DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
2026.08.20
Born from a World-Class Club. Designed for Listening.
Nearest Station
Tokyo is home to bars created for one simple purpose: to truly listen to music.Opened in Shibuya in March 2026, PASS is a listening bar created by the team behind VENT, one of Tokyo's premier clubs. Guided by the idea that both familiar songs and new discoveries can become music you love even more, it pairs a custom-built sound system based on vintage JBL speakers with a carefully curated selection spanning jazz and many other genres.Here, listening itself becomes an experience—offering a distinctly Tokyo take on listening culture.
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When you step inside, you're welcomed by a calm, softly lit space and music played at just the right volume. The soft sound of glasses being set down and quiet conversation blend naturally into the room, creating an atmosphere unlike that of either a club or a café.
PASS was created with one purpose in mind: to truly listen to music.Behind the project is the team that created VENT, one of Tokyo's leading clubs. After years of bringing world-renowned DJs to Tokyo and creating a place where music is felt as much as it is heard, they set out to create something entirely different—a place where people could sit down, slow down, and give each song their full attention. The idea took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the club was closed, the team immersed themselves in archival audio materials and spent countless hours auditioning audio equipment from Japan and around the world. Their goal was to create the kind of musical experience that only a full-scale hi-fi system can deliver—something impossible to experience in either a club or at home—while bringing out the character of vocals and acoustic instruments.The culmination of that journey is the custom sound system that defines PASS today.
PASS, a listening bar that opened in March 2026, is just a three-minute walk from Shibuya Station's New South Exit.
The interior is designed so that music naturally takes center stage, with careful attention paid to every detail of both the acoustics and the design.
To keep the focus on the music, unnecessary decoration has been kept to a minimum, creating an interior built around a palette of neutral tones. Natural stone was chosen for the signature counter, inspired by the idea of "organic neutrality." The sound system, spatial design, and interior all work together toward a single goal: helping people enjoy music.
At the center of the room sits a table carved from natural stone. Like vinyl records that preserve music, the stone carries the history of the Earth. Their shared role as recording media made the table the perfect symbol of the space.
PASS wasn't created simply to pursue "good sound" defined by numbers and specifications. Instead, its goal is to remind people of something much simpler: that music is fun.Whether you're an avid music lover or simply someone who enjoys listening, PASS is designed to help you enjoy both the songs you already know and those you're discovering for the first time even more. Every detail—from the speakers and acoustics to the layout of the space and even where you choose to sit—has been carefully considered as part of a single listening experience.
The speakers are custom-built using vintage JBL cabinets, reengineered with modern technology. Designed to bring out the character of vocals and acoustic instruments while conveying the joy of music itself, they blend classic design with contemporary audio engineering. These speakers have become the signature of PASS's distinctive sound.
Custom speakers built from vintage JBL cabinets and reengineered with modern audio technology. They are the foundation of PASS's distinctive sound.
The best place to experience PASS's sound is the "sweet spot" at the center of the counter. Here, the sound from the left and right speakers blends most naturally, allowing you to experience the sound PASS was designed to deliver. If it's your first visit, it's a great place to start.
Displayed on one of the walls are enlarged microscopic photographs of the grooves of vinyl records. Although invisible to the naked eye, these tiny grooves are where music is physically recorded. More than a visual display, they offer a glimpse into how sound is physically recorded, reflecting PASS's spirit of musical exploration.
None of these carefully considered details—from the sound system to the interior—exist simply to showcase the equipment.Producer Keiichiro Oshiro didn't set out to create "a bar with great sound." His goal was to create a place where people could simply come to love music even more. The speakers and the space were designed as a means to that end. The true focus has always been the music itself. Whether it's a song you already know or one you're hearing for the first time, helping people discover something to love is the experience PASS hopes to create.
A microscopic photograph of a vinyl groove offers a glimpse into how sound is physically recorded—a display unique to PASS.
The center seat at the counter is PASS's "sweet spot," where the sound is at its most balanced.
At PASS, jazz is at the core, alongside a wide range of genres including dub, hip-hop, ambient, and electronica.You may find yourself falling in love with a familiar song all over again, or discovering a new favorite among music you're hearing for the first time. Crossing genres and discovering new music is one of the experiences that makes PASS unique.
One event that perfectly captures PASS's approach to music is ALL VINYL, held once a month. On this day, every track is played exclusively on vinyl records. From the moment the stylus touches the record to the distinctive texture of analog sound, it offers a listening experience found only on vinyl. Whether you're a longtime vinyl enthusiast or discovering analog records for the first time, it's an opportunity to experience their unique appeal.
The song you're meant to discover today may be waiting on the turntable.
ALL VINYL is held once a month, with every track played exclusively on vinyl.
The drinks are just as thoughtfully considered as the music itself.The cocktail menu, developed under the supervision of one of Japan's leading bartenders, ranges from timeless classics to original creations. Among the most popular is a martini made with cold-brew coffee. Combining the rich aroma of coffee with elegant sweetness and a refreshing hint of lemon, it's the perfect companion for taking your time with the music.
Another favorite is the smoky lemon sour made with mezcal. Its refreshing citrus notes are followed by mezcal's distinctive smoky finish, giving the drink a character all its own.The wine list features natural wines selected by a sommelier, giving guests the pleasure of choosing a glass to suit both the music and the mood.
There is no single "correct" way to spend time at PASS.Some guests settle into the sweet spot at the counter and lose themselves in the music. Others enjoy conversation with friends over a drink. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome whenever seats are available. The hours between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. tend to be more relaxed, making them an ideal time for a first visit.
The sound, the music selection, the space, and the drinks all come together with one shared purpose: to help people love music even more. If you're looking for a bar in Shibuya where you can truly enjoy music, PASS is well worth a visit.
A signature martini made with cold-brew coffee, combining rich coffee aromas with elegant sweetness and a refreshing hint of lemon. ¥1,600
A selection of natural wines chosen by a sommelier. Glass from ¥1,400 / Bottles from ¥15,000.
A smoky lemon sour made with mezcal, combining refreshing lemon notes with a lingering smoky finish. ¥1,300
The information in this article is current as of August 20, 2026 (at the time of publication).
