TOKYO JAZZ JOINTS

An avian-themed day as we leave Akita behind and head for the slightly chillier climes of Niigata and a game of two halves

Squeaking our way through northern climes one joint at a time. Three belters – two legends and one serendipitous discovery – for our night in Akita City.

Joe R Pass by Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

A serene soba and jazz lunch gives way – via some scripture and coffee with very old friends – to an inexplicably previously unexplored joint right in the heart of Aomori.

In this episode we take a trip down a nearly-ten-year memory lane for just two classic joints up north: one just about still open but at risk of closing, and the other closed, but still open (we hope)…

Day 2, Hirosaki. Philip flies solo in northern climes with three joints, and perhaps one of the greatest of all time.

June 2026. A nineteen day epic journey commences as Philip returns to his adopted homeland and the quest for joints continues. On this episode, heated debate about needle-based crafts ensues before we take shelter in Yokohama.

Philip finally renders James speechless, as we reach the end of the 'Tokyo Jazz Joints Top Ten Countdown' and reveal our number ones, united in passion but not necessarily in choice. What a rollercoaster!

Clip from Paul Hardcastle's 'The Wizard' (1986). No copyright infringement intended.

This week we are in lockstep, as we enter the truest temple of jazz.

Two joints very far away from each other on the map, but very close in passion, dedication and sheer wonder. The countdown continues with our Number 3 picks!