The city of Yokohama is indispensable when talking about Japanese jazz.
Many jazz festivals are held here, including the Yokohama JAZZ PROMENADE, the Asahi Jazz Festival, and the YOKOHAMA Honmoku Jazz Festival, and there are many jazz spots where you can enjoy live jazz music in the Noge, Isezakicho, and Kannai areas. There are very few areas in the world where there are so many jazz-related stores, so be sure to check out the article `` Yokohama's Jazz History and Present '' for more information.
In this series, we will introduce some of the many jazz spots in the prefecture for those who have never visited jazz cafes or live music venues. If you're in the area, feel free to stop by and experience the history and sound of Japanese jazz for yourself.
In the first installment, we will focus on the ``Jazz Cafe,'' which is fresh in our memory for appearing in a morning TV drama. To begin with, the term ``jazz cafe'' is a uniquely Japanese culture, and refers to a coffee shop where you can mainly enjoy jazz records and occasionally live music. People tend to think it's a bit difficult to get into, but what if it's a cafe where you can casually listen to jazz?
Yokohama Noge Jazz Cafe Chigusa is indispensable when talking about jazz cafes .
Founded in 1933. ``Jazz Cafe Chigusa'' was opened by Mamoru Yoshida, who was 20 years old at the time, in the early Showa era.Although it closed once in 2007, after the cooperation of many people who loved ``Chigusa'', it opened in Noge in 2012. The cafe reopened in 2007 and became popular as ``Japan's oldest jazz cafe.''
The interior of the bar is a space that feels like it has been locked away for several decades, and there are said to be more than 6,000 records on the shelves behind the bar, as well as a 50-year-old multi-amp system. Listening to jazz records through Chigusa's audio system provided a luxurious experience that could not be enjoyed at other stores.
``Jazz Cafe Chigusa'' will be temporarily closed in April 2022 in order to be reborn as ``Jazz Museum CHIGUSA,'' and will operate as a temporary store at ``Green Spot'' in Minato Mirai until next year. "Jazz Museum CHIGUSA" is scheduled to open in 2023, the 90th anniversary of its founding, with the functions of both a live house and a museum, in keeping with the wishes of its founder, Mr. Yoshida.
At the temporary store currently open, the acoustics of "Chigusa" have been recreated, and visitors can enjoy the approximately 6,000 records in their collection and exhibits related to the history of "Chigusa." We also plan workshops and other events on the weekends. Even if you're not familiar with jazz, this is a space where you can casually enjoy yourself with a cup of self-service coffee, so please take this opportunity to visit.
The exhibition will be on display until February 28, 2023, and admission is free.
In addition, the Jazz Museum CHIGUSA has started the Jazz Museum CHIGUSA Fund, which solicits donations for rebuilding funds and donations of jazz historical materials. There are also special benefits, so if you are interested, please visit the homepage .
Jazz Museum CHIGUSA (scheduled to open in March 2023)
[ACCESS]
2-94 Nogecho, Naka-ku, Yokohama TEL: 045-315-2006
JR Negishi Line/Yokohama Municipal Subway
3 minutes walk from Sakuragicho Station
8 minutes walk from Keihin Kyuko Hinodecho Station
Jazz Museum CHIGUSA temporary store
