Japan's 'listening lounges' offer pure music, with a side of drinks

They go by a few different names, but Japan's listening lounges are going through something of a revival. They are music bars where simply sitting and listening to records is the main attraction. In fact, some of these establishments have strict rules against conversation and other distractions like cell phone photos. It's all to maximize the listening experience, which often relies on extraordinarily expensive vintage stereo equipment that almost nobody can afford at home. The World's Matthew Bell reported this story from Tokyo last year.

This story originally aired on Feb. 25, 2025.