From its early days, both domestic and international musicians played at the Pit Inn. In 1968, for instance, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra played there.Lash, Max E. (14 July 1968) "Big Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Band Packed with Power". The Japan Times. p. 5. Other activities also took place: a photography exhibition in 1968 was an early example.Pearce, Jean (31 August 1968) "Readers' Exchange". The Japan Times. p. 5. Some of the most prominent Japanese jazz musicians played at the club early in their careers. Many continue to play there regularly, including Terumasa Hino, Sadao Watanabe and Yōsuke Yamashita. Trumpeter Hino played there in 1969.Lash, Max E. (29 December 1968) "Jazz, Groups Sounds on New Year's Eve". The Japan Times. p. 5. In 1970, the standard entrance charges were 450 Yen for the 2pm show and 500 Yen for the 7pm one, with one drink included.Lash, Max E. (19 April 1970) "Mamoru & Charles... New Record Stars??". The Japan Times. p. 6. It was described as "A comfortably dingy, often smoke-filled niche for the serious jazz fan [...] over the years it had been home to performances and recordings by some of the world's greatest jazz musicians". In January 1992, it was forced to close, as the building it was part of was being demolished.
