Jamaica Jazz Kissa in Sapporo Japan

 

A couple months ago, my friends invited me to a film screening in Los Angeles; A Century in Sound. In the documentary and to my surprise, I found out that the "listening bar" started in Tokyo in the 1920's. We've started to see some pop up around Los Angeles so the film really brought an AHA moment for me and I am sure others.

I was planning a trip to Japan for various reasons and decided to go see some of these if and when I had time and if there was one near by. There are hundreds of them all over Japan. My first stop was Sapporo, the very top or east part of Japan.

Near where i was staying, was Jamaica. It turns out this place has been documented in books and magazines as one of the more well known Jazz Kissas (kissa means cafe and means coffee or tea is served although this was a bar). The formula is stellar sound system, often vintage analog components, and an extensive LP and or CD collection of whatwver the focus is. It could be Jazz, Classical, Rock and/or dance, i.e Techno or Dub.

Jamaica is a beautiful long and narrow club. Very intimate, you get the direct impact of the vintage wood JBL speakers that to me look like they come out of steam-punk vessel.

I was on extreme jetlag at the time so I only drank a coffee and a soda.

I can't saw enough about the sound. it sounded like the musicans were in the room with us. This was my first experience in Japan. People really are listening to the music. In LA, we have a half a dozen of these places but in my experience almost no one is listening to the music. Everyone is just talking, having a great time. It's a different culture in LA. LOL!

Located at: 中央区南三条西5, 札幌市, JP 060-0063