Uncover Bliss in Kyoto’s Secret Spot, Kurochaya, with Vinyl and Tranquility

This Space Inspires Unique Selections You Can’t Find Anywhere Else

Kurochaya isn’t a place where the owner picks and plays music on their own, but there’s definitely a sense of “music that belongs to this space.” Hayato Kamiya, who curates the playlist for SHELTER, specializes in jazz. He plays just the right kind of jazz and jazz-adjacent music that perfectly fits the calm atmosphere of the old house, with soft light pouring in and the scent of coffee in the air.

His selections—like the mellow cornet player Ruby Braff and the legendary pianist Kirk Lightsey, who supported Chet Baker in the 1960s—blend perfectly with the vibe of Kurochaya. Records by pianist Don Shirley, whose work inspired the film Green Book, also fit seamlessly, as did the folk-infused, chamber music-style jazz by clarinetist Jimmy Juffrey.

The selections aren’t intended to surprise or show off rare records; instead, they’re carefully chosen to create a relaxed atmosphere, with music that feels just right for a Sunday morning. The light, swinging rhythms seem to gently set the tone for the start of the day. The charm of the space brings out these perfect selections, and in turn, the music helps shape the atmosphere. I’ve never experienced such a strong connection between a space and its music before.

I’ve actually had the chance to be a guest selector at Kurochaya as well. For the occasion, I brought along CDs that I often listen to when I want to relax at home. It was a lot of fun picking music that I wouldn’t typically play as a DJ, like ballad-focused jazz vocals or solo piano with a bluesy vibe. What made it particularly enjoyable was selecting music that felt perfectly in tune with the atmosphere of Kurochaya. It wasn’t so much about playing for an audience, but rather curating the right music for the space itself. Finding the right volume to create the perfect background vibe was also a fun challenge. Although I often do curation work, this space gave me the opportunity to create a selection that could only happen here.

Whether standing at the bar counter, sitting in a chair, or lounging cross-legged by the low table, I enjoy simple conversations with others and listen to the music. There’s a unique, blissful experience at Kurochaya that can’t be found anywhere else. When I visited in February, I spent the perfect afternoon dozing off by the wood stove, soaking up the sunlight. Without a doubt, Kurochaya has become one of the main reasons I go to Kyoto.

5 Records Selected by Kamiyama for SHELTER

・Johnny Smith『The Man With The Blue Guitar』
・Don Shirley Trio『Water Boy』
・Jimmy Giuffre『Trav’lin Light』
・Petros Klampanis『Rooftop Stories』
・Brandon Ross『Puppet』

5 Records Selected by Coji from Kurochaya

Sachal Vasandani “Still Life”

Thomas Bartlett “Shelter”

Sandrayati “Safe Ground”

Kazuma Fujimoto “Flow”

Wilson Tanner “69”