Crescent - Jazz & Cafe Bar

Opened in early 2020 (right before the long COVID shut down in Japan) Crescent is a spot that could be the most pure example of what makes jazz kissa unique. Though only five years old, it feels lived in, classic and in a way, timeless.

Owner Taguchi-san is mellow and friendly (wearing surfer shorts and an Hawaiian shirt when I visited in May). He keeps things simple in the shop with only ten total seats, coffee at ¥500 and some alcohol on the menu.  The entire left-side wall, floor to ceiling, is vinyl. It’s an awesome collection, visually intense in such a small place. There are a lot of the  usual jazz kissa ‘regulars’ in the collection (Blue Note, Impulse, etc), but he also has a large cabinet in the back full of more contemporary jazz releases on CD. The plenty posters and flyers around the joint for recent gigs also shows he’s still locked in to the current jazz world in Japan and overseas.

The sound is great, the volume just about perfect so you can still converse if you want. When I was there two regulars were at the counter having a nice chat with Taguchi-san while the music played. They gave us a smile but otherwise got back to their chat, unbothered at the two new customers asking lots of questions and taking pictures.

Crescent’s opening hours are a bit inconsistent, and there is no web site so you’ll need to call or check his personal FBook page for announcements. It’s a. bit of a trek to reach Crescent but it is well worth the time; this is one of the best jazz kissa in Tokyo.