Close Menu
Global News HQ
    What's Hot

    Wall Street Week Ahead

    July 27, 2025

    5 Predictions for 2025 Holiday Shopping

    July 27, 2025

    10 Must-Know Tips for Growing Sweeter, Juicier Watermelons

    July 27, 2025
    Recent Posts
    • Wall Street Week Ahead
    • 5 Predictions for 2025 Holiday Shopping
    • 10 Must-Know Tips for Growing Sweeter, Juicier Watermelons
    • Divine Research issues unbacked crypto loans using Sam Altman’s World ID
    • 3 Reasons the Bitcoin Surge Isn’t Over | The Motley Fool
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok
    Trending
    • Wall Street Week Ahead
    • 5 Predictions for 2025 Holiday Shopping
    • 10 Must-Know Tips for Growing Sweeter, Juicier Watermelons
    • Divine Research issues unbacked crypto loans using Sam Altman’s World ID
    • 3 Reasons the Bitcoin Surge Isn’t Over | The Motley Fool
    • This One Mistake Could Be Ruining Your Laundry, Pros Say—But It’s So Easy to Fix
    • I’m a Solo Traveler, and I’m Eyeing These 13 Amazon Deals on Personal Safety Devices—From $9
    • Creating an Effective Training Plan for New Employees
    Global News HQ
    • Technology & Gadgets
    • Travel & Tourism (Luxury)
    • Health & Wellness (Specialized)
    • Home Improvement & Remodeling
    • Luxury Goods & Services
    • Home
    • Finance & Investment
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Real Estate
    • More
      • Cryptocurrency & Blockchain
      • E-commerce & Retail
      • Business & Entrepreneurship
      • Automotive (Car Deals & Maintenance)
    Global News HQ
    Home - Travel & Tourism (Luxury) - Tokyo’s Jazz Kissaten Are Still the Best in the World—Here Are 3 to Know
    Travel & Tourism (Luxury)

    Tokyo’s Jazz Kissaten Are Still the Best in the World—Here Are 3 to Know

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
    Tokyo’s Jazz Kissaten Are Still the Best in the World—Here Are 3 to Know
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email


    The Japanese concept of the jazz kissa, a café-bar where you can hear records played on astonishingly fine sound systems in the company of other enthusiasts, dates back a century. But the phenomenon peaked in popularity after World War II, spurred by European films with jazz soundtracks and touring bands from the US. Back then, most Japanese couldn’t afford hi-fi gear or jazz records, so they got their fix in public. In recent years these spaces have begun popping up in cities like London, Paris, and New York, but Tokyo’s remain the most immersive and original. Here are three to know.

    Shigetoshi Shirasawa, the owner of On a Slow Boat To…, adjusts the volume

    ©Graydon Herriott

    Image may contain Adult and Person

    The turntable at On a Slow Boat To…

    ©Graydon Herriott

    On a Slow Boat To…

    Walking through Ochanomizu, a quiet neighborhood known for its musical instrument shops and one of the city’s oldest universities, you might happen upon a hard-to-spot door and a sign that reads “On a slow boat to….” Inside, you will probably find young couples lingering over strong coffees and customers engrossed in books at the bar. Named after a 1948 Frank Loesser standard, the place has tidy shelves full of vinyl records, gleaming TEAC turntables, and vintage Altec Lansing loudspeakers, each the size of a refrigerator.

    Image may contain Electronics Speaker Stereo Box Art Painting Wood Furniture and Person

    The sound system at On a Slow Boat To…

    ©Graydon Herriott

    Studio Mule

    Located on the third floor of a nondescript building in Shibuya, this kissa features a wraparound granite bar, the work of renowned designer Koichi Futatsumata. There are also close to a thousand kinds of wine, mostly from Italy and France, and a resident Shiba Inu, who spends most nights perched on the bar. Tokyo’s kissaten have evolved to encompass nearly every type of music, and this one shares an owner with one of Japan’s best electronic music labels, but what you’re likely to hear pouring out of the vintage Klipsch speakers is Brazilian pop and bossa nova.

    Image may contain Urban City Road Street Clothing Footwear Shoe Person Neighborhood Lamp and Bicycle

    Yotsuya, the neighborhood where Eagle is located

    ©Graydon Herriott

    Image may contain Advertisement Poster Indoors Interior Design Art Painting and Wood

    The entryway to Eagle

    ©Graydon Herriott

    Eagle

    This moody wood-paneled bar near Yotsuya Station in Shunjuku has been a decidedly serious place to listen to jazz since 1967. Its owner and masuta—or kissa proprietor—is Masahiro Goto, one of Japan’s most acclaimed jazz critics. Talking isn’t allowed until 6 p.m. Even in the evenings there are often customers poring over jazz books as music old and new emanates from half-century-old JBL studio monitors. The sound is superb and loud. Sit at one of the widely spaced tables and take in a Dexter Gordon recording played on the original Blue Note vinyl.

    This article appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.



    Source link

    arts & culture editorial features Music performing arts
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    Previous ArticleLean Proteins Aren't Always Healthier: Here's What To Choose Instead
    Next Article Why Taking Care Of Yourself Is Needed Before Caring For Others

    Related Posts

    I’m a Solo Traveler, and I’m Eyeing These 13 Amazon Deals on Personal Safety Devices—From $9

    July 27, 2025

    The Wealthy Americans Escaping Stateside Tumult by Moving to New Zealand

    July 27, 2025

    Onboard Etihad’s A321LR delivery flight: Behind the scenes from Airbus to Abu Dhabi – The Points Guy

    July 26, 2025

    Bombardier’s New Global 8000 Sets a New Benchmark for Ultra-Long-Range Aircraft

    July 26, 2025
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    ads
    Don't Miss
    Finance & Investment
    2 Mins Read

    Wall Street Week Ahead

    Wall Street will gear up for an extremely busy week ahead, with market participants set…

    5 Predictions for 2025 Holiday Shopping

    July 27, 2025

    10 Must-Know Tips for Growing Sweeter, Juicier Watermelons

    July 27, 2025

    Divine Research issues unbacked crypto loans using Sam Altman’s World ID

    July 27, 2025
    Top
    Finance & Investment
    2 Mins Read

    Wall Street Week Ahead

    Wall Street will gear up for an extremely busy week ahead, with market participants set…

    5 Predictions for 2025 Holiday Shopping

    July 27, 2025

    10 Must-Know Tips for Growing Sweeter, Juicier Watermelons

    July 27, 2025
    Our Picks
    Finance & Investment
    2 Mins Read

    Wall Street Week Ahead

    Wall Street will gear up for an extremely busy week ahead, with market participants set…

    E-commerce & Retail
    4 Mins Read

    5 Predictions for 2025 Holiday Shopping

    Could it be that Americans are heading into the holiday shopping season with confidence? From…

    Pages
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Disclaimer
    • Homepage
    • Privacy Policy
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    © 2025 Global News HQ .

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Go to mobile version