Over the last 5 years, there’s been an influx of “listening bars, Hifi bar or record bar” here in the states which aren’t necessarily what those places actually are. Most are watered down or Americanized versions of something much deeper and special which originated from Japan. Regardless of what they are called here in American, most have simply become “the club” while in Japan, it’s much more cultural and spiritual in a sense with a heavy focus on the actual music. Music that makes sense to be played on HiFi sound system, to be immersed in and enjoyed in a way that quite frankly, Americans just don’t understand.
There’s a new documentary series titled, A Century of Sound which explores listening bar culture and the people who own them. A Century in Sound, which debuted in 2024, offers insight into ongaku kissa culture — the Japanese term encompassing everything from the iconic jazz kissa to modern hi-fi listening bars. The documentary dives into a century’s worth of history and gives great insight on how listening bars of changed over the years, yet have stayed the same. Beginning with the original classical music kissa, to post-war jazz cafes through to the modern era of HiFi enthusiasts who carry on a loved tradition of something special.