In Japan, listening bars have become a distinct part of late-night culture, with origins dating back to the 1950s. Decades later, they continue to thrive, offering a haven for audiophiles and discerning drinkers. In OFF THE RECORD, we explore establishments where music and atmosphere are central to the experience, uncovering the stories, people, and sounds that define them. In our fifth edition, we head to Roppongi’s MUSIUM, an unconventional listening bar that serves as a music vault, presenting a rich audio-visual journey through past decades.
By day, Roppongi exudes an air of business and affluence. By night, it transforms into one of Tokyo’s most buzzing entertainment zones. Depending on the block, the ambiance shifts from exclusive lounges to neon-lit, no-frills dives. It is in this convergence that MUSIUM appears. Behind the steel façade lies a post-apocalyptic future space built entirely around sound, showcasing a massive archive of records. The music doesn’t just fill the room sonically here, records are on display with a tangible presence, while drinks serve as an extension of the music.
MUSIUM opened at the end of 2023, operated by MOTHER Entertainment Inc. and backed by Japanese cable music broadcaster USEN. The concept was an analog record bar within a music vault, showcasing selections from USEN’s vast collection of approximately 100,000 records. Many of these are rare and valuable titles. The combination of music and museum inspired the name MUSIUM. Initially planned as a temporary venue open for just 400 days, the demolition of the building was postponed, allowing the bar to continue operating.
Records are displayed all throughout the bar like an exhibition.
Built by Timing, Bound by Sound
At the helm is bar manager Kajiwara, a seasoned bartender and avid music lover with a background in design. Down a path shaped by experience, passion, and timing, he seized the opportunity to run his own bar.
“I worked as an art director and am still active in that field, but I’ve been bartending since I was a student. Juggling both bartender and art director roles for a long time,” he explains. “There was a regular at a bar I worked at, and he was with USEN. When that bar closed, he approached me about starting a listening bar. The idea was that it’d be a waste for USEN’s 100,000 records to just sit unused, so we wanted to incorporate them.”
When reflecting on the shift from the creative field to bar management, he recalls “I had always wanted to run my own bar someday, and since I love music and records, when this opportunity came up, I thought it was perfect for me. I could build it from scratch and express the mix of design, art, and music I had cultivated.”
First connecting with music through punk and hardcore, he was active in bands from junior high through adulthood. Over time, his ear shifted toward other genres, developing a deep appreciation for ambient music. These days, he finds himself drawn once again to the melodies of jazz. His background in bartending and design, combined with a deep love for music, all come together at MUSIUM.
Kajiwara prepares an original cocktail with precision and flair.
Alongside Kajiwara is music selector taki06R (06 “zero-roku,”) who’s been on board since the beginning. With deep roots in the music industry, he was brought in to handle the sound.
“Originally, I was just supposed to support MUSIUM’s music side, but when we opened, no one was playing records. So I thought, I have to do it, and now I’m fully committed.”
Each night, 06 reads the room and selects tracks to match the atmosphere, while also handling requests, in a smooth cohesive manner. His musical taste is incredibly eclectic, and he plays records from all genres. Although he does have a strong affinity for hip hop’s golden age, when producers primarily sampled old records, giving them new life and introducing listeners to jazz, soul, and beyond.
Kajiwara and 06’s shift into their respective roles is a story of timing and seizing opportunity. Their personal slick styles reflect the bar’s taste level and refinement, and together they create the MUSIUM experience.
06 selects records from MUSIUM’s extensive collection.
The Futuristic Space and Treasures Within
A defining feature of the bar is its interior, designed by YOSHIROTTEN, the Tokyo-based graphic artist and art director known for moving fluidly between creative realms. Unlike traditional listening bars that favor wood and natural materials, MUSIUM is enclosed in steel walls that refract orange glows and streak hues. Polished metal frames and gritty lighting add to the atmosphere. The idea was to archive past music in a futuristic space, and it’s a vision clearly reflected in the sci-fi-like ambiance.
The industrial chic design creates a unique atmosphere, enhanced by decorations such as the crayon artwork in the back, and the glowing record display shelf.
The music spans every genre, with around 10,000 Japanese and global records from the USEN collection on-site.
“Most of our records are original pressings from when they were first released, so many have historically valuable obi strips and liner notes,” Kajiwara explains.
Unique to Japanese pressings, obi strips display pricing and promotional info and are highly sought after by collectors. Among the gems is The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers (1971), complete with the Andy Warhol jacket design featuring a real zipper and original obi strip. Another highlight is a signed Herbie Hancock record. According to 06, how such a treasure ended up in the collection remains a mystery. The records tell a story, like remnants of the past, bringing the museum aspect to life.
The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers record designed by Andy Warhol, and a signed copy of Herbie Hancock’s ‘Takin Off’, both with their original obi strips.
Interactivity and Vintage Sound
One of MUSIUM’s most distinctive features is its playful request system using colored marbles. Each color corresponds to a different decade or genre, and guests place a pair of marbles on a groove along the edge of the bar, where they roll down to the selector. With input from customers, the playlist can shift in surprising ways, creating a sonic journey through time that blends nostalgia and discovery.
The marbles alongside the guide explaining how to make requests, and the placing of marbles on the bar’s edge.
The potential of MUSIUM’s impressive audio equipment is brought out with the expansive space. The setup was supervised by a vintage audio specialist and features gear exclusively from the 1950s to early 1960s. Among the standout pieces are a Garrard Model 301 turntable, the McIntosh MC275 tube power amplifier, and towering TANNOY Autograph speakers. Every component was chosen to enhance the sound of the records and reflect the equipment they were originally designed for. For audiophiles, the back area of the bar offers the most optimal listening experience, and guidebooks are available to explain each piece of equipment.
The bar area is flanked by the impressive TANNOY Autograph speakers.
The McIntosh MC275 amplifier and 06 placing a record onto the Garrard Model 301 turntable.
Classics and Creative Concoctions
MUSIUM boasts an extensive menu, with a wide range of liquor and a particular emphasis on whiskey, with some rare varieties available only here. Kajiwara, who holds a Whisky Professional qualification, offers recommendations for seasoned drinkers and newcomers alike.
A selection of whiskeys recommended by Kajiwara
The main draw, however, is the original cocktail menu created by Kajiwara. A manifestation of Kajiwara’s experiences and passions, blending his bartending expertise, musical sensibilities, and eye for design. Each drink is inspired by a different music genre. The Magical Monkey Sour, for instance, draws from old rock music. “The name is borrowed from The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour,” Kajiwara explains. “Since whiskey sours are popular with international customers, we wanted to create an original version. It is whiskey-based with the herbal liqueur Benedictine, which is based on a recipe from an alchemy book. That is where the ‘Magical’ part comes from.”
The Magical Monkey Sour ¥2,200
Other highlights include Reine d’or, inspired by French pop; Highway Zero, echoing the raw energy of hard rock like Deep Purple; Green Calm II, made with matcha and CBD to reflect chill-out music; Funky Tropical, channeling the upbeat spirit of funk; and Dark Ambient, a deep, herbaceous blend of absinthe and egg whites with a mellow, complex character. Its green hue evokes Blade Runner and reflects Kajiwara’s love for ambient music. The menu also indicates how sweet, dry, rich, or light each drink is, helping guests choose something that suits their taste.
MUSIUM is far more than a listening bar. Now extended through 2026 and with a future relaunch on the horizon, it’s a place where guests can sonically explore, reminisce, and discover. With the efforts of Kajiwara and 06, what began as a temporary experiment has blossomed into a lasting sanctuary where music and atmosphere come alive through vintage audio gear and inventive cocktails. In the heart of Tokyo’s bustling nightlife, MUSIUM offers a rare chance to slow down, engage your senses, and dive into the stories that sounds and musical artifacts can tell.
MUSIUM
Address: 1F, Asahi Seimei Roppongi Building, 5-2-4 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Mon-Sat 8pm ~ 4am (Last order 3:30am)
Website and reservations: https://musium.bar/
Instagram: @musium_recordbar
