SOULBAR 土佐屋
Shizuoka - Shimoda, Chubu
Tucked into the seaside town of Shimoda at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, SOULBAR Tosaya (土佐屋) is a compact, warm-hearted kissa-bar where devotees of deep grooves and travelers seeking a late-night refuge gather over good drinks and better records. From the narrow street outside—within easy walking distance of the harbor and the town’s beaches—you step into a low-lit room lined with vinyl, retro posters and worn wooden counters; the owner moves like a curator, cueing up Motown, southern soul, Japanese city pop and rare funk with an ear for both crowd-pleasers and hidden gems. The sound here is intimate rather than booming: thoughtful selections, occasional live acoustic sets or DJ nights, and conversations that orbit the music rather than interrupt it. Locals drop by between izakaya rounds, while visitors linger to compare notes on records and sip expertly made cocktails or coffee. If you want a hands-on, authentic listening experience in Shimoda—one that feels like being invited into someone’s private collection—Tosaya is the kind of place you’ll remember long after the last track fades.
Tucked into the seaside town of Shimoda at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, SOULBAR Tosaya (土佐屋) is a compact, warm-hearted kissa-bar where devotees of deep grooves and travelers seeking a late-night refuge gather over good drinks and better records. From the narrow street outside—within easy walking distance of the harbor and the town’s beaches—you step into a low-lit room lined with vinyl, retro posters and worn wooden counters; the owner moves like a curator, cueing up Motown, southern soul, Japanese city pop and rare funk with an ear for both crowd-pleasers and hidden gems. The sound here is intimate rather than booming: thoughtful selections, occasional live acoustic sets or DJ nights, and conversations that orbit the music rather than interrupt it. Locals drop by between izakaya rounds, while visitors linger to compare notes on records and sip expertly made cocktails or coffee. If you want a hands-on, authentic listening experience in Shimoda—one that feels like being invited into someone’s private collection—Tosaya is the kind of place you’ll remember long after the last track fades.