A Guide to Jazz in Japan

Fusing historical depth, cultural nuance, and travel insight into one beautifully written volume, A Guide to Jazz in Japan takes you through one of the most vibrant jazz scenes in the world. More than just a guide, it’s a love letter to Japanese jazz and an indispensable cultural resource for curious, globally minded readers.

Whether you’re visiting Japan, living there, armchair traveling, or just love jazz, this guide points you toward the best in Japanese jazz—places well outside the usual tourist spots. With reviews of over 40+ clubs and 200+ musicians, this guide lets you know where to go, who to hear, and where to shop, jam, and hang out.

From hip backstreet clubs to talented musicians to jazz coffee shops, the practical information and informed suggestions steer you toward a culturally immersive experience in a country on everyone’s bucket list. It’s a passport to one of Japan’s hidden passions—jazz.

Gold Winner Non-Fiction Author’s Association (2025)
Winner Pencraft Book Award (2025) for Music
Gold Book Award Literary Titan (2025)
Silver Medal Readers’ Favorite (2025)

The Japan Society
Blending rich history, cultural depth, and insider travel tips, it’s a heartfelt tribute to Japanese jazz, all told with the convivial style of someone who knows the scene like the back of his hand. Read full review

Kirkus Reviews
”Not only do these essays offer wonderful background detail, but they also definitively show that Pronko’s affable, professorial style is the book’s best feature, setting it far above anything one might simply look up online.” Read full review

Feathered Quill
"A Guide to Jazz in Japan is a must-have guide to understand Japan through jazz, transcending a mere jazz club directory to become a passport to cultural experience." Read full review

Independent Book Review
“A clutch resource for jazz fans and world travelers alike, A Guide to Jazz in Japan is your one-stop shop to discovering the musical riches that await in the land of the rising sun.” Read full review

Booklife by Publishers Weekly Editor’s Pick
“Musically inclined tourists will find A Guide to Jazz in Japan an invaluable planning aide, while armchair travelers fascinated by the music and scene will relish the detailed account of a country’s love affair with jazz. Practical, passionate guide to jazz in Japan that also celebrates the country and art form.” Read full review

Self-Publishing Review ★★★★½
"A thoughtful music guide that casually swings across the line into storytelling. Boasting more than two decades of exploration within the country’s jazz scene, Pronko’s recommendations land with undeniable authority borne from a genuine love for these artists. It would be impossible to collate this type of comprehensive, intimate, and eloquent guide without spending some serious time in top jazz haunts of the country." Read Full Review

Literary Titan (May 2025) ★★★★★
“More than just a directory of Tokyo’s jazz clubs—it’s a love letter to a city’s hidden rhythm. It’s part guidebook, part memoir, and part cultural essay, told with the warmth of someone who’s not only observed this world for decades but been deeply moved by it. The writing sings, the details spark, and the emotion lingers. This is a guidebook, yes, but it’s also a beautiful meditation on place, passion, and the way music makes a foreign land feel like home.” Read Full Review 

ReaderViews (May 2025) ★★★★★
“The ultimate jazz-lovers’ dream when it comes to breaking down the what, where, and how of jazz in Japan. The writing draws you into each venue, giving you that you-are-there feeling, as if you’re walking around the jazz clubs taking it all in. You’ll be amazed at the education you’ll receive just by reading this.” Read Full Review

Readers’ Favorite (April 2025)★★★★★
”Beyond being a practical resource, the book includes thoughtful essays on Japan’s unique jazz history and the cultural currents that shape its distinct sound. From intimate Tokyo basements to polished venues in Kyoto and Osaka, Pronko captures the spirit of a community that is both deeply rooted in tradition and constantly evolving.” Read More

Midwest Book Review (May 2025)
“Readers receive more than a travel guide’s usual outline of places to go and things to see. Through Pronko’s eyes, they get to experience the options and shifting atmospheres of Japan’s jazz scene in an intimate, revealing way that eludes most traditional music guides. Riveting, personal, informative, and practical, A Guide to Jazz in Japan is everything a guidebook, history, and music celebration should be.” Read Full Review