Jazz is Alive And Well at a Jazz Kissa in Japan

From NHK's series Japanology Plus, Jazz Kisha. A *jazz kissa* is a Japanese café devoted to listening to recorded jazz. Kissa is short for *kissaten*, meaning coffeehouse. The music is the main attraction, with carefully selected records played through high-quality sound systems. You typically sit with coffee—or sometimes a drink—and listen closely. Many have extensive vinyl collections, intimate interiors, and owners whose musical tastes shape the experience. Some encourage quiet conversation; others expect silence while the records play. The tradition became an important part of Japan’s postwar jazz culture, giving listeners a shared place to discover and study music. Think of it as a small listening room with café service. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/cu...