Bordered by the university of tokyo and meiji university, the kanda and jimbocho area has a laidback, studenttown atmosphere thats perfect for leisurely exploration. Jimbocho is a town in chiyoda ward, tokyo, best known as the largest book town in japan. Up to 200 bookstores can be found within a walking radius of 15 minutes, which is already a. For more on japanese travel and japanese literature, visit. 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. Located in tokyos chiyoda neighborhood, apa hotel kandajimbochoekihigashi is in the city center and near a metro station. Jan 26, 2019 jimbocho district in tokyo is also called book town because its full of familyowned book stores.
Tokyos underappreciated book town jimbocho sometimes alternately spelled with an n as jinbocho and often referred to by its nickname of jimbou. Chiyoda tourism chiyoda hotels chiyoda bed and breakfast chiyoda vacation rentals. Density and intimacy in public space a case study of jimbocho, tokyos book town. Jimbocho is home to anywhere between 160 and 200 bookstores, depending on who you ask. For families, couples, or lone intellectuals, jimbocho makes for a rewarding day in the heart of the bustling city, as mario leto explains. Jimbocho is renowned as the centre of tokyos second hand book trade. My favorite one paws down hah was anekawa bookstore which sells books about cats kanda used book festival the citys largest book fair takes place in jimbocho in late october or early november each year.
Its the place to go for cheap used books, unusual books and rare collectors editions. Spending a day in tokyos book district savvy tokyo. The fusion of japanese interior and classical image. Oct 11, 2017 tokyo is a city full of neighborhoods iconic for different things. Kanda jimbocho bookstore area chiyoda 2020 all you need. Jimbocho is the largest secondhand book shopping district in japan. In tokyo i found some great places to buy english books such as the tower records book section in shibuya. Jimbocho is tokyos famous usedbookstore district, well situated for access to other entertainments. From books and music to theater and visual arts, jimbocho has become one of most fascinating districts in japans vibrant capital city. When in jimbocho, visitors cannot fail to notice its.
The center of jinbocho is at the crossing of yasukunidori and hakusandori, above jimbocho station on the tokyo metro hanzomon line, toei mita line and toei shinjuku line. Today we visited jimbocho book town, one of the largest secondhand book markets in the world and home to over 170 bookshops. The 10 best restaurants near kanda jimbocho bookstore area in. Dec 09, 2019 bordered by the university of tokyo and meiji university, the kanda and jimbocho area has a laidback, student town atmosphere thats perfect for leisurely exploration. I read about book town on the internet, while looking for book stores that specialised in traditional japanese art books. In this area, you will find many historical and unique coffee shops just by strolling around. 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. 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. Most of the books sold in the area are japanese but several shops specialize in foreign books mostly english. Tokyos jimbocho neighborhood wont close the chapter on. Jimbocho is also a book town, but there are many famous curry restaurants. Oct 26, 2019 thousands of bibliophiles are expected to descend on tokyos jinbocho neighborhood over the next week or so as the city celebrates the 60th anniversary of its largest secondhand book fair. Kanda shrine and yasukuni shrine are notable landmarks, and the areas natural beauty can be seen at ueno park and chidorigafuchi park. Taken together, jimbocho isnt just the largest secondhand book market in.
Taken together, jimbocho isnt just the largest secondhand book market in tokyo, its one of the largest in the entire world. Jimbocho district in tokyo is also called book town because its full of familyowned book stores. 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. Jimbocho vintage book town area guide when in tokyo. Toyodo books 11 kanda jimbocho, chiyodaku, tokyo, japan. Jimbocho vintage book town area guide when in tokyo tokyo. Known as tokyos book town, jimbocho is home to a concentration of over 170 bookshops, publishing houses. Book town in jimbocho was one of my best discoveries.
Kanda is also home to the kanda myojin shrine and its kanda festival, one of tokyos three most important festivals. Feb 10, 2020 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. You can enjoy the cultural feeling of jimbocho where old meets new. 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. Jimbocho, tokyos used book town, is easily accessed from shinjuku via the shinjuku subway line toward motoyawata, jimbocho station, exit a7. If youre visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a japan rail pass.
Tokyos book town, some 180 stores strong, draws collectors for its rare volumesbut is also a college town, centrally accessible from hitotsubashi, meiji, and nihon university, among others, which makes it ideal for lowcost bookstorehopping. In some, rare books are carefully documented and displayed, like a museum. If you walk along jimbocho,you can meet with the japanese traditional books, pictures, prints, and so on. Known as tokyos book town, jimbocho is home to a concentration of over 170 bookshops, publishing houses, and literary societies. Jinbochoa pictorial tour of publishers and book stores in. 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. Walk into a store and you might be transported to the 1960s, or the 1920s, or the age of the shogunate.
Jimbocho in tokyo is a book lovers paradise with plenty of book shops that serve japanese and english readers now reading explore jimbocho tokyos adorable booktown. One of the shops where they were selling some cheap japanese art prints. Jimbocho area has been called japanese quartier latin because this small area is surrounded by nearly ten universities, colleges and. Though its best known as a haven for bibliophiles, the surrounding areas are brimming with an eclectic mix of outlets. Book shops jimbocho is the largest secondhand book shopping district in japan. While there are many new and chain stores, the majority of booksellers in the area specialize in preloved and antique books. If you re visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a japan rail pass. Our summer 2014 map of tokyo jimbocho features hotels, subwaytrain station exits, christian churches, shinto shrines, post offices, and police stations. Explore jimbocho tokyo the book town of tokyo for book. 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.
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. Harajuku for its influence in fashion and pop culture or akihabara for its wealth of electronics and anime. See our complete list of things to do in tokyos akihabara, kanda and jimbocho districts, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay. Due to its proximity to several universities and publishing houses, jimbocho has become the mecca of used bookstores and quaint coffeeshops. If youre a fan of books and travel, and you find yourself in tokyo then look no further. In jimbocho, known as the book town of tokyo, you can find about 200 bookstores selling everything from new publications to rare publications, maps, prints, as well as. Near the old bookstore street, there are sanseido bookstore headquarters that sell new books, and publishers such as shogakukan and shueisha.
Its the perfect spot to pick up a read for the flight home, and you can find tomes of japanese traditional art, western favorites, and prints of antique maps. Although there are many new stores and stores, most bookstores in the area specialize in their favorite books and old books. Books tokyo s jimbocho neighborhood wont close the chapter on books. Tokyo is a city full of neighborhoods iconic for different things. Kanda jimbocho bookstore area chiyoda 2020 all you need to. Treasure hunt in jimbocho visit the kanda secondhand. Today, jimbocho maintains its status as the center of secondhand bookselling and literary life in tokyo, not least because its within walking distance of five major universities. Our travel agency in tokyo city will be closed for marine day japanese public holiday. Nov 05, 2018 jimbocho is a historical, book centric district in central tokyo.
Jimbocho book town begins at around the intersection of yasukunidori. Up to 200 bookstores can be found within a walking radius of 15 minutes, which is already a third of all secondhand bookstores located in tokyo. Jimbocho book town is located in tokyos akihabara, kanda and jimbocho districts. This restaurant offers indian and pakistani cuisine. Name siddique in jinbocho address 2 chome7 kanda jinbocho. 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. Tokyos jimbocho is a place for manga historians apartment 507. Retro modern hotel saku ren jimbocho was born there. Today we visited jimbocho book town, one of the largest secondhand book markets in the. 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. Jimbocho is the heaven for book lovers, because the town is known as book town, as there are huge number of book store, publish houses. When it comes to all things literary, however, no district is greater than jimbocho, tokyos book town.
Jimbocho sometimes alternately spelled with an n as jinbocho and often referred to by its nickname of jimbou. Explore jimbocho tokyos adorable booktown books and bao. Nontouristy things to do in tokyo the wayfaring voyager. As is quartier latin in paris, there are many publishing companies, book agencies, some mega bookstores and innumerable number of small secondhand bookstores. However, when mentioning to all things relating to literature, there is no better place than jimbocho jimbocho tokyo, the book town of tokyo. Jimbocho is a university area of tokyo known as the book and sports shopping mecca of japan. Kanda jimbocho is japans largest used bookstore street. Ideas for our autumn 2014 map of tokyo jimbocho book town.
Oct 04, 2019 the quarter jimbocho in tokyo, known as the book town, has more to offer than books. The quarter jimbocho in tokyo, known as the book town, has more to offer than books. Jimbocho, neighborhoods, offbeat, tokyo, tokyo neighborhoods. In this particular section of town, there are a few options worth mentioning. 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. Restaurants near kanda jimbocho bookstore area, chiyoda on tripadvisor. The prestigious tokyo book binding club and literature preservation society are located in. Kanda jimbocho bookstore area chiyoda 2020 all you.
I find it really difficult to walk past a book store without going inside. Fall in love with the citys number one destination for book lovers. Thousands of bibliophiles are expected to descend on tokyos jinbocho neighborhood over the next week or so as the city celebrates the 60th anniversary of its largest secondhand book fair. Its easy to lose a few hours if only that rummaging around in tokyos jinbocho neighbourhood, a bibliophile nirvana thats home to some 180 secondhand books. I cannot think of any stroll, rain or shine, that a book lover would enjoy more. A book lovers guide to tokyos jimbocho district culture trip. Check out the events, stores and things to see in this book lovers paradise. Located in tokyos chiyoda ward, kanda district, near meiji university, jimbocho is centered around. Located in tokyos chiyoda ward, jimbocho boasts over 200 bookstores. Tokyos jimbocho neighborhood wont close the chapter on books. It caters to a variety of artistic interests and is well situated in central tokyo for fast and easy access to other entertainments.
This time as special guests i took my parents who are visiting japan to my favorite retro cafes at jimbocho. Get off at the a7 exit from the jimbocho station and head toward the smell of old books. The 10 best restaurants near kanda jimbocho bookstore area. The mysterious case of japans vanishing bookstores. Considered as the book town of tokyo, jimbocho is a haven for book lovers. Jimbocho in tokyo is a book lovers paradise with plenty of book shops that serve japanese and english readers. Take a gokart tour in tokyo where you become part of the action while dressed in your choice of costume.
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. Nov 03, 2016 today, jimbocho maintains its status as the center of secondhand bookselling and literary life in tokyo, not least because its within walking distance of five major universities. Apr 20, 2016 jimbocho is the heaven for book lovers, because the town is known as book town, as there are huge number of book store, publish houses. Interesting part of tokyos chiyoda district, the jimbocho area features many great shops related to japanese traditional paper, ancient maps, old booksin jimbocho book town, you can even see shops with walls of books outside. 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. Kandajinbocho, commonly known as jinbocho or jimbocho, is a district of chiyoda, tokyo, japan, known as tokyos center of usedbook stores and publishing houses, and as a popular antique and curio shopping area. Even if youre more of an ebook reader, jimbocho is a rare opportunity to breathe in the euphoric scent of old books or amble around galleries of classic art.
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