マサコ
Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
Masako (マサコ) is a tiny, timeless kissa tucked into the labyrinth of Shimokitazawa’s backstreets, the kind of place you stumble into and instantly feel like you’ve discovered a local secret; think soft amber light, well-worn wooden stools, and walls lined with vinyl sleeves that hint at an owner who treats music like medicine. As someone who knows the neighborhood, I’d tell you this is where collectors, late-night wanderers, and touring musicians converge to listen rather than to be seen — conversations are polite whispers so the records can breathe, and the sound system is treated with near-religious care. The music leans toward warm analog jazz, folk, and offbeat Japanese pop, often curated into thematic evenings or spontaneous sets by visiting players; it’s intimate enough that you’ll sometimes catch a quiet encore from the bar itself. Located in Shimokitazawa, a short walk from the theaters and vintage shops that make the area famous, Masako is worth a stop if you want an authentic listening-bar experience: order something simple, find a spot near the turntable, and let the city outside fade into a well-curated soundtrack.
Masako (マサコ) is a tiny, timeless kissa tucked into the labyrinth of Shimokitazawa’s backstreets, the kind of place you stumble into and instantly feel like you’ve discovered a local secret; think soft amber light, well-worn wooden stools, and walls lined with vinyl sleeves that hint at an owner who treats music like medicine. As someone who knows the neighborhood, I’d tell you this is where collectors, late-night wanderers, and touring musicians converge to listen rather than to be seen — conversations are polite whispers so the records can breathe, and the sound system is treated with near-religious care. The music leans toward warm analog jazz, folk, and offbeat Japanese pop, often curated into thematic evenings or spontaneous sets by visiting players; it’s intimate enough that you’ll sometimes catch a quiet encore from the bar itself. Located in Shimokitazawa, a short walk from the theaters and vintage shops that make the area famous, Masako is worth a stop if you want an authentic listening-bar experience: order something simple, find a spot near the turntable, and let the city outside fade into a well-curated soundtrack.