Technics Café Kyoto, where music meets culture

A new home for music lovers and aesthetes

In the vibrant heart of Japan, on Shijo Street in Kyoto, the Technics Café Kyoto has opened its doors and uniquely combines coffee house culture with an audiophile experience. This café, an initiative of the Panasonic Corporation, is characterized by its harmonious blend of high-quality sound enjoyment and a relaxed café atmosphere. The concept, designed by renowned architect Yusuke Seki, reflects a modern aesthetic, combining minimalist design with clean geometric shapes and a color palette dominated by subtle shades of grey.

A minimalist interior with a light color palette of grays and clean geometric shapes. | Photos: Panasonic

A showcase for high-quality sound and industrial design

The centerpiece of the café is its advanced sound system, which provides an acoustic experience of excellent quality. The space itself is an example of first-class industrial design, where modern technology meets the rawness of unadulterated materials. Technics Café Kyoto serves not only as a relaxing retreat, but also as a stage for cultural diversity and musical innovation. With events such as live performances and DJ sessions, equipped with the legendary SL-1200MK7 DJ turntables, it becomes a meeting place for fans of music and culture.

"Our aim is to make this facility a base for encounters between different people, music and culture and to create a place to enjoy new styles of music, inheriting and creating high-end audio and DJ culture for a new era," describes the Panasonic team. The first event, AUDIO LIVE vol.1, which took place on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, featured producer Naoki Tachikawa. Specially curated playlists were put together by a variety of professionals, including local record stores, promising a unique auditory journey.

Architect: Yusuke Seki

Location: 1F, Kyoto Shijo Shinmachi Building, 444 Komusutanamachi, down Nishikikoji, Shinmachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Photos: Panasonic