Yokohama is a "self-contained" music city where you don't need to go to Tokyo
To you who are looking for band members in Yokohama, I want to tell you something first. "You can complete your band activities within Yokohama without having to go to Tokyo."
I'm someone who has been in a band based in Tokyo, but Yokohama has everything you need — live houses, practice studios, jam session venues, and a community where you can find band mates. Moreover, they're concentrated in areas within walking distance of each other — Kannai, Noge, and Sakuragicho — so you won't end up scattered like in Tokyo where "the studio is in Shimokitazawa, the live house is in Shinjuku, and the member's apartment is in Nerima."
Yokohama's music scene has a unique atmosphere. Just as Yuzu took flight across Japan from the streets of Isezakicho in Yokohama, and Crazy Ken Band transformed the scent of Motomachi, Yokohama into music, this town has a culture of "creating music born here and performing it here." A genuine Yokohama band scene exists, not a copy of Tokyo.
This article thoroughly explains concrete methods to find band members in Yokohama, along with area-by-area live house and practice studio information. Our previous area-by-area guides for Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya didn't touch on Yokohama, but this city, despite being in the Tokyo area, deserves to be discussed on its own as a place with its own unique scene.
Yokohama Band Activities — Understanding the Music Scene by the Numbers
"Band member recruitment" refers to the activity of recruiting musicians for specific missing parts or roles in your band. Methods vary widely, from posting on SNS and recruitment websites to calling out at live houses and making connections at jam session events. So how blessed an environment is Yokohama for member recruitment? Let's check the numbers.
| Metric | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yokohama City Population | Approximately 3.77 million | Japan's largest city. The city alone rivals Sapporo + Fukuoka combined |
| Live Houses and Live Bars | 50+ locations | Concentrated in Kannai, Noge, and Sakuragicho areas |
| Yokohama Jazz Promenade | 100,000+ visitors annually | Japan's largest citizen jazz festival (since 1993) |
| Practice Studios | 30+ locations | Major chains and local shops around Yokohama and Kannai stations |
| Musical Instrument Shops | 15+ stores | Well-stocked with major brands like Shimamura, Ishibashi, and Kurosawa |
The population of 3.77 million doesn't match Tokyo's 23 wards (approximately 9.8 million), but it significantly exceeds Osaka (approximately 2.76 million) and Nagoya (approximately 2.33 million). The pool of potential member candidates is large, and you can reach Tokyo in just 30 minutes by train. Yokohama residents have a geographic advantage unique to other cities — they can search for members in both Yokohama and Tokyo.
Five Methods to Find Band Members in Yokohama
First, let's organize the concrete means of finding band members in Yokohama.
1. Use Member Recruitment Websites and Apps
This is the most convenient and efficient method. With Membo, you can narrow down and view member recruitment postings for Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama City in a list. You can specify genre, instrument part, and age group, so you can search precisely for things like "Yokohama × Rock × Bass wanted."
Yokohama, with its population second only to Tokyo, has plenty of member recruitment posts. As discussed in Common Traits of People Who Can't Find Band Members, if you keep thinking "a better opportunity might come up soon," you'll never take action. If something interests you, contact them immediately. That's the golden rule.
Member Recruitment Service Comparison for Yokohama
| Service | Features | Yokohama Postings | Multilingual Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membo | Location × Genre × Instrument filtering, 8-language real-time translation chat | Supported | ★★★ 8 languages |
| OURSOUNDS | Long-established bulletin board format. Many posts, easy to browse | Many | × |
| with9 | SNS-style. Profile-focused matching | Moderate | × |
| Band Member Recruitment BBS | Anonymous bulletin board. Easy to post casually | Few | × |
| Jimoty | Community-focused. Band information mixed with other content | Moderate | × |
Many foreign musicians also live in Yokohama. Membo's 8-language translation chat is the only service that lets you search for members beyond language barriers. It solves the problem of "the genre and music style match, but we can't communicate." For details, see Membo's 8-language Real-time Translation Chat.
2. Attend Live Houses
Yokohama's live houses are concentrated in Kannai, Noge, and Sakuragicho. Unlike Tokyo, you don't need to transfer between multiple train lines. The ability to casually drop by a live show on your way home from work is Yokohama's strength in the band scene.
Go to a live featuring a band in your favorite genre and approach them after the show. Starting with "That was amazing!" is the same whether in Yokohama or Tokyo. There are also many instances where members of a co-billing band might say, "Our guitarist is leaving, do you know anyone?" and give you a referral.
3. Participate in Jam Session Events
Yokohama is famous as a jazz city, but rock and blues jam sessions are also popular. You can enjoy blues and rock sessions at Stormy Monday in Kannai, jazz sessions at Jazz Spot Dolphy in Noge, and cross-genre sessions at BLUES ETTE in Hakugan.
As written in Complete Guide for Beginners to Join a Band, jam sessions are places where you instinctively know "I want to play with this person." Yokohama offers abundant opportunities for this.
4. Practice Studio Bulletin Boards and Communities
Major studios like Studio Penta Yokohama and Cloud Nine Studio Yokohama West have member recruitment bulletin boards in their lobbies. If people use the same studio, there's no conflict about practice space, and you naturally become acquainted.
5. Musical Instrument Shop Events and Workshops
Shimamura Gakki LaLaport Yokohama and Ishibashi Gakki Yokohama irregularly hold workshops and mini jam session events. In addition to buying instruments, participating in these events makes it easier to find people who share your interests.
Kannai — The Heart of Yokohama's Band Scene
If you're going to be in a band in Yokohama, you have to know Kannai first. Centered on Kannai Station (served by JR Negishi Line and Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line), this is the area where Yokohama's representative live houses are concentrated.
Yokohama BAYSIS
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Standing room approximately 300 |
| Genre | Rock, punk, alternative, indie music |
| Location | Sunsun Bldg. 2F/B1, 3-25 Tokiwacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama |
| Access | 5 min walk from JR Kannai Station / 3 min walk from Yokohama Municipal Subway Kannai Station |
| Official Website | yokohamabaysis.com |
An indispensable live house when discussing Yokohama's indie scene. Two-floor configuration with the basement as the main stage and the second floor for acoustic and DJ event spaces. Known as a gateway for young bands, many bands have launched to national prominence from here. The booking staff are considerate, and connections naturally form between bands. If you mention you're looking for members, you might get referrals from regular bands.
F.A.D YOKOHAMA (Flower and Dragon)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Standing room approximately 380 / Seating approximately 70 |
| Genre | Rock, pop, multi-genre |
Location| 1F Layton House, 168-1 Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama | |
| Access | 5 min walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Minato Mirai Line) / 15 min walk from JR Kannai Station |
| Official Website | fad-music.com |
Opened in 1996, the name comes from "Flower And Dragon." It's a full-fledged live house with 380 capacity in a location true to Yokohama, right near Yamashita Park. It features a wide range of acts from major labels to indies, and is popular as a venue for self-produced events. It's worth trying to apply for a show here after mastering the basics of booking mentioned in How to Perform at Live Houses.
yokohama 7th AVENUE
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Standing room approximately 250 |
| Genre | Rock, punk, metal, indie |
| Location | B1, 112-11 Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama |
| Access | 5 min walk from JR Kannai Station / 7 min walk from Nihondori Station (Minato Mirai Line) |
| Official Website | 7th AVENUE Official |
Opened in 1985, one of Yokohama's oldest live houses with over 40 years of history. Located right next to Yokohama Stadium, it has launched countless young rock bands as a gateway. When you become a regular here, you become a "face" in Yokohama's band scene. The stage is also appealing for its ability to accommodate ensembles of up to 8 people.
Yokohama B.B.STREET
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Seating approximately 60 / Standing room approximately 120 |
| Genre | Jazz, blues, rock, pop |
| Location | CERTE 12F, 3-33 Masugocho, Naka Ward, Yokohama |
| Access | 0 min walk from JR Kannai Station North Exit |
| Official Website | bbstreet.com |
A live house on the 12th floor of a building, earning the nickname "the live house closest to heaven." Opened in 1997, its greatest advantage is the accessibility from Kannai Station North Exit — 0 minutes walk. Professional and indie performances are held daily with a wide range of genres. You can view Mount Fuji during the day and Yokohama's night view at night, a space unique to other venues. Participating in open mic events here promises cross-genre encounters.
LIVE CAFE Stormy Monday
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 50 |
| Genre | Blues, rock, fusion |
| Location | 2F Dai-3 Yachida Bldg., 1-3-3 Okachoji, Naka Ward, Yokohama |
| Access | 4 min walk from JR Kannai Station South Exit |
| Official Website | stormymonday.jp |
A blues and rock live cafe opened in 1992. You can enjoy homemade pizza and organic ingredient menus while experiencing live music. It's a concentrated space where blues and rock enthusiasts gather. When you become a regular here, blues band mates naturally find you. Sessions nights are also held, with many encounters beginning from impromptu participation.
Noge and Sakuragicho — A Town of Jazz, Alcohol, and Music
Five minutes on foot from Sakuragicho Station. Noge is Yokohama's premier drinking district with over 600 restaurants packed in. But Noge's charm isn't limited to bars. Jazz and blues are woven into the fabric of this town. Every October, the "Yokohama Jazz Promenade" turns Noge area shops into simultaneous live venues. Music has become part of the town itself — a place where musicians naturally meet.
Jazz Spot Dolphy
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 50 seats |
| Genre | Jazz |
Location| 2F Dai-ichi Nishimura Bldg., 2-17-4 Miyagawamachi, Naka Ward, Yokohama | |
| Access | 6 min walk from JR Sakuragicho Station / 3 min walk from Keikyu Hinodecho Station |
| Official Website | dolphy-jazzspot.com |
Born in Motomachi, Yokohama in 1980 and relocated to Noge in 1990, it's a longtime fixture of the Yokohama jazz scene. The interior unified in wood provides wonderful sound resonance, welcoming performers from jazz legends to up-and-coming musicians. If you're looking to meet jazz musicians, we recommend becoming a regular here first. There are also many session opportunities.
Thumbs Up
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 100 |
| Genre | Rock, pop, jazz, multi-genre |
| Location | 3F Sotetsu Movil, 2-1-22 Minamisachi, Nishi Ward, Yokohama |
| Access | 5 min walk from JR Yokohama Station West Exit |
| Official Website | stovesyokohama.com |
A live bar and restaurant near Yokohama Station West Exit. You can enjoy live music while eating homemade hamburger buns — a sophisticated Yokohama-style space. Live performances of various genres are held daily, and you can casually enjoy live music while dining, making it recommended even for those who find traditional live houses intimidating. Meeting someone here and forming a band is not uncommon.
JAM THE SECOND
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 40 |
| Genre | Jazz, pop, folk |
| Location | 2-68-4 Hanasaki, Naka Ward, Yokohama |
| Access | 3 min walk from JR Sakuragicho Station |
| Official Website | jam-second.com |
A live studio operated by Yokohama Jam Music Academy. As the in-house venue of a long-established music school that has been promoting music in Yokohama since 1978, it features a full-fledged space equipped with grand piano, PA equipment, and LED lighting. Jazz performances and sessions are held monthly, providing opportunities to connect with academy students and alumni. The 3-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station is also appealing.
Yokohama Practice Studios — Fewer Options Than Tokyo, But Better Value
Yokohama doesn't have as many studios as Tokyo, but the major chains have good coverage, so you won't have problems. Using the criteria presented in How to Choose a Band Practice Studio, here are Yokohama's main studios.
Studio Penta Yokohama
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Rooms | 6 rooms |
| Business Hours | 10:00-24:00 (24-hour service available) |
Location| I's BLDG, 2-20-1 Minamisachi, Nishi Ward, Yokohama | |
| Access | 5 min walk from JR Yokohama Station West Exit |
| Official Website | studiopenta.jp |
A major nationwide chain. Individual rooms divided by concept with unique character are its hallmark, and Wi-Fi is included. The covered entrance makes equipment loading easy even on rainy days. Personal practice reservations are available from 22:00 the previous day, allowing you to make effective use of spare time.
Cloud Nine Studio Yokohama West
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Rooms | 6 rooms (12-20 tatami mats) |
| Band Practice | ¥1,700-2,800/hour |
| Personal Practice | ¥800-1,200/hour |
| Business Hours | Weekdays 10:00 to next 6:30am / Weekends/Holidays 9:00 to next 6:30am |
Location| 2-20-4 Minamisachi, Nishi Ward, Yokohama | |
| Access | 5 min walk from JR Yokohama Station |
| Official Website | cloud-9-studio.com |
A local chain operating mainly in Kanagawa. In addition to Yokohama West, there's also Yokohama North, allowing you to alternate between two locations around Yokohama Station. Operating late into the night and early morning means you can practice even after a late day at work — a relief for working musicians.
Yokohama vs. Tokyo Practice Studio Price Comparison
| Item | Yokohama (Cloud Nine) | Tokyo (Noah Shinjuku) |
|---|---|---|
| Band Practice (2 hours) | ¥3,400-5,600 | ¥4,400-7,200 |
| Personal Practice (1 hour) | ¥800-1,200 | ¥900-1,400 |
| Per person (2 hours, 4 people) | ¥850-1,400 | ¥1,100-1,800 |
| Late-Night Service | Until 6:30am next day | Until 6:00am (varies by location) |
Yokohama studio rates are about 70-80% of Tokyo's. As mentioned in The Reality of Band Activity Costs, the difference in studio fees alone amounts to over ¥10,000 annually when practicing twice monthly. This savings allows you to increase practice frequency — a clear advantage of Yokohama.
Sessions and Jam Events — Yokohama is More Than Just "The Jazz City"
Yokohama has a strong image as "the jazz city." Indeed, "Yokohama Jazz Promenade," held every October, is Japan's largest citizen jazz festival, with halls in Minato Mirai and Kannai, plus live houses and bars in Noge all becoming venues simultaneously. During this period, the entire city is wrapped in music, and it's the perfect place for musicians to meet.
But Yokohama's jam session scene is more than just jazz.
- LIVE CAFE Stormy Monday — Blues and rock sessions. Open jam session nights with walk-in participation welcome
- Jazz Spot Dolphy — Jazz sessions. Opportunities for collaboration with professional musicians
- BLUES ETTE (Hakugan) — Sessions covering jazz, Latin, and bossa nova. Near Hakugan Station on the Toyoko Line
- Kikuna JAM (Kikuna) — 365 days a year jam sessions. Host members are in residence daily
As written in Is There Really a Shortage of Drummers?, frequenting jam sessions naturally leads to hearing "we need drums" or "looking for bass." Yokohama's jam scene isn't as huge as Tokyo's, but for that reason, you become familiar faces with other musicians faster. After a few visits, people will start saying "oh, you're back again" and strike up conversations with you.
First Time at a Jam Session — Preparation Guide for Jumping Into Yokohama
How to Start Jam Sessions explains this in detail, but if you're participating in a jam session for the first time in Yokohama, just preparing these minimum things should suffice.
Packing List:
- Your instrument (guitarists and bassists just need the body + cable, as amps are provided)
- Drummers should bring sticks; keyboardists should confirm if a keyboard is available beforehand
- Tuner (smartphone app is fine)
- Session fee (¥1,500-2,500 is standard, usually includes one drink)
Standard Jam Session Songs (Good to Know):
- Blues-Style: Slow blues in Key of A, shuffle in Key of E (Stormy Monday standard)
- Jazz-Style: Autumn Leaves, Fly Me to the Moon, Blue Bossa (Dolphy standard)
- Rock-Style: Stand By Me, Johnny B. Goode, Route 66
You don't need to play perfectly. The purpose of a jam session is "enjoying making music together." The host band leads, so you can participate just by following the chord progression. What matters is actually going and trying it.
Famous Bands and Artists From/Connected to Yokohama
How much of a music city Yokohama is becomes clear when you look at the roster of artists born there.
| Artist Name | Connection to Yokohama | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Yuzu | From Isogo Ward, Yokohama. Achieved national recognition through street performances in Isezakicho | Folk/Pop |
| Crazy Ken Band | Yokoyama Ken is from Yokohama. Formed at Italian Garden in Motomachi in 1997 | Rock/Soul/City Pop |
| GODIEGO | Mickey Yoshino is from Yokohama | Rock/Fusion |
| Princess Princess | Tomita Kyoko is from Totsuka Ward, Yokohama | Girls Rock |
| Hata Motohiro | Resides in Yokohama. Refined his skills at live houses including 7th AVENUE | Singer-Songwriter |
Yuzu and Crazy Ken Band especially turned Yokohama's atmosphere directly into music. Yuzu members Kitagawa Yujin and Iwasawa Atsushi are from the same middle school in Isogo, Yokohama. They started street performances in front of Matsuzakaya in Isezakicho, and at their final street performance, over 7,000 people gathered in a typhoon — a legendary feat. Crazy Ken Band's Yokoyama Ken formed the band in Motomaki, Yokohama, and is known for songs that carry "the scent of Yokohama" like "Tiger & Dragon" and "GT."
What they prove is that you can deliver music across the nation from Yokohama without having to go to Tokyo.
Overall Cost Picture of Band Activities in Yokohama
The Reality of Band Activity Costs and How to Find Band Members in Osaka break down costs for various cities, so here's the Yokohama version.
| Item | Monthly Budget (Yokohama) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Costs (2x/month, 2 hours) | ¥1,700-2,800 | Per person when split 4 ways |
| Live Performances (1x/month) | ¥3,000-8,000 | When subject to ticket quota system |
| Transportation | ¥2,000-5,000 | Less if living in Yokohama |
| Strings and Consumables | ¥1,000-3,000 | Guitar strings, plan for monthly changes |
| Afterparties and Social Costs | ¥3,000-5,000 | Noge has cheap, delicious restaurants |
| Total | ¥10,700-23,800 | ¥2,000-5,000 cheaper than Tokyo |
Band activity costs in Yokohama are about 80-90% of Tokyo's. Not a huge difference, but the point is you can complete activities within Yokohama. Without the transportation costs and travel time to Tokyo, you save thousands monthly and hours of your time, which you can dedicate to practice instead.
And above all, being able to have an afterparty in a Noge bar is a privilege of Yokohama band members. Over 600 cheap, delicious restaurants. That one drink after a band session becomes your next motivation.
Yokohama vs. Tokyo vs. Osaka — Comparing Member-Searching Environments
Combined with Area-by-Area Guides for Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya and How to Find Band Members in Osaka, let's compare the member-finding environments of these three cities.
| Item | Yokohama | Tokyo | Osaka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abundance of Member Candidates | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Studio Pricing | ★★★★ (70-80% of Tokyo) | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Number of Live Houses | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Ease of Movement | ★★★★★ (walking distance in Kannai) | ★★★ (scattered across wide area) | ★★★★ (concentrated in Shinsaibashi) |
| Value for Money | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Access to Tokyo Area | ★★★★★ (30 minutes) | — | ★★ (2.5 hours by bullet train) |
| Jazz and Session Culture | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
Yokohama's greatest strength is the geographic advantage of "searching for members in both Yokohama and Tokyo." If you don't find someone in Yokohama, you can head to Tokyo jam sessions, and you can tell people you found in Tokyo that "Yokohama is just 30 minutes away by train." Osaka and Nagoya don't have this flexibility.
On the other hand, Osaka has unbeatable value. Studio rates and drink prices are cheaper than Yokohama. Tokyo's strength is its overwhelming range of options. What you prioritize determines your choice of base city.
Conclusion — Yokohama is the "Just Right" City for Musicians
Yokohama is neither as massive as Tokyo nor limited in options like regional cities. For musicians, it's the "just right" city, I believe.
With live houses concentrated in Kannai, immersing yourself in jazz and blues in Noge, practicing in Sakuragicho studios, and finding members around Yokohama Station — everything happens within walking distance or 1-2 train stops. This is Yokohama's strength over Tokyo.
And this city has the track record proven by Yuzu and Crazy Ken Band: "from Yokohama to the nation." As written in Guides for Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Sendai, music rooted in a place is strong. If you can transform Yokohama's identity directly into your music, you'll have a unique band that no one else can replicate.
Your first step in finding members is to check Membo's Yokohama member recruitment postings. Once you find candidates online, reach out immediately. And visit live houses in Kannai and Noge. Yokohama's music scene is closer than you think.
Now go find your perfect band mates in Yokohama.
