Bigboy

Jazz of Japan #325 • Aug 31, 2025 • Brian McCrory

Bigboy jazz cafe, located near Jimbocho Station in Tokyo, Japan

Bigboy is a nice and clean jazz cafe in Jimbocho, a district known as “Tokyo’s Book Town” for its reputation of having many old bookshops, rare books, and literary-related institutions. This jazz cafe is nestled right off the big street intersection that sits atop Jimbocho Station, where the Toei Shinjuku, Mita, and Hanzomon subway lines meet. Bigboy is fairly close to the busy intersection, but tucked away in a shallow pocket of alleys. Wind through some turns along a few short streets to find the mostly plain exterior of a small, unassuming shop. This must be it: Covers of recognizable jazz albums peek out from the windows, and some instruments may be overlooking the entrance like over-the-door talismans. You’ve found Bigboy.

Walk into Bigboy and you will immediately notice the tiny, clean interior. Things are organized, tidy, and typical of big-city shops where space is at a premium. The tables are few, and seats can be nearly shoulder to shoulder. The atmosphere is pleasant, lit by artificial spotlights and natural daylight coming through the windows on two right-angled walls that surround the door. These windows also allow views out to pedestrians strolling by and the dynamism of street life, making tangible the border between real life and this jazz haven respite.

Just as immediately, you’ll notice the good and loud jazz music pumping with clarity from two big speakers mounted behind the bar and opposite the door. The barmaster cycles through CDs and LPs in rotation according to mood. A recent time I visited, I was treated to some music from Gigi Gryce: The Rat Race Blues and other hard bop, soulful swinging Blue Note jazz albums.

Upon entering Bigboy, you will be invited to take a seat at a table near the door or at a seat at the bar — probably the table seats, if they are free, especially for visitors or those arriving in couples or groups. Initially, some customers may feel disappointed to be seated right by the door at the tables by the entry, as you wish to explore further into the inner sanctum of this jazz haunt, to be fully absorbed in the experience. But, these seats, near the windows and entry, allow customers to take in a view of the entire shop. You may even get the sense that these front table seats are special, used for both honored guests and welcomed first-time visitors. These tables are actually a great place to really hear to the music: the speakers behind the bar point directly out to this position, and the shop, after all, isn’t really that large and can be taken in at a glance from almost any seat. These tables may also be the only option for those coming in pairs or groups. If you’re really keen on it, and depending on the situation, you may request a seat at the bar. If you’re too far in the corner, though, the directed sound from the speakers may not be as clear, and the owners, ever the good hosts, strive to promote the best and most comfortable listening experience for their guests.

Bigboy is a shop that strives to make people feel relaxed while they enjoy the jazz music. That is the overall vibe here. Small but not cramped, the space seems to have just enough room for possibly another table and a set of chairs. On the other hand, too much furniture with too many people in a limited space could detract from the hospitable, lose-yourself-in-the-music experience.

The shop’s introduction on their website describes Bigboy as a place where first-time visitors can relax and enjoy listening to their selection of jazz music. They also advise that, as the shop is quite small and seats are limited, groups should confirm ahead of time if there are enough available seats to accommodate their party…in a friendly way, of course:

BIGBOYは、初めての方でも、
気軽にJAZZを楽しめる神保町のお店です。
小さなお店なのでお席がご用意出来ない事も
ございますので、
大切なお仲間とご来店の際には、
事前に席の確認をしていただくことを
おすすめしております。
ご来店を、心よりお待ちしております。

Bigboy is a place where even first-timers
can enjoy jazz easily.
Since the shop is small and
all seats may be occupied,
if you plan to come with friends,
confirming seats ahead of time
is recommended.
We look forward to your visit.

There are two menus for daytime and bar time, with a two-hour gap separating the intervals. The menu is limited to coffee, tea, soft drinks, and some choices of alcohol, with otsumami or finger-food snacks (nuts, chips, etc.) also available.

Recently, there appears to be an increase in visitors to Bigboy, possibly due to a general rise in tourism and the resulting number of jazz fans and tourists seeking something special and unique. Bigboy may be one of the better-known jazz cafes in mid-Tokyo, and although it’s a specialized jazz listening venue, it’s not an overly intense or deeply underground kissa-style jazz haunt that could be intimidating to the jazz curious. The increased audience may also be due to advertisements and business cards for Bigboy showing up at jazz-related haunts like the nearby Disk Union “Jazz Tokyo” near Ochanomizu Station, an excellent spot to pick up current and used offerings from Japanese jazz musicians in their J Jazz sections.

For more information:

• Bigboy’s website
• Located near Jimbocho Station in Tokyo, Japan

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