TOKYO JAZZ JOINTS

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An Irishman and American walk into a bar...Two obsessed foreigners share the stories behind their pseudo-religious pilgrimage around the unique beauty of Japan's hidden world of jazz bars and coffee houses, documented on www.tokyojazzjoints.com.

Philip Arneill & James Catchpole


    • Apr 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 84 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from TOKYO JAZZ JOINTS

    Fun for the Ears

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 34:36


    Despite zero documentation, we reminisce on two lovely Tokyo joints to round off 2024's adventures. Thank as ever to Brian for sound assistance.

    Groovy Exchanges

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 50:10


    A final couple of belters in Okayama and one of the weirder interactions we've ever had in a joint. And James defeats a fence.

    Richard Davis, Serial Signer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 33:42


    As the end of our latest regional adventure beckons, we take a walk down the Avenue in Kurashiki and visit the charming Gojitoma, a jewel of a joint in the middle of nowhere. Thanks as ever to Brian for his patience and assistance with sound.

    At the Vanguard, but not the Village

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 35:57


    At the Vanguard, but not the Village by Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

    Now That's What I Call Episode 78!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 52:47


    It's May 2024, and after an Onomichi underwater detour, we find ourselves in nighttime Hiroshima, where Mother Teresa and Charles Mingus meet in perfect harmony.

    Sitting Men, Live from Standing Man

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 53:25


    Taking professionalism to new heights, this week we are live (and barely audible) from the incredible Pithecanthropus Erectus, birthplace of the Tokyo Jazz Joints project, the joint featured on the slipcase cover of the Tokyo Jazz Joints photobook, and our spiritual home. Even we don't know what we talked about...

    NKOTB

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 57:57


    We ring in the new year with some new kids on the Tokyo jazz kissa block, and a fair bit of coughing. Thanks as ever to Brian for audio assistance.

    Special 'K's

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 57:23


    All the Ks (and a 'P') as Philip wraps up the last day in Tohoku alone and finally (!) heads home to Tokyo as a special guest makes hi presence felt.

    The Butchers at the End of the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 53:35


    Planes, trains and taxis assist Philip's epic 1,500km odyssey to check out the incredible Elvin to see if James was overstating how incredible it really is. Thanks as ever to Brian for assistance with sound.

    MIyazaki Mission Possible Pt.2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 40:35


    A mixed bag in Miyazaki with windswept Sonny Rollins photos to die for and a rather melancholic end to the visit, before Philip sets off on an epic one day journey north. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.

    Miyazaki: Mission Possible Pt.1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 58:22


    The band breaks up to pursue solo careers, as James heads home with a man and and a squid, and Philip takes off across Kyushu in a search of four more highly-rated joints. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.

    Going Bananas in a Mellow Tone

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 66:12


    We go bananas before a bowl of lemon (yes, lemon) ramen and making it at last to two deeply different old school joints in Nagasaki. Some top Japan travel hacks, and James finally reveals at last that he's a 'two t-shirt a day' man. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for assistance with sound.

    The Hard Sell at Harmony

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 58:56


    We take a fast boat ride across the bay as we head for Nagasaki and Philip mistakenly masquerades as Japan's greatest living photographer. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound

    Shitamachi Britney Spears & Japanese Keith Richards

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 64:41


    James continues to alienate local tourist boards as we suffer further frustration in Saga, and finish the night with an utterly surreal stop in US Navy-town Sasebo. Not every day can be better than yesterday! Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for assistance with sound.

    Kimonos in the Post

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2024 60:38


    We finish our first full – and utterly epic – Kyushu day with 3 more joints, burnt records, posted kimonos, tiny whisky shots, some unexpected royal family action and our regular late night konbini run. Oh, and James offends an owner's son. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.

    Love Supreme

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 32:59


    Still making our way around Kyushu, it's an emotional return for us both as the project comes full circle. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.

    The Adams Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 59:54


    Jam, a quick Jab and an inauguration into the Adams family in Fukuoka as a new Kyushu adventure ensues! Thanks as ever to Brian from Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound, and to Louie Lastic for the theme tune.

    Can we Eigakan? Yes we can!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024 32:38


    We are back! James & Philip have a catch-up of all things kissa before diving into new adventures. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.

    A Jazz Kissa Fairytale

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 46:05


    We are back with more stories, but before we get into our latest adventures in Kyushu and beyond, we have an extra special episode with some incredibly exciting news! Listen in to find out how you help all of James's stars align at once... Shout out as ever to Brian from Grooves Ahead for all his assistance.

    A Bag of Bricks

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 32:59


    We take a more free jazz approach to this episode as we waffle unashamedly for about half an hour and reflect on what's been a truly incredible year for the project. James continues to reframe the English language in his own image. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his patience and assistance.

    The Last Waltz

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2023 33:55


    April's trip comes to an intimate end, not in that way, and we wrap up things with two stunning, and stunningly different places in the drinking lanes of the oddly tropical-feeling city of Kochi. Thank as ever to Brian for the sound mix and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    Uptown Funk

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2023 62:19


    We are in Shikoku at last as James continues to expand his palate while Philip comes to grips with an unexpected response (and not James' this time...). Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.

    Smoke Gets in Your Ice Pt.4

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2023 66:15


    A powdered-up James eats mountains of the shaved stuff as Philip tentatively dips his toe in the lesser-known jazz kissa art world in this last part of our three-day Kansai adventure. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.

    Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Pt.3

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 98:13


    All editing prudence goes to the wall as we fall down a deep, deep Kansai-shaped hole in this feature-length episode which is the third of a four-parter...strap in! Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.

    Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Pt.2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2023 46:35


    Disagreement is the name of the game in this second instalment of a four-parter over three hectic days in Kansai. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for sound assistance and to Louie Lastic for our music track.

    Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Pt.1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2023 54:41


    Edible insects, jazz double entendres and some unreal Osaka joints in this first of a four-parter where we spend three hectic days in Kansai. Thanks to Brian of Grooves Ahead for sound assistance and to Louie Lastic for our music track.

    The Curtain, The Sword & The Samurai

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2023 49:26


    After his daring diversion into curry a few weeks ago in Masako, James reverts to the old anti-jazz kissa food ways as we get back into town for a good old-fashioned Tokyo episode with three cracking Tokyo joints! This episode is dedicated to the inimitable Natori-san of Osaka's legendary Bird/56, who sadly passed away on August 7, 2023. Thanks as always to to Brian of Grooves Ahead for audio assistance and to Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    The North Remembered Pt. 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2023 39:16


    James continues to offend in the last of a four-parter trip up north: this time it's just the whole of the European continent. Philip recaps on some book launch party highlights in Belfast while James murders French words. And we visit the epic Paragonian run by the inimitable Hiroshi!

    The North Remembered Pt.3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2023 50:43


    James pisses off another regional tourist board as we hit the snowless spring streets of Aomori for another couple of contrasting but equally brilliant joints. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for sound assistance, and to Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    The North Remembered Pt.2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2023 38:21


    In this second of four on a northern tour, we visit Morioka, officially the next best city after NYC apparently, for two great joints. And Philip has a serendipitous encounter with a certain Johnny... Thanks to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his help with all things sound.

    The North Remembered Pt.1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2023 53:53


    It's the turn of James to live vicariously in this first episode of a four-part sojourn to colder climes with teachers, taxi and a treasure trove of joints. Oh yeah, and The Crusaders.

    Das Buch!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2023 44:08


    James chats to Philip about the mind-blowing experience he had seeing the Tokyo Jazz Joints photobook finally being born at the printers near Heidelberg in Germany! Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead, and to Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    Reunion!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 49:00


    Two men weep uncontrollably as they meet in a Shibuya hotel and finally recommence what they love doing most. Five years later, post-pandemic, we reunite to hit three Tokyo joints that symbolise the old and the new, and somewhere with the best of both!

    Days of Wine and Roses

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2023 50:56


    A recap of the incredible support we have had with the book project, the next steps, and a couple of tantalising Tohoku pitstops. Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    Book-er TJJ & the MG's

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2022 48:06


    James (probably) offends all of Finland, and we have a quick catch up before announcing our big news! Buy the book! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/philiparneill/tokyo-jazz-joints Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    Crochet & Croquet

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2022 36:12


    We're back with some stories and updates and while James swans about Kyushu and Honshu visiting jazz joints, Philip lives vicariously through the stories from the other side of the world... Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    Six Kyushu Joints Pt.2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 48:40


    The second part of James' solo trip on the island with a trip down memory lane and a distant brush with a famous Fred. Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    Six Kyushu Joints Pt.1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2022 46:39


    Pork 'belly' politics, Sony Rollins on the beach and a mixture of the new and old as James heads south on a solo mission.

    Coda

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 37:26


    Episode 44: Not the end by a long way, merely the end of the beginning. We first look back and then look forward to what is in store for Tokyo Jazz Joints in 2021 and beyond. And Philip finally gets the last word. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead, and to Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    Ultimate TJJ

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2021 77:49


    Episode 43: Record cleaning dentists, curried gyoza, Guinness World Records and upright standing man (not James obviously). In the final part of our Tokyo Jazz Joints Awards we finally get to our our all-time favourite joint, not an easy task with so many to choose from. We have a go anyway just for the hell of it, peppered with the usual slick preparation and professionalism you have now come to expect. Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music. Drum fill excerpt by Steve Lynam (on Drumeo) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXtFc522mRo

    TJJ Greatest Hits Vol.2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2021 47:31


    Episode 42: Dodgy snacks, retired teachers, sleeping in kitchens and more... Part 2 of our very own Tokyo Jazz Joints Awards, as we reminisce on the project so far, and choose some of our biggest regrets, and funniest and most baffling moments from the last 5 years. We’ll both get to our all-time favourite place in the next episode, but not before sharing just a few more laughs, stories and reflections again!

    TJJ Episode 41 Greatest Hits Vol.1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2021 57:02


    Episode 41: Tiny toilets, right wing politics, road rage, ice cream sundae dishes and more... We’re back with our very own Tokyo Jazz Joints Awards, as we reminisce on the project so far, and choose some of our weirdest, saddest, funniest and most irritating moments from the last 5 years. Eventually we’ll both get to our all-time favourite place, but not before sharing a few more laughs, stories and reflections first!

    5 Days in June Part 7: All Over Kyushu

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2020 64:58


    A bumper length episode today as our journey comes to a climactic end with a manic, phenomenal day of discovery, and we hit 7 joints around Kyushu. More importantly, James finally reveals the secret ingredient to his luscious locks: the reason that you’ve really been listening all this time….We hope you’ve enjoyed coming on this epic trip with us, and thanks for all the listens and downloads. Happy New Year from TJJ and 今年もよよとよ宜しく!

    5 Days In June Part 7: Fukuoka

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2020 30:10


    Welcome to Part 7 of 5 Days in June! We finish off a day of ups and downs with four incredibly cool and individually unique places in the amazing and funky waterfront city of Fukuoka. Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    5 Days In June Part 6: Aso desu ka

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2020 31:24


    Part 6 of 5 Days in June brings us easily the most beautiful location of any jazz kissa ever, and the uncovering of a beautiful Fender Rhodes hidden in a B&B, before a slightly frustrating afternoon of shuttered shops and a desperate search for some food! Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    5 Days in June Part 5: Kumamoto

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2020 26:50


    Our journey continues as we make a tight deadline and arrive in Kumamoto to spend the evening in a trio of very different joints, before finishing up with some dinner and jazz to line our stomachs, before a bit of a blow out for one of us... Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    5 Days in June Part 4: Kagoshima

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 34:25


    So here is Part 4 of 5 Days in June. We hope you like it. Apart from James’ fashion show, we hike up a volcano (kind of), visit the awesomely tasteless RIFF in Kagoshima, and get serenaded over dinner by men in loincloths. Oh, and go to the epic, epic Paragon as we wind our way north on Kyushu island. All photos of the joints are on tokyojazzjoints.com so make sure to listen as you look! Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    5 Days in June Part 3: Still Sapporo

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2020 32:26


    5 Days in June: Part 3 is upon us, and still in Sapporo, we take a double bite at the Bossa cherry, and sleep in glorified coffins before dissecting Philip’s extensive morning routine. After breakfast at the wonderful Groovy, and a quick one in Mingus Coffee, we race back to the airport to jump on a plane for the next leg of the journey at the other end of Japan. Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    5 Days in June Part 2: Sapporo

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 32:17


    In Part 2 of 5 Days in June, we are still in Hakodate, where we uncover the incredible Leaf, before jumping on a slightly too long train ride to the biggest city in Hokkaido - a chance for James to catch up on some sleep of course - for an amazing evening in some utterly classic joints, some of which we knew about, some of which we didn’t. Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

    5 Days in June Part 1: Hakodate

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2020 27:16


    5 Days in June Part 1: Hakodate by Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

    From Kansai to Kanto

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2020 54:16


    Ep 32: This week we finish up with our final joints in Kansai and take the long way home back to where we started 32 episodes ago, via the faded seaside glamour of Atami and a wealthy Tokyo suburb. Thanks as always to Brian of groovesahead.com for audio assistance and Louie Lastic for our theme music.

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