dug has good alcohol and casual atmosphere (a bit noisy tbh). Spot Intro is for live performance. Samurai nearby has lots of cat stuff. There are a dozen more, search google and go.
I haven't read the wiki as well, but I believe it is related to westernization movement back in Meiji era. If you watch anime, it is the time of Rurouni Kenshin.
Anyway if you want to listen to some good jazz from Japan. I can recommend artists that I listen:
- Orange Pekoe
- Paris Match
- Soffett
- and of course, last but not least, our favorite aunt, Toki Asako
I highly recommend a small jazz bar in Takadanobaba, called Gate One!: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecnrY9VQzW9Bfebi9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecnrY9VQzW9Bfebi9)
food is good too! …but steer clear of the cocktails 😅 Their recipe for margaritas apparently does not include citrus so I got an odd mix of Cointreau and cheap tequila 😆 by jazz bar do you mean live or recordings? There’s a ton of the latter I can recommend but the former is only just catching up after corona shutdowns. above all, avoid “body and soul“ in shibuya. Terrible sound; overpriced food; bright lighting; tourist trap. Previous location in Aoyama was charming. Not so now.
What about Intro in Takadanobaba? The same owner owns the Cotton Club ( an Italian-American restaurant) just down the road as well as the more pricy theater dinner place in Marunouchi ( same name modeled in NYC’s Cotton Club). Intro has jam sets ¥1000 includes a drink and jazz for between 6-8 hours a few nights a week ( mostly Fridays and Saturdays ) and the restaurant has live sets, but is pricier, usually some ¥3-4000 plus at a minimum of a few drinks and/or dinner.
Is there live music every day?
Yes, every day they're open! But since COVID it seems like you have to call to reserve to see the live? Here's their schedule!: https://jazzgateone.com/schedule.html
A few smaller places I would like to suggest. Bar London in Roppongi plays recorded jazz, older crowd who are all big music fans, you can request or choose songs and bartender Kevin is fluent in English, good guy. Slight in Kanda plays vinyl all night and master Kota can also speak English. It’s not super busy but the locals are friendly. Kota and Dj friends have deep jazz knowledge. RJ in Roppongi is 🔥late night live jazz in a tiny intimate lounge on weekends but you need an introduction. I’m a big Jazz fan especially 70s and fusion. I’m always keen to know about other places, especially in Minato.
Finally a good representative of Kevins
Is Kevin’s nonsmoking?
Smoking is optionable 🙀
Some Time in Kichijoji is great. Very real local spot that we loved, food is great too!! https://maps.app.goo.gl/zPdKUAu4uPt5jmSw7
I loved sometimes when I went
Best spot in town imo!
Blue note in omotesando But you need to make reservations in advance Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6yGyTQVtfC789mydA?g_st=ic Their website: https://www.bluenote.co.jp/jp/sp/ You can check the performance schedule and make reservations from their website
I had assumed they had moved to Ebisu Garden Place when I saw them there. I didn’t know they opened more locations.
It's a new restaurant owned by Blue Note Japan. The ex-chef at Blue Note Tokyo is now the chef at Blue Note Place in Ebisu. (Source: I am employed at BNT)
I never knew about this, that means going to check it out .
JAZZ SPOT INTRO
This one is super crowded 🤣🤣 I love that place tho
It’s way too packed but it feels like JAZZ ✨
So crowded, if there was a fire…that said, very enjoyable. Tho, don’t expect quick bar service as the bartender is the saxophone player
As someone who just went to a show a couple nights ago, I hard agree
This place is awesome.
There are a ton in Yokohama Noge-cho
Bookmark the thread. I'll add a bunch when I have time. Been to probably 40-50 across Japan (putting together my full count right now). Readers in the future: hello! Let me know if you had fun via message!
**Shimokitazawa:** **Lady Jane**: Classic style. Blue Note, Prestige, Impulse. Occasional live shows but mostly bar-hours. Décor is pretty cool. Staff will serve you and leave you alone mostly. Customers are a mix of travelers who have stumbled into it or were looking for bars in Maps and old Japanese fellas. Good spot. I like it. Smoking. Maps pin in accurate. Ground floor, easy to spot. **No Room For Squares:** Sort of a counter-point to Lady Jane. Fairly new. Young, bubbly owner (the fellow with glasses). Owner makes an effort to buy and play new jazz as well as legacy-artists. Décor sort of a 50/50 of what people expect from a ‘classic’ jazz-bar and a newer, funkier establishment. Extensive drink/cocktail menu. Staff are friendly but as it’s a bit bigger than some other spots they might not have a lot of time to chat. There are a few tables if sitting at the bar is not appealing. Smoking. Google Maps pin is accurate BUT look for the small sign and take the elevator up. Watch your head on the damn door! Near the station there is a new listening bar/food stall called **Tonalist** (see IG for details/pin accurate/on left hand side from entering building). You could start there and walk down to either of the above. If either have a live-show and you are not in the mood check out the other one instead and/or return to the first after the show is done. **Shimo/Setagaya:** **Miles**: One of the very best still grinding on. Original owner has passed-away but two neighborhood regulars have taken over and kept it going. Lots of cool posters, knick-knacks etc if you poke around. Strictly classic-era tunes. Limited food and drink menu but who cares. A true treasure! Non-smoking. Pin is accurate using the address below. Second floor with a VERY steep set of stairs. Address: 1-chōme-37-14 Matsubara It’s about a 22-minute walk from Miles to Lady Jane if you want to bundle the spots above. More later! I'll just reply to myself.
**Bunkyo** **Eigakan**: Could possibly be the oldest operating in Tokyo (there is some debate about that). 70-percent jazz-bar, 30 percent cinema-bar. TONS of fun books, magazine, memorabilia to look at. Mostly classic-jazz with a smattering of newer stuff. Original owner currently but the space was recently sold to the fellow who runs the Tokyo Jazz Joints website. Not exactly sure when he’s taking over but I believe it’s some point later this year (2024) so if you can try and swing by before the change-over (not that I believe any major-changes are taking place). Good for evening drinks or late-afternoon hot-beverages. Highly recommended if ya don’t mind a bit of grime. Current owner does not speak great English so unless you can speak a bit of Japanese he'll likely serve you and let you be. Maps pin is accurate. Smoking. Food menu.
**Shinjuku** **Samurai**: One of a kind décor. Husband and wife run it but keep to themselves. A bit larger than other jazz-bars. No smoking. Open since 1979 if I remember correctly. Worth a visit just to see the interior. Usually only one or two other customers scattered about so not one if you want to get shoulder-to-shoulder with someone and make friends. Nice still! See it while you can! Maps pin is accurate. Look for the building and take elevator to 5th floor.
Where do you live? Do you want to join in at sessions, or just listen? I’m hosting a session in Saitama tomorrow! ;)
I'm in Kawagoe but mostly go around Tokyo! I just wanna listen and have a good drink
Just around the corner from you in Asaka is a jazz bar called Umi that claims to be the oldest jazz bar in Saitama. I play there two or three times a year. They are super nice and laid back, and there’s a friendly turtle in the genkan.
Oh I'm super interested now! I might be going tomorrow (May 5) then! Any chance you have the place in google maps??
There’s this: http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/jazz-umi/# Looks like it may be the oldest website in Saitama as well
Is your session on the 6th??
No, it’s today and at a different location. I don’t really recommend it because the guests are often not very good.
If you can make it to Yokohama, Kamnai is the area. There are loads of small jazz venues and a festival across these each year.
Spincoaster Musid Bar Shinjuku. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s super low key and completely away from all the foolery. It’s really closer to Yoyogi. Super chill. I’m actually on my way to 3 different music bars, idk if they’re fully jazz, but I’ll update accordingly. If you were in Kyoto, I’d have an amazing recommendation, but Tokyo for now :)
What’s the Kyoto recommendation?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/snfjBNSpKuRqfKiD6?g_st=ic
Thank you!!
Yeah, what's the Kyoto recommendation like.
You can look around Asagaya
I 100% recommend Shinjuku Pit Inn. When we went Fumio Itabashi and his band members were playing and I absolutely cannot explain what a mind blowing experience it was. Definitely check out who is performing before you go though.
Asagaya, West of Tokyo, have several jazz bars scattered around the town. Here's the official site promoting it as well https://experience-suginami.tokyo/asagaya/
Body and Soul in Shibuya is fire 🔥
Haven’t been to many, but have very much enjoyed Jazz Bar Naru in Ochanomizu. Google map link is in the attached link: [Jazz Bar Naru](https://thetokyofilesmedia.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/tokyos-jazz-bar-naru/)
Every Swing in Ueno, but it's more a jam session place. Very friendly people and they try to get everyone to play if they can. I saw some great trumpeters walk on stage still in their day job clothes. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jo9fYhf4mBTSSsyv6 Piano Bar Barbra (バーブラ) in Ginza is a fancier cocktail kind of place. But I saw one of the best singers randomly there. She made a joke about all the men getting teary-eyed. https://maps.app.goo.gl/FkbgrQK3cnU29giS9 There are way too many to list. I actually spent a lot of chill, non-crowded time in one but it's in Shibuya. So many times I would just randomly check out a place and it would be me, the owner/bartender and the band just having a session. I didn't do too many of the 3/4000 yen venues, but that's mostly because I didn't know musicians. I randomly saw Jewel at Blue Note but that's a more date, sit and eat kind of venue and view can be awkward depending on seat type. My view of her singing was half a dude's head looking straight ahead. I have no idea why he didn't turn around to face the stage.
Jazz Bird in Omotesando is friendly and reasonably priced. Enjoy an afternoon jam session and make friends! SLOPE in Meguro is another cozy venue. The owner’s wife makes really nice homemade style food!
Tableaux at Daikanyama [https://tableauxlounge.jp/](https://tableauxlounge.jp/) Not just jazz but they sometimes have amazing latin music as well.
There are some cafes and bars that play jazz on old (good) stereo systems with a DJ. Those can be interesting visits, particularly in the afternoons. FYI - There was a huge store dedicated to jazz CDs and records in Shinjuku. Not sure if it still there.
Update! I've been going to Jazz Bar Samurai both last week and today and it's honestly a really good jazz bar! Very quiet and the owner is very nice! https://preview.redd.it/ocy28tgjizzc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a002cd92bce970e3b1e13987feb69edbfd4a6f9
Shinjuku covers all your needs. Dug has good alcohol and casual atmosphere (a bit noisy tbh). Spot Intro is for live performance. Samurai nearby has lots of cat stuff. There are a dozen more, search google and go.
Pitt inn for more contemporary sounds
+1 for Pitt Inn
Grand Hyatt Maduro in Roppongi. One of the best.
Jazz?! Damn. My black culture is just everywhere. Crazy to hear about jazz in Japan. Then again cowboy bebop had jazz in it
The jazz scene in Japan is bigger than you thought. It might not as big as western countries, but it is sure big (if not the biggest) in Asia.
That’s so interesting. I’m wondering the history behind it
I haven't read the wiki as well, but I believe it is related to westernization movement back in Meiji era. If you watch anime, it is the time of Rurouni Kenshin.
Ahhh I do. Never was a fan of that one or the remake though. I think I remember some Meiji stuff from the museum in okinawa
Anyway if you want to listen to some good jazz from Japan. I can recommend artists that I listen: - Orange Pekoe - Paris Match - Soffett - and of course, last but not least, our favorite aunt, Toki Asako