Azeria Bldg 1F, 1-3-6 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Nishiazabu 1 Chome 5-11
Minato-ku
Tōkyō-to
106-0031
JP
03-5770-384303-5770-3843
Vanilla Mood is a cool little jazz bar/club just across from Roppongi Hills. It has been open for sixteen years, run for the last five by Amagai Ken-san.
Amagai-san hosts events there almost every evening, ranging from DJ nights to improv sessions to straight-ahead swing. He’s putting a lot of effort into making the space one that is both casual for customers, but also serious enough for musicians who want to experiment. He told me that too many jazz bars/clubs in Tokyo cater to only one kind of audience (older/richer) and that he’s trying to bring in a different kind of crowd. The Friday ‘New York Jazz Room’ nights featuring a regular group of formerly NYC-based Japanese musicians is well worth dropping in for.
The vibe is warm and friendly at V Mood and the space large enough that you can move around; the big glass doors opening out onto the street give it a real different feel to most claustrophobic jazz joints. I was very happy to find Vanilla Mood, it’s a groovy jazz spot in Roppongi that you can escape to if your friends are heading to some meat-market/awful-music club.
1-14 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku
03-3267-842303-3267-8423
UPDATE: Found out just yesterday that the lovely Matsuura-san passed away just about two years ag...
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...
2 Chome-43-2 Sendagi, Bunkyo City, Tokyo
‘Modern Jazz’ Players Bar R started in June 2022 in the existing Players Bar R, with ...
Yokohama-shi, Naka-ku, Yamashita-cho 276, Hamada-Bldg 1F
JULY 2022: Minton House has been under threat of closure the last two years, and the owner is sti...
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/...
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...
〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 1 Chome−5−6 B1F
INC Cocktails opened in late 2018 just a short walk from Shibuya Station. It’s a very large...
Yoshino Bldg B101, NIshi-Ogikubo, Kita
03-3395-950703-3395-9507
Aketa No Mise (“The Open Store”) is out in west Tokyo, not far from Nishi-Ogikubo s...
1 Chome-6-21 Higashiikuta, Tama-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken 214-0031, Japan
044-922-5298044-922-5298
What an unreal treat Garo was to visit. It was first opened in 1967 by the very welcoming Mr. and...
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...
231-0033 横浜市中区長者町 9-140
First is an old-school Yokohama jazz bar with a vibe and sound all its own. It’s more spaci...
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...
3 Chome−22, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku
Jazz Room Stick is a great old jazz joint in the heart of Shinjuku, located almost directly beh...
41-23 Udagawa-Cho, Shibuya-Ku 150-0044
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...
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) ...
5-6-14 Daizawa, Setagaya-Ku
03-3412-594503-3412-5945
Jazz Haus Posy was opened in 1973 by jazz fanatic Misa. She’s a serious enough fan to hav...
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...
3-14-10 Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa-Ku, Tokyo
Charmant opened in 1955 and certainly looks and feels its age. It’s a tiny bar on the secon...
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. ...
東京都渋谷区桜丘町 17-10
03-5784-456503-5784-4565
Music Bar 45 is a small 2nd floor joint located just a few minutes walk from the south exit of Sh...
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...
B1F Fuji Bldg B1, Hara-Machida 6-17-1, Machida-Shi
042-725-1241042-725-1241
Herbie is the kind of jazz bar you stumble upon randomly on the way home some night and end up st...
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...
Utagawacho 30-4, Shibuya-Ku
03-3463-284803-3463-2848
Pres Jazz Bar is located up near the end of “Center Gai” street in Shibuya, not the...
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 ...
Higashi-Ooimachi 5-6-10 1F. Shinagawa-Ku
Jazz Bar Impro is small, even by the incredibly small standards of most Japanese jazz joints. It&...
3-26-2 Shinjuku Shinjuku Tokyo
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...
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...
B1, 3-35-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku
Jazz Pepe is as old school as it gets. Opened in 1969 by the now 77 year old Okuma-san, Pepe is a...
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...
Umimoto Bldg (梅本) , 4F, 3-29-2 Nishi-Ikebukuro
03-3985-024003-3985-0240
Paper Moon (ぺーぱーむーん) is a 15 seat L-shaped counter bar opened and run by the friendly Ya...
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...
Shinjuku 2-12-4, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, 160-0022
The Pit Inn remains near, or at the top, of any list of live jazz venues in the Tokyo area. 2015 ...
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...
3-152-1 Nishi-Kanagawa, Kanagawa-Ku, Yokohama-Shi
090-8343-5621090-8343-5621
Bitches Brew is yet another only-in-Japan kind of place. It’s a tiny sqaure room on the sec...
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...
3-9 Yoshida-cho, Naka-Ku, Yokohama-Shi
045-251-2131045-251-2131
Little John is a well known jazz bar/tiny club in the Yokohama scene, yet its erratic opening hou...
155-0032 東京都世田谷区代沢5-31-14
TEL 03-3412-3947TEL 03-3412-3947
Lady Jane has a very cinematic feel to it, the kind of joint that a lot of people outside Japan w...
〒210 - 0006 川崎市川崎区砂子 2-11-21 深沢ビル3F
044 (223) 8131044 (223) 8131
Sugar Shack Soul Brothers Bar in Kawasaki is the real deal, a place where soul music fans can sit...
2-14-8 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3200-439603-3200-4396
Jazz SPOT Intro in Takadanobaba is a tiny basement bar about 2 minutes walk from the station. I...
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...
3F, 7-61-8 Nishi-Kamata, Ota-Ku
03-3737-129203-3737-1292
This is as old school a jazz bar as you will find in the Tokyo metro area. 直立猿人 (Chokuritsu E...
1-17-10 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-Ku
There’s a beautiful simplicity about JBS (Jazz,Blues,Soul). Owner Kobayashi-san has more th...
Ebisu Kaikan Bldg, 4F Kabukicho 1-10-5. Shinjuku, Tokyo
03-6273-843503-6273-8435
In 2013 Black Sun moved from it’s long time home in Nishi-Shinjuku to the heart of Kabukich...
Matsubara 1-37-14, Setagaya-Ku
03-3321-943103-3321-9431
Miles is a treasure. It opened in 1960 and is one of the few remaining neighborhood jazz bars fro...
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...
1 Chome−1−10, Kabukicho, Shinjuku
How can I describe this place? It’s small, dark and old; owner Otsuka-san was surly and u...
東京都 港区 六本木 7-18-16 川久保ビル １Ｆ・４Ｆ
03-3401-626203-3401-6262
Bar Spice is a classic little Soul music bar overlooking Roppongi-Dori, right across from the Rop...
Chiyo Bldg, B1, 5-9-22 Dai 2, Roppongi
Electrik Jinja opened in April 2012 and quickly became the hippest spot in Roppongi. It’s ...
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...
Tokyo-to, Meguro-Ku, Yutenji 1-22-6
Ohio is great, an intimate, friendly bar with a huge collection of soul music. Owner Kin-chan has...
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...
Shinjuku-Ku, 3-chome 8-5
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...
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...
4-Chome 6-2 Koenji Minami
03-3312-768403-3312-7684
Maze is a very hip soul music bar located right in the middle of the Koenji Pal Arcade ‘s...
Dai 2 Okumura Bldg, B1, 1-47-13 Ikebukuro, Toshima-Ku
03-6914-349903-6914-3499
Montgomery Land opened up a couple of years ago just a short walk from Ikebukuro Station. It̵...
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...
5-56-15 Nakano, Nakano-Ku
03-3389-798003-3389-7980
Jikan Ryokou (the sign is in Japanese 時間旅行, it means “Time Travel”) is simply won...
Minami Bldg B1 Asagaya-Kita 2-13-5
03-3337-132503-3337-1325
Masuda-san sadly passed away in 2012. Stardust is an old bar, first opened in Asagaya in 1971 ...
Hanasaki-cho 1-16-1, Naka-ku, Yokohama-Shi
045-231-0773045-231-0773
Jazz House Five Star Records is a unique little place in the Noge neighborhood, next to Sakurag...
Parkside Fuki B1, 3-22-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro
03-5960-225203-5960-2252
Jazz Live Bar Independence is another great joint located in the surprisingly hip neighborhood ...
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...
Palace Garden Milano Bldg, 1F, Ikebukuro 2-63-6
Kenny’s Bar is by far the hippest place in not-so-hip Ikebukuro. It’s a small, dark j...
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...
B-113 Lions Mansion Nakano Dai-5 B-113, Arai 1-14-16, Nakano-Ku
I found this small-even-by-Tokyo-standards “piano bar” while lost in Nakano one nig...
1-7-3 Honcho, Kichijoji
Funky is the upstairs “Bar” part of the Bar & Kitchen Funky. It’s a sleek...
Kashiwagi Mura2 7-20-12, Nishi-Shinjuku
Swanky live club, heavy on the vocalists. Enjoyable but a bit soft for my tastes. It’s the ...
FS Bldg 4F, 3-20-6 Shinjuku
03-3354-477403-3354-4774
This is a quiet piano bar with live music nightly though more BGM style, not really a live club. ...
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...
B1, 3-23-5 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku
03-3367-123303-3367-1233
Hot House is the world’s smallest jazz club! Maybe 8 or 10 customers max in this place. Mak...
Ikebukuro Roudou Kijun Kyoukai Bldg B2, Ikebukuro 1-8-8
03-5951-680703-5951-6807
Jazz, Funk & Soul are on tap at Miles’ Cafe. The Ikebukuro area is not known for having...
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 ...
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...
東京都 港区 六本木 7-18-16 川久保ビル １Ｆ・４Ｆ 0.33 km
03-3401-626203-3401-6262
Bar Spice is a classic little Soul music bar overlooking Roppongi-Dori, right across from the Rop...
Chiyo Bldg, B1, 5-9-22 Dai 2, Roppongi 0.51 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 0.51 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 ...
Annex Bldg. 4F, Ropoongi 4-11-5, Minato-Ku 1.08 km
03-3401-308003-3401-3080
Very supper-club type place, most nights featuring vocal-led bands. The food is good, the service...
Jingumae, 3 Chome−5−2 1.4 km
03-3402-753703-3402-7537
Gekko Sabou (月光茶房 “moon-light-tea-chamber”, a wonderful name) is not a jazz cafe/...
〒150-0002 東京都渋谷区渋谷２丁目３−４ 1.47 km
03-3499-189003-3499-1890
Seabird is a lovely old cafe next to Aoyama Gakuin University, between Shibuya and Omotesando sta...
〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 1 Chome−5−6 B1F 1.7 km
INC Cocktails opened in late 2018 just a short walk from Shibuya Station. It’s a very large...
5-1-2 Akasaka Engel Bldg 2F, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 1.76 km
Volontaire moved to its current location in Akasaka a few years ago after more than three decades...
6-6-4, Sakae Bldg B1, Akasaka, Minato-ku 1.88 km
The B Flat in Akasaka is a great straight-ahead jazz club in an area without many other options f...
3-7-15 Akasaka, Minato-Ku 1.9 km
Hashi no Shita (橋 の下 means “Under The Bridge” in Japanese) is in Akasaka-Mitsuke...
東京都渋谷区桜丘町 17-10 2.24 km
03-5784-456503-5784-4565
Music Bar 45 is a small 2nd floor joint located just a few minutes walk from the south exit of Sh...
Shibuya-ku, Udagawacho 19-5 2.29 km
Koen-Dori Classics is a small performance space located underneath a church in the heart of Shibu...
B1 26-6, Utagawa-cho, Shibuya-Ku 2.34 km
03-3461-825603-3461-8256
Modern jazz specialty shop, more than 8000 records on sale from the 50s & 60s. Been open sinc...
Shibuya Parco B1, Udagawa-Cho 15-1 2.35 km
03-6455-300103-6455-3001
The central streets of Shibuya often conceal some cool little music spots amidst the brand stores...
Fuji Shoji Bldg. 2F, Sakuragaoka 2-3, Shibuya-Ku 2.43 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 2.43 km
Very small place that is really just a bar with live music every night of the week. I’ve go...
Utagawacho 30-4, Shibuya-Ku 2.44 km
03-3463-284803-3463-2848
Pres Jazz Bar is located up near the end of “Center Gai” street in Shibuya, not the...
6-13-9 Minami Aoyama, Minato-Ku 2.44 km
03-5466-334803-5466-3348
Body & Soul is one of the most historically important jazz clubs in Tokyo. Featuring many of ...
1-17-10 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-Ku 2.58 km
There’s a beautiful simplicity about JBS (Jazz,Blues,Soul). Owner Kobayashi-san has more th...
41-23 Udagawa-Cho, Shibuya-Ku 150-0044 2.65 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...
16-4 Kamiyamacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 2.8 km
03-5790-954403-5790-9544
Despite its old