Ara

Tokyo-born selector and record buyer Ara has spent their life chasing sound — from deep house dance floors to the warm glow of vintage jazz. At Vinylspot Rotterdam and their Tokyo jazz kissa Silencio, they curate music as atmosphere: textured, intimate, and deeply human. Guided by instinct and devotion, Ara turns listening into a kind of storytelling.

Can you tell me a bit about where you’re from and how you grew up?

I’m from the east side of Tokyo — an area where there’s really nothing much going on. When I was a kid, I got into alternative rock with my brothers. We’d listen to all kinds of bands, mostly from the UK and the US. That’s probably where my habit of chasing new sounds began.

What role did music play in your life as a kid or teenager?

It was the best way to escape reality. Whenever things felt dull or too ordinary, music gave me another world to disappear into.

What kinds of spaces or scenes have shaped your taste and approach to music?
There weren’t many people around me with a similar taste in music, so I learned by myself. I kept going to record stores, buying whatever looked interesting, checking it out, then repeating the process. That routine of exploring, listening, and learning shaped everything about how I approach music now.

How did you get started in the world of records and DJing?
The first time I went to a club, I decided I wanted to become a DJ. I was about sixteen. Everything about that place; the sound, the people, the feeling, was new and exciting. Back then, DJing with records was normal, so I started buying vinyl right away. That’s how it all began.

What kind of DJ were you? What kind of atmosphere were you trying to create on the dance floor?
I mainly played deep house. I wasn’t really a “party” person. I wasn’t there to make people jump around. I wanted everyone to get lost in the sound, to feel completely absorbed by it.

When did you first realize that music was more than a hobby for you?
Probably when I started spending most of my income on records. That’s when I knew there was no turning back.

What inspired you to open a jazz bar?
During the lockdowns for COVID, I had time to think about life and what I really wanted to do. I knew I wanted to build something around records, and Tokyo felt like the perfect place, a city full of record lovers and people who still care deeply about music as an experience. That’s how Jazz Kissa Silencio was born.

How did your past experiences shape the concept, sound, and atmosphere of Silencio?
A lot of my personal collection is old jazz, so the décor and sound system were designed to match that feeling; warm, intimate, and timeless. I wanted the space to feel like stepping inside a record itself: detailed, textured, and slightly nostalgic.

How do you curate the music and the mood? Do you play records from your own collection?
Yes, I usually play my own collection. The selection depends on the day. The weather, the temperature, the people who come in. Some nights feel like Coltrane, some nights need something more minimal or mysterious. I just follow the atmosphere.

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What’s one of the rarest or most surprising records you’ve ever come across?
TO – TO.
It’s a strange and beautiful record that caught me completely off guard. You can look it up, it’s worth discovering.

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Is there a particular record in your collection that has a personal story attached to it?
The Art Ensemble of Chicago – Fanfare for the Warriors.
That’s the record that first got me interested in jazz. It opened a door I’ve never wanted to close.

Was there ever a record you searched for endlessly? How did it feel when you finally found it (or didn’t)?
There are too many! And honestly, sometimes it’s not even satisfying when you finally find it. By the time you do, your taste has already changed. That’s part of the fun (and the curse) of collecting.

You’re also known for organizing pop-up record markets. What’s that scene like?
Yes! I started organizing pop-up record markets in Tokyo a few years ago. It’s a way to bring together collectors, DJs, and small sellers who might not have a shop of their own. It’s always inspiring. Everyone brings something unique, and you never know what you’ll find.