Jazz of Japan

Jazz of Japan

Birdland

Birdland jazz club, located near Kitasenju station in Tokyo, Japan

Brian McCrory's avatar
Brian McCrory
May 13, 2023
∙ Paid
Share

club image
The Nami Kano Quartet playing at Birdland in 2014.

Well worth visiting for top-quality jazz and an enthusiastic and friendly owner Morikawa-san, Birdland is a top choice for authentic live jazz. While Birdland no longer features live jazz on a nightly basis, the shop has special live shows on occasion, typically once a week. The interior space is cozy with a nice bar which may seasonally sport a large green plant rising from the bar and spreading branches and leaves up towards the ceiling. Facing the bar is an upright piano, and snug in the corner is a drum set, in front of which an upright bass, with space for a horn player or two to just squeeze in, right up against the front bar and tables.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Jazz of Japan to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Brian McCrory
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture