1-11 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda
Kudanminami 1 Chome 2-1
Chiyoda-ku
Tōkyō-to
JP
03-3233-434303-3233-4343
Big Boy is a tiny cafe/bar on a side street off the main road through Jinbocho, the old book shop area of Tokyo. It was opened ten years ago by ex-advertising man Hayashi-san, a very serious jazz collector. He right away started telling us about his large collection, as well as the names of other jazz cafes all around Japan. We immediately felt at home with the warm welcome by Hayashi-san and his wife.
The space is a small one, seating maybe a max of about 15 people. Hayashi-san has taken great care with his audio system and as a result, the sound in Big Boy is incredible. (Details on his web page about all the equipment.) There’s a vast amount of vinyl along with CDs behind the bar, all genres though Hayashi-san points out that unlike a lot of other jazz cafes, he plays a lot of contemporary jazz from Europe. There was a new CD by a Polish piano trio playing when I last visited, very swinging.
Big Boy isn’t the kind of place to go if you want to have an extended chat; the music is loud and the sound system so crisp, you’ll want to just sit back and enjoy the music. Open until 5pm as a cafe, then from 7pm as a bar. Take note: ￥1000 table charge at night. Photos of Big Boy over at Tokyo Jazz Joints
Size
Small
Food
Snacks
Directions
Come out of exit A7 at Jimbocho station and turn left down the alley. Big Boy is on the right corner, less than 30 seconds from the exit.
Date published
06/01/2009 Updated JAN 2016
1-11-17 Higashinakanobu, Shinagawa City, Tokyo, Japan
03-3785-487703-3785-4877
Jazz Snack Matsu sadly closed suddenly due to the neighborhood being torn down for re-development...
1-chōme-3-16 Minamiyukigaya, Ota City, Tokyo 145-0066
03-6421-819303-6421-8193
Slow Boat is a beautiful neighborhood jazz cafe opened only in 2019, on the first floor of an oth...
2 Chome-43-2 Sendagi, Bunkyo City, Tokyo
‘Modern Jazz’ Players Bar R started in June 2022 in the existing Players Bar R, with ...
Tsugurudai 3-3, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo
Donato has the look, feel and sound of a classic old Japanese jazz kissaten, yet is a relatively ...
2-4 Nishiasakusa, Taito-Ku, Tokyo
03-3845-107803-3845-1078
Located in the back streets on the west side of Asakusa, the most popular tourist neighborhood in...
Choujamachi 8-136-8 Naka-Ku, Yokohama-Shi
Even by Japanese bar standards, Shelter People is an intimate drinking experience. Located in the...
5-60 Sumiyoshicho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 231-0013
045-641-9191045-641-9191
Located in the in historic Bashamichi area of downtown Yokohama, Airegin is one of the best live ...
Sasaki Bldg, B1, 2-8-3 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3200-145203-3200-1452
Gate One is a small bar run by the husband and wife guitar-vocal duo Hashimoto-san and Kajiwara-s...
6-13-9 Minami Aoyama, Minato-Ku
03-5466-334803-5466-3348
Body & Soul is one of the most historically important jazz clubs in Tokyo. Featuring many of ...
Hama Roppongi Bldg. 5F, 6-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-Ku
03-3479-203703-3479-2037
Opened in May 1980 and now in its 41st year, Alfie is simply one of the best live jazz spots in ...
2 Chome−1−10, Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku
03-3291-232103-3291-2321
Naru in Ochanomizu first opened in 1969 as the sister live spot to the Naru jazz cafe in the Yoyo...
3-7-15 Akasaka, Minato-Ku
Hashi no Shita (橋 の下 means “Under The Bridge” in Japanese) is in Akasaka-Mitsuke...
Chome 34-8, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku
03-3359-677703-3359-6777
Someday is a nice, spacious club in Shinjuku, well known for their various big band and Latin jaz...
30 Konya-Cho, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku
03-3252-498203-3252-4982
Root Down moved down the street just 30 meters from it’s original spot, it’s now Tō...
Jingumae, 3 Chome−5−2
03-3402-753703-3402-7537
Gekko Sabou (月光茶房 “moon-light-tea-chamber”, a wonderful name) is not a jazz cafe/...
2-4, Dai Kyo Machi, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3351-790403-3351-7904
Kissa Sakaiki gives me hope that the spirit of the Japanese jazz-kissaten will survive. Owner F...
Shibuya Parco B1, Udagawa-Cho 15-1
03-6455-300103-6455-3001
The central streets of Shibuya often conceal some cool little music spots amidst the brand stores...
Igari Bldg., 1-23-9 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3200-451303-3200-4513
Milestone sadly closed its doors at the end of July, 2019 after 45 years in business. As the nam...
Japan, 〒231-0023 Kanagawa-ken, Yokohama-shi, Naka-ku, Yamashitachō, 巴里堂ビル
045-401-6516045-401-6516
090-2202-3293090-2202-3293
Marshmallow is a lovely new(ish) cafe located right in the heart of Chinatown, in Yokohama. It wa...
1124-1 Masuo, Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture
04-7139-926504-7139-9265
Nefertiti lives up to its very lofty name as it’s one of the finest jazz spots in the entir...
3-15-12 Shinjuku
03-3354-777603-3354-7776
The ‘New Dug’ in Shinjuku is a cafe/bar with a complex back story. It was the annex...
Minami Karasuyama 5-17-13 3F, Setagaya-Ku
03-3309-146003-3309-1460
Ragtime is the ideal jazz cafe in many ways. It’s a small place up on the 3rd floor of a ru...
Miyamoto Bldg, 2F 1-43 Hanasakicho, Naka-Ku, Yokohama-Shi
Downbeat in Yokohama is one of the classic jazz spots in the entire Kanto (Tokyo Metropolitan) ...
1-18-1 Midori-Cho, Tokorozawa-Shi, Saitama-Ken, Japan
042-924-4230042-924-4230
Jazz & Coffee Swan first opened in 1965 and still retains every bit of ambiance from that gol...
Inaba Bldg , 2F Asagaya-Minami 3-28-31
03-3220-127503-3220-1275
吐夢 (Pronounced “To-mu” or just “Tom”) is unique in a couple of ways. ...
Marco Polo Bldg 2F, 1-8-14 Hon-Chi, Kichijoji
Scratch is a quiet cafe/bar that’s been in heart of Kichijoji since 1974. They open durin...
Tokyo, Mitaka, Inokashira, 3 Chome−32−16
090-9332-9070090-9332-9070
トムネコゴ (Tomunekogo) is a small, cozy and rustic cafe alongside the entrance to Inokashira-Koe...
5-16-17, Meguro Honcho, Meguro-Ku
Fat Mama is named after the great Herbie Hancock track from his album “Fat Albert Rotunda&#...
3-1-12 Koenji-Kita, Suginami-Ku, Tokyo
080-3496-3883080-3496-3883
S.U.B. Store (Small Unique Bookstore) is a very hip new hybrid cafe/bar/gallery/bookstore/records...
JORNA ４F, Hara Machida 6-6-14, Machida-Shi, Tokyo
042-725-5797042-725-5797
Noise is one of the more unique jazz cafes still around. It opened in 1980 as the sister shop to ...
16-4 Kamiyamacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
03-5790-954403-5790-9544
Despite its old-world cafe atmosphere, Swing only opened in 2014 and is one of the newer jazz spo...
1-31-8 Kita-Senju, Adachi-Ku, Tokyo
Birdland is a beautifully decorated cafe and bar located in the north-east part of Tokyo, just a ...
2Ｆ Dai Ichi Nishimura Bldg. 2F, 2-17-4 Miyagawa-cho, Naka-Ku
045-261-4542045-261-4542
Jazz Spot Dolphy opened in 1980 but moved to its current location in 1990 and has kept up a ste...
スズノビル1F, 3 Chome-2-10 Honchō, Nakano-ku
03-3372-347103-3372-3471
Genius was one of Shibuya’s more famous jazz cafes for more than 20 years before increasing...
Bunkyo-Ku, Hakusan 5-33-19
03-3811-893203-3811-8932
The Eigakan (映画館 “Movie Theater) is a jazz cafe for both jazz lovers and cinephiles. Own...
Kichijoji Honcho 1-31-3, Musashino-shi
0422-21-14210422-21-1421
Meg is a small cafe/club in Kichijoji, western Tokyo that is a vibrant part of the local scene...
Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 1−11−31
SOMETIME Kichijoji (they use all caps..) opened in 1975 and still packs people in every night o...
2-94 Noge-cho Naka-ku, Yokohama,Kanagawa 231-0064
045-315-2006045-315-2006
Chigusa is the the gold standard of jazz cafes in Japan. It was first opened in 1933 in the rough...
Japan, 〒101-0051 Tōkyō-to, Chiyoda-ku, Kanda Jinbōchō, 1 Chome−2−9 ウェルスビル
The Adirondack Cafe is a unique jazz cafe and bar just off the main road through the Jinbocho are...
Fuji Shoji Bldg. 2F, Sakuragaoka 2-3, Shibuya-Ku
03-3461-338103-3461-3381
Many years back I found Mary Jane by accident, as I had been looking for the wonderfully named ...
1-8 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3357-985703-3357-9857
Eagle is really the prototypical jazz cafe. It opened in 1967 in Yotsuya, right down the street...
3-10-12 Inage-Higashi, Inage-Ku, Chiba-Ken
043-246-7726043-246-7726
Jazz Spot Candy is a gem, one of the finest jazz joints in the entire Tokyo metro area. It opened...
Toshima-Ku, Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-28-1 Takuto T.O. Bldg 2F
03-5391-738803-5391-7388
The Owl cafe in Ikebukuro was a great mystery to me as the first three times I went by it was clo...
Mori Bldg. 5F, 3-35-5, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3341-038303-3341-0383
Samurai is located in the building that used to house the Shinjuku Pit-Inn before they moved to t...
2F, 1 Chome−13−6, Kabukicho, Shinjuku
I found this tiny gem of a jazz cafe amidst the chaos that is Kabukicho in Shinjuku. It is a smal...
1-17-10 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-Ku
There’s a beautiful simplicity about JBS (Jazz,Blues,Soul). Owner Kobayashi-san has more th...
Toshima-Ku, Nishi-Ikebukuro, 1-15-6, Toshima Kaikan B2F
Absolute Blue is a new club opened in Feb 2015 by Ayumi Hoshikawa, previously a club owner in New...
東京都杉並区西荻南2-25-4
03-5344-970103-5344-9701
Opened in 2010, Juha is a small but lively coffee shop about 5 minutes walk from Nishi-Ogikubo St...
〒150-0002 東京都渋谷区渋谷２丁目３−４
03-3499-189003-3499-1890
Seabird is a lovely old cafe next to Aoyama Gakuin University, between Shibuya and Omotesando sta...
5-1-2 Akasaka Engel Bldg 2F, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Volontaire moved to its current location in Akasaka a few years ago after more than three decades...
東京都千代田区有楽町2-3-6 マスヤビルB1F
03-3575-031503-3575-0315
Kiri is a wonderful little basement spot in between Hibiya, Ginza and Yurakucho stations. It̵...
Shibuya-ku, Udagawacho 19-5
Koen-Dori Classics is a small performance space located underneath a church in the heart of Shibu...
102 Dai-Ichi Mitomi Bldg 102, 1-30-6 Arai, Nakano-Ku
03-6454-028303-6454-0283
Rompercicci is a fairly new jazz cafe/bar just a short ten-minute walk from Nakano Station. It...
3-11 Yoshidamachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken 231-0041, Japan
045-262-8111045-262-8111
Ad-Lib is an old club in Yoshida-cho, a block of dingy streets between Kannai and Noge in Yokoham...
2 Chome-17 Kanda Tsukasamachi Chiyoda-ku
Jazz Bar Gugan is a small bar in the east side of Tokyo, near both the Ochanomizu and Jimbocho ...
New Gold Bldg, 2F, 3-6-10 Shinjuku-Ku
03-5367-236603-5367-2366
Houdenasu (ほうでなす) is a small 2nd floor bar located right in the heart of Shinjuku 3-Chome,...
6-6-4, Sakae Bldg B1, Akasaka, Minato-ku
The B Flat in Akasaka is a great straight-ahead jazz club in an area without many other options f...
416 Imai Minami-Cho, Nakahara-Ku, Kawasaki-Shi
044-711-0760044-711-0760
Gi is a tiny dining bar located just about 10 minutes walk from Musashi Kosugi station in Kawasak...
Casa Rosa 2F Seijo 6-16-5, Setagaya-ku
I’ve known Yoshioka-san, owner and sole staff at Cafe Beulmans for several years now, since...
Asagaya 3-37
Note: Closed in early 2015. I guess he couldn’t get many customers after all… Cafe El...
1-35-21 Minami-Asagaya, Suginami-Ku
Misty is a small cafe located in the heart of Asagaya’s old style “shotengai” (...
1-19-11 B1F Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3351-485603-3351-4856
Jazz Tweeter was opened a couple of years ago by long-time hotel restaurant chef Ishizuka-san. He...
1−28−9, Shibuya, Yoyogi
03-6300-523103-6300-5231
Music Bar is part of the new development Yoyogi Village (read more about it here. It’s no...
2-12-5-2F Kita-Koenji, Suginami-Ku
03-03339-621103-03339-6211
Nadja is a great little cafe in Koenji that stands out for its tasty lunch menu, especially the M...
1-6-12 Minami-Koenji, Suginami-Ku
Kissa Seikatsu (喫茶生活 “Cafe Lifestyle”) is a gem of a place a few mins walk from...
Ogawamachi 3-24, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku
03-3259-005503-3259-0055
Jazz Olympus was opened by the very friendly Komatsu-san in 2009. It’s a sleek cafe/bar t...
Wako Bldg 1F 1-62-4 Kanda Jimbocho Chiyoda-Ku
03-5283-711703-5283-7117
Closed 2015 Small Hours is a new cafe/bar located in the back streets between Ochanomizu, Jimbo...
2F 3-20-13 2F, Ogawamachi, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku
03-5577-482603-5577-4826
Grauers is a new cafe/bar opened August, 2011. Owner Furusho Shinjiro is a long time jazz journal...
Nishi-shinjuku 1-4-20, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3348-910903-3348-9109
The Vagabond is a classic joint right next to the West Exit of Shinjuku station. I think the revi...
B2F 8-6-18 Ginza, Chuo
Cygnus is the sister club to Aries in Ueno but a bit more upscale. Live shows three times a night...
Watanabe Bldg B2 Ginza 8-6-19
The Ribbon is what most people would think of when hearing the words “Ginza Jazz”. It...
Tsuji Bldg B1, 3-14-12 Ueno, Taito-Ku
Every Swing is a small friendly club in the barren back streets east of Ueno Station. This is n...
Makita Bldg B1, 2-4-8 Ueno, Taito-Ku
Aries is a very local jazz live-house in the back streets of Ueno. By “local” I mea...
Higashi Shin Bldg , 4F, 3-21-7, Shinjuku, Shunjuku-Ku
03-3354-757703-3354-7577
Pearl Bar is a real sleek “grown up” jazz bar in the center of Shinjuku. Lots of cock...
1-7-3 Honcho, Kichijoji
Funky is the upstairs “Bar” part of the Bar & Kitchen Funky. It’s a sleek...
1-17-4 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3200-373003-3200-3730
Jazz Nutty opened in 2009 next to the campus of Waseda University. The wonderful Mr.& Mrs. ...
4 Chome−3−1, Higashinakano, Nakano
03-3365-057203-3365-0572
Neighborhood cafe/bar/small live club. This is the kind of place you really only find in Japan; i...
2 Chome−2−7, Asagayakita, Suginami
03-3336-796103-3336-7961
Tiny club in jazz rich Asagaya, Manhattan is always worth stopping by. All-night jam sessions thr...
Shin-Yuri Green Plaza B1, Hakusan 4-1-3 Aso-Ku, Kawasaki-Shi
044-989-4666044-989-4666
Coming out the station go to Bus Stop #3, take the bus bound for Shin-Yuri Green Town. Get off at...
Hotel Wing International Meguro B1, 1-3-14, Meguro
03-5496-438103-5496-4381
Blues Alley Japan. is a sophisticated club with great food and an eclectic live schedule. It...
Suehiro-Cho 2-5, Naka-Ku, Yokohama-Shi
Yoidore Hakushaku (よいどれ伯爵-the name translates as “The Drunken Earl or The Drunken C...
Sumiyoshi-cho 6-7-6, Naka-Ku, Yokohama-Shi
Kamome means “seagull” in Japanese; it’s an apt name for a venue in the port ...
2F 1-52-1 Jimbocho, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku
03-3294-362103-3294-3621
All used records (and a few CDs) here with vocals & swing jazz being the specialty. Lots of o...
Hakuraku 100, Yokohama-shi
045-421-1550045-421-1550
Sadly, 10×10 closed in 2014. A neighboring cafe owner told me that Takeyama-san closed the...
Annex Bldg. 4F, Ropoongi 4-11-5, Minato-Ku
03-3401-308003-3401-3080
Very supper-club type place, most nights featuring vocal-led bands. The food is good, the service...
Numabukuro 1-34-4 B1, Nakano-Ku
03-3388-204003-3388-2040
Organ Jazz Club: the name gives it away, doesn’t it? One of the few places in town with a r...
2-24 Jimbocho Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku
Kissa Ko is one of the older cafes in town but had a facelift in 2012 so now has an all new decor...
Inoue Bldg (井上ビル) B1, 5-16-15, Ogikubo, Suginami-Ku
03-5347-736903-5347-7369
Rooster is a great little live-house that features jazz, blues, funk, New Orleans..basically all ...
Himawari Bldg. 2F, Dogenzaka 2-26-5, Shibuya-Ku
Very small place that is really just a bar with live music every night of the week. I’ve go...
Minami-Shinozaki-cho 3-2-12, 2F, Edogawa-Ku
03-3698-218603-3698-2186
European style cafe, heavy on female vocalists and piano jazz.
TN Koramu Bldg, 2-12-13, Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi
0422-28-50350422-28-5035
Good Italian food at this restaurant/bar/club. The schedule on the website shows the genre of eac...
Fujimi Yoshida Bldg. B1, Fujimi 2-2-11, Chiyoda
Cafe Ragtime has live music every Thursday and Friday nights, usually piano and sax or vocalist d...
Royal Mansion B1, Shinjuku 5-1-1, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3354-033503-3354-0335
Old basement club, lots of vocalists on the schedule. Mellow vibe and not too expensive.
2-20-2 Kitazawa, Setagaya-Ku
NOTE: Masako closed in FEB 2010…I’m leaving it here anyways, so people will remember....
Fujimi Yoshida Bldg. B1, Fujimi 2-2-11, Chiyoda 0 km
Cafe Ragtime has live music every Thursday and Friday nights, usually piano and sax or vocalist d...
2-24 Jimbocho Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku 0 km
Kissa Ko is one of the older cafes in town but had a facelift in 2012 so now has an all new decor...
2F 1-52-1 Jimbocho, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku 0 km
03-3294-362103-3294-3621
All used records (and a few CDs) here with vocals & swing jazz being the specialty. Lots of o...
Japan, 〒101-0051 Tōkyō-to, Chiyoda-ku, Kanda Jinbōchō, 1 Chome−2−9 ウェルスビル 0.64 km
The Adirondack Cafe is a unique jazz cafe and bar just off the main road through the Jinbocho are...
Ogawamachi 3-24, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku 0.76 km
03-3259-005503-3259-0055
Jazz Olympus was opened by the very friendly Komatsu-san in 2009. It’s a sleek cafe/bar t...
2F 3-20-13 2F, Ogawamachi, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku 0.96 km
03-5577-482603-5577-4826
Grauers is a new cafe/bar opened August, 2011. Owner Furusho Shinjiro is a long time jazz journal...
2 Chome−1−10, Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku 0.98 km
03-3291-232103-3291-2321
Naru in Ochanomizu first opened in 1969 as the sister live spot to the Naru jazz cafe in the Yoyo...
2 Chome-17 Kanda Tsukasamachi Chiyoda-ku 1.18 km
Jazz Bar Gugan is a small bar in the east side of Tokyo, near both the Ochanomizu and Jimbocho ...
1-14 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku 1.25 km
03-3267-842303-3267-8423
UPDATE: Found out just yesterday that the lovely Matsuura-san passed away just about two years ag...
30 Konya-Cho, Kanda, Chiyoda-Ku 1.72 km
03-3252-498203-3252-4982
Root Down moved down the street just 30 meters from it’s original spot, it’s now Tō...
1-8 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-Ku 2.42 km
03-3357-985703-3357-9857
Eagle is really the prototypical jazz cafe. It opened in 1967 in Yotsuya, right down the street...
東京都千代田区有楽町2-3-6 マスヤビルB1F 2.43 km
03-3575-031503-3575-0315
Kiri is a wonderful little basement spot in between Hibiya, Ginza and Yurakucho stations. It̵...
Makita Bldg B1, 2-4-8 Ueno, Taito-Ku 2.49 km
Aries is a very local jazz live-house in the back streets of Ueno. By “local” I mea...
Tsuji Bldg B1, 3-14-12 Ueno, Taito-Ku 2.49 km
Every Swing is a small friendly club in the barren back streets east of Ueno Station. This is n...
3-7-15 Akasaka, Minato-Ku 2.55 km
Hashi no Shita (橋 の下 means “Under The Bridge” in Japanese) is in Akasaka-Mitsuke...
6-6-4, Sakae Bldg B1, Akasaka, Minato-ku 2.58 km
The B Flat in Akasaka is a great straight-ahead jazz club in an area without many other options f...
5-1-2 Akasaka Engel Bldg 2F, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 2.69 km
Volontaire moved to its current location in Akasaka a few years ago after more than three decades...
B2F 8-6-18 Ginza, Chuo 2.88 km
Cygnus is the sister club to Aries in Ueno but a bit more upscale. Live shows three times a night...
Bunkyo-Ku, Hakusan 5-33-19 3.12 km
03-3811-893203-3811-8932
The Eigakan (映画館 “Movie Theater) is a jazz cafe for both jazz lovers and cinephiles. Own...
2 Chome-43-2 Sendagi, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 3.29 km
‘Modern Jazz’ Players Bar R started in June 2022 in the existing Players Bar R, with ...
1-17-4 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-Ku 3.41 km
03-3200-373003-3200-3730
Jazz Nutty opened in 2009 next to the campus of Waseda University. The wonderful Mr.& Mrs. ...
Annex Bldg. 4F, Ropoongi 4-11-5, Minato-Ku 3.84 km
03-3401-308003-3401-3080
Very supper-club type place, most nights featuring vocal-led bands. The food is good, the service...
3-14-10 Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa-Ku, Tokyo 3.92 km
Charmant opened in 1955 and certainly looks and feels its age. It’s a tiny bar on the secon...
Chome 34-8, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3.93 km
03-3359-677703-3359-6777
Someday is a nice, spacious club in Shinjuku, well known for their various big band and Latin jaz...
Chiyo Bldg, B1, 5-9-22 Dai 2, Roppongi 3.98 km
Electrik Jinja opened in April 2012 and quickly became the hippest spot in Roppongi. It’s ...
Hama Roppongi Bldg. 5F, 6-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-Ku 3.98 km
03-3479-203703-3479-2037
Opened in May 1980 and now in its 41st year, Alfie is simply one of the best live jazz spots in ...
6-13-9 Minami Aoyama, Minato-Ku 4 km
03-5466-334803-5466-3348
Body & Soul is one of the most historically important jazz clubs in Tokyo. Featuring many of ...
New Gold Bldg, 2F, 3-6-10 Shinjuku-Ku 4.19 km
03-5367-236603-5367-2366
Houdenasu (ほうでなす) is a small 2nd floor bar located right in the heart of Shinjuku 3-Chome,...
Shinjuku 2-12-4, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, 160-0022 4.19 km
The Pit Inn remains near, or at the top, of any list of live jazz venues in the Tokyo area. 2015 ...
東京都 港区 六本木 7-18-16 川久保ビル １Ｆ・４Ｆ 4.24 km
03-3401-626203-3401-6262
Bar Spice is a classic little Soul music bar overlooking Roppongi-Dori, right across from the Rop...
1-19-11 B1F Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku 4.24 km
03-3351-485603-3351-4856
Jazz Tweeter was opened a couple of years ago by long-time hotel restaurant chef Ishizuka-san. He...
Shinjuku-Ku, 3-chome 8-5 4.27 km
03-3351-271403-3351-2714
Curtis is one of my favorite bars in Tokyo. As the name gives away, this is a soul music bar with...
1 Chome−1−10, Kabukicho, Shinjuku 4.43 km
How can I describe this place? It’s small, dark and old; owner Otsuka-san was surly and u...
Maruha Bldg. B1, 1-1-7 Kabukicho, Shinjuku 4.43 km
03-3204-202803-3204-2028
NOTE: Now Bar Clarisse’s, still with a lot of bourbon! 200 types of Bourbon, cool jazz play...
Azeria Bldg 1F, 1-3-6 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 4.45 km
03-5770-384303-5770-3843
Vanilla Mood is a cool little jazz bar/club just across from Roppongi Hills. It has been open for...
Ebisu Kaikan Bldg, 4F Kabukicho 1-10-5. Shinjuku, Tokyo 4.52 km
03-6273-843503-6273-8435
In 2013 Black Sun moved from it’s long time home in Nishi-Shinjuku to the heart of Kabukich...
2-4, Dai Kyo Machi, Shinjuku-Ku 4.52 km
03-3351-790403-3351-7904
Kissa Sakaiki gives me hope that the spirit of the Japanese jazz-kissaten will survive. Owner F...
Royal Mansion B1, Shinjuku 5-1-1, Shinjuku-Ku 4.52 km
03-3354-033503-3354-0335
Old basement club, lots of vocalists on the schedule. Mellow vibe and not too expensive.
Sasaki Bldg, B1, 2-8-3 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku 4.54 km
03-3200-145203-3200-1452
Gate One is a small bar run by the husband and wife guitar-vocal duo Hashimoto-san and Kajiwara-s...
FS Bldg 4F, 3-20-6 Shinjuku 4.57 km
03-3354-477403-3354-4774
This is a quiet piano bar with live music nightly though more BGM style, not really a live club. ...
Higashi Shin Bldg , 4F, 3-21-7, Shinjuku, Shunjuku-Ku 4.61 km
03-3354-757703-3354-7577
Pearl Bar is a real sleek “grown up” jazz bar in the center of Shinjuku. Lots of cock...
2F, 1 Chome−13−6, Kabukicho, Shinjuku 4.62 km
I found this tiny gem of a jazz cafe amidst the chaos that is Kabukicho in Shinjuku. It is a smal...
B1, 3-35-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku 4.63 km
Jazz Pepe is as old school as it gets. Opened in 1969 by the now 77 year old Okuma-san, Pepe is a...
Mori Bldg. 5F, 3-35-5, Shinjuku-Ku 4.65 km
03-3341-038303-3341-0383
Samurai is located in the building that used to house the Shinjuku Pit-Inn before they moved to t...
Jingumae, 3 Chome−5−2 4.65 km
03-3402-753703-3402-7537
Gekko Sabou (月光茶房 “moon-light-tea-chamber”, a wonderful name) is not a jazz cafe/...
3-26-2 Shinjuku Shinjuku Tokyo 4.66 km
03-3354-935403-3354-9354
The Old Blind Cat in Shinjuku has a long and fascinating history, as much as any jazz bar in town...
3 Chome−22, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 4.71 km
Jazz Room Stick is a great old jazz joint in the heart of Shinjuku, located almost directly beh...
2-14-8 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku 4.76 km
03-3200-439603-3200-4396
Jazz SPOT Intro in Takadanobaba is a tiny basement bar about 2 minutes walk from the station. I...
1−28−9, Shibuya, Yoyogi 4.93 km
03-6300-523103-6300-5231
Music Bar is part of the new development Yoyogi Village (read more about it here. It’s no...
Nishi-shinjuku 1-4-20, Shinjuku-Ku 4.95 km
03-3348-910903-3348-9109
The Vagabond is a classic joint right next to the West Exit of Shinjuku station. I think the revi...
Daikan Plaza B-306, 7-10-17 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 4.97 km
03-3364-157703-3364-1577
It’s all about vinyl at Hal’s Jazz. Owner Ikeda-san keeps a few racks of cds in the c...
Toshima-Ku, Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-28-1 Takuto T.O. Bldg 2F 5.18 km
03-5391-738803-5391-7388
The Owl cafe in Ikebukuro was a great mystery to me as the first three times I went by it was clo...
Igari Bldg., 1-23-9 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku 5.26 km
03-3200-451303-3200-4513
Milestone sadly closed its doors at the end of July, 2019 after 45 years in business. As the nam...
B1, 3-23-5 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku 5.26 km
03-3367-123303-3367-1233
Hot House is the world’s smallest jazz club! Maybe 8 or 10 customers max in this place. Mak...
〒150-0002 東京都渋谷区渋谷２丁目３−４ 5.57 km
03-3499-189003-3499-1890
Seabird is a lovely old cafe next to Aoyama Gakuin University, between Shibuya and Omotesando sta...
Watanabe Bldg B2 Ginza 8-6-19 5.61 km
The Ribbon is what most people would think of when hearing the words “Ginza Jazz”. It...
Minami Bldg B1 Asagaya-Kita 2-13-5 5.61 km
03-3337-132503-3337-1325
Masuda-san sadly passed away in 2012. Stardust is an old bar, first opened in Asagaya in 1971 ...
Inaba Bldg , 2F Asagaya-Minami 3-28-31 5.61 km
03-3220-127503-3220-1275
吐夢 (Pronounced “To-mu” or just “Tom”) is unique in a couple of ways. ...
Asagaya 3-37 5.61 km
Note: Closed in early 2015. I guess he couldn’t get many customers after all… Cafe El...
Marco Polo Bldg 2F, 1-8-14 Hon-Chi, Kichijoji 5.61 km
Scratch is a quiet cafe/bar that’s been in heart of Kichijoji since 1974. They open durin...
Wako Bldg 1F 1-62-4 Kanda Jimbocho Chiyoda-Ku 5.61 km
03-5283-711703-5283-7117
Closed 2015 Small Hours is a new cafe/bar located in the back streets between Ochanomizu, Jimbo...
Ikebukuro Roudou Kijun Kyoukai Bldg B2, Ikebukuro 1-8-8 5.61 km
03-5951-680703-5951-6807
Jazz, Funk & Soul are on tap at Miles’ Cafe. The Ikebukuro area is not known for having...
2Ｆ Dai Ichi Nishimura Bldg. 2F, 2-17-4 Miyagawa-cho, Naka-Ku 5.61 km
045-261-4542045-261-4542
Jazz Spot Dolphy opened in 1980 but moved to its current location in 1990 and has kept up a ste...
〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 1 Chome−5−6 B1F 5.65 km
INC Cocktails opened in late 2018 just a short walk from Shibuya Station. It’s a very large...
Toshima-Ku, Nishi-Ikebukuro, 1-15-6, Toshima Kaikan B2F 5.77 km
Absolute Blue is a new club opened in Feb 2015 by Ayumi Hoshikawa, previously a club owner in New...
3-11-12 2F, Shinjuku 5.78 km
CLOSED Fall 2014. Ten years after closing, and I still miss Jazz Pub Michaux and all those nights...
Toyo Bldg. B1, 2-20-19 Yoyogi, Shibuya-Ku 5.82 km
03-3370-180103-3370-1801
Haikara-Tei is another Shinjuku jazz bar that somehow never popped up on my jazz radar after all ...
Palace Garden Milano Bldg, 1F, Ikebukuro 2-63-6 5.98 km
Kenny’s Bar is by far the hippest place in not-so-hip Ikebukuro. It’s a small, dark j...
Fuji Shoji Bldg. 2F, Sakuragaoka 2-3, Shibuya-Ku 6.01 km
03-3461-338103-3461-3381
Many years back I found Mary Jane by accident, as I had been looking for the wonderfully named ...
Himawari Bldg. 2F, Dogenzaka 2-26-5, Shibuya-Ku 6.01 km
Very small place that is really just a bar with live music every night of the week. I’ve go...
Shibuya-ku, Udagawacho 19-5 6.06 km
Koen-Dori Classics is a small performance space located underneath a church in the heart of Shibu...
Shibuya Parco B1, Udagawa-Cho 15-1 6.09 km
03-6455-300103-6455-3001
The central streets of Shibuya often conceal some cool little music spots amidst the brand stores...
Kashiwagi Mura2 7-20-12, Nishi-Shinjuku 6.15 km
Swanky live club, heavy on the vocalists. Enjoyable but a bit soft for my tastes. It’s the ...
B1 26-6, Utagawa-cho, Shibuya-Ku 6.18 km
03-3461-825603-3461-8256
Modern jazz specialty shop, more than 8000 records on sale from the 50s & 60s. Been open sinc...
Utagawacho 30-4, Shibuya-Ku 6.24 km
03-3463-284803-3463-2848
Pres Jazz Bar is located up near the end of “Center Gai” street in Shibuya, not the...
41-23 Udagawa-Cho, Shibuya-Ku 150-0044 6.3 km
03-5458-418503-5458-4185
Bar Bossa in Shibuya is a quiet gem of a place, perfect for bossa nova fans and/or couples lookin...
4 Chome−3−1, Higashinakano, Nakano 6.34 km
03-3365-057203-3365-0572
Neighborhood cafe/bar/small live club. This is the kind of place you really only find in Japan; i...
