Japan is a bookworm’s paradise. Whether you’re after novels, comics, antiquarian prints, or just somewhere beautiful to curl up with a good book, you’ll find it there in one of the many shops and public buildings dedicated to the printed word. Ready to get turning pages?
Here’s my guide to the best bookshops, libraries and bookish spaces in Japan.
1. Koganecho Art Book Bazaar, Yokohama
Koganecho is a neighbourhood in Yokohama just south of Tokyo with a complex historical background. It has undergone visible changes as it has come to be recognized as an “Art Town” through the development of cultural activities in the city’s urban policy. The hope was that cultural and artistic activities would lead to the revitalization of the area through the power of art. Koganecho Art Book Bazaar is a testament to these efforts. This homely shop sells used books and the works of the Bazaar’s artists in residence.
You can browse through vintage Japanese magazines and film flyers, novels, postcards, art books and prints while pouring yourself a cup of coffee. The shop also offers antique children’s books, a small English section and a glimpse into Yokohama’s art scene through zines and handcrafts that were likely made by the artists in the store’s surrounding studio spaces.
2. The Nakajima Library, Akita
The Nakajima Library at Akita International University is the only library in Japan that is open 24/7 all year round. It has a collection of more than 80,000 books and multimedia resources, while its fresh take on architectural design is known far and wide as well.
Inspired by the Colosseum, the library used local Akita fir wood as its major building material, combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship to create a striking space. Its dome-shaped roof is like a traditional Japanese umbrella, providing shelter to all gathered under for a good read, and filling the air with the light woody fragrance.
3. TSUTAYA Bookstore, Nagoya
Possibly Japan’s best known and most loved bookstore, Tsutaya has several outposts throughout Tokyo, though the one most people talk about sits within Daikanyama’s hip retail destination, T-Site.But it’s my opinion that the location in Aeon Mall in Nagoya is a real showstopper and deserves some time in the limelight.
The mirrored ceiling and staircase not only make the bookshelf look massive, but also bears a slight resemblance to the infinity castle in Demon Slayer. On the first floor, the bookstore houses tomes on business, literature, and comics and on the second floor you’ll find children’s books, magazines, stationery, and of course, the mirrored bookshelf.
4. Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest, Osaka
Image Credit: Arquitectura Viva
This cultural facility has approximately 20,000 books and was designed and built by famous architect Tadao Ando. The entirety of the walls on the first to third floors are huge bookshelves displaying a variety of book covers. Books are not for checking out, but visitors can read them inside the museum or bring one with them into Nakanoshima Park, Osaka, where the facility is located.
Many visitors sit on benches by the river in the park and read while relaxing. There are some foreign titles but most books are in Japanese.
5. 絵本屋Polaris, Okinawa
Image Credit: Okinawa Times
‘Small is beautiful’, is the motto of Polaris, a small picture book shed-come-bookstore in Nago, Okinawa. The six-tatami hut built in a garden made Naoko Uehara’s wish to ‘work while raising her child’ come true. There are more than 200 picture books on display which the owner has curated based on illustration styles. The shop sometimes holds improvisational theater, exhibitions, readings and workshops in the hope that it will become a place where people can interact through culture.
6. Kadokawa Culture Centre Museum, Saitama
Image Credit:© Kadokawa Culture Museum
Opened to the public in 2020 and designed by Kengo Kuma, the Kadokawa Culture Museum contains a total of five storeys housed behind a monolithic facade. The first floor has a small library and a gallery for exhibitions while the second floor hosts a café and a shop. The third floor is dedicated in its entirety to the presentation of anime. The fourth floor contains a double-height library that can turn into a ‘bookshelf theater’. Finally, the fifth floor houses another gallery alongside a restaurant. This is the perfect place to explore on a rainy day near Tokyo for any bibliophile.
7. Bunkitsu, Tokyo
Image Credit: Go Tokyo
Roppongi’s Bunkitsu is singular in that it is a bookshop that charges an entrance fee. Another way of looking at it is that for ¥1,500, you gain access to a vast, impeccably curated private library for a whole day, plus unlimited coffee and green tea to sweeten the deal. Bunkitsu lets you purchase any titles that you fancy, or enjoy them at leisure in the sleek surroundings.For serious concentration, you can seclude yourself in a glass-partitioned room dubbed the ‘Laboratory’. The ‘library’ containing about 30,000 titles spans everything from philosophy to IT skills, and is particularly strong on art, travel and design books, image-rich genres which transcend language barriers.
8. Yusuhara Library, Kochi
Hidden within a beautiful forest in Kochi Prefecture in Shikoku is the Yusuhara Library designed by Kengo Kuma. It was only recently completed in May 2018, and is already said to be the prettiest library in Shikoku. It has made good use of its surrounding forest and was mainly built with local timber, creating an enormous reading space with high ceilings.
During the day, bright natural light can reach into the library and replace artificial lighting; at night, utilities are solar-powered. As a result, the library becomes warm and cozy, allowing readers to relax. Bookworms rejoice; here locals and foreigners alike can find a quiet respite in an equally quiet part of Japan.
9. Nanyodo Book Store, Tokyo
This bookshop is a specialist in architectural tomes and is fittingly housed within one of Jimbocho’s most striking buildings; a cubic structure embossed with concrete squares into which two street-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows are cut; one for each of the shop’s two floors. U
nlike the clutter of many Jimbocho bookshops, Nanyodo opts for neat order. A highly comprehensive selection of both Japanese and English-language books is supplemented outside by stacks of architectural magazines. Even if the wares on offer aren’t your cup of tea this bookshop is worth a browse simple to admire the sleek splendour.
10. Hakone Honbako, Kanagawa
Image Credit: Good Design Awards
Admittedly not a library nor a bookshop, Hakone Honboka (literally translated to Hakone Bookshelf) is a book hotel devoted to the needs and desires of book lovers, idyllically located in the famous mountainous hot-spring region of Hakone not far from Tokyo.
There are around 12,000 books on the premises, most which are located on the endless shelves lining the lobby. However, you’ll also find little reading nooks hidden in the corridors and a small selection of handpicked books in each of the rooms. There is also a store selling more books and book-related accessories, along with the usual travel memorabilia.
11. Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos, Gifu
Image Credit © Kai Nakamura
As hinted in its name, Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos is more than just a library: it is a multifunctional complex with lecture halls, art galleries, community centers, and more. When you enter the library the first thing you see is an expanse of ceiling decorated with bamboo lattice work. Designed by Ito Toyo with graphics and signage by Japanese graphic designer and MUJI art director Hara Kenya, the streamlined design of the entire space gives an impressive visual effect, perfect for readers to escape into another world through the written form.
12. Infinity Books, Tokyo
Located in Asakusa, Infinity Books is Tokyo’s last remaining shop specialising in used English-language books. From horror and biographies to science fiction and the occult, Infinity Books has pretty much everything. Infinity also doubles as an event space hosting live music, poetry readings, quiz nights and more (keep updated via the shop’s Facebook page). Crucially it also has a well-stocked bar of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. What is better than spending a few hours peacefully walking the aisles of this wee gem and then finishing off with a hard-earned drink?
13. Takeo City Library, Saga
Takeo City Library in Saga has been the talk of the town since opening for its simple yet charming style and unique business model. The 1st floor is managed by TSUTAYA Books and Starbucks, whereas on the 2nd floor there is a public library with a reading area. The three combine to form an innovative complex that serves its community. You can browse through the vast collection of the library, or take a look at the new arrivals in the bookshop which also stocks over 600 magazine titles. It is a well-designed space that can cater to everyone’s needs.
14. The Waseda International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library), Tokyo
Image Credit: KKAA
The Waseda International House of Literature (also known as the Haruki Murakami Library) is a library named after acclaimed author Haruki Murakami. Located in the prestigious Waseda University where he spent his young adult years, the white exterior of the building is accented by interior whimsical wooden arches. The library has a nearly complete collection of Murakami’s works, in Japanese and translated into more than 50 languages.
There are also various spaces inspired by his well-documented lifestyle, including an audio room paying homage to his avid love for music. Here you can find many of his favorites including jazz groups like Pres and Teddy. Finally, there is a re-creation of Murakami’s studio. The furniture and decorations have been individually selected to represent those in his personal study.
15. Morioka Shoten, Tokyo
Image Credit: Takram
When it comes to interesting retail concepts, Morioka Shoten surely has one of the most unique. Instead of relying on large stocklists to sustain their store, Morioka ripped up the rulebook by stocking one title at a time. Opening in 2015 in Tokyo’s Ginza district, Morioka Shoten is the world’s only one-book-bookstore, selling a single book at a time, with a new title each week. The minimal shop changes weekly to host a small exhibition and series of in-store events, encouraging visitors to explore the current title in depth. You may get lucky here and find your next favourite read.
They say that all wisdom can be found in a book which makes the above bookshops, libraries, hotels and community spaces the perfect place to dive deeper into Japanese culture. So on your next trip to Japan why not try browsing some shelves, breathe in the unmistakable scent of new and old books, take a minute to slow down and lose yourself in the pages of your chosen book.
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