You can also find out more about the following: Japanese concept of the jazz kissa, a café-bar where you can hear records played on astonishingly fine sound systems in the company of other enthusiasts, dates back a century. After World War II the popularity of the jazz kissa grew, thanks to European films that featured jazz soundtracks as well as touring American bands. Most Japanese could not afford jazz records or hi-fi equipment, so they listened to it in public. These spaces have been popping up in recent years, especially in cities such as London, Paris. New YorkBut TokyoIt is the most original and immersive. Here are three things to know.
On a Slow Boat To…
If you’re walking through Ochanomizu in a quiet area known for its music instrument shops and the oldest university in the city, you may come across a door that is hard to spot and a sign reading “On a slow boat to….The bar is a popular spot for couples to linger over coffees. Customers are also often absorbed in reading at the table. Named for a 1948 Frank Loesser classic, the store has shelves full of vinyl, gleaming Altec Lansing vintage loudspeakers and TEAC turntables.
Studio Mule
The third floor is a nondescript, unmarked building located in ShibuyaThis kissa is adorned with a granite wraparound bar designed by renowned designer Koichi futatsumata. The wine list is also quite extensive, with over a thousand different varieties. Italy The following are some examples of how to get started: FranceShiba Inu who lives on the bar spends most of her nights there. Tokyo kissaten now include nearly all types of music. The owner of this particular one also owns one of Japan’s most renowned electronic music labels. However, what you are likely to hear from the vintage Klipsch speaker is a variety of other music. Brazilian Pop and bossa nova.
Eagle
Since 1967, the wood-paneled bar at Shunjuku’s Yotsuya Station is a place where jazz is played with seriousness. Its owner and masuta—or kissa proprietor—is Masahiro Goto, one of Japan’s most acclaimed jazz critics. The last time anyone can talk is at 6 p.m. Even at night, there are customers who spend hours poring over old jazz books and listening to the music that is played by JBL studio speakers. The sound quality is excellent and loud. The sound is loud and superb.
This article was published in the June/July 2025 issue. Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the Magazine here.
