Jazz Spot Yamatoya

Late nights, smoke and whiskey over smooth jazz

By Connie Ng

Community writer

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Flowing whiskey and conversations over smooth jazz- like a scene right out of an 80's Murakami novel

Julie London's Cry Me A River was my request for the night

Good shot of caffeine for the long commute home

The signage can be easy to miss, the entrance is tucked behind an alley off the main street

The neon signage on the main street before reaching the entrance

Extensive selves of records

Gold tinted Japanese artwork illuminating the back room

Like a page out of a Murakami novel, Kyoto’s Jazz Spot Yamatoya serves up late nights, smoke and whiskey over smooth jazz. With Victorian wallpaper and dark wood furniture, the atmosphere is light-years away from the lanterns, world heritage shrines and temples of this ancient capital. Reopened in 2013, this venue’s history dates back two decades and counting. Open from noon to midnight, this local jazz spot is a few blocks from Heian Shrine and the museum mile, an area mostly deserted by tourists before dusk. Unlike the jazz cafes you find along Pontocho tailored for foreign travelers, drinks are very reasonably priced here.