Tokyo’s music cafés take centre stage in A Century in Sound documentary

A Century in Sound is a documentary that speaks directly to those who care deeply about how and why we listen.

Directed by New Zealand filmmaker Nick Dwyer and filmed over a decade, the six-part series tells the story of Tokyo through its “ongaku kissa”; the city’s music cafés that have shaped how generations experience sound.

Each episode explores a different era, from the classical “meikyoku kissa” of the 1920s to the jazz and rock cafes that defined later decades.

American filmmaker Roman Coppola (son of The Godfather director, Francis Ford Coppola) also joined the project as Executive Producer, adding momentum to its growing global profile.

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The documentary records the actual music played through each venue’s soundsystem, giving audiences a sense of what it truly feels like to sit in these intimate spaces.

“All of the music you hear throughout the series is recorded in the environments, with records playing through their systems as they would in real time,” Dwyer told Mixmag Asia. “We wanted to deliver a visceral sense of how unique and special this culture is.”

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He adds that the film isn’t just about nostalgia, but also holds a message to today’s DJs, curators, and producers.

“I hope that people will watch A Century in Sound and see that the culture goes much deeper than just aesthetics,” Dwyer said. “These men and women have dedicated their lives to creating an environment where their systems unlock the full emotional potential of recorded music. Ordinary records become extraordinary and extraordinary records become transcendent.”

A Century in Sound will be presented at Potato Head Bali's Klymax as part of its Movie Night programme on November 5, offering audiences a full audiovisual screening through a high-fidelity soundsystem, plus a Q&A session with Nick Dwyer.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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