Pit Inn jazz club, located near Shinjuku-Sanchome station in Tokyo, Japan (website, map).
Jazz Club Pit Inn in Tokyo is one of the most well-known and respected jazz clubs in Tokyo, and for good reason. In business since 1965, this authentically genuine jazz spot is very popular with local music fans, and the popular spot also gets its share of tourists dropping in. Since its original opening, the club has relocated once and also opened other branches and related businesses such as rehearsal and recording spaces. Currently, Pit Inn’s main venue for hearing live music is the club which opened in 1992 in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
On the short list of the must-visit jazz spots in Tokyo, Pit Inn is up there, definitely in the top ten spots to catch live jazz in Japan. Pit Inn is authentic, reasonably priced, runs a well-oiled system, has great sound and lighting, and offers an excellent variety of jazz shows on a twice-daily basis.
The acts that play at Pit Inn include the best of local professional musicians, young up-and-coming musicians, and touring musicians from overseas as well. On occasion, there are also special events like competitions and amateur jam or practice sessions, but in general, the main focus is on live shows.
Both afternoon and evening concerts are scheduled for nearly every day, each show usually featuring different groups or musicians. Although worldwide artists also play at this club, local Japanese artists are often featured at Pit Inn, providing an easy and comfortable way to get to know different facets of the Tokyo jazz scene.
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