ERG Media |

From the heart of Tokyo to the most remote corners of the country, listening bars popularly known as Jazz Kissa have shaped Japanese musical culture since the 1940s. These quiet sanctuaries, dedicated to the pure act of listening, are built around rare vintage audio systems, towering speakers, and meticulously curated vinyl collections. 
Today, the concept of Jazz Kissa has found renewed interest by a culture aiming to reconnect with impeccable quality and the inimitable feeling of analog sound.

For over fifteen years the photographer and cultural historian Katsumasa Kusunose has traveled across Japan to document the country’s greatest listening cafés, and the people who keep their flame alive. For the first time, Jazz Kissa presents Kusunose-san’s work as a coffee table book, offering an unparalleled insight into both the culture that shaped these spaces alongside a decade and a half of his relentless photographic explorations.

The book features a foreword by Devon Turnbull, founder of Ojas, and is printed on specially sourced Japanese paper that echoes the tactile texture of the legendary Altec A7 speaker finish. Designed by audiophiles for audiophiles, Jazz Kissa is a love letter to the humble cafés that laid the foundations of today’s global high-fidelity listening culture.

Founded in 2017 as a media agency, ERG evolved into a publishing house in 2022 to deliver best-in-class books. From concept to completion, every publication is developed entirely in-house, ensuring seamless execution and uncompromising quality. Each book reflects this commitment to craftsmanship, featuring exceptional photography, thoughtful copywriting, meticulous layouts, and sophisticated design.