On 10 October, The Independent shone the spotlight on Kobe’s northern soul scene, focusing on the Jam Jam club and the monthly Nude Restaurant event it hosts.
Founded in 1994 by Ryo Kitaaki as a sixties club night, Nude Restaurant eventually switched to northern soul—a music and dance movement originating in the north of England—after he had visited London’s 100 Club.
“During the week, I’m a salaryman”, said Izumi Sawamoto, a member of the event. “Collecting, playing and listening to music like this is a huge sense of release for me”.