Jazz SPOT Intro

Intro outside.jpg
Intro outside.jpg
Intro inside.jpg
2-14-8 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku
Takadanobaba 2 Chome 14-8 Shinjuku-ku Tōkyō-to JP

Jazz SPOT Intro in Takadanobaba is a tiny basement bar about 2 minutes walk from the station. In addition to the long-running Saturday night jam sessions (which go till 5 in the morning), there are live jams now  Tuesday – Thursday from whomever shows up. It’s a very mellow place with no set line-up, the only regular being bar manager Inoue-san on alto sax. There’s a real old-school ‘jazz workshop’ vibe to the Intro, with the musicians communicating freely while running through standards.

Inoue-san acts as bandleader and bartender, pumping out swinging solos and then running behind the bar to refresh your drink while the band vamps. Try to make it on a Saturday as Japanese and foreign jazz musicians often pop in to sit in with the band. The level of play ranges from amateur/students up to professionals who stop in after midnight. Be prepared to give up some personal space and get there early if you`re in a larger group.

There are about 1500 vinyl records and 1000 cds placed around the bar for nights when there’s no live sets. I`ve heard everything from solo Keith Jarrett to the latest Japanese bossa-nova compilation there, so feel free to request anything. Intro is a unique place, and I have very fond memories of my weekly visits there during my student days.

Tokyo Jazz Joint photos of Intro can be seen here.

Size
11-20
Food
Yes
Directions

Station: Takadanobaba -JR Yamamote/Seibu-Shinjuku/Tozai Subway Lines

Exit: Waseda Exit

Distance from station: 2 minutes

Date published
02/12/2009 UPDATED Aug 2015
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