Figure 1: Otonai (訪ヒ) Quartet with Mitsuru Tanaka (trumpet), Fumie Chiba (piano), Yujiro Shimine (bass), and Kaoru Suzuki (drums) at Sunny Side in January 2025

Figure 1: Otonai (訪ヒ) Quartet with Mitsuru Tanaka (trumpet), Fumie Chiba (piano), Yujiro Shimine (bass), and Kaoru Suzuki (drums) at Sunny Side in January 2025

Sunny Side is a neighborhood jazz joint in Takadanobaba, Tokyo, and is a place that feels comfortably familiar whether it’s your first time, tenth time, or returning to visit after a years-long absence. At Sunny Side, jazz performances are delivered in a friendly atmosphere with home-cooked food that includes pasta dishes, fried foods, salads, and Japanese taco rice.

Figure 2: Arcou duo with Mayumi Sano (cello) and Sayaka Kishi (piano) at Sunny Side in 2017

Figure 2: Arcou duo with Mayumi Sano (cello) and Sayaka Kishi (piano) at Sunny Side in 2017

The live schedule here features a roster of reliable local musicians that span the gamut from up-and-coming acts to professional career musicians. In addition to their focus on creating a welcoming space for listeners and musicians to share in their love of jazz, another goal of Sunny Side is to support amateur musicians with plenty of open jazz jam sessions, workshops, and lessons that are regularly held here. Sunny Side’s website makes it easy to view the upcoming acts on the calendar organized by whether they are live performances, vocal jazz sessions, instrumental jazz jam sessions, or lessons.

Figure 3: Kicking off a jam session with Yuki Nakano (bass) and Yoichi Suzuki (guitar at Sunny Side in 2023

Figure 3: Kicking off a jam session with Yuki Nakano (bass) and Yoichi Suzuki (guitar at Sunny Side in 2023

Satisfied guests of Sunny Side who are likely to become repeat customers can also look forward to picking up a stamp card for member-style discounts or similar benefits, with possible extra stamps on their birthday.

Figure 4: Before the show starts

Figure 4: Before the show starts

Figure 5: Singer-songwriter Ken Takai (vocals, guitar) at Sunny Side in 2017

Figure 5: Singer-songwriter Ken Takai (vocals, guitar) at Sunny Side in 2017

Figure 6: Karaage fried chicken plate at Sunny Side

Figure 6: Karaage fried chicken plate at Sunny Side

Figure 7: Sunny Side in 2010

Figure 7: Sunny Side in 2010

Figure 8: Tommy Morota (drums) Trio at Sunny Side in 2010

Figure 8: Tommy Morota (drums) Trio at Sunny Side in 2010

Figure 9: Sunny Side in 2010

Figure 9: Sunny Side in 2010

Figure 10: Vocal jam session at Sunny Side in 2008

Figure 10: Vocal jam session at Sunny Side in 2008

Figure 11: Vocal jam session at Sunny Side in 2008

Figure 11: Vocal jam session at Sunny Side in 2008

Figure 12: Vocal jam session at Sunny Side in 2008

Figure 12: Vocal jam session at Sunny Side in 2008

Figure 13: Wall art at Sunny Side

Figure 13: Wall art at Sunny Side

Figure 14: Photos at the entrance to Sunny Side

Figure 14: Photos at the entrance to Sunny Side

Figure 15: Jazz & Drinks SunnySide 2F

Figure 15: Jazz & Drinks SunnySide 2F

Figure 16: Heading to Sunny Side

Figure 16: Heading to Sunny Side

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