Nagoya Dining

When you think of music in Japan, it is hard to get past the idea of uber-cute J-Pop idols, adorably non-threatening boy bands, and the bright insanity of gravity-defying-haired Visual Kei bands. However, scratch past that (admittedly voluminous and ubiquitous) surface, and you will find that Nagoya has a varied and eclectic music scene. One musical genre particularly well-represented is Jazz, and if you want to get your groove on, below are a few concert venues to get you started. Jazz Inn Lovely The original Jazz Inn Lovely opened in 1970 and featured local Nagoya musicians, with monthly guest appearances from Tokyo. With the performances of Japanese jazz luminaries, including Sadao Watanabe, Masaaki Kikuchi, Akimasa Hino, and Yosuke Yamashita, Jazz Inn Lovely soon outgrew its environs and moved to its current location near Hisaya Dori station (next to Keg Craft Beer bar). Soon, international stars graced the stage, filling the room with the sounds of Junior Month, Max Roach, Anita Oday, Earl Hines, John Lewis, Al Korn, and Zoot Sims, amongst others. However, it has stuck to its roots, maintaining a roster of great local talent to this day, and seven nights a week, you can catch a fantastic live…