https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/copper/fidelity-visits-eavesdrop-the-brooklyn-jazz-kissa?mc_cid=29174d97d6&mc_eid=a97302513f

 

 

 

Here is an article from Resistor Mag which gives a history of how the Kissa Bars began in Japan - https://www.resistormag.com/features/tokyo-jazz-kissa-vintage-high-fidelity-with-vinyl/

https://www.stereophile.com/content/brilliant-corners-23-japanese-kissaten
 

 

(From article in 2016)

 

https://ra.co/features/2724?curator=MusicREDEF&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3cc997cKYnnb-d2Wt9z8tvd9CTu1git6vYk1zv89MVfqeXEfidu4Cj6bo_aem_0Ym-RPhuPdfVlwEnOJDzWA

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2023/oct/05/one-kissa-is-all-it-takes-tokyos-finest-jazz-haunts-in-pictures

 

https://tahusa.co/diary/exploring-japans-jazz-kissa-cafe-culture-vibes-and-snaps/?srsltid=AfmBOoojGP4e_kduROTzVu-pTpZjvi4uWzHG0qKbCXAOCIweqDmQkCUi

Edited August 12, 2025Aug 12 by BLAH BLAH

I went to Bar Nica in June, the sibling of Martha: https://martha-records.com/nica.html

 

Located in Shinjuku. 

 

Fantastic Tannoy York(?) speakers, Macintosh power amps, Marantz 7 preamp, Garrard 301 with SPU all in a super tiny 7 seat bar. Lovely sounds, great whisky. On the night I was there, the bartender was super friendly. 

https://timecapsulesound.substack.com/p/jazz-kissa-past-and-present-katsumasa?

https://ra.co/features/3485

Discovering Listening Bars ( world wide)

Edited August 28, 2025Aug 28 by cafe67

Jazz is the only genre that almost demands to be listened to on vinyl in my opinion. Before I die (not too far away🙄) I'd love to construct an all analog system with giant horn speakers, valve amp, vintage turntable and shelves lined with 20th century's finest art form. 

 

On 31/08/2025 at 7:10 PM, calypso said:

Jazz is the only genre that almost demands to be listened to on vinyl in my opinion. Before I die (not too far away🙄) I'd love to construct an all analog system with giant horn speakers, valve amp, vintage turntable and shelves lined with 20th century's finest art form. 

 

In that case here's hoping you live near me so I can come visit!

On 31/08/2025 at 7:10 PM, calypso said:

Jazz is the only genre that almost demands to be listened to on vinyl in my opinion. Before I die (not too far away🙄) I'd love to construct an all analog system with giant horn speakers, valve amp, vintage turntable and shelves lined with 20th century's finest art form. 

 

 

Horns aplenty!

 

TONO’s Japanese Audio Journeys

 

https://www.youtube.com/@TONOs007/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2

11 minutes ago, Ian McP said:

 

Horns aplenty!

 

TONO’s Japanese Audio Journeys

 

https://www.youtube.com/@TONOs007/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2

Yes, I subscribe to Tono's channel although the auto dubbing can make it unintentionally hilarious at times.

Not as far as Japan and only for 

a few hours on the first Friday of each month, but at our very own NFSA-

tsnnoy monitor golds 

musical fidelity integrated amp

thorens top current deck

in a theatre 

you bring the record, or choose from their boxes 

I took along current fave Jason Isbell, Southeastern 

And wow! The music filled the space. I have heard and owned lots of tannoys and similar, driven by set amps etc. never have they sounded this good.,the big space was so good. And this was ideal music for the Tannoys 

 

Where is it?

https://erg.media/products/jazz-kissa?srsltid=AfmBOoqF298t0a2atr9iSK0ekcVhBFjkkRwrgIxUqjCs_d-5sVk8pqNf

On a recent trip to Thailand we checked out a Listening Bar in Bangkok and had a few drinks and enjoyed it.

bar name is "Freaking Out The Neighborhood"

 

This place selects a "theme" album for the night, and plays entire related genre albums on vinyl all the way through before and after.

 

The theme the night I was there was Shoegaze centred on (Slowdive / Everything Is Alive)

 

The bar is small and due to the shape of the room not the greatest speaker positioning but it was sounding OK given the limits. My wife was annoyed I kept wandering from my stool to the "sweet spot" 🙂 

 

gear used: vintage JBL studio monitors and a McIntosh amp.

 

 

https://www.freakingout.co/

 

Edited November 23, 2025Nov 23 by zog

18 hours ago, zog said:

My wife was annoyed I kept wandering from my stool to the "sweet spot" 🙂 

🤔, my wife gets annoyed because I spend too much time sitting in it!

On 03/11/2025 at 10:38 PM, cafe67 said:

https://erg.media/products/jazz-kissa?srsltid=AfmBOoqF298t0a2atr9iSK0ekcVhBFjkkRwrgIxUqjCs_d-5sVk8pqNf

This is a great book, recently received a copy from ERG, not cheap but well made.

 

The author/photographer is the same guy who produces the Jazz Kissa magazines

I haven't had the opportunity to check it out but a new listening cafe and record shop type place has opened recently in Hawthorn Victoria

Sabi Sounds Hawthorn

Sabi Sounds Hawthorn | Day-to-Night Listening Cafe & Reco...

Open everyday, we are a Tokyo-Seoul-style day-to-night Listening Café. Coffee by Ona, specialty matcha, bakery, vinyl store & record lounge in Hawthorn.

Ahh this comes after I leave Hawthorn (5 years) 😂🤦‍♂️. Oh well in Sydney I can replicate a late night listening bar at home.

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by Demondes

I was in Tokyo earlier this week for work. Unfortunately no time to visit any listening bars....

On 20/12/2025 at 7:05 PM, Demondes said:

Ahh this comes after I leave Hawthorn (5 years)

and poking around on google maps there appears to be another one in the alley just behind it :-)

Bar Selecta | Hawthorn

Bar Selecta | Hawthorn

A Tokyo-style listening bar in Hawthorn. Wed-Sun, 4:30pm-late. Walk-ins only..