Reflecting the growing number of talented foreign musicians, poets and artists in Tokyo, many foreigner-friendly bars and cafes across town host weekly and monthly open mic nights. It’s a win-win situation for all parties involved: performers don’t have to pay to get up on stage (a common practice at many live houses in Japan), customers get free entertainment, and the venue gets some extra traffic. Here are our favorite venues to go check out (and participate in as!) local talent.

Ben’s Cafe
Tel: 03-3202-2445
Station: Takadanobaba (JR, metro)
Genre: Poetry
When: Third, fourth and fifth Sunday of the month from 7:30pm
Details:
* No table charge, but please order something from the menu.
* 5-10 minutes per person.
* Sign up starts from 7pm.
* Acoustic musicians welcome.

Other:
* Every third Sunday of the month is a mostly-Japanese crowd, but poets of any language are invited to participate.
* Every fourth Sunday is Slam Poetry Night: Each reader is assigned an envelope into which the audience donate money. The poet who accumulates the most amount at the end of the night, wins, and is given a 20 minute reading.
* Every fifth Sunday is all-English poetry reading.

Entrance to Ben’s Cafe in Takadanobaba

Tokyo-resident and author Donald Richie reads from his book.

Cozmo’s Cafe
Tel: 03-3407-5166
Station: Shibuya (JR, metro)
Genre: Music, Poetry
When: Thursdays 8pm to 1:30am
Details:
* Musicians and poets welcome.
* Sign up on the day
* Up to four people on the stage
* Each act gets about three songs, or 15 – 20 minutes.

Other:
Also at Cozmo’s Cafe, “Jam Night”, “Soul Night” and “Acoustic Nights”.
E-mail info[at]cozmoscafe[dot]com or call for more information.

The Pink Cow
Tel: 03-3406-5597
Station: Shibuya (JR, metro)
Genre: Art, improv, jam sessions, etc.
When: Varies according to event (check website for details)
Details:
* Second Thursday of the month: FLO Union (creative media event)
* Second Sunday of the month: Artsybugs (art salon)
* Third Wednesday of the month: Improv A Go-Go (comedy)
* Music jam sessions happen all the time, check website for details.

Other:
Want to organize an event? The Pink Cow is now scheduling events and parties of all genres. E-mail cowmail[at]thepinkcow[dot]com for more information.

Artist Keeda Oikawa (L) is a familiar face at the Pink Cow.

The part-fiesta, part-lounge vibe of the Pink Cow has customers coming back for more.

Rock Factory
Tel: 03-5545-4242
Station: Roppongi (metro, Toei)
Genre: Music
When: every Monday from 8pm
Details:
* Can be solo or in a band.
* Any genre welcome.
* Sign up on the day
* Each act gets about 3 songs.

Other:
Want to perform on a regular night? Rock Factory is now scheduling live music acts. Come play at one of the open mic nights as an audition.

Artist Kat McDowell started her Tokyo career MC’ing for the Rock Factory’s open mic nights.

Ruby Room
Tel: 03-3780-3022
Station: Shibuya (JR, metro)
Genre: Music
When: every Tuesday from 7pm to 2am
Details:
* Can be solor or in a band.
* Any genre welcome.
* Sign up on the day.
* Stage is big enough for up to five people
* Each act gets 20 minutes, including set-up.
* Jam sessions OK.

What the Dickens!
Tel: 03-3780-2099
Station: Ebisu (JR, metro)
Genre: Music/Jam Session
When: first Tuesday of the month
Details:
* There is a house band consisting of bass, guitar, drums and singer. Anyone can switch with any of these members to perform a few songs.
* Sign up on the day

Other:
Want to perform on a regular night? What the Dickens! is now scheduling live music acts. Contact them by phone for more information.

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Related articles:

1. Ladies Day
2. Big in Japan: The Foreign Music Scene
3. English Bookstores in Japan
4. Sakura 2008 (Cherry Blossom Viewing Guide)
5. Tokyo Club Scene: Large Venues

Tags: jam session, music, open mic, poetry, slam

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 8th, 2008 at 21:41 and is filed under You Should Know. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.