Sanseido 11 kanda jimbocho, chiyodaku, tokyo, japan. It takes 15 minutes to go to akihabara on foot and about 5. Take a gokart tour in tokyo where you become part of the action while dressed in your choice of costume. Jimbocho vintage book town area guide when in tokyo. Here we showcase the some of these longestablished coffee shops. On this website, you can read travel reports and discover fascinating travel routes that allow you to take in both the iconic sights of tokyo and the beautiful natural scenery and historical sites of the tohoku region.
Jimbocho, the book town jimbocho area has been called japanese quartier latin because this small area is surrounded by nearly ten universities, colleges and big vocational schools. Earlier this year i travelled to tokyo and did some bookstore tourism by visiting several bookshops in jimbocho and beyond. Jimbocho is a town in chiyoda ward, tokyo, best known as the largest book town in japan. If you re visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a japan rail pass. Known as tokyos book town, jimbocho is home to a concentration of over 170 bookshops, publishing houses, and literary societies. There are plenty of cafes around to enjoy your new tome with a coffee. Jinbocho is a reallife location located in chiyoda, tokyo, and served by the jinbocho station. Oct 11, 2017 when it comes to all things literary, however, no district is greater than jimbocho, tokyos book town. Kanda jimbocho bookstore area chiyoda 2020 all you need. Japan travel is the leading resource for japan travel information and the primary destination. To fully enjoy jimbocho, you can stay at the local hotel sakura hotel jimbocho or ochanomizu hotel shoryukan. Stores sell ancient rare used books, traditional paper, ukiyoe prints of the floating world, sumie black ink artworks entrances are often towards the north to protect paper from the sun. When it comes to all things literary, however, no district is greater than jimbocho, tokyos book town. It caters to a variety of artistic interests and is well situated in central tokyo for fast and easy access to other entertainments.
Anegawa book store 22 kanda jimbocho, chiyodaku, tokyo, japan today we visited jimbocho book town, one of the largest secondhand book markets in the world and home to over 170 bookshops. This time as special guests i took my parents who are visiting japan to my favorite retro cafes at jimbocho. Surrounded by universities, jimbocho is named after a. Spending a day in tokyos book district savvy tokyo. Located in tokyos chiyoda ward, kanda district, near meiji university, jimbocho is centered around. You can enjoy the cultural feeling of jimbocho where old meets new.
Jimbocho, located in tokyos central chiyodaku district, is home to close to 200 book shops, all located in an area just a few blocks big. Some dire reports state the neighborhood has shrunk severely in recent years due to the encroachment of ebooksbut even if true, jimbocho still has the highest concentration of bookstores ive ever seen in my. Kanda jimbocho bookstore area chiyoda 2020 all you. Evening walk jimbocho, the book town in tokyo 2019 4k. Jimbocho in the heart of tokyo is a bookworms paradise with over 200 book stores to choose from that serve both japanese and english readers. The fusion of japanese interior and classical image. Japan travel is the leading resource for japan travel information and the primary destination for visitors planning and traveling to japan.
While most are japanese books, there are also english second hand books available if youre looking for pricey historical books and oddities, look for the isseido book store on yasukuni dori just to the north of jimbocho station. I cannot think of any stroll, rain or shine, that a book lover would enjoy more. Does this place have a big selection of english adult fictions and academic literatures. Whether youre a local or traveller, this cultural pocket from the meiji era has everything from the 100 yen manga books to thousand dollar collectible antiques.
The town also has the literary preservation association and the tokyo book club, as well as numerous universities, publishers, and libraries, making it an ideal place for. Booklovers should head straight to jimbocho for unhurried sessions of browsing new, secondhand and rare books. Tokyos jimbocho is said to be the worlds best antique book town, but there are many gourmet restaurants where you can have unique curries, original coffees, and more as you visit their book stores. Jimbocho, the socalled book town of tokyo, is home to approximately two hundred bookstores that sell new and second hand books. If youre a fan of books and travel, and you find yourself in tokyo then look no further. Jinbochoa pictorial tour of publishers and book stores in. The volume and density of bookselling in jimbocho makes it unique, says johnson, who wrote a book titled book towns. Opening in february 2015, sotetsu fresa inn ochanomizu jimbocho is located a 4minute walk from jimbocho subway station a7 exit.
There is no better place to look for exquisite books other than jimbocho. The town also has the literary preservation association and the tokyo book club, as well as numerous universities, publishers, and libraries, making it an ideal place for a reading book in tokyo. It also features yasukuni shrine and the ancient book town called jimbocho, where you can find diverse bookshops and stores selling japanese paper washi, ancient maps of japansee our travel articles about chiyoda focus on. For families, couples, or lone intellectuals, jimbocho makes for a rewarding day in the heart of the bustling city, as mario leto explains. While there are many new and chain stores, the majority of booksellers in the area specialize in preloved and antique books.
Grown from an 1880s literary hub for law students at the nearby meiji university, jimbocho has developed into a sprawling urban book town, with hundreds of stalls and shops catering to an array of bookish interests. Booktown is a place of pure heaven for book lovers. Jimbocho, also spelled jinbocho, is japans equivalent of a booktown and it is pure heaven for booklovers. Jimbocho in the heart of tokyo is a bookworm s paradise with over 200 book stores to choose from that serve both japanese and english readers. Read our guide for the best things to see and do in kanda jimbocho, tokyos very own book town. On this website, you can read travel reports and discover fascinating travel routes that allow you to take in both the iconic sights of tokyo and the beautiful natural.
Tokyos underappreciated book town jimbocho sometimes alternately spelled with an n as jinbocho and often referred to by its nickname of jimbou. It also features yasukuni shrine and the ancient book town called jimbocho, where you can find diverse bookshops and stores selling japanese paper washi, ancient maps of japan. Jimbocho is renowned as the centre of tokyos second hand book trade. In tokyo i found some great places to buy english books such as the tower records book section in shibuya. A book lovers guide to tokyos jimbocho district culture trip. It takes 15 minutes to go to akihabara on foot and about 5 minutes by train. Near the old bookstore street, there are sanseido bookstore headquarters that sell new books, and publishers such as shogakukan and shueisha. Located in tokyos chiyoda ward, jimbocho boasts over 200 bookstores. Every book store has its own specialization, and mostly are secondhand bookstores, so in this area, you can easily find english books and even other countries books for a cheaper price than usual. Guests can enjoy a walk along the renowned chidorigafuchi ryokudo, a 2297 foot lush green walkway along the moat of the imperial palace which offers beautiful. Jimbocho is to books what akihabara is to electronics, what kabukicho is to sleazy hijinks, what shibuya crossing is to firsttime visitors with videocameras. Within a 15minute walking radius of jimbocho station, youll find around 200 bookstores crammed floor to ceiling with any kind of book you might be looking for, from cheap 100 yen novels to edo period woodblock prints to vintage erotic magazines. The other two streets worth walking in the area are the horizontal main street, hakusandori, and the small street in the upper right quadrant of the map, kandasuzurandori.
Kanda jimbocho is japans largest used bookstore street. One of the 23 administrative districts forming tokyo, chiyoda ward contains the most important building of japan. Bordered by the university of tokyo and meiji university, the kanda and jimbocho area has a laidback, studenttown atmosphere thats perfect for leisurely exploration. Kanda is also home to the kanda myojin shrine and its kanda festival, one of tokyos three most important festivals. Exploring the bookstores of japans booming booktown, jimbocho. Jinbocho, also spelled as jimbocho, is known as a book town and the location of most publishing houses that are popular in japan.
The subjective, inwardoutward, erratic and volatile movements mark a clear break in the area where this book town is located. For more on japanese travel and japanese literature, visit. Jimbocho is a historical, bookcentric district in central tokyo. Jimbocho is the largest secondhand book shopping district in japan. Many people go here to look for rare and unique books that are highly prized by many scholars in different fields. I find it really difficult to walk past a book store without going inside. Evening walk jimbocho, the book town in tokyo 2019. I read about book town on the internet, while looking for book stores that specialised in traditional japanese art books. Every book store has its own specialization, and mostly are secondhand bookstores, so in this area, you can easily find english books and even other countries books for a. Jimbocho is named after a highranking 17th century samurai, nagaharu jinbo. Dec 25, 2014 one of the largest secondhand book markets in the world is centered on the intersection of yasukunidori and hakusandori in the kanda district of tokyo. Jimbocho book town is located in tokyos akihabara, kanda and jimbocho districts.
Known as tokyos book town, jimbocho is home to a concentration of over 170. There are countless places in japan for the eager anime and manga fan to visit, but one area that can be quite rewarding for anyone who desires a sense of history is jimbocho, the book town of tokyo. Because of its close proximity to office buildings, it. Look out for the annual book festival, held in late october each year, when over a hundred local stores erect stalls on the streets. Jimbocho boasts anywhere from 150 to 180 bookstores, depending on which source you reference, and most of the those stores are on the south side of yasukunidori, the vertical main street on the map above. Walk into a store and you might be transported to the 1960s, or the 1920s, or the age of the shogunate. See our complete list of things to do in tokyos akihabara, kanda and jimbocho districts, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay. Jimbocho book town begins at around the intersection of yasukunidori. Sakura street is written and pronounced sakuradori. The cluster of universities surrounding jimbocho spiked the demand for books in the area, and tokyos book town is now home to nearly 200 bookstores. Most of the books sold in the area are japanese but several shops specialize in foreign books mostly english. Though its best known as a haven for bibliophiles, the surrounding areas are brimming with an eclectic mix of outlets.
The quarter jimbocho in tokyo, known as the book town, has more to offer than books. Located in tokyos chiyoda ward, kanda district, near meiji university, jimbocho is centered around the intersections of yasukunidori and hakusandori. Retro modern hotel saku ren jimbocho was born there. My favorite one paws down hah was anekawa bookstore which sells books about cats. If you know japanese or chinese, though, or youre just willing to enjoy the beauty of crumbling manuscripts and retro magazines, jinbocho is a book lovers heaven. In this area, you will find many historical and unique coffee shops just by strolling around. In some, rare books are carefully documented and displayed, like a museum.
Jimbocho is a district within tokyo that is dedicated to used books and publishing. In the jimbocho neighborhood, the hectic and linear movements typical for an overcrowded arterial road like yasukuni dori are interwoven with the micromovements of its users who hesitantly enter its bookshops. Jul 23, 2019 jimbocho, located in tokyos central chiyodaku district, is home to close to 200 book shops, all located in an area just a few blocks big. Jimbocho is a historical, book centric district in central tokyo.
Jimbocho is home to anywhere between 160 and 200 bookstores, depending on who you ask. Jinbocho walking guide an uptodate english language walking guide and map for streets and bookstores in jinbocho. Taken together, jimbocho isnt just the largest secondhand book market in tokyo, its one of the largest in the entire world. Traditional antique japanese books and rare collections at issedo, one of the oldest shops. Jimbocho, tokyos used book town, is easily accessed from shinjuku via the shinjuku subway line toward motoyawata, jimbocho station, exit a7. Jimbocho in the heart of tokyo is a bookworms paradise with over 200 book stores to choose from that serve both japanese. Surrounded by universities, jimbocho is named after a 17th century samurai. Located a 4minute walk from jimbocho subway stations exit a5, apa hotel kanda jimbocho ekihigashi offers soundproofed rooms, concierge service and free wifi throughout the property. The range of books on offer, and the diversity of style and beauty amongst the bookshops themselves, is wonderful and massively varied.
In 19, the town that is surrounded by three of tokyos most prestigious universities was destroyed by fire. Students flock to the mausoleum of confucius at yushima to pray for good exam results, and readers trawl jimbocho for new and secondhand books. Oct 26, 2019 the volume and density of bookselling in jimbocho makes it unique, says johnson, who wrote a book titled book towns. From books and music to theater and visual arts, jimbocho has become one of most fascinating districts in japan s vibrant capital city.
A neighbourhood filled with bookstores sounds too good to be true. Bookshops everywhere, bookshelves lining the streets, cafes where you can sit and read their books. Its the place to go for cheap used books, unusual books and rare collectors editions. Jimbocho vintage book town area guide when in tokyo tokyo. In this video, i walk around in this fascinating part of. As is quartier latin in paris, there are many publishing companies, book agencies, some mega bookstores and innumerable number of small secondhand bookstores. Explore jimbocho tokyo the book town of tokyo for book. Nov 03, 2016 taken together, jimbocho isnt just the largest secondhand book market in tokyo, its one of the largest in the entire world.
Go retro at the coffee shops passed down for generations. Fall in love with the citys number one destination for book lovers. Nov 01, 2017 jimbocho, tokyos used book town, is easily accessed from shinjuku via the shinjuku subway line toward motoyawata, jimbocho station, exit a7. Ochanomizu is also known for musical instrumentsyou can find almost anything hereand there are some good small live venues and jazz clubs in the area. Due to its proximity to several universities and publishing houses, jimbocho has become the mecca of used bookstores and quaint coffeeshops. Nevertheless, the district offers several interesting neighborhoods, such as the ochanomizu musical instrument area, the jimbocho book area and the famous electronics and anime mecca akihabara. Welcome to the city with a ward, a district, city block, floor, cell or capsule youre mostly paying for the space you take up, after all for everythingwhatever your feelings about such insistent compartmentalization, it can be. Tokyos book town, jimbocho, is where youll find them. Dress as a character from your favorite computer game, anime movie, or comic, then hop into your gokart and follow your guide around attractions such as rainbow bridge, tokyo tower, roppongi, and shibuya crossing. Then unleash your inner bibliophile in chiyoda wards jimbocho. A fantastic and varied array is available, including japanese and western literature, and specialized books. Check out the events, stores and things to see in this book lovers paradise. One of the largest secondhand book markets in the world is centered on the intersection of yasukunidori and hakusandori in the kanda district of tokyo. Jinbochoa pictorial tour of publishers and book stores in jinbocho.
If you walk along jimbocho,you can meet with the japanese traditional books, pictures, prints, and so on. Book town in jimbocho was one of my best discoveries. Jimbocho book town is the worlds biggest book town. From books and music to theater and visual arts, jimbocho has become one of most fascinating districts in. Jan 26, 2019 jimbocho district in tokyo is also called book town because its full of familyowned book stores. Book shops jimbocho is the largest secondhand book shopping district in japan.
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