Exploring the jazz scene in Tokyo takes a little bit of persistence. It's easy to stick to the well known clubs but then you'll miss most of what makes the jazz life here so special. Many of the most atmospheric joints are located on small back streets, lost in a jumble of noodleshops and ugly concrete office buildings. Be ready to walk a bit and get lost before finding a place, it's worth the adventure.

For 'classification' purposes I've divided all the jazz spots profiled on this site into three categories of Bars, Cafes and Clubs. Read more in each section about them but remember, you can sometimes catch live music at ANY of these places. A lot of cafes function as bars at night. The smallest counter-bars sometimes can have live events, with club prices. Even regular jazz clubs can open for 'cafe time' on specific days. If possible, it's always a good idea to call ahead or check the website for what's going on before you get there.

So what are you waiting for..hit the menu options above and read about all the joints. Then get out there!