Tokyo’s Book Town: Jinbōchō

Published on 2024-06-04

Each neighborhood in Tokyo has something special about it, and Jinbōchō, located in Chiyoda, is no different. Often referred to as ‘Book Town’, Jinbōchō is home to a large number of used-book stores and publishing houses. It is considered the biggest used book district in the world. Initially just loved by both young and old locals for its nice atmosphere and hidden gems, the area is increasingly becoming popular with curious tourists as well.

From shops filled with vintage magazines to those specializing in vintage foreign books, you will easily want to spend a few hours browsing and flicking through the amazing collections. If you are short on time, here are just some of the places you should visit.

Best Book Shops

This 125-year-old shop is not only known for its history but also for its collection of used medical, art, and literature books. Although a large majority of the books sold here are in Japanese, there are some available in other languages. This store prides itself on selling high-quality books for an affordable price. They even have a buy-and-sell service, so if you have a valuable book to give away, they may take it out of your hands.

There are a few different Sawaguchi book stores. At all three, you will find an impressive stock of Japanese publications as well as some rare and out-of-print manga. Make sure to pay a visit to this particular Sawaguchi Book Store, as there is a reading corner upstairs with chairs and a vending machine where you can sit, read, and watch the world go by.

Shosen Grande is one of the biggest bookstores in the area. Although the store mainly specializes in transport, spirituality, and science books, you will also find a bunch of comics, light novels, and Japanese idol goods. If that wasn’t enough, there is even a section filled with just board games. You will definitely need an hour or so if you are wanting to thoroughly browse each of the seven floors.

The Bohemian’s Guild is for those who love contemporary art, design, philosophy, and film. Inside, you are met with a curated collection of rare books as well as an upstairs gallery where you can see special exhibitions and original artwork.

With its vibrant yellow exterior, Magnif is a store dedicated to those who love fashion and lifestyle magazines. By stocking past and present issues of Japanese and international publications, you can see firsthand the history and impact such magazines hold. Although some of these magazines are on the more expensive side, costing anywhere between ¥1,200 and ¥10,000, they are hard to get a hold of anywhere else.

If you aren’t looking for any particular book genre and just want to explore, then you should head to Kenju Bookstore. Besides its cute cat logo, this store offers a mix of new magazines, movie pamphlets, fantasy literature, children’s books, and much more. It is worth mentioning that every item is pre-wrapped, meaning that you can’t browse through the pages inside the store.

Film buffs and collectors will want to stop by Vintage Jinbocho. This small store has an incredible collection of over 20,000 items, including vintage film posters, magazines, and books from all around the world.

For fans of music, this book shop is for you. Bunken Rock Side is a buy-and-sell shop filled with vintage rock and fashion magazines, idol books, and other publications relating to different subcultures.

Other Shops & Cafes

You won’t just find used-book stores in Jinbōchō but a handful of stationery shops and cozy cafes. One place that offers the best of both is Bumpodo. This store is hard to miss, given that the entrance has a giant cat’s face on it.

As soon as you step inside, there are shelves and shelves of unique goods, including but not limited to postcards, stamps, and book covers. The aesthetic of the store and the products themselves have both a Japanese and European influence to them. Those who are looking for one-of-a-kind gifts to take home will definitely want something here.

If you head up to the 3rd floor, you will come across the Gallery Cafe. At this spacious and bright cafe, you can enjoy a coffee, cake, or sandwich while reading your favourite book. Like the name of the cafe suggests, here you can browse and even buy some artwork.

Although one of the most popular items is the fruit sandwich set, you can also choose something savory, such as an egg or ham and cheese. A sandwich and drink set costs ¥1,200, a fair price for the portion size and relaxing atmosphere.

Another shop that has its own cafe inside is Kitazawa Bookstore. This bookstore which sells foreign books, is arguably the most famous in the whole neighborhood. Upon entering, you will instantly be surrounded by a vast collection of English children’s books. In the middle of this floor is the Book House Cafe where you can sit among the books and enjoy some coffee, pastries, and light eats.

Once you head to the second floor, you are met with the most beautiful display on secondhand and vintage books. Stepping inside this room makes you feel as though you have entered an old library in Europe. All the shelves are packed tightly with English books from all around the world. From classics to short stories, there are so many to choose from.

If you are looking for somewhere to chill, read, or do a bit of work, then Book Café Work may be a good choice. In this multi-purpose facility, you can have a drink and read one of the many books on display. You may just find your next read in here too.

A Book Hotel for Those Who Want to Stay

For those who can’t get enough of Jinbōchō and don’t want to leave, why not stay at the Book Hotel? This quaint hotel has increasingly become well-known, especially on social media, for its cool concept and incredible library.