Ryu Miho's "Woman in Jazz♡" Part 3

"Spend some time listening to jazz in the afternoon"

The moment you open the door, you are greeted by the fragrant aroma of brewed coffee, creating a refreshing and comfortable atmosphere!

Our aim was to create a bright and stylish shop that would fit into the European-style townscape, different from the conventional image of a jazz cafe (a dark and smoky place with loud jazz playing).

It can take some courage for a woman to go to a jazz cafe alone if it's her first time, but do women ever come alone to TOMMY'S BY THE PARK?

I don't know their names, but there are a few regulars sitting around here (at the counter). I think most of them spend their time listening to music, reading a book, or looking at their smartphone. Also, around lunchtime, some people buy bread from the bakery next door and eat in with their babies. I think this is the jazz cafe where most people bring in baby strollers lol

That must be a blessing for mom lol

Do you ever adjust the songs you play to suit the customers?

We currently have about 5,000 CDs in the store, but we try to select songs that suit each customer.

When regular customers come in, what do they talk about behind the counter?

With regular customers (most of whom are in their 60s and 70s) who have been coming to jazz cafes since they were young, the main topic of conversation is the jazz that is being played at the time. Some customers sit at the counter and value their time by reading books or other activities, so in those cases, we may refrain from starting a conversation. In short, it all depends on the customer.

When did you start going to jazz cafes and thinking about running one?

When I became a university student, I got into jazz and started going to jazz cafes, mainly in Tokyo. I had always wanted to open a jazz cafe, but the reality was that jazz cafes were not profitable, so I finally realized my dream three years ago when I retired from my corporate job at the age of 60.

It's something you've always wanted to do! What kind of image did you have in mind when creating your shop?

As I said before, I aimed to create a bright and stylish store that would fit in with the streetscape. The jackets on display are simply arranged and are ones that I thought were visually artistic and nice.

The high level of audio equipment is something only a jazz cafe can offer.

I'm not an audiophile by any means, but I wanted to choose audio equipment that would go well with jazz. I wanted to listen to good sound that the master could enjoy, so I chose JBL speakers, which I had admired since I was young. The amplifier was a McIntosh, which has a stylish blue light and goes well with JBL, and my dream came true.

I see, the sound is very clear. Where in the restaurant is the best seat to hear it?

I think the counter is the best. Even if you're seated at a table far from the speakers, the sound will have a wide feel because the speakers are floor-mounted.

It sounds somehow gentle.

Maybe it's because of the vocal recording of Ryu that I'm listening to now lol

If it's this comfortable, even a woman could come in alone.

thank you.

The coffee is really delicious. Do you have any particular preferences for coffee?

I found it to be delicious, so I now get my coffee from Terra Coffee, a coffee roaster in Shirakura.

Where do you get your baked goods from?

It was handmade by my wife.

It's very nice.

What is a good way for a woman to have lunch alone?

If you are coming for lunch, you can buy your lunch at the bakery next door and bring the tray in. If you are eating in, we offer a discount on coffee. The bread from the bakery next door is made from rice flour and is well-known for its deliciousness among the locals.

It's a very comfortable shop, and I end up making it my own space.
I'll grab my favorite book and go and make some time for myself!

What did you think? The 3rd "Woman in Jazz"
We brought you an interview with the owner of "TOMMY'S BY THE PARK," a jazz and coffee bar in Nakamachidai, Yokohama.
"TOMMY'S BY THE PARK" is the master's dream come true.
This makes it a very comfortable place where you can create your own time no matter where you sit.
"Afternoon jazz and a space for yourself"
Grab your favorite book and sip on the coffee the master brews for you.
Make sure you create some wonderful time for yourself.

Ryu Miho