Explore Koenji: Tokyo's Live Music Scene

Music tourism and authentic travel experiences are trending worldwide, highlighting people’s desire to genuinely connect with music and their travel destinations. For an unforgettable experience of both, visit Koenji, the heart of Tokyo’s local music scene.

Koenji is a retro neighborhood beloved for its used clothing shops, shotengai shopping streets, bars, cafes, and underground music scene. Koenji’s music legacy started in the 1960s when it became a haven for alternative subcultures. In the 1970s and 80s, the area evolved into Tokyo’s punk music scene, and today, it is home to numerous live music venues called “live houses” that host a variety of music genres.

Listed below are three Koenji live houses where you can discover Tokyo’s local and diverse music culture. JIROKICHI and Koenji High sell online tickets and tickets at the door, while Sub store Tokyo accepts guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

Retro vibes at Koenji’s long-established live houses — Live Music JIROKICHI

Follow a dim staircase below ground to a no-frills facility that epitomizes “underground music.” Opened in 1975, JIROKICHI is one of Tokyo’s first live houses and hosts performances every night across a range of genres. You can see its rich history by simply looking at the handwritten musician names and dates scribbled across its walls. The facility has no stage and instead presents musicians on the same floor as guests, creating an intimate viewing experience. JIROKICHI also serves food and drinks throughout the night, allowing you to enjoy a tasty meal, such as its popular fried chicken, while jamming out.

State-of-the-art music experience — Koenji High

Koenji High brings live houses into the 21st century with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The venue opened in 2008 and has an atmosphere akin to a nightclub with vibrating music and energizing lights that follow the beat. One of the facility’s main points of pride is its high ceilings, which lend the underground space an open feeling. Koenji High hosts performances almost every night and showcases a vibrant mix of genres. After purchasing a beverage at the facility’s neon-lit bar, you cannot help but lose yourself in the crowd’s swaying bodies.

A multifaceted entertainment hub: records, books, coffee, alcohol, and live music — Sub store Tokyo

Opened in 2016, Sub store Tokyo is an embodiment of Koenji’s eclectic heritage—mixing independent artists, the owner’s personal passions, and multilingual media from around the world. Also, since the “Sub store” brand originated in Indonesia, the facility is known for its delicious Indonesian cuisine, such as Beef Rendang.

In terms of live music, Sub store Tokyo hosts performances almost every weekend and largely plays rock, new wave, electronic, and world music. For the venue’s “stage,” the owner simply removes dining tables to create a communal space where visiting artists and guests are on the same level. Watching musicians play in an establishment adorned with varying expressions of humanity makes for an inspiring performance.

Live Music JIROKICHI

Address	Koenji Bldg B1, 2-3-4 Koenji Kita, Suginami City, Tokyo
URL	Live Music JIROKICHI

Koenji High

Address	4-30-1 Koenji Minami, Suginami City, Tokyo
URL	Koenji High (JPN)

Sub store Tokyo

Address	Miyaokita Building 2F, 3-1-12 Koenji Kita, Suginami City, Tokyo
URL	Sub store Tokyo (JPN)

For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website.