Irish photographer Philip Arneill and American broadcaster James Catchpole set out to explore the dying subculture of Japanese jazz kissa – that is, jazz bars & cafes that serve as a refuge from the frenetic pace of modern urban life. Their journey has resulted in “Tokyo Jazz Joints”, a podcast, a photographic chronicle and now a coffee table book. What started in 2015, initially focusing on Tokyo locations, later expanded to include all of Japan’s jazz joints.

Japanese jazz kissa differs from other live music venues, as it revolves around enjoying vinyl records or CDs. Jazz kissa, whose name derives from “kissaten”, that translates as “a shop for drinking tea”, flourished after World War II, during the Westernization of Japan.

Tokyo Jazz Joints is a visual tribute to these unique spots in Japan, which are sadly disappearing due to changing trends, an aging clientele and the spread of gentrification. The book not only captures the essence of disappearing cultural sanctuaries, but also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between preserving tradition and adapting to the inevitable march of time.

Photos Courtesy of Kehrer Verlag