Vagabond

matchgreen.jpg
Nishi-shinjuku 1-4-20, Shinjuku-Ku
Nishishinjuku 1 Chome 4-20 Shinjuku-ku Tōkyō-to JP

The Vagabond is a classic joint right next to the West Exit of Shinjuku station. I think the review from the Japan Times in 2002 pretty much says it all. Have a drink downstairs to start, then head up for some food when the live music starts. Lots of good pictures on the website.

Size
31-40
Food
Yes
Directions

Station: Shinjuku-JR (many) /Marunouchi/Oedo/Keio/Odakyu Lines

Exit: West Exit

Distance from station: 2 minutes

Very easy to find from Shinjuku station West Exit.

Date published
05/23/2011
Hals Jazz outside.jpg
Daikan Plaza B-306, 7-10-17 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 0.18 km
It’s all about vinyl at Hal’s Jazz. Owner Ikeda-san keeps a few racks of cds in the c...
Jazz Room Stick inside.jpg
3 Chome−22, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 0.25 km
Jazz Room Stick is a great old jazz joint in the heart of Shinjuku, located almost directly beh...
Old+Cat_-2.jpg
3-26-2 Shinjuku Shinjuku Tokyo 0.35 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...
Narushisu inside.jpg
2F, 1 Chome−13−6, Kabukicho, Shinjuku 0.38 km
I found this tiny gem of a jazz cafe amidst the chaos that is Kabukicho in Shinjuku. It is a smal...
FS Bldg 4F, 3-20-6 Shinjuku 0.38 km
This is a quiet piano bar with live music nightly though more BGM style, not really a live club. ...
photo(14).JPG
Ebisu Kaikan Bldg, 4F Kabukicho 1-10-5. Shinjuku, Tokyo 0.44 km
In 2013 Black Sun moved from it’s long time home in Nishi-Shinjuku to the heart of Kabukich...
Kissa Sakaiki inside.JPG
2-4, Dai Kyo Machi, Shinjuku-Ku 0.44 km
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 0.44 km
Old basement club, lots of vocalists on the schedule. Mellow vibe and not too expensive.
IMG_2862.JPG
B1, 3-35-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku 0.47 km
Jazz Pepe is as old school as it gets. Opened in 1969 by the now 77 year old Okuma-san, Pepe is a...
Samurai inside.JPG
Mori Bldg. 5F, 3-35-5, Shinjuku-Ku 0.49 km
Samurai is located in the building that used to house the Shinjuku Pit-Inn before they moved to t...
Shiramuren.jpg
1 Chome−1−10, Kabukicho, Shinjuku 0.53 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 0.53 km
03-3204-202803-3204-2028
200 types of Bourbon, cool jazz playing on the system. That about sums it up. Small place, go alo...
Pearl Bar outside.JPG
Higashi Shin Bldg , 4F, 3-21-7, Shinjuku, Shunjuku-Ku 0.67 km
Pearl Bar is a real sleek “grown up” jazz bar in the center of Shinjuku. Lots of cock...
curtisinside.jpg
Shinjuku-Ku, 3-chome 8-5 0.74 km
Curtis is one of my favorite bars in Tokyo. As the name gives away, this is a soul music bar with...
Ribbon outside.jpg
Watanabe Bldg B2 Ginza 8-6-19 0.75 km
The Ribbon is what most people would think of when hearing the words “Ginza Jazz”. It...
Stardust inside.JPG
Minami Bldg B1 Asagaya-Kita 2-13-5 0.75 km
03-3337-132503-3337-1325
Masuda-san sadly passed away in 2012. Stardust is an old bar, first opened in Asagaya in 1971 ...
Tom inside.JPG
Inaba Bldg , 2F Asagaya-Minami 3-28-31 0.75 km
03-3220-127503-3220-1275
吐夢 (Pronounced “To-mu” or just “Tom”) is unique in a couple of ways. ...
Cafe Ellington outside.jpg
Asagaya 3-37 0.75 km
Note: Closed in early 2015. I guess he couldn’t get many customers after all… Cafe El...
Scratch inside.JPG
Marco Polo Bldg 2F, 1-8-14 Hon-Chi, Kichijoji 0.75 km
Scratch is a quiet cafe/bar that’s been in heart of Kichijoji since 1974. They open durin...
Small Hours Cafe & Bar outside.jpg
Wako Bldg 1F 1-62-4 Kanda Jimbocho Chiyoda-Ku 0.75 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 0.75 km
Jazz, Funk & Soul are on tap at Miles’ Cafe. The Ikebukuro area is not known for having...