Immerse yourself in jazz tonight too
File.1 What kind of store is “Chigusa”?
(Mayuko Niimura/Jazz Cafe Chigusa)
Chigusa is a long-established jazz cafe in Noge, Yokohama. I think there are many people who have the impression that it is a high barrier and difficult to get into.
But, there's something cool about jazz...For those of you who feel that way, here's a message from Chigusa staff.
A coffee shop where you can listen to jazz records... When it comes to so-called jazz cafes, most of the time the interior reflects the tastes and tastes of the master.
Loud music flowing from a carefully selected audio system. Both the master and the customer had difficult faces, bowed their heads, and listened to the music in silence...
This unique atmosphere is probably why many people say that the store is difficult to enter.
Chigusa is a jazz cafe opened in 1930 by Mamoru Yoshida in Noge, Yokohama. Although it is said to be the oldest existing jazz cafe in Japan, it was not originally considered a historical cultural property.
When the store opened, it was popular among young, fashion-conscious people as a place to listen to the latest music, and budding musicians often visited the store. It wasn't the time like now where you could easily listen to your favorite music anytime and anywhere, and there was no such environment, so they probably immersed themselves in the music without thinking. Perhaps the unique atmosphere that continues to be "difficult to enter" today is a remnant (?) of that...
At the current Chigusa , talking is not strictly prohibited during lunch time. However, everyone is attentive to other customers, so the environment continues to be one where you can concentrate and enjoy the sound.
Coffee goes well with jazz cafes. However, during the war, coffee was also rationed. The missing ingredients were made from roasted sweet potatoes, which caused the store to smell like roasted sweet potatoes. By the way, that "roasted sweet potato style coffee" was manufactured at Kimura Coffee in Fukutomi-cho, Yokohama...yes, later known as KEY COFFEE.
Chigusa's coffee still contains roasted sweet potatoes!?
There is no need to worry. Currently, he is carefully brewing the coffee powder blended for Chigusa using a siphon. It may take some time, but I hope you can enjoy the sounds of jazz records and the aroma of coffee that fills the store.
Currently, in addition to the cafe style that existed at the time of its founding, Chigusa now has a bar time after 6pm so that customers can enjoy records and jazz more casually.
Welcome to chat!
As the number of staff members in their 20s has increased at the counter, we have been able to hear more anecdotes from regular customers and older customers. On the other hand, as the number of customers is increasingly young, it has become a place for people to exchange information on hot music, not just jazz, and enjoy conversation.
Currently, Chigusa does not have a strong master who can form its core. Many staff members are involved in the operation, and they are working through trial and error in order to pass on the jazz cafe culture while continuing to disseminate jazz culture in new ways that are relevant to the present day.
For 500 yen per cup of coffee, why not take a little courage and step into a space where you can immerse yourself in music as much as you like?
