Book Lover's Guide to 7 Best Bookshops in Jinbocho

Genkido, a specialist in secondhand art-related tomes, is one of the most inviting of all Jinbocho’s bookshops. This charm comes from both the store itself, which approximates the vibe of a classic European bookseller complete with vitrines housing rarer editions, and the proprietor who is knowledgeable and especially helpful. Genkido’s definition of ‘art’ is pleasingly broad, with the inventory encompassing everything from classical Japanese and Western art, to photography and fashion. Look out for copies of a well-designed magazine titled ‘Nippon’, which chronicled 1930s-40s Japan in largely visual form and is now considered to have been a propaganda tool.

Minamoto Ki Do Book Store

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kanda Ogawamachi 3-chome 1-28

0332915081

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Magnif Zinebocho specializes in vintage fashion and lifestyle magazines from the past few decades, mostly Japanese but with strong visual appeal for non-Japanese speakers. The store’s stylish yellow-and-red facade, reminiscent of the abstract modern artist Mondrian, immediately marks it out as something different in this area dominated by more traditional booksellers. Fashionistas should check out 1980s and ’90s mags, such as ‘Relax’ and ‘Olive’, that tastemakers are currently mining for inspiration.

Magnif

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandajimbouchou 1-17-1

0352805911

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Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ochanomizu-Jimbocho

1-19-7 Kandajimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

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This bijou shop is a true antiquarian bookseller, specializing in secondhand books on the ukiyo-e (‘floating world pictures’) prints created in the Edo period (1603-1868) by artists including the famed Hokusai. Rare original prints are also carried, along with antique maps and guidebooks designed to give a schooling on this still very vivid art form.

Oya Book Store

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandajinbocho 1-chome 1

0332910062

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Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ochanomizu-Jimbocho

1-19-7 Kandajimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

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This mainstream bookshop, stocking new books across a broad range of genres, feels at once both modern and traditional, and is of a kind that is sadly slowly disappearing from the world’s cities. Shelves of mostly Japanese publications are complemented by a pleasant reading area, and the in-house Paper Back Cafe is a great spot to take a rest from trawling the neighborhood’s other stores.

Tokyodo Book Store Kanda Jinbo

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandajinbocho 1-17

0332915181

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Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ochanomizu-Jimbocho

1-19-7 Kandajimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

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This shop is located within a distinguished-looking brick building erected in 1931 and could be called the quintessential Jimbocho used bookseller. Isseido’s vast stock, which leans towards the scholarly, covers countless genres including fine art, history, and religion to name just a few. A section on the second floor is dedicated to foreign language books; not only English but also titles in Sanskrit and Ancient Greek.

The Isseido Booksellers

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandajinbocho 1-7

0332920071

10:00-18:30 (Public holiday …

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Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo-Jimbocho

1-30 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

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This specialist in architectural tomes is fittingly housed within one of Jimbocho’s most striking buildings; a minimalist fascia of embossed concrete squares into which two street-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows are cut; one for each of the shop’s two floors. This sleek feel continues inside, with the clutter of many Jimbocho bookshops eschewed in favor of neat order. A highly comprehensive selection of both Japanese and English-language books is supplemented outside by stacks of architectural magazines.

Nanyodo Book Store

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandajimbouchou 1-chome 21

0332911338

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Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ochanomizu-Jimbocho

1-19-7 Kandajimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

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This major branch of nationwide chain Sanseido is the largest of Jimbocho’s many bookstores. Across six spacious floors unfold both general and highly specialized titles, including everything from manga to medical dictionaries, and there are decently sized sections dedicated to foreign books and stationery.

UCC Cafe Comfort SANSEIDO BOOK STORE Jinbocho Head Office Building

4.5

15 Reviews

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kandajinbocho 1-1 SANSEIDO BOOK STORE Jinbocho Main Store 2F

0335180280

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Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ochanomizu-Jimbocho

1-19-7 Kandajimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

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