Harbor Light
The club is temporarily closed but re-open in May.
ジャズ＆バー ハーバーライト (臨時休業中ですが５月から再開予定です。)
Vision Building 4th floor, Higashi 1-6-2, Kunitachi, Tokyo. (042)577-5510
〒186-0002 東京都国立市東1-6-2 Y’s VISION ビル4F
Live of professional musicians on Wednesday and Thursday, 2 sets from 19:30 and 21:00. On Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday live piano by students of a music university. Cover charge varies, but usually around 2,000 yen.
The club is a three minutes walk from the south exit of Kunitachi Station on the Chuo Line. From the north exit, head left around the rotary and take the angled-left street. The club is on the right hand side. The map on the club’s site (even in Japanese) is clear.
Though many jazz lovers head into the very middle of Tokyo or Yokohama for their jazz fix, the jazz clubs outside of the center are often a great delight. Harbor Light is that and then some. Located close by Kunitachi Station on the Chuo Line, Harbor Light’s name is well chosen. You can’t really see the club from a distance, but it’s an intimate, well-designed space that offers safe harbor after a few minutes’ walk.
It also offers great music. The owner, Omura-san spent years working in the States and when he retired, he knew what he wanted to do: listen to jazz every night. He’s achieved his dream, and offered it to others, by creating a marvelous space, equal parts living room, whiskey bar and club.
The stage is close to the front tables without feeling crowded. At the long, wide, comfy bar that stretches along the back of the club, the bar stools are raised, making it easy to see and hear the music. The club also has an impressively large selection of whiskeys--single malt, Japanese, foreign, bourbon--as well as great cocktails. The food menu is simple and of high quality, a wise choice if you don’t have time to pop in one of the many eateries close by.
The sound is crisp and clear since the club is acoustically designed to not need too much in the way of amps and mikes, soundboard or wires. The music really surrounds you with clarity and intensity. Harbor Light is a delightful spot that anyone near, or far, will find a great oasis for jazz and a soothing place to kick back.