10 Best Live Music Bars in Tokyo

Blue Note Tokyo is arguably the most famous jazz venue in the city with a history of big names from Dizzy Gillespie to Sarah Vaughan. It has a connection to the famous New York jazz institution of the same name, along with the same high standards. Today the world’s best musicians still grace the Blue Note; Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, John Legend. The bar is compact, which gives the performances a deeper intimacy, and the name-sake blue-lit stage creates a moody ambience for jazz. The setting of low, broody lights, great food, and high-level music is sure to impress you. There's usually an entry fee starting from ¥7,000.

This huge live music hall looks like a hangar, but Akasaka Blitz is actually a first-rate venue for top international and local bands. Many famous Japanese bands and respected indie bands play here to audiences of up to 1,900 cheering fans. The venue also has direct access to Akasaka station, which is very handy for visitors traveling by subway and makes it preferable over many other concert halls. While tickets are usually sold far in advance you might be able to secure some through your hotel concierge.

Vagabond is a legendary live music joint that's popular with Tokyo internationals and was once reviewed in the New York Times. This cool, stylish venue has a relaxing lounge on the ground floor and live jazz on the second floor. Walls are decorated with eclectic art pieces in gallery form and drinks are surprisingly affordable.

Established by Kyoko Seki, one of the first people to open a jazz bar in Tokyo, Body and Soul is a small intimate jazz club with a rich history of finding and featuring the best upcoming and established jazz musical talent in the world. Take a close up front-row seat and feel first hand the true power of a live jazz performance. Many top musicians end up at Body and Soul after playing other venues in the city. The club has an extensive menu of drinks and food. There's an entry fee of around ¥3,500.

The Pit Inn is a live music joint where you can catch some hot jazz by some of the city’s best up-and-coming musicians, as well as some seasoned international professionals. This is one of Japan’s oldest jazz houses and is serious about providing a quality music venue.

Live music starts every evening at 8pm and there are daytime performances on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm. Entry costs from ¥3,000 including 1 drink. The Pit Inn is walking distance from Shinjuku-sanchome station.

Bunkamura is a popular live music venue in Shibuya. This cultural village presents a number of live concerts from hot local and international musicians in addition to housing a movie theater where you can watch popular Japanese films with English subtitles.

This enormous entertainment complex contains seven multi-sized exhibition and concert halls centered around a magnificent glass atrium. There is always something interesting going on here. Popular events to be held here include pop concerts, Broadway musicals, touring ballet companies, and annual events like the Tokyo International Film Festival. The Forum is connected to Yurakucho Station.