Update: Sadly, Small Town Talk gave way to economic realities in the early hours of February 24th 2008 when it closed its doors for the final time. Not even a final guest appearance from Bono was enough to save it… I will leave this post up though as a tribute to what was the best little music bar in Kyoto.

The Best Little Music Bar in Kyoto…

On the west side of Kiyamachi in the heart of the entertainment district is a little bar for music lovers named “Small Town Talk“. This is my favorite bar in Kyoto. The master Kageyama-san, has a huge collection of music on vinyl and a deep knowledge of many genres including 60’s and 70’s singer-songwriters, soul, rock, jazz, world music and Japanese pop. When I come here I always feel like I am learning something whether it be about music or about Japan, for Kageyama-san is a also a very friendly and lively conversationalist. I have made a lot of good friends here. On most nights you can count on meeting one of the regulars and enjoying high-spirited conversation and good music to your heart’s content. Kageyama-san also occasionally throws wicked parties! However, this is a small bar, most of the customers are regulars and neither they nor Kageyama-san can speak English. If you can’t speak Japanese I don’t recommend it, but if you can, you will be very welcome and you will have a ball. Small Town Talk is in the Royal Building on Kiyamachi between Rokkaku and Takoyakushi Streets on the second floor next to the better known “Rock Bar Ing”. Here is a map. the demise of bubbleshare my on original STT picture set has disappeared so here’s a link to my friend Nana’s picture set/tribute on flickr. Happy times!