JIMBOCHO BOOK DISTRICT || Spend the Day in a Bookworm's Paradise in Tokyo
Book lovers would love exploring Jimbocho.
Whether a trendy bookshop carrying the latest titles or a vintage bookshop with pre-loved and antique books that would be a goldmine for collectors, the Jimbocho book district in Tokyo has it all. This area has been said to be home to 200 bookstores, and I lost count after the first 20 bookstores I wandered into.
I had started my day at another bookish location—Daikanyama T-site in Shibuya and made my way by train over to Jimbocho via a short train ride to Jimbocho Station.
As I stepped out of the train station, right away, I could already see several large bookstores across the street. Carts of books spilled from the shop onto the sidewalk, with anything and everything from children’s books to novels.
I ventured into the main avenue where it’s closed off for pedestrian traffic only, making it easy for bookworms to hop from shop to shop. What is fascinating is that you will find old shops nestled amongst the new. If you aren’t fluent enough to read entire books in Japanese Kanji, then you’ll want to look for English books: yosho (洋書). You will be able to spot these two kanji on the signage outside of the store. Even browsing Japanese book covers brings me great joy, so I didn’t look exclusively for bookshops offering yosho.
To me, the most relaxing time is that spent in a bookstore surrounded by rows upon rows of books. If this sounds like something you would love, you must visit Jimbocho. Read on for my recommendations on where to break for lunch and coffee!
Every street in surrounding the train station is home to several bookstores.
The inner streets are closed for pedestrian traffic only, encouraging you to browse at a slower pace.
I could get lost book hunting in trendy nooks like this one.
Tightly packed bookshops have books stacked from floor to ceiling.
Many visitors love Paper Back Cafe, and say it’s a great spot to stop by for coffee.
Carts and boxes of books line the street here to make it easy for you to hunt for treasure.
BREAK FOR LUNCH
Need to rest your feet after a morning of exploring bookshops? If you’re a fan of tempura set lunches, then this cozy shop with counter and table seating would hit the spot. Crispy and flakey tempura pairs well with a hot bowl of rice and soup. You could enjoy the deluxe lunch set for just 2000 yen so we’d say it’s well worth it!
Stop by Hachimaki for a satisfying tempura lunch.
This tempura lunch set includes prawns, vegetable and fish tempura served with a bowl of rice and soup.
COMPLETE YOUR DAY WITH A COFFEE AT GLITCH
We recently shared our experience visiting GLITCH COFFEE, a coffee shop that our friend in Japan said is their go-to cafe to complete each and every one of their visits to the Jimbocho book district. I can say with confidence that their handpicked flavours for each guest is the very best.
The perfect spot to relax with a hot cup of coffee to wrap up your day.
Photography by Florence Leung