Kurotokage is the newest venue from the team behind Aoyama’s RED BAR and AOYAMA TUNNEL, together with Shibuya’s OATH. It draws inspiration from the Japanese cult classic Black Lizard. At Kurotokage, the film’s seductive world is reimagined as an atmospheric music bar. While its sister venues invite guests onto the dance floor, Kurotokage offers a more relaxed setting where music, cocktails, and conversation take centre stage. We spoke with manager Isao about the group’s newest destination for the senses.
Channeling the World of Black Lizard
The name of the bar comes from the acclaimed film Black Lizard (Kurotokage in Japanese), based on a stage play adapted by celebrated author Yukio Mishima from the work of Edogawa Ranpo, and starring the iconic Akihiro Miwa, one of Japan’s most celebrated performers. Released in 1968, the film is known for its richly stylised, decadent world, evoking the stage design of the Shōwa era. While developing the bar, the owner reencountered the film, and its seductive, creative imagery became the starting point for the concept.
The space itself was created through a collaboration between designer Taisuke Higuchi and artist Jun Shirai. Its most striking feature is a massive sofa that runs boldly through the interior. As the name suggests, it is shaped like a lizard coiled through the space. The open area near the entrance represents the lizard’s head, while a sweeping curved line extends from there into the bar counter, which is imagined as its tail.
The bar counter is made from a striking six-metre-long solid wood slab, with a surface that’s finished to highlight the natural grain of the timber. The space also prioritises soft, rounded forms, avoiding sharp edges and giving the interior an overall sense of smooth, elegant softness.
Attention should also be paid to the details that carry forward the history of the group’s venues. Chandeliers suspended from the ceiling and various interior objects have been inherited from Shibuya’s vintage clothing store NUDE TRUMP and the former club TRUMP ROOM. Both venues played an important role in shaping the group’s identity.
Lose Yourself in the Music, Surrender to the Vibration
Unlike the group’s existing DJ bars, where the focus is on dancing, Kurotokage offers a more relaxed music bar experience. In contrast to RED BAR’s standing-room format, guests are invited to take a seat, settle in with a drink, and enjoy well-curated music at a leisurely pace.
The music takes on a more immersive dimension through its sound system. At the heart of the sound system are four Klipsch La Scala speakers, originally manufactured in the 1970s. The speakers were previously used for many years by the renowned record store Lighthouse Records, formerly located in Shibuya before relocating to Ochanomizu. Isao describes the sound as “soft and warm, with exceptional clarity that brings live recordings to life.” They are also highly rare, with no other known venue using the same speakers.
A rotary mixer from UK-based Union Audio is installed in the DJ booth. The company was founded by engineers behind the acclaimed Allen & Heath mixers, and is said to be the only venue in Japan to have adopted one of its systems.
Another notable feature is the hidden mechanism within the sofas. When guests sit on certain seats in the venue, deep bass vibrations are transmitted directly through the body. This is made possible by a built-in “Bodysonic” system that converts low frequencies into tactile vibration.
“If you want to feel the vibrations more intensely, we recommend the sofa seats in front of the speakers. If you prefer to enjoy the music while chatting, slightly more distant seats are ideal. The seating is arranged in a tiered formation, so guests can choose wherever they feel most comfortable.”
A Connected Four-Venue Nightlife Experience
While it may seem exclusive at first, Kurotokage operates without rigid rules. The manager says the goal is simple: for guests to enjoy good music, good drinks, and relaxed conversation.
The soundtrack moves between jazz, soul, and slower-tempo house. A diverse crowd fills the space, with DJs tailoring their selections to the mood of the room. Sound levels are carefully controlled so that conversation remains effortless, avoiding the intensity of a typical dance-focused venue.
In this laid-back setting, guests can also enjoy Kurotokage’s signature cocktails, such as a Moscow Mule made with house-infused ginger, a smoky lemon sour finished with smoked salt, and a yuzu margarita made with 100% juice from Tokushima. Each drink reflects a strong attention to detail.
Stepping away from the bustle of Shibuya, guests are invited to surrender to exceptional sound and refined cocktails. Kurotokage presents an immersive sensory experience that extends beyond the concept of a bar. The night does not end here. One of its defining features is an entrance-free system that allows guests to move freely between the group’s four venues: RED BAR, AOYAMA TUNNEL, OATH, and Kurotokage.
After checking in at any one venue, guests can circulate throughout the night. A typical flow might begin at OATH or RED BAR, where guests move with the music, before shifting to Kurotokage to settle into a sofa and unwind with a cocktail, or the reverse for those who prefer to start in a more relaxed setting before dancing into the early hours. Movement between spaces in response to mood and time has become part of the experience itself.
Whether extending the night after dinner or discovering new sounds along the way, guests are encouraged to freely explore this connected group of venues, own the night, and design their Shibuya experience.
Kurotokage
B1F, Miki Building, 2-12-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Instagram : @kurotokage_tokyo
