Jazz Walk: Chojamachi's long-established jazz bar "FIRST"
Yokohama is an indispensable city when discussing Japanese jazz. Numerous jazz festivals, such as the "Asahi Jazz Festival" and the "YOKOHAMA Honmoku Jazz Festival," are held there, and the Noge, Isezakicho, and Kannai areas are home to many spots where you can enjoy jazz.
In this series, we will introduce jazz spots within the prefecture so that even those who have never been to a jazz cafe or live music venue can easily enjoy jazz.
Past installments of the jazz series: From "Jazz Cafe Chigusa" to "Jazz Museum Chigusa"
In the second installment of this series, we introduce "FIRST," a jazz bar in Chojamachi that has been supporting Yokohama's jazz scene for over 50 years. It's a 3-minute walk from Keikyu Hinodecho Station. Crossing the Chojabashi Bridge and the Ooka River, you'll find yourself in an atmosphere quite different from the area around the station. As you turn into the alley, the white sign for "JAZZ BAR – FIRST" stands out in the darkening town. Next to the retro mint-green door, there are rows of liquor bottles and posters displaying live performance information.
Founded on July 21, 1968, "FIRST" celebrates its 55th anniversary this year. Back then, it wasn't as easy to listen to your favorite music with just a smartphone as it is today. "FIRST," which collected jazz records from overseas, became a place of relaxation for many people, especially students, as a place where you could listen to jazz. Even after more than 50 years, it remains a beloved shop for its regular customers.
Upon opening the door, the pleasant sounds of jazz music resonated throughout the shop, vibrating through my body. The interior, decorated in the same yellow-green tones as the entrance, was divided into a chic counter area illuminated by blue lights and table seating furnished with carved wooden tables and chairs. Pianos, drums, and other musical instruments were placed right next to the entrance. On the day I visited, there was no live music performance, so it seemed to be a rest day for the instruments.
To be honest, I was a little nervous when I opened the door. I like listening to jazz, but I've hardly ever been to a jazz bar, so I felt a bit intimidated by this "long-established jazz bar in Yokohama." However, that nervousness slowly melted away as soon as I entered the shop. As mentioned earlier, the interior had a chic and calm atmosphere, but at the same time, I felt a warm, homey feeling. The owners of "FIRST" were the ones who exuded that warmth. On that day, the proprietress guided me to a larger table so that I, who had a lot of luggage, could sit comfortably, and the owner, Akira Yamazaki, welcomed me while enjoying conversation with the customers at the counter.
The music playing when I arrived ranged from Latin and modern jazz to well-known standards. You can enjoy a colorful array of jazz sounds. And no wonder, as a vast collection of records was lined up behind the counter, truly telling the story of this shop's history.
What's even better is the variety of our menu. Not only is there a wide selection of drinks, but the food menu is also more extensive than that of a typical bar, and the dishes prepared by the owner are loved by many for both their taste and generous portions.
As mentioned earlier, "FIRST" regularly hosts live music performances and jazz sessions. You can enjoy performances by a variety of musicians, from up-and-coming players to well-known performers. Live performance information can be found on their website , so if you want to hear live music, we recommend checking the schedule before visiting.
With its tranquil atmosphere reminiscent of a long-established establishment and a warm, relaxing ambiance, you can enjoy jazz at your own pace while soaking up the shop's history and the gentle ambiance created by the owner couple. We highly recommend visiting "FIRST," where you can unwind and fully immerse yourself in the world of jazz.
