5 Days in June: Part 3 is upon us, and still in Sapporo, we take a double bite at the Bossa cherry, and sleep in glorified coffins before dissecting Philip’s extensive morning routine. After breakfast at the wonderful Groovy, and a quick one in Mingus Coffee, we race back to the airport to jump on a plane for the next leg of the journey at the other end of Japan.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

In Part 2 of 5 Days in June, we are still in Hakodate, where we uncover the incredible Leaf, before jumping on a slightly too long train ride to the biggest city in Hokkaido - a chance for James to catch up on some sleep of course - for an amazing evening in some utterly classic joints, some of which we knew about, some of which we didn’t.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

Right. Here we go. We’re back and hope you’re ready to join us! 5 Days in June:

Part 1 is live and we are kicking off in Haneda before hitting Hakodate to uncover the beautiful Sōen and the incredible Bop. 行きましょう〜 Oh, and James takes the first of many naps, probably.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

Ep 32: This week we finish up with our final joints in Kansai and take the long way home back to where we started 32 episodes ago, via the faded seaside glamour of Atami and a wealthy Tokyo suburb.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

Episode 31: This week we hit a selection of joints that didn't quite fit neatly anywhere else and as ever, every one is a gem. We marvel at Philip's French, find out where the best place to store a bike helmet is, and finally put the great Bunca vs. Banka debate to bed once and for all.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

Episode 30: This week is the fourth and final part of our Tokyo Deep Cuts series, and in the spirit of leaving (some of)the best till last, we cruise the funkier streets of Kichijoji to take in Scratch and Sometime, before heading back via Shimokitazawa to call on Lady Jane. We head out to the suburbs to finish up in the incredibly enigmatic Genius, and hear about the owner’s legendary record collection.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

Episode 29: This week we bring you all low before ending on a high, as we focus on the original raison d'etre of the Tokyo Jazz Joints project by looking at some of the amazing joints we visited, but which are sadly no longer with us.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

Episode 28: This week we are back in the comforting arms of Mother Tokyo as we pick off another handful of epic and lesser known joints around the capital. We find out where to get some pricey minty peas, and why you should bring your own drinks to the irrepressible Intro in Takadanobaba.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

Episode 27: This week our international jazz joint journey of discovery continues as we bounce from North America to South and uncover the amazing Black Forest, hidden under a beautiful bookshop in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, and run by Jali and his partner Marcela. Jazz kissa culture really is irrepressible!

All photos of Black Forest courtesy of Magdalena Diehl.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

Episode 26: This week we are down in the old imperial capital to check out some of Kyoto's finest, where we encounter among other things an absolutely massive red fish and photos of Abdullah Ibrahim playing in a Japanese temple.

Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.