{"id":1896,"date":"2014-10-14T08:21:28","date_gmt":"2014-10-13T23:21:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcjapan.comglish-language-bookshops-in-tokyo\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T11:35:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T02:35:32","slug":"english-language-bookshops-in-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcjapan.com\/ja\/english-language-bookshops-in-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"English language bookshops in Tokyo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"old_Book\"<\/a>With the advent of e-readers and smartphones, getting your hands on English language literature in Japan isn\u2019t the challenge it once was. However, whether the book you are looking for isn\u2019t available online, or you just like the feel and smell of turning pages, sometimes you just have to hold the book in your hands.<\/p>\n

The following is a list of just some of the places where you can find English language books around Tokyo.<\/p>\n

Good Day Books \u2013 Gotanda<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While they may not be up against the strongest of opposition, Good Day Books\u2019 claim to be the largest used English Language bookstore is hard to refute with a staggering 40,000 books on premesis. They stock new, rare and hard to find titles as well as trading or buying books you no longer have use for. There is also a community based around the shop with a series of author presentations by writers on Japan, as well as a book club.<\/p>\n

Where: 3rd<\/sup> Floor Tokai Building, 2-4-2 Nishi Gotanda, Shinagawaku 141-0031<\/p>\n

When: Mon-Sat 11:00-20:00, Sun and holidays 11:00-18:00<\/p>\n

Web: http:\/\/www.gooddaybooks.com\/contents\/home\/?language=english<\/a><\/p>\n

Kinokuniya \u2013 Shinjuku<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Another large (by Japanese standards) selection of English language fiction and non-fiction, Kinokuniya also focuses on audiovisual and stationary products. There are two stores in Shinjuku station, with the main eight floored one found at the east exit, but the Southern Terrace exit perhaps has a wider selection of English language fashion, style and current affairs magazines.<\/p>\n

Where: Performing Arts Theatre 2, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya, 151-0051<\/p>\n

When: 10:00-20:00<\/p>\n

Web: www.kinokuniya.co.jp<\/a><\/p>\n

Cow Books – Nakameguro<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve got a touch of the beatnik about you, Cow Books is a great place to check out. With a collective choice of reasonably priced oddities from the 1960s and 70s, you can find all manner of books on progressive politics and protest works as well as other more quirky titles on the likes of Timothy Leary, Underground poetry and hippy counter culture. Throw in a free cup of coffee when you make a purchase, and Cow Books might be just your idea of bookshop heaven. Keep an eye out for them On The Road in their travelling book mobile.<\/p>\n

Where:1-14-11 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, 153-0042<\/p>\n

When: Tue-Thur 13:00-21:00, Mon closed<\/p>\n

Web: www.cowbooks.jp\/english.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Aoyama Book Center \u2013 Roppongi<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Aoyama Book Center has a particularly impressive selection of magazines, with special attention paid towards arts and design. In fact ABC seems to cater particularly well to denizens of the art world, stocking plenty of books on the subject on top of the usual (though expensive) English fiction<\/p>\n

Where: 6-1-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, 106-0032<\/p>\n

When: Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-22:00<\/p>\n

Web: www.aoyamabc.co.jp<\/a><\/p>\n

Book Off \u2013 Everywhere<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Depending on where you live, Book Off can be a little hit and miss. As part of the \u2018Off\u2019 recycling empire found all over the country, they stock second hand goods. This means the more foreigner friendly your shopping area is, the more likely you are to come across something you want, with the bigger stores such as the one in Shinjuku having an extensive English language stock. This however does not mean that the smaller stores won\u2019t throw up the odd gem. You never know where you might get lucky.<\/p>\n

Where: All over the city. See website for details of your nearest store.<\/p>\n

Web:www.bookoff.co.jp<\/a><\/p>\n

Shibuya Publishing Booksellers – Shibuya<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Despite being just five minutes from Shibuya train station, Shibuya Publishing Booksellers is hidden away on a quiet little street meaning you can forget about the city\u2019s hustle and bustle as you browse their incredible selection. The staff are helpful and just the right side of chatty and will help you find what you are looking for amongst their choice of books, magazines and even the odd record. If you own a record player that is.<\/p>\n

Where: 17-3 Kamiyamacho, Shibuya, 154-0047<\/p>\n

When: Mon-Sat 12:00-00:00 Sun 12:00-22:00<\/p>\n

Web: www.shibuyabooks.net<\/a><\/p>\n

Tower Records \u2013 Shibuya<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You kind of know what you\u2019re going to get with Tower Records: plenty of pop culture books and magazines. In recent years the English selection has been slimmed down but UK customers can occasionally get the Guardian Weekly or The Times. However it is the massive collection of Lonely Planet tourist guides that makes Tower Records the ideal spot for adventurers.<\/p>\n

Where: 1-22-14, Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, 150-0041<\/p>\n

When: 10:00-23:00<\/p>\n

Web: www.tower.jp<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This article is for informational \u00a0purposes only. \u00a0Inclusion is not an endorsement!<\/p>\n

By Mark Guthrie<\/p>\n

Image: By Lin Kristensen from New Jersey, USA (Timeless Books<\/a>) [CC-BY-2.0<\/a>], via Wikimedia Commons<\/a>\u00a0-Modified<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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