In Japan, listening bars have become a distinct facet 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, and delve into the sounds, people, and stories behind them. In our second edition, we visit epulor, a café and bar where every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create an experience straight out of a film.
A five-minute walk from Nakameguro Station, nestled among specialty stores and diners in the chic Aobadai neighborhood, lies epulor. A café by day serving specialty coffee and a bar by night offering a selection of natural wines. Its two distinct sides each bring their own allure with music, interior details, and staff with careful attention. Altogether they’ve established epulor as a true gem.
epulor first opened in 2019 by an individual who prefers to keep a low profile and goes by the name ‘Satoyoshi.’ He had aspired to open a refined bar of his own from a young age. Giving insights into epulor’s beginnings, Satoyoshi’s vision saw everything viewed through an artistic lens.
“A café, a bar… it’s like art, just like a movie, with different scenes and characters… depending on the director, the atmosphere’s going to be quite different too.”
An avid lover of film, he was inspired by directors such as Wes Anderson, whose works exhibited distinct visuals and told narratives with detailed world-building. Aiming to create a space with its own unique feel, one that felt like stepping into a film, epulor was established.
Greenery, books, and artwork decorate the space.
Soundtracking the Scene
Previously, Satoyoshi had envisioned opening a modern jazz café. However, epulor came to fruition and became a space where the music isn’t confined to one genre. On the shelves are over a thousand records, with the approximate number being just shy of 2,000. The collection initially started with Satoyoshi’s records and grew over time through additional purchases and staff requests.
The record collection which has grown over the years.
You can expect to hear everything from jazz and soul to rock, electronic, indie, and alternative. Regardless of the genre being played, a consistent ambiance ties everything together. Part of this is due to the music equipment, which includes DENON turntables, TANNOY speakers, a Pioneer mixer, and amplifiers from LUXMAN and the Uesugi Research Institute. Specifically selected by Satoyoshi for their sound qualities, he aimed for a softer, warmer audio experience, with spectral richness across frequencies, and sound that pleasantly floats around you rather than coming at you.
The equipment chosen for specific audio qualities.
The music is selected not just based on personal taste, but also with attention to factors such as the weather outside and the people present. Staying attuned to their surroundings, the staff uphold Satoyoshi’s vision of curating an experience like a scene out of a film, providing the perfect soundtrack through each season.
Crafting the Space, Shaping Moments
By day the interior of epulor has cool quality as the natural light softly shines through the large windows and illuminates the wood and concrete. The interior was designed to contrast natural elements, like the wooden counter and bamboo stems lining the rear wall, with the inorganic concrete construction. In the evening as the sun sets and the bar hours begin, the lights are dimmed and the underlighting glows with warmness. It’s an ideal setting for a nightcap, making for a place you’d picture characters rendezvousing. The juxtaposition between the ambiance of day and night highlights both the distinct, and underlying qualities.
The concrete walls contrast with the natural elements and provide a minimal backdrop for items on display.
To Satoyoshi, “a glass is not just equipment but also art. Even when on display, it’s like a picture.” Of note are the Nordic cups, which come from his personal collection of vintage drinkware. Careful attention was also paid to everything from the coffee drippers and slab-shaped plates to the drinkware and more. All small details thoughtfully selected, like props in a film.
Bringing everything together are the staff, who take careful consideration of small details, managing music selection and even choosing suitable drinkware for the occasion. The current team is made up of individuals who resonate with the idea behind epulor and uphold the vision. Many of them also pursue their own creative endeavors outside of epulor, bringing their own artistic sense to the experience.
On the day of our visit, we were served by Daimon, an artist with a background in graphic design who graduated from an art university in Kyoto. Heavily influenced by Matisse, Daimon has a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for conceptual art that evokes emotion. These qualities naturally inform his music selections and shape the customer experience.
Daimon selecting records besides his floral placements.
Also entrusted with floral and greenery arrangements, Daimon explained how he looked past bouquets, instead opting for a minimal and understated approach that meshed with the surroundings. Instances like these—along with staff input on the menu and music—reflect an impressive synergy where everyone aligns with epulor’s underlying concept. It’s something difficult to quantify but unmistakably evident.
Engaging the Senses
Daimon preparing drip coffee.
With the scene set visually and audibly, the next step is to immerse through taste and aroma. epulor offers three varieties of coffee, sourcing their light roast from GLITCH Coffee in Tokyo, their deep roast from Toukado Coffee in Fukuoka, and espresso from Hirofumi Fujita Coffee in Osaka. Alongside classic offerings like hand-drip coffee and espresso, they also serve traditional matcha.
The staff pay careful attention to each order, preparing each beverage with an air of grace, almost as if slowing down time. Complementing the drinks is a food menu featuring a variety of sweet and savory offerings. Notably, their toast is made with handmade bread infused with bamboo charcoal, creating a striking blackened effect that visually enhances the experience and harmonizes with epulor’s aesthetic.
A serving of coffee along with the sweet bean toast.
At 6 p.m., the lights are dimmed, and bar hours begin. As a wine enthusiast, Satoyoshi curates the wine selection through hands-on research. By working with a sommelier and frequently visiting wine bars himself, he has developed a keen sense for identifying reputable makers and well-received varieties.
Also connecting with the stories behind the wines, he shared details about one particular wine’s production methods, describing how the number of grapevines is limited and the harvest carefully timed for optimal sweetness. He also recounted the touching father-and-son story behind a grappa, speaking with genuine admiration for not just the taste but also the craftsmanship and history behind it. Satoyoshi’s passion for wine brings a selection that not only stimulates the senses but also evokes deeper connections through the stories they carry.
Not limited to wine, epulor also offers beers, spirits, and creative coffee cocktails, including coffee infused shochu. While many of the wines are imported, Satoyoshi recognizes that international visitors appreciate domestic offerings, and provides Japanese spirits such as Ichiro Malt Whiskey and ACOU Rum.
Standouts from the current selection of wines.
Satoyoshi’s transition from the corporate world to cultivating his many passions through epulor is inspirational. His vision and meticulous efforts in crafting an experience stem from his philosophy of viewing even the smallest details through an artistic lens.
“Wes Anderson pays so much attention to every detail in his films, yet avoids over-explaining. Still, the audience gets his intent, is moved, and becomes captivated by those details. Trying to explain what makes his films special using words like ‘colorful’ or ‘symmetrical’ doesn’t capture their essence. In the same way, I aim to convey indescribable feelings as they are—without trying to translate them into words,” expresses Satoyoshi.
In much the same way, the charm of epulor lies in its intentional subtleness, where no individual aspect seems overstated. Thoughtful details all come together to create a space where guests are immersed, stepping into a well executed scene.
epulor
Address: 1F, Escenario Aobadai, 1−19−10, Aobodai, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-0042
Website: https://epulor.jp/
Instagram: ＠epulor_cafebar
