A Guide To The Nostalgic Bookstores In Jimbocho, Tokyo's Book Town
Discover your dream coffee table book, snag a print by Hokusai, and enjoy a $30 cup of coffee in Jimbocho.
By Rachel Tan ,
Bookstores, while often unassuming, can evoke unusual feelings – like "bibliosmia," the love of the smell of old books, or Japan’s curious Mariko Aoki phenomenon, where stepping into a bookstore triggers a sudden need to use the bathroom.
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If you're all about the former and unbothered by the latter, Jimbocho should be on your Tokyo itinerary. Known as the city’s Book Town, this neighbourhood is filled with shops offering used books, art, and even rare antiques, making it perfect for a leisurely afternoon of exploration or hunting down that ideal coffee table book.
MAGNIF ZINEBOCHO
Magnif Zinebocho specialises in magazines, particularly focusing on fashion. Since opening in 2009, owner Yasunori Nakadake has curated a collection of fashion magazines, offering everything from Japanese classics like Olive, Heibon Punch, and Popeye to iconic Western titles such as Glamour, and even old Brooks Brothers catalogues. Additionally, there's a solid selection of photo books to browse through.
@WONDER
Located just outside the A1 exit of Jimbocho Station, @Wonder is a two-storey bookstore with an entrance flanked by outdoor shelves filled with books. Inside, you'll find an impressive collection of Marvel comics – both Japanese and foreign – along with an eclectic mix of movie posters and memorabilia, including limited edition items and ticket stubs. Be sure to visit the spacious upstairs cafe, Book Cafe 20 Seiki, where you can relax with your new finds over a drink, a slice of cake, or even try one of their curries.
KITAZAWA BOOKSTORE
Kitazawa Bookstore, a family-run business since 1902, specialises in second-hand and rare books. The second-floor shop offers over 10,000 titles focused on literature, philosophy, religion, and Japanese studies. Many of the books are sourced from nearby universities and are in excellent condition, with a small selection of German and French works included. Though the store has downsized over the years (it used to occupy the first floor as well), it remains a great spot to explore and lose yourself among its shelves of thoughtful reads.
YAGUCHI SHOTEN
Yaguchi Shoten, with its iconic open-air bookshelves, is a must-visit for lovers of Japanese film, theatre, and performing arts. Founded in 1918, this century-old bookshop is a favourite among industry professionals and offers an unrivaled collection of movie scripts, theatre programs, old photographs, and posters – a true time capsule of Japan’s cinematic and theatrical history. The shop also carries magazine back issues and drama booklets, making it a treasure trove for collectors.
BOHEMIAN'S GUILD
With its inviting warm glow, this 98-year-old bookstore beckons you to explore its extensive collection of art and design books, including first editions and signed copies. On the ground floor, you'll discover books on art, architecture, fashion, and philosophy. Climb the narrow staircase to the second floor to find a gallery of paintings, sketches, and rare books. Bohemian’s Guild also hosts special exhibitions, showcasing postwar and contemporary art.
ISSEIDO BOOKSELLERS
Isseido Booksellers is a Tokyo institution that has been around since 1903. This storied shop, which weathered both the 1923 earthquake and World War II, serves as a time capsule of pre-war Japan. Wander through rare manuscripts, antique Western and Japanese books, old maps, and scrolls. The second floor features film-related works on Japanese cinema and a robust collection of English books, thanks to Isseido’s regular acquisitions from universities and museums abroad.
TAMURA SHOTEN
Tamura Shoten has been a fixture in Jimbocho since the late Meiji period (1868–1912), known for its extensive collection of French, German, and English books from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Run by Yoshio Okudaira, who speaks French and German, the shop features a narrow stairway lined with works by literary giants such as Walter Scott, Thomas Mann, and Robert Musil, alongside philosophy texts, Greek and Latin classics, and even music books. The store also participates in international auctions and can import specific books upon request.
KOMIYAMA
Opened in 1939, Komiyama spans four floors of art, design, and photography treasures. Now managed by Keita Komiyama, the third generation of the family, this bookstore offers rare finds ranging from avant-garde photobooks to niche fashion magazines. On the first floor, you can browse fashion magazines, KAWS pieces, Supreme posters, and Yohji Yamamoto art books. The second floor features a large collection of photography books. Toys and additional art pieces are on the third floor, while the top floor covers graphic design, niche subcultures, LGBTQ+ themes, and eroticism. As you ascend, you can expect to find rarer and more valuable items.
OHYA SHOBO
Ohya Shobo takes you back to the Edo period (1603–1868) with shelves stocked exclusively with books from that era. Their selection spans history, geography, art, science, and literature, and even includes prized Ukiyo-e prints by masters like Hokusai and Hiroshige. Don’t miss the antique maps section for a fascinating look at Japan’s past connections with the world. Guidebooks and reference texts on Ukiyo-e are also available.
GLITCH COFFEE
For your final stop in Jimbocho, visit one of the world’s top coffee shops: Glitch Coffee, which has been open since 2015 and is spoken of in reverent whispers by coffee aficionados even beyond Japan. Though a cup costs between ¥1,500 and ¥3,500 – that’s around S$14 to S$32 – fans say it’s worth every yen. They offer a rotating lineup of over ten light-roast, single-origin beans, each accompanied by an English description of its origin and flavour. To order, first pick your bean, then choose your coffee style – pour-over, latte, or espresso.