Nujabes is no longer with us, but his music continues to mend our souls. If you’re in Tokyo or ever find yourself there, here are some special ways in which you can pay tribute to the legend.

Jun Seba, who went by the stage name Nujabes, was a Japanese DJ and record producer, perhaps best known as the man behind the soundtracks to the hit anime series Samurai Champloo. I first came across his music when I was 16, owing to a YouTube video carrying a message to the depressed. While the music used in that video wasn’t created by Nujabes, it was a tribute to him. It was an ethereal track with a plaintive melody line, featuring reversed samples of a lot of sounds that I can’t quite recognise, but I didn’t need to know what the sounds were in order for them to tug at my heartstrings. Naturally, I found myself wanting to listen to the person for whom this tribute was made. I looked up Nujabes on YouTube and here was music that sounded nothing like the cheesy love songs or the dubstep bangers I used to listen to. This was my introduction to jazz and hiphop before I used to listen to either of those genres. What I liked most about Nujabes’ music was how successfully he could tread between melancholy and hope. His music was for me the musical equivalent of a cloud with a silver lining.

Unfortunately, he is no longer. He passed away in an accident in 2010, but his music and his influence has only spread wider over the years. There are, however, those of us who don’t just enjoy listening to him, but also find strength and hope in his music. It’s a shame the there is no way we can thank him personally, and perhaps the best we can do is share and enjoy his music. But if you’re in Tokyo or ever find yourself there, here are three things you can do to pay your respects to the legend in a special way.

Visit Usagi, a ramen shop started by Nujabes and his brother

Usagi Ramen (not to be confused with a nearby restaurant also called Usagi) is a small-size ramen shop tucked away in the back alleys of Shibuya. It was started 11 years ago by Nujabes and his younger brother, Nao. The easiest way to get to Usagi is to get off at Shibuya Station and get out through the Hachiko Exit. Then head to Shibuya109, which should be visible soon after you get out the Hachiko Exit, but in the unlikely scenario where you completely miss this collosus of a shopping mall, a ‘sumimasen’ to the person nearest to you, followed by a “Shibuya109 doko?” should get you moving in the right direction. From there onwards, the directions are pretty straightforward.

If you managed to get to the right place, you should be able to see this:

What are you waiting for? Walk right in.

Chances are that you’ll hear some Nujabes tunes as soon as you enter. Insert some yen into the order machine at the entrance and choose the ramen of your liking (I recommend the tantanmen). Give your order slip to one of the workers, grab a seat and take in the atmosphere. You’ll see men hard at work at the cooking station on the left side and customers slurping ramen on the counters on the right. On the far right corner of the shop, you can find a signed poster of Nujabes’ studio. If you go to the bathroom, you will see a scanned copy of the handwritten lyrics to Luv(sic) Part 2 (feat. Shing02), which happens to be my favorite of the Luv(sic) hexalogy.

As a memento, you can also purchase an official Usagi Ramen shirt to take back home. I bought one myself, and it has been a great conversation starter, although everyone always assumes I work at some restaurant called Usagi.

I went to Usagi Ramen twice in my four-day-long stay in Tokyo, and during my second visit, I was able to meet Nao-san, Nujabes’ younger brother. Here’s a translated version of of a little interview I did with him.

Nao-san, when did you start this ramen shop and why did you name your shop Usagi?

I started this shop with Nujabes about 11 years ago. We named it Usagi because we wanted the shop to jump up like a rabbit and rise through the ranks.

I hear some really cool Nujabes mixes playing here. Can they be found online?

Probably not. They are original, unreleased mixes made by Nujabes’ friends and I don’t think they can be found online.

I hear that you organize a Nujabes tribute concert every year. Is that true?

Yes, we’ve been organizing a tribute concert every single year in Tokyo, usually on his death anniversary, give or take a few days.

*awkward silence*

Want to take a picture together outside?

Yes!

Visit Tower Records, Shibuya

Tower Records is a must-visit for anyone who truly loves music. It’s a nine-storey building that’s chockablock with a minbendingly large collection of CDs and books, and it’s one of the few stores that are still standing strong in the face of the digital music industry. I’d be surprised if they don’t have a record you’re looking for. There’s also a cafe on the top floor and a live-music event space underground.

Fans of Nujabes, however, can find a special treat here. An entire shelf on the sixth floor is dedicated to Nujabes’s works!

You can use the headset at the shelf to listen to all his work, but chances are that you are already familiar with them and know exactly which album you want. Prices range from 2400 yen to 3000 yen per CD. On the lower section of the shelves, you can find albums by some other artists who create music similar to Nujabes’.

Leave some flowers at Nujabes’ grave

This might sound somewhat weird, but it’s normal in Japan and in many other countries for people to visit the graves of people who have influenced them to pay their respects, often by leaving flowers or coins.

Nujabes was buried in Tama Cemetery, the largest municipal cemetery in Japan. It goes without saying that it’s important to gauge the atmosphere and behave accordingly and appropriately at a cemetery. Details can be found here.

Of course, carrying out either of the three activities would require you to be in Tokyo, and given Nujabes’ increasingly wide acclaim, especially in countries other than Japan, I’m sure there are many of us who may never be able to do even one of the three things, but that shouldn’t dishearten you. Needless to say, having done any of the above will not make you any bigger a fan than the person who listens to Nujabes while doing their homework. To dedicate even the slightest bit of your time and attention to listening to his music is in my opinion the most powerful and personal thing you can do to thank him. May his soul rest in beats.

“Music is mine Music is yours World is mine And world is yours Music is love” — Nujabes