A couple of weeks ago, jazz singer Allison Adams Tucker invited me to Blue Note to see her live performance there. It was a great show but also an excellent opportunity to check out this legendary live music venue. I spoke to the current master Ohigashi-san. A mild-mannered chap, he goes by the nickname of Chooper-san (after blues musician Al Kooper), and is as Allison put it … [Read more...] about Blue Note
Cafes
Radio Cafe
Radio Cafe is a nice setting in which to listen to local community radio. It also does some very nice cakes. I'll let the pictures below speak for themselves.* Radio Cafe is just south of Sanjo on the west side of Teramachi. Here is a most excellent and convenient map. Open Monday to Friday: 10.00-18.00 (until 19.00 on Tuesday) Closed on Saturday & … [Read more...] about Radio Cafe
Maruho Bakery Takarada
This little bakery on Higashioji Dori... ...does a very nice soft white loaf... ...among other things. This in fact is my trusted source for all my toast and sandwich needs. In their cafe section they also do a lunchtime set of pasta, salad and coffee which I've never tried but it seems very reasonably-priced. Maruho Bakery Takarada is on the west side of … [Read more...] about Maruho Bakery Takarada
Sheep’s
Sheep's Public Cafe is a place I have been meaning to check out for a while. I kept seeing it as I cycled home from work and thinking to myself "Sheep's. Why Sheep's?" The signboard outside says "Fish & Chips", "Guinness" and looking at the exterior I imagined just another foreign style pub. Once inside though I was impressed by how bright and cheerful it is. The owners … [Read more...] about Sheep’s
Zac Baran
I first met Yoshida Koichi in the music bar Hawkwind. A shakuhachi player, he told me he plays in many styles, not just traditional, but jazz, folk, avant garde, new age, pretty much anything. In Hawkwind we were listening to some hip-hop. "How about this then?" I challenged him with a grin. And do you know, he stood up immediately, he played, and it was wonderful. I was very … [Read more...] about Zac Baran
