New Amazon Music Tokyo Studio Inspired by Japan’s Jazz Kissa Culture

all photos by Daici Ano and Kazuhiro Nagae courtesy Torafu Architects

In the 1960s and 70s, a unique type of bar began to flourish in Tokyo. Commonly referred to as jazz kissa, these bars invested in the finest of audio equipment and speakers, and served as a hub where people could gather and bond over music. This was the inspiration behind Amazon’s new music studio in Shibuya, where it will work with musicians, podcasters and artists on live-streaming, recordings and other musical events. The four-story studio, located roughly 10-minutes north of Shibuya Station, houses a recording studio, a podcast studio, a photo studio, as well as reception area and conference room, all designed by Torafu Architects.

On the 1st floor is a public reception area and space for live broadcasting. The 2nd floor is dedicated to meeting rooms that also function as theaters while the 3rd floor is home to podcasting and photography. On the 4th floor are studios both for recording as well as live-streaming.

In the public spaces, full-color LED skeleton speakers, wall speakers, and vintage horn pendant speakers create an iconic environment that pays homage to jazz kissa culture. The light-reflecting terrazo floor creates a welcoming atmosphere. You can see more photos on Torafu Architects’ website, who also designed Amazon’s fashion photography studio in Tokyo back in 2018.

2 Comments

  1. Why give any more attention to Amazon? Do you know the harms they commit (culturally, labor-wise, politically, ecologically) on a global level? Including in Japan. Bring back Japan’s jazz kissa, please don’t further Bezos’s bank accounts.

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