A literary stroll, translated and edited by lawrence rogers. Thousands of bibliophiles are expected to descend on tokyos jinbocho. Tokyo s 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. Aug 11, 2017 wwii veteran travels 10,000 miles to return flag portland, or former u. Tokyo narita airport nrt to jimbocho station 8 ways to. Jimbocho district in tokyo is also called book town because its full of familyowned book stores. Issues in tama new town, the largest new town in japan.
Book town in jimbocho was one of my best discoveries. We went to eat monjayaki and okonomiyaki at yakatabune, and here are some shots of the scenery with tokyo tower, rainbow bridge and odaiba. Jimbocho book town shopping in jinbocho, tokyo time out. Kanda area guide ochanomizu, akihabara, jimbocho akihabara. Sakura hotel jimbocho local attractions in and around. By night, its an energetic above ground warren of food, drink and entertainment options catering mostly for japanese clientele who miss the comforts of home.
Jimbocho, located in tokyo s central chiyodaku district, is home to close to 200 book shops, all located in an area just a few blocks big. In tokyo i found some great places to buy english books such as the tower records book section in shibuya. When visiting tokyo megalopolis, it is hard to imagine that the city has the history of more than 1,000 years. Its really best to wander around and some of the shops have english language book sections, like kitazowa. Oct 11, 2017 tokyo is a city full of neighborhoods iconic for different things. Because of its close proximity to office buildings, it is frequented by salarymen at lunch times. Jinbocho is a reallife location located in chiyoda, tokyo, and served by the jinbocho station. 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.
Tokyo s underappreciated book town jimbocho sometimes alternately spelled with an n as jinbocho and often referred to by its nickname of jimbou. Located in tokyo s chiyoda ward, kanda district, near meiji university, jimbocho is centered around the intersections of. From 1603 to 1868, the city of edo was the seat of p. Explore jimbocho tokyos adorable booktown books and bao. 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 go to the content go to the. There are about 200 bookshops, including more than second hand booksellers. Use the handy suica card to enjoy cashless convenience in tokyo. Located about a 5minute walk from akihabara electric town, the b tokyo ochanomizu is 15minute walk from the imperial palace. Books tokyo s jimbocho neighborhood wont close the chapter on books. 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. You can visit tokyo at any time of year because the weather is temperate. Evening walk jimbocho, the book town in tokyo 2019. Theres 200300 oldrare book shops all within a few blocks. A book lovers guide to tokyos jimbocho district share this article.
Jimbocho used book town many schools were established here from the meiji era 18681912, and even today there are approximately 180 used bookstores in the kanda area boasting a grand total of over 10 million volumes in their inventories. Tokyos underappreciated book town jimbocho sometimes alternately spelled with an n as jinbocho and often referred to by its nickname of jimbou. 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. Traditional crafts of tokyo website introduces 41 art and craft items designated by the tokyo metropolitan government. Booktown is a place of pure heaven for book lovers. Exploring the bookstores of japans booming booktown, jimbocho. A book about japantown in san jose, ca is scheduled for publication. The japan times april 10, 2016 tenbo has clothes for everyone, regardless of abilities, as designs are printed with braille for blind people and magnetic buttons are used to make it easier to wear for people missing an arm. During the 60s and 70s, the population in tokyo metropolis four prefectures of tokyo, saitama, chiba and kanagawa had increased by 61% from 17. Jimbocho is named after a highranking 17th century samurai, nagaharu jinbo. This website is owned and operated by bureau of industrial and labor affairs, tokyo metropolitan government. As you see, this area is an important place for various people and has many faces created by many people coming and going. 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. Here we showcase the some of these longestablished coffee shops.
Wwii veteran travels 10,000 miles to return hinomaru yosegaki. Its the place to go for cheap used books, unusual books and rare collectors editions. Nearby awajicho station offers direct subway links to the ginza and shinjuku areas. Jimbocho is home to anywhere between 160 and 200 bookstores, depending on who you ask. There are 8 ways to get from tokyo narita airport nrt to jimbocho station by train, bus, subway, taxi, car, towncar or shuttle. Jinbocho, also spelled as jimbocho, is known as a book town and the location of most publishing houses that are popular in japan. While jimbocho might appear to be flourishing with a rich legacy and a.
Kanda is also home to the kanda myojin shrine and its kanda festival, one of tokyo s three most important festivals. Jimbocho vintage book town area guide when in tokyo. The view of rainbow bridge and odaiba from yakatabune tokyo. Good day books closed shinagawa, tokyo japan travel. Kanda shrine and yasukuni shrine are notable landmarks, and the areas natural beauty can be seen at ueno park and chidorigafuchi park. How to get from tokyo to namba station by train, bus, night. Whether youre a fulltime resident of tokyo who needs something to keep you occupied on your daily commute, or a traveler just passing through in need of a good book to keep you company on your travels, good day books is one of the best choices in the city. Interesting part of tokyo s chiyoda district, the jimbocho area features many great shops related to japanese traditional paper, ancient maps, old books in jimbocho book town, you can even see shops with walls of books outside.
Rome2rio makes travelling from apa hotel kanda jimbocho ekihigashi, tokyo to tokyo narita airport nrt easy. Find all the transport options for your trip from apa hotel kanda jimbocho ekihigashi, tokyo to tokyo narita airport nrt right here. Jimbocho is a district within tokyo that is dedicated to used books and publishing. You could spend a couple of hours browsing these shelves. 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. Go retro at the coffee shops passed down for generations.
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. The cluster of universities surrounding jimbocho spiked the demand for books in the area, and tokyo s book town is now home to nearly 200 bookstores. While jimbocho might appear to be flourishing with a rich legacy and a constant buzz of activity due to its. Japanese manufacturers studied papermaking and, over time.
The town where edos culinary culture blossomed nihombashi. Issues in tama new town, the largest new town in japan 1. Jimbocho is the largest secondhand book shopping district in japan. The organizers go further to claim its the largest event of its kind in the world.
A book lovers guide to tokyo s jimbocho district share this article. We cover all the basics including things to do in tokyo, how to get from narita airport to tokyo, which jr rail pass to choose, getting a sim card and pocket wifi. Jimbocho is renowned as the centre of tokyos second hand book trade. The inaugural launch of the japan shopping festival has nearly arrived. 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. Its easy to lose a few hours if only that rummaging around in tokyos jinbocho neighbourhood, a bibliophile nirvana thats home to some 180. Take a gokart tour in tokyo where you become part of the action while dressed in your choice of costume. Tokyo to toba 8 ways to travel via train, bus, night bus. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world.
For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my first time in tokyo guide. Voyagin is a marketplace to help you discover and book the best things to do, attraction tickets, and. Harajuku for its influence in fashion and pop culture or akihabara for its wealth of electronics and anime. Located in tokyo s chiyoda neighborhood, apa hotel kanda jimbocho ekihigashi is in the city center and near a metro station. Within a 15 minute walking radius, you can browse close to 200 bookstores of tokyos all second hand bookstores. I find it really difficult to walk past a book store without going inside.
Nov 01, 2018 tokyos book town, jimbocho, is where youll find them. Sumo town walk with chankonabe lunch in tokyo activity in. The best times to visit tokyo are fall late september to november and spring marchaprilmay summer late june to the end of august in tokyo is hot and humid. Herenow herenow is a creative city guide offering a fresh look at life and travel in asia.
Named best of debut of the year by suspense magazine and the winner of the barry award for best debut novel. Kanda used book festival, late octearly nov, 2020 tokyo. To round up ones visit to this fascinating region of japan, one should also go to narai, which is quite close to both tsumago and magome, where there are a number of genuine edo period houses and ryokans for ones viewing pleasure. Tokyo s jimbocho is said to be the worlds best antique book town, but there are also many gourmet restaurants where you can have unique curries, original coffees and more. More than 75% of tokyo s used, old book sellers and collectors have shops located in. As is quartier latin in paris, there are many publishing companies, book agencies, some mega bookstores and innumerable number of small secondhand bookstores. Yuriko koikes sudden announcement tuesday that she is resigning as kibo no tos president shocked party members and drew strong criticism from the public. Nihombashi honkokucho nihombashi muromachi nihombashi honcho mr. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. Take a look at some of the longestablished coffee shops in the area. When it comes to all things literary, however, no district is greater than jimbocho, tokyos book town. There are 12 ways to get from tokyo to namba station by train, bus, night bus, car, plane or subway.
Jimbocho book town begins at around the intersection of yasukunidori street and. Kanda area guide ochanomizu, akihabara, jimbocho favy. Check out the vlog coming this sunday to see more of jimbocho. Marine marvin strombo took the flag from fallen japanese soldier yasue sadao while fighting on saipan in 1944. Yasuyuki wakui, chairman of the nihombashi ichinobe town council association. Jinbocho, in tokyo s chiyoda ward, is one of the worlds biggest centers for browsing used books, with around 160 stores selling volumes that range from the musty and dusty to antiquarian. 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. Most of the books sold in the area are japanese but several shops specialize in foreign books mostly english. Apa hotel kanda jimbocho ekihigashi, tokyo to tokyo narita. The hotel is also a 5minute walk from jinbocho, a wellknown area for skiing and snowboarding equipment stores. In 19, the town that is surrounded by three of tokyos most prestigious universities was destroyed by fire.
When it comes to all things literary, however, no district is greater than jimbocho, tokyo s book town. Buy suica cardjapans most convenient prepaid emoney. 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. Taken together, jimbocho isnt just the largest secondhand book market in tokyo, its one of the largest in the entire world. Did you know tokyo has a section of the city called jimbocho, the book town. Kanda jimbocho bookstore area chiyoda 2020 all you. Explore jimbocho tokyo the book town of tokyo for book. 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. With over 750,000 readers each month, tokyo cheapo is the site of choice for value hunters who want their yen to go further in tokyo. The coastline faces tokyo bay called uchibo, and the coastline faces pacific ocean called sotobo. Jimbocho is renowned as the centre of tokyo s second hand book trade. Students flock to the mausoleum of confucius at yushima to pray for good exam results, and readers trawl jimbocho for new and secondhand books.
In this video, i walk around in this fascinating part of. Here are the best things to do shrines, electronics, secondhand books and musical instruments, authentic cafes in the multifaceted kanda district of tokyo. Does this place have a big selection of english adult fictions and academic literatures. Its no secret that we love book towns and we seek them out wherever we go. I never pay attention to tokyo off the beaten path until i got enough of those popular places. Jinbocho is book town in the same meaning as akihabara is called electric town. Although there are many new stores and stores, most bookstores in the area specialize in their favorite books and old books. The top 10 things to do near tatsumi station, koto in 2020. The kanda used book festival is one of the largest annual events in the jimbocho district of kandarenowned as a town of used and antique books.
She previously wrote for the paper on japanese economics, business and technology from tokyo. Sumo town walk with chankonabe lunch locates at tokyo, tokyo, japan. Most of the cities are located along the coastline and middle part of boso peninsula is mostly mountain. Jan 09, 2018 not quite that good but close enough is saigons own japan town hemmed in by thai van lung, le thanh ton and ngo van nam streets in district 1. This book is the result of many years of research and hundreds of interviews. Jimbocho station, which is on the toei mita line 19 minutes. Jimbocho in tokyo is a book lovers paradise with plenty of book shops that serve.
I also recently realised that many travelers have been to tokyo several times and got the same feeling as i do. 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. Details on where to find incredible sales up to 70% off. Jimbocho, tokyo s used book town, is easily accessed from shinjuku via the shinjuku subway line toward motoyawata, jimbocho station, exit a7. Hiroko tabuchi is a climate reporter for the new york times, based in new york. 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. Jimbocho in tokyo is a book lovers paradise with plenty of book shops that serve japanese and english readers. In 19, the town that is surrounded by three of tokyo s most prestigious universities was destroyed by fire. While there are many new and chain stores, the majority of booksellers in the area specialize in preloved and antique books. For more on japanese travel and japanese literature, visit category. There are 8 ways to get from tokyo to toba by train, bus, night bus, car or plane. From tokyos shinjuku area, there is a direct bus service to this town.
Tokyo tourism tokyo hotels tokyo bed and breakfast tokyo vacation rentals tokyo vacation packages flights to tokyo tokyo restaurants things to do in tokyo tokyo shopping tokyo travel forum tokyo photos tokyo map tokyo travel guide all tokyo hotels. Tokyos jimbocho neighborhood wont close the chapter on books. Spending a day in tokyos book district savvy tokyo. Nov 03, 2016 taken together, jimbocho isnt just the largest secondhand book market in tokyo, its one of the largest in the entire world. Sotetsu fresa inn ochanomizu jimbocho this neighborhood is a great choice for travelers interested in culture, city walks and cleanliness check location 1010051 tokyo to, 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. Akira naitos comprehensively illustrated book on history of edo, currently tokyo may give you a nice clue to understand the culture and history of tokyo and the role nowfamous shinto shrines and buddhist temples had during the rein of tokugawa shogun between 1603 to 1868. 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 go.