Sandwiched between two of Jimbocho’s more than a hundred secondhand bookshops, Yon is a four-floor hideout where food, art and music intersect. The name itself nods to the owner’s lucky number, four, while the kanji 肆 above the front door conveys both ‘store’ and a relaxed sense of ‘doing as you please’.
The first-floor bar is where you’ll find the restaurant’s signature dishes, including its standout mackerel curry – a contender in the 2025 Kanda Curry Grand Prix happening this autumn. The curry draws inspiration from West Indian cooking but is uniquely Tokyo, flavoured with seafood dashi, miso and mackerel. Lunchtime sees hearty set meals, while dinner leans more toward shareable plates such as spicy vegetable and meat dishes and mackerel rillettes. Coffee is served throughout the day, making it just as easy to drop by for a quiet afternoon break.
The drinks list also includes Japanese craft beers, including Yona Yona Ale and one more rotating domestic brew. After dark, head down to the music-focused jikkenba (experimental lab) on the basement floor, where selectors regularly host listening events on large, dual-firing hi-fi Avant-Garde speakers. The sound system was designed by DJ Moodman, a key figure in Tokyo’s underground scene since the late ’80s, and all components of the sound system, including the turntables and amps, were hand-picked by the DJ and the owner.
The listening room, as well as the art gallery on the second floor with frequent exhibitions, make Yon an intimate gathering spot for art and audiophiles alike. With its blend of curry culture and constant rotation of local DJs and artists, it’s the place to be if you’re looking to immerse yourself in local music and arts.
Music charge applies in the listening room: ¥1,000-¥2,000 during events, ¥500 at regular times after 5pm.