Jinbocho, also spelled as jimbocho, is known as a book town and the location of most publishing houses that are popular in japan. Jimbocho vintage book town area guide when in tokyo tokyo. Jimbocho vintage book town area guide when in tokyo. Jimbocho is a historical, bookcentric district in central tokyo.
Known as tokyos book town, jimbocho is home to a concentration of over 170 bookshops, publishing houses, and literary societies. See our complete list of things to do in tokyo s akihabara, kanda and jimbocho districts, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay. If youre a fan of books and travel, and you find yourself in tokyo then look no further. The quarter jimbocho in tokyo, known as the book town, has more to offer than books. Harajuku is said to be home to fashion and pop culture, or if you want to find the richness.
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 foreign books. As is quartier latin in paris, there are many publishing companies, book agencies, some mega bookstores and innumerable number of small secondhand bookstores. Its easy to lose a few hours if only that rummaging around in tokyos jinbocho neighbourhood, a bibliophile nirvana thats home to some. 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. Jimbocho book town shopping in jinbocho, tokyo time out. Check out the events, stores and things to see in this book lovers paradise. Oct 04, 2019 the quarter jimbocho in tokyo, known as the book town, has more to offer than books. Kanda jimbocho is japans largest used bookstore street.
Book town in jimbocho was one of my best discoveries. Located in tokyos chiyoda neighborhood, apa hotel kandajimbochoekihigashi is in the city center and near a metro station. For more on japanese travel and japanese literature, visit category. Jan 26, 2019 jimbocho district in tokyo is also called book town because its full of familyowned book stores. Jimbocho, neighborhoods, offbeat, tokyo, tokyo neighborhoods. From there, wander down the main streets and off onto the side streets. Sotetsu fresa inn ochanomizu jimbocho this neighborhood is a great choice for travelers interested in culture, city walks and cleanliness check location 1010051 tokyoto, chiyodaku kanda jinbocho 1197, japan this neighborhood is a great choice for travelers interested in culture, city walks and cleanliness check location great location show map subway access. 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.
From books and music to theater and visual arts, jimbocho has become one of most fascinating districts in japans vibrant capital city. Book shops jimbocho is the largest secondhand book shopping district in japan. Located in tokyos chiyoda ward, jimbocho boasts over 200 bookstores. Tokyo is a city famous for its distinctively different towns. Tokyos jimbocho neighborhood wont close the chapter on. Hidden attractions off the beaten path in tokyo, japan. Its easy to lose a few hours if only that rummaging around in tokyos jinbocho neighbourhood, a bibliophile nirvana thats home to some 180. Explore jimbocho tokyo the book town of tokyo for book. Density and intimacy in public space a case study of jimbocho, tokyos book town. Kidzania tokyo and sunshine aquarium are not to be missed. Jimbocho in the heart of tokyo is a bookworms paradise with over 200 book stores to choose from that serve both japanese and. Kanda jimbocho bookstore area chiyoda 2020 all you need. Within a 15 minute walking radius, you can browse close to 200 bookstores of tokyo s all second hand bookstores.
Tokyos jimbocho district, also known as book town, is home to more than 150 bookshops selling everything from cheap paperbacks to first edition antiques. Jinbocho is a reallife location located in chiyoda, tokyo, and served by the jinbocho station. Jinbocho is usually a turnoff for tourists and idle expats since a fair amount of japanese knowledge is required to browse and read. Tokyo s underappreciated book town jimbocho sometimes alternately spelled with an n as jinbocho and often referred to by its nickname of jimbou. In this area, you will find many historical and unique coffee shops just by strolling around. 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. I cannot think of any stroll, rain or shine, that a book lover would enjoy more. Explore jimbocho tokyos adorable booktown books and bao. A book lovers guide to tokyos jimbocho district culture trip.
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. Bordered by the university of tokyo and meiji university, the kanda and jimbocho area has a laidback, studenttown atmosphere thats perfect for leisurely exploration. Oct 12, 2019 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 foreign books. Jimbocho is renowned as the centre of tokyos second hand book trade.
Spending a day in tokyos book district savvy tokyo. Although there are many new stores and stores, most bookstores in the area specialize in their favorite books and old books. In tokyo i found some great places to buy english books such as the tower records book section in shibuya. This street primarily consists of secondhand book stores with an impressive collection of art, design and fashion books. 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. Jimbocho district in tokyo is also called book town because its full of familyowned book stores.
Near the old bookstore street, there are sanseido bookstore headquarters that sell new books, and publishers such as shogakukan and shueisha. 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. Feb 21, 2020 tokyo s jimbocho district, also known as book town, is home to more than 150 bookshops selling everything from cheap paperbacks to first edition antiques. Located in tokyo s chiyoda neighborhood, hotel villa fontaine tokyo jimbocho is near a metro station. With around 200 bookstores and an abundance of curry restaurants, jimbocho book town is the place for you. 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. 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. Tokyos jimbocho is a place for manga historians apartment 507. Kanda jimbocho bookstore area chiyoda 2020 all you.
When it comes to all things literary, however, no district is greater than jimbocho, tokyos book town. Jimbocho in tokyo is a book lovers paradise with plenty of book shops that serve japanese and english readers. Read our guide for the best things to see and do in kanda jimbocho, tokyos very own book town. Located in tokyos chiyoda neighborhood, hotel villa fontaine tokyojimbocho is near a metro station.
Just a one minute walk from the a7 exit of jimbocho station is sanctuary for all book lovers. For families, couples, or lone intellectuals, jimbocho makes for a rewarding day in the heart of the bustling city, as mario leto explains. Jimbocho book town begins at around the intersection of yasukunidori street and hakusandori street. 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.
It caters to a variety of artistic interests and is well situated in central tokyo for fast and easy access to other entertainments. View all hotels near kanda jimbocho bookstore area on tripadvisor. 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. When it comes to all things literary, however, no district is greater than jimbocho, tokyo s book town. Jimbocho book town is located in tokyo s akihabara, kanda and jimbocho districts. 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. Its easy to lose a few hours if only that rummaging around in tokyo s jinbocho neighbourhood, a bibliophile nirvana thats home to some 180 secondhand books. This time as special guests i took my parents who are visiting japan to my favorite retro cafes at jimbocho. 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. Students flock to the mausoleum of confucius at yushima to pray for good exam results, and readers trawl jimbocho for new and secondhand books. 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. Tokyo s book town, jimbocho, is where youll find them. I find it really difficult to walk past a book store without going inside.
Kanda is also home to the kanda myojin shrine and its kanda festival, one of tokyo s three most important festivals. 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. 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. Jimbocho is also a book town, but there are many famous curry restaurants. 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, 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.
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. 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. Most are secondhand bookshops, but a few are newer chains. Kanda shrine and yasukuni shrine are notable landmarks, and the areas natural beauty can be seen at ueno park and chidorigafuchi park. Microscale holds a comparatively private position of isolation and protection.
Due to its proximity to several universities and publishing houses, jimbocho has become the mecca of used bookstores and quaint coffeeshops. Taken together, jimbocho isnt just the largest secondhand book market in tokyo, its one of the largest in the entire world. Abstract microscale and macroscale hold opposite positions. Harajuku for its influence in fashion and pop culture or akihabara for its wealth of electronics and anime. Jimbocho sometimes alternately spelled with an n as jinbocho and often referred to by its nickname of jimbou. Tokyo imperial palace and imperial garden theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the areas popular attractions include shinjuku gyoen national garden and ueno zoo. Nov 05, 2018 jimbocho is a historical, book centric district in central tokyo. There are specialty stores in tokyo devoted solely to these topics, but whats amazing is that all these specialty bookstores and many, many more are located in a single neighborhood called jinbocho. Most of the books sold in the area are japanese but several shops specialize in foreign books mostly english. 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. Treasure hunt in jimbocho visit the kanda secondhand. 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. Does this place have a big selection of english adult fictions and academic literatures.
Because of its close proximity to office buildings, it is frequented by salarymen at lunch times. Jimbocho, tokyos used book town, is easily accessed from shinjuku via the shinjuku subway line toward motoyawata, jimbocho station, exit a7. In the hustle flow and neverending bustle of a busy city, discover a place where there are countless bookshelves and pages which are moving lightly. Located in tokyo s chiyoda neighborhood, apa hotel kanda jimbocho ekihigashi is in the city center and near a metro station. Oct 11, 2017 tokyo is a city full of neighborhoods iconic for different things. Its the place to go for cheap used books, unusual books and rare collectors editions. Jimbocho book town, known for its used book stores like isseido, komiyama, shosen grande and more. Though its best known as a haven for bibliophiles, the surrounding areas are brimming with an eclectic mix of outlets. Kanda is also home to the kanda myojin shrine and its kanda festival, one of tokyos three most important festivals. Tokyo is a city full of neighborhoods iconic for different things. 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. Located in tokyos chiyoda ward, kanda district, near meiji university, jimbocho is centered around. 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. Treasure hunt in jimbocho visit the kanda secondhand book.
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