Bookstores in Central Japan
Bookstores in Japan
Central Japan (between Tokyo & Yokohama and Kyoto)
Last Change:
13 Oct 2008
============================================================================
Note: Yohan, major distributor of foreign books and magazines went
bankrupt July 31st '08. Many stores were totally dependent on Yohan for
foreign publications. For books, alternate channels are becoming available,
but magazines pose a big problem, for they require weekly or monthly
shipments. It will take some time for other companies to get established.
All entries here were written based on visits before Yohan failed.
============================================================================
Cities listed in this file:
Niigata
Kashiwazaki
Toyama
Takaoka
Kanazawa
Fukui
Kofu
Nagano
Ueda
Matsumoto
Suwa
Iida
Numazu
Shizuoka
Hamamatsu
Toyohashi
Toyota City
Nagoya
Gifu
Yokkaichi
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Stores with Mail/Fax/Online services
Bookstores in other cities of Japan
Bookstores in other cities of the world
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General notes on address, phone conventions, hours, etc. in Japan
Looking for bargains? Buying books in Japan
Insights of the trade: Publishing books in Japan
Other sources and reference material on bookstores in Japan
Glossary of Japanese publishing terms
Acknowledgements
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Niigata
NTT long-distance area code: Niigata-shi 025.
Junkudo Niigata (1-1 Sasaguchi, Niigata-shi 950_0917; 1F&B1F Plaka 1, south
side of JR Niigata Terminal. 374-4411, Fax 242-0003) "Total one
million books. No store in Niigata, Nagano, Kanazawa or Toyama
comes close. Great for technical books. Few copies per title.
Very large foreign section: many paperbacks and art books. Not busy
in spite of its size. It is far from the city center, on the
underdeveloped side of Niigata Station." Open 10-21. [01/08]
Kinokuniya Niigata (1-5-1 Bandai, Niigata-shi 950_0088; From JR Niigata
Terminal take wide avenue north toward Bandai-bashi (bridge). 6F
Lovela Bandai, near Niigata Bus Terminal. 241-5281, Fax 245-2747;
HQ Tokyo) "Second largest store in Niigata-ken. Modest foreign
section. Relocated March '07." Open 10-20. Closed about once a
month, on Wed. [01/08]
Banshodo (958 Furumachi-dori 6-bancho 951_8063; In roofed arcade. Turn
south from main street at corner with Hokkosha Bookstore (which has
no foreign books). 229-2221, Fax 229-4331) "Large general
bookstore. Head of local chain. A few foreign books 3F." [01/08]
Koukodo (563 Furumachi-dori 4-bancho 951_8063; 229-4058, Fax 224-8654)
"Used books, youkyoku and medical books. Established 1911. A few
foreign books. Also a publisher of books on local lore, and books
about Buddhist monk Ryoukan." Open 9:30-18:30, 10-18 Sun, Hol.
Closed Dec 31-Jan 4.
Sakuma Shoten closed store Nov. '07. They still have a warehouse full of
books and a phone line is still alive.
============================================================================
Kashiwazaki
NTT long-distance area code: Kashiwazaki 0257.
Komeri Shoten Kashiwazaki (10-18 Yanagibashi-cho, Kashiwazaki-shi,
Niigata-ken; South side of JR Kashiwazaki Station. Roof sign
visible from platform.", 20-1230) "Largest store in Kashiwazaki.
One shelf foreign books." [01/08]
============================================================================
Toyama
NTT long-distance area code: Toyama-shi 076.
Seimeido (3-2-24 Sogawa, Toyama-shi 930_0083; In Sogawa arcade, 4 minutes
to the west of streetcar Nishicho Station. 424-4166) "Head of
local chain. Some foreign books 2F." [01/08]
Kinokuniya Toyama (3-8-6 Sogawa, Toyama-shi 930_0083; In Sogawa arcade,
near Seimeido. 7F Sogawa Ferio. 491-7031, Fax 491-7081;
HQ Tokyo) "One large floor. Most foreign books in Toyama. Opened
Sept '07." Open 10-20. [01/08]
Books Nakada Main Store (180-1 Kakeo-machi, Toyama-shi 939_8212; Shortly
east of Kakeo Intersection. From streetcar Minami-Toyama (terminus)
take narrow street about 300 meters southwest, turn right (west) at
wide road and proceed about 500 meters. About 12 minutes from
streetcar Minami-Toyama. Kakeo Bus Stop is to the south of Kakeo
Intersection. 492-1192, Fax 492-1195) "Head of regional chain.
Three buildings in this location, one for popular books and recent
arrivals, another for comics, and a third for technical books. Some
shelves foreign books, but not enough to make a bus/tram ride from
downtown worthy. Parking space available." Open 10-23. [01/08]
============================================================================
Takaoka
NTT long-distance area code: Takaoka 0766.
Bun'endo Eki-mae Store (40 Suehiro-machi, Takaoka-shi, Toyama-ken 933_0023;
About 4 minutes from JR Takaoka, on the north side along streetcar
line. 21-0333) "Foreign books 3F. 1 shelf paperbacks and 1 shelf
Japanese language texts. Good for Japanese technical books. 15
stores in area." 1F open 10-20; other floors 10-19. [A big new
store opened in Fukuda, near Takaoka Expressway Interchange. Chain
head moved there.] [01/08]
There is a large Meibundo in Imizu between Toyama and Takaoka.
============================================================================
Kanazawa
NTT long-distance area code: Kanazawa 076.
Kohrinbo District:
Kinokuniya Kanazawa Daiwa (1-1-1 Kohrinbo 920_8550; 7F Kohrinbo Daiwa Dept.
Store, 220-1288, Fax 220-1263; HQ Tokyo) "Used to be 'either
this store or Utsunomiya', but now dwarfed by newcomers. No foreign
books." Open 10-19. Closed irr. Wed. [01/08]
Books Nakada Kohrinbo (2-1-1 Kohrinbo 920_0961; B1F Kohrinbo 109.
220-5011, Fax 220-3118) "Kanazawa branch of chain based in Toyama.
Opened March '06. Came in after Kikuya moved out. Total 380,000
books. One shelf foreign books." Open 10-21. [01/08]
Utsunomiya Kakinokibatake Main Store (1-1-30 Hirosaka 920_8722; Turn east
into narrow street just south of Kohrinbo Intersection. 234-8111,
Fax 234-8131) "Large general bookstore. Conservative, but some say
it is too stiff. Good for Japanese technical books and local
publications. Foreign books 2F. Head of regional chain." [01/08]
JR Kanazawa Terminal vicinity:
Libro Kanazawa (1-5-3 Honmachi 920_0853; 1&2F Rifare Kanazawa. About 5
minutes by foot toward Musashigatsuji and Kohrinbo from JR Kanazawa.
1 stop by bus. 232-6202; HQ Tokyo) "Several shelves foreign books
1F. Many art, photography, decor, architecture titles. A small
number of titles on cooking and gardening. Some imported magazines.
Imported children's books 2F. Was largest bookstore in Kanazawa
when it opened in '04. Still best place for foreign books. (There
is another, smaller Libro a few blocks to the southeast, in
Meitetsu.)" Open 10-20. [01/08]
Also in Rifare Kanazawa:
Kanazawa International Exchange Foundation (KIEF, 2F; see map)
Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange (IFIE, 3F)
IFIE International Library (3F; well stocked)
Other districts:
Katsuki Shoten Kabos Ohkuwa (22 Ohkuwa-ni 921_8046; Southern end of city.
Take bus from JR Kanazawa to Ohkuwa-danchi. 226-1170, Fax
226-1502) "3,000 square meters. Several shelves foreign books:
magazines, paperbacks, art and hobby. Opened Nov '05 as Imagine
Ohkuwa. Katsuki Shoten of Fukui took over June '07. Enjoys a
favorable location along the outer loop road, but not too crowded.
Imagine Co. was good at attracting people by staging events. We
don't know what advantages the new owner has over the old." Open
10-23. [01/08]
Yokono Shoten (2-16 Juuichiya-machi 921_8106; In temple district of the
south side of city. Near Juuichiya-machi Elementary School.
241-2207) "Old, small shop selling Buddhist books. Also some used
books. Sutra woodblocks from the Meiji era are on display and for
sale." Open 10-18. [01/08]
Bun'endo Shimeno (80-1 Shimeno-machi 920_0059; Beside Aeon Shimeno Shopping
Center on Route 8. From JR Kanazawa, take bus for Shimo-Yasuhara
via Naka-Shimeno. (About once per hour). 267-7007, Fax 267-7031)
"Opened Aug '06. Very large store. 3,000 square meters, 400,000
books. The place resembles a library. Great for technical books.
2 shelves foreign books. Largest store of chain based in Takaoka."
Open 10-Midnight. [01/08]
Meibundo Kanazawa Beans (5-158 Kuratsuki 920_8203; A few blocks, about 10
minutes by foot, to the north of Ishikawa-ken Government Hall
(Ishikawa Kencho), beyond Mr. Donuts, on the other side of the
so-called "50 meter road". Not far from Route 8. About 2 km from
Bun'endo Shimeno, to the northeast. 239-4400) "Opened Jun '07.
With 4,200 square meters this is the store with most floorspace in
Kanazawa. Unique bean-shaped building. Bright interior. Claims
800,000 books in stock, but much of it is casual publications, and
there are multiple copies of popular titles. Foreign paperbacks 2F,
foreign picture books 3F. The children's section is notable but
overall, the proportion of foreign books is very small." Open
9-Midnight. [01/08]
"Three suburban stores listed above occupy more space than some stores of
nationwide renown: Maruzen Nihombashi (2,000 square meters), Yurindo
Yokohama Landmark Plaza (1,000 sm) and Asahiya Osaka Main (Umeda; 2,500 sm).
Suburban mega-stores are increasing nationwide. Everybody agrees that
Kanazawa has too many of them. Some observers say that the tense
competition going on here today will soon be seen in other cities.
These suburban stores have relatively small imported book sections. One
factor is limited demand. Another reason is that foreign books, unlike
Japanese books, cannot be sent back to origin when unsold. Without experts
who understand the merchandise, stores can't control this risk."
============================================================================
Fukui
NTT long-distance area code: Fukui-shi 0776.
Katsuki Shoten (1-4-18 Chuo, Fukui-shi 910_0006; Opposing Darumaya-Seibu.
Between streetcar tracks and bus terminals. 4 minutes from JR Fukui
Station. 24-0428, Fax 24-0575) "3 floors. Japanese selection as
large as Kinokuniya's. Foreign books on 3F." Open 10-19:30.
Kinokuniya Fukui (1-9-20 Chuo 910_8582; 5F Darumaya-Seibu Loft Tower. On
street with streetcar terminal. 28-9851, Fax 28-9855; HQ Tokyo)
"1 large floor. More foreign books than Katsuki Shoten." Open
10-19:30.
============================================================================
Kofu
NTT long-distance area code: Kofu 055.
Kaizosha (1-1-8-406 Marunouchi, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi-ken 400_0031; On 4F of
JR Kofu station mall. 224-2681) "About as large as the book
section of Okajima. 1 rack foreign paperbacks."
Jouhoku Shobo (1-1-4 Asahi 400_0025; Shortly north of 1st Chuo Line
underpass west of JR Kofu. About 5 minutes from station gates.
252-6587) "Small used bookstore. Serious literature and classics.
Very few foreign books."
Okajima Department Store (1-21-15 Marunouchi; South side of station, near
City Hall. 232-2111) "Books on 6F. Run by Sanseido Jimbocho,
Tokyo." Open 10-19:30.
Ryuseido Main Store (4-2-18 Chuo 400_0032; Faces Washington Hotel.
Southeast of Okajima. 235-2201) "Central Store now closed. No
foreign books."
Rougetsudo Main Store (13-6 Kugawa-honcho 400_0048; Southwest of station,
near Kofu-Showa Expressway Exit. From JR Kofu take any bus from
platform 6 to Kami-Ishidacho and walk about 15 minutes south on
Nansei-dori. From Route 20 Bypass turn north into first avenue east
of the highway exit. 228-7356, Fax 232-2209) "Largest bookstore
in Kofu. Probably most foreign books in city. Larger than any
store in Suwa or Matsumoto, smaller than Orion Shobo Norte,
Tachikawa. Large parking lots." Open 9:30-22:00.
============================================================================
Nagano
NTT long-distance area code: Nagano-shi 026.
Heiando Shin-Nagano (1355-5 Suehiro-cho, Nagano-shi 380_0825; Faces JR
Nagano Terminal Zenkoji Exit. 224-4545, Fax 226-2552) "Largest
bookstore in Nagano-ken. 3 floors. Children's books (some foreign)
on 3F. Academic selection on 4F much larger than that of any store
in Matsumoto. Quite large collection of foreign literature and
language texts on 4F. Strong in education-related material.
Established 1927. 47 outlets, 100 franchise stores as of '02."
Open 10-21. Closed 12 days per year (irr.)
============================================================================
Ueda
NTT long-distance area code: Ueda 0268.
Saito Shoten (3-2-19 Chuo, Ueda-shi, Nagano-ken 386_0012; Several blocks
north up on wide avenue north of JR/Shinano Railways Ueda Station.
About 10 minutes by foot from station. Bus Hara-machi. 22-2617)
"Used bookstore. Large general collection neatly laid out. Many
regional publications. Very few foreign books."
The largest bookstore of the city is Heiando in the Shiodano Shopping
Center, west of Ueda Dentetsu Terashita Station.
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Matsumoto
All stores on east side of JR Matsumoto Terminal. Convenient from station
to Ote district and Shinshu University is the bus, Asama Line.
NTT long-distance area code: Matsumoto 0263.
Kaizosha (1-1-1 Fukashi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken 390_0812; Matsumoto
Station Mall. Same level as station gates. 36-3777) "General
bookstore. Large mountaineering selection. Regional studies near
entrance. 1 rack foreign paperbacks."
Books 63 (Rokusan) (1-2-11 Fukashi; First block (or so) south side of
Ekimae-dori (wide boulevard east of station), 35-5555, Fax
35-5557) "Good for casual readings and art books but smaller than
Parco Book Center. 1 shelf foreign books." Open 10-20.
Parco Book Center (2-2-28 Chuo 390_0811; B1F Matsumoto Parco, between
Koen-dori and Isemachi-dori. 4 minutes from JR Matsumoto East Exit:
enter street on left side of McDonald's. Nearest bus stop:
Honmachi. 32-5733, HQ Tokyo) "General selection of Japanese
books. Art Logos is the largest foreign section in town." Open
10-20.
Seikando (3-5-13 Ote; The mock castle north (toward real castle) of large
Hachijuni (82nd) Bank. West side of street. Phone/Fax 32-2333)
"Used bookstore of academic books. Great quality but place is a
mess. Many Iwanami pocket books. Some wahon. 2 shelves foreign
books." Open 10-18.
Meirindo (2-10-10 Asahi 390_0802; Asahi-machi Intersection, near Shinshu
Univ. Hospital. 35-4312, Fax 35-1757) "Medical books."
Kakurindo closed February '07.
"To the north of Matsumoto Castle is Kaichi Gakkou, an old primary school.
Take the street between the shrine and souvenir shop north and turn left at
the present Kaichi Elementary School, and another right at the end of wide
street, formerly the outer moat. Old school textbooks on display."
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Suwa
NTT long-distance area code: Suwa 0266.
Heiando Suwa (2326-1 Shiga-Iijima, Suwa-shi, Nagano-ken 392_0012; On Iijima
Intersection, one road northwest of expressway entrance. Halfway
between JR Kami-Suwa and Chino. 53-4545, Fax 53-4538; HQ Nagano)
"Largest bookstore in Suwa. Regional publications in center. Some
foreign paperbacks. Also sells CDs and video tapes."
============================================================================
Iida
NTT long-distance area code: Iida 0265.
Heiando Iida (660-1 Kanae-Nagokuma, Iida-shi, Nagano-ken; Near Saty on
south side of Apple Road (Route 153) between Chuo Expressway exit
and Ina-Hachiman. South of JR Iida Line Kanae Station. 24-4545,
Fax 53-3223; HQ Nagano) "Largest store in Iida City. Sometimes
called the Heiando Shin (=New) Iida Store. Some foreign books.
Toyohashi Seibunkan is far larger." Open 10-22.
============================================================================
Numazu
NTT long-distance area code: Numazu 055.
Marusan Shoten Numazu Nakamise (5-3-3 Ote, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka-ken,
410_0801; South of McDonalds in Nakamise arcade. Southwest side of
JR Numazu. 963-0350, Fax 963-6090) "Head store of local chain.
Mountaineering section (books on Mt. Fuji) basement, large technical
section 2F. Quite large foreign corner (paperbacks, language texts,
books on Japan) 3F." Open 10-20. Closed 2nd Wed of month when not
Hol.
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Shizuoka
NTT long-distance area code: Shizuoka-shi 054.
Toda Shoten Shizuoka Main Store (9-5 Kouyamachi, Shizuoka-shi 420_0852;
Faces Shizuoka Bank on north side of JR Shizuoka. Has basement
entrance. 205-6111, 0120-920-918, Fax 205-6116) "Now largest
store in Shizuoka-ken. More than 500,000 books. 5 floors. Largest
foreign collection in area. Chain has 60 branches, mostly in
Shizuoka-ken. Head of chain in Shimizu." Open 10-21.
Ezaki Shoten (2-6-8 Gofuku-cho 420_0031; About 8 minutes from station,
beyond Toda Shoten and Shizuoka Bank. 254-4481, Fax 254-4674)
"Popular bookstore in Shizuoka. Large selection but no foreign
books. Many branches in the area." Open 10-20:30. Closed Jan 1st.
[Also large is Parche branch (in the Shizuoka Station shopping
center). 255-8598; No English books.]
Shizuoka Yajimaya (2-5-5 Gofuku-cho; On block north of Ezaki Shoten, same
side of Gofukucho-dori. About 10 minutes from station. 254-1301,
Fax 254-8500; gofukucho@yajimaya.co.jp) "2nd largest bookstore in
Shizuoka City. Fine technical selection. Quite large foreign
section (3F) has paperbacks. books on Japan, study aids and books
for children." Open 10-20. [12/06]
Maruzen Shin Shizuoka Center (1-1-1 Takashou, Aoi-ku 420_0839; 4F Shin
Shizuoka Center, 255-1851, Fax 255-2028) "One large floor. Not
many foreign books: about 2 shelves total." Open 10-20. [12/06]
The Shizuoka City Association for Multicultural Exchange (SAME) has a small
foreign book collection. (2F Denden Bldg; Southwest corner of Egawa-cho
Intersection, between Shin Shizuoka Center and Gofukucho Intersection.
http://www.samenet.jp/)
============================================================================
Hamamatsu
NTT long-distance area code: Hamamatsu 053.
Yajimaya Renjaku Main Store (309-1 Renjaku-cho, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka-ken
430_0939; From JR Hamamatsu Station head toward Castle and City
Hall: Turn left at first wide street and turn right at UFJ Bank. On
left side of street, about 10 minutes from station. 453-9121, Fax
456-4414; renjaku@yajimaya.co.jp) "Large general bookstore on
three floors. Many books for specialists (but Seibunkan Toyohashi
has more.) Books about Enshuu region along staircase in back.
Foreign books on 2F. Many English paperbacks, some books about
Japan and many learning aids of the Japanese language. Large
selection of dictionaries on 3F reflects strong commitment of
citizens toward education. Although the city has more than 10,000
residents from Brazil, no books in Portuguese sold." Open 9:30-21,
3F -20. Closed Jan 1st. [Hamamatsu Shitoro-cho Aeon branch opened
August '05. 400,000 books. The Renjaku store is better for foreign
books. Open 10-22. The Yajimaya in the station mall also has some
foreign books.]
Bunsendo (314-1 Renjaku-cho; Across the street from Yajimaya. 454-6358)
"General bookstore but smaller than Yajimaya. 1 rack of English
paperbacks on 1F."
Elephant (300-10 Kon'ya-machi 430_0938; Turn left on the first corner north
of Yajimaya. Halfway up the hill, on left side. 456-7859)
"Children's books. Very few books in English."
Servitu Presentes Express (362-1 Sunayama-cho, Hamamatsu-shi 430-0926; On
street south of Shinkansen tracks and Yahata Bridge. Faces bike
lot. On 2F, above ethnic grocery. 458-7074;
http://www.presentes-express.com/) "Books imported from Brazil.
Magazines 1F." Closed Jan 1st.
"The public libraries of Hamamatsu have many foreign books. The majority of
the Chuo-kan (Central) Library's foreign selection is English, but there are
also books of many other languages, including Thai and Tagalog. Most books
in Portuguese are in the Kita (North) Library."
"Yajimaya has a large foreign language text selection. Well stocked are
study aids of Asian languages, including Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian,
reflecting the region's growing international economic ties. Portuguese
gets about as much space as Spanish. This is much more than bookstores
elsewhere in Japan."
============================================================================
Toyohashi
NTT long-distance area code: Toyohashi 0532.
Seibunkan (1-6 Hirokoji, Toyohashi-shi, Aichi-ken 440_0881; In front of JR
Toyohashi. Near Hirokoji entrance, slightly north of streetcar
terminal. 54-2345) "Largest bookstore in region. Plastic dividers
in the shelves make search easy. Especially large are the law and
education sections. Children's books, included imported picture
books in annex (2F). Many computer books. Large art section.
Foreign books and magazines on 3F. Some newspapers in Portuguese.
Railroad, military, model-craft books and role play games on 4F.
Probably only bookstore in Toyohashi selling foreign books." Open
10-20. [12/06]
============================================================================
Toyota City
NTT long-distance area code: Toyota 0565.
Stores aligned north to south.
The Amigos (141-103 Homi-danchi 5-1 Homigaoka, Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken
470_0353; Center of Homi-danchi, near post office. One bus per
hour from Toyota-shi Stn. West Exit. 43-1443) "Ethnic grocery.
Some books and magazines from Brazil."
Loja Bolao (2-37 Aizuma-cho 471_0052; 250 meters north of Seibunkan Toyota
West on route 155. Near Ibohara-danchi bus stop on route between
Toyota-shi Stn. and Homi-danchi. 32-4777) "Books from Brazil in
Portuguese 2F."
Miraiya (1-57-1 Wakamiya-cho 471_0026; Matsuzakaya Toyota. 36-2260)
"Casual selection. No books on industrial engineering. Some
foreign books."
Kumazawa Shoten (1-40 Kita-machi 471_0027; 3F Gaza, east side of Meitetsu
Toyota-shi Stn. 37-8035, Fax 34-0271) "Larger than Miraiya. No
technical books. Some foreign books."
Seibunkan (6-60 Shimoichiba-cho 471_0875; About 1km north of Toyota Motor
Co. HQ along route 248. South of Meitetsu Uwagoromo Stn. 33-3322;
Main store Toyohashi) "Largest in Toyota City, and best technical
selection. Some foreign books: about one shelf. Toyohashi
Seibunkan is about four times larger. [Two more branches in city:
Toyota Nishi (West) store on route 155 (see above); another tiny one
in Toyota-shi Stn.]" Open 10-22. [08/07]
Takahara Bookstore (1-2710 Akaike, Nisshin-shi, Aichi-ken 470_0125; South
side of Subway/Meitetsu Akike Station. Akaike is about 15 minutes
from Umetsubo by Meitetsu Toyota Line, 25 minutes from downtown
Nagoya by Subway Tsurumai Line. From station exit proceed to
McDonald's, turn right, and turn right again at street; proceed
about 3 minutes to yellow-tan building. 804-1605, Fax 805-0576)
"A typical small-city bookstore which has in addition to the
ordinary fare, a large stock of automobile books. Domestic and
foreign car books, periodicals, manuals and catalogs." Open
10:30-23. Open through year. [08/07]
The Sanyodo near Aikan-Umetsubo Station has no foreign books. [08/07]
============================================================================
Nagoya
NTT long-distance area code: Nagoya 052.
Nagoya Station:
--------------
JR/Kintetsu/Meitetsu Nagoya Station and the surrounding region is locally
known as 'Meieki'.
Sanseido Nagoya Termina (B2F Nagoya Terminal Building 1-1-2 Meieki,
Nakamura-ku 450_0002; Beneath Matsuzakaya Dept. Store Nagoya Eki
Branch. Matsuzakaya elevators do not reach B2F. Entrance stairs
north of Subway Higashiyama Line gates (B1F). 562-0077, Fax
562-0074; HQ Tokyo) "Broad selection but very few foreign titles."
Open 10-21, -20 Sun, Hol.
Sanseido Nagoya Takashimaya (1-1-4 Meieki 450_6004; 11F JR Nagoya
Takashimaya. 566-8877, Fax 586-5717) "Large foreign section
includes art, math, physics, economics and psychology. More books
on linguistics than Maruzen. Advertised as largest bookstore in the
greater region: Shizuoka-ken, Aichi-ken, Gifu-ken, Mie-ken." Open
10-20. Closed irr.
Junkudo Nagoya (23-25-9 Meieki; 1F Horiuchi Bldg. on Sakura-dori, third
block east of station. From underground Unimall use exit 6.
589-6321, Fax 589-6322; HQ Kobe) "Opened fall '03. Large, but
somewhat small for a Junkudo." Open 10-21.
Sakae:
--------------
The city center Sakae is two stations from Nagoya Station by Subway
Higashiyama Line.
Sakae Book Sellers (3-22-20 Nishiki, Naka-ku 460_0003; On corner of
Hirokoji-Gofukucho, opposing Maruzen. 971-2848, Fax 971-2370)
"Second or third largest bookstore in Nagoya. 5 floors. 2 shelves
foreign books on 2F." Open 10-22, -20 Sun.
Maruzen Nagoya Sakae (3-2-7 Sakae, Naka-ku 460_0008; A block south, 3
blocks west of Subway Sakae. Entrances on Hirokoji-dori and
Gofukucho-dori. On block with Meidi-Ya ('My'). 261-2251, Fax
264-4490; HQ Tokyo) "Japanese books on 2F. Foreign books on 3F.
Better for imported social science books than Sanseido Takashimaya.
Science and art sections also slightly larger. Foreign computer
books available." Open 9:50-20.
Asahiya Nagoya (3-6-1 Sakae; Lachic 5F&6F. Block south of Mitsukoshi.
259-6501, Fax 238-3129; HQ Osaka) "Opened March '05. 550,000
books. Rivals Sanseido in size. Has foreign section." Open 11-21.
Kinokuniya Loft Nagoya closed Sept. '06. A new branch opened in Meitetsu
Dept. Store March '07.
Other Areas:
--------------
Book Rack of Hikiyama (used books) closed '03.
There is a small Maruzen in Central Japan International Airport.
"Nagoya is the central city of the greatest industrial region in Japan. The
Zero Fighter was born here. All effort goes into production. Life here is
considered Spartan by even Japanese standards. The two million strong
inhabitants of the city have a strong agrarian collective mentality. Nagoya
is described as 'The Grand Rural Settling'.
Consumption is generally frowned upon. But on the other hand, the people of
Aichi are known for their rare, intense, uncontrollable spending sprees.
In the extreme case literature is considered a potential contaminant to the
work ethos. The Aichi Board of Education is notorious for its determined
efforts to keep undesirable literature out of school libraries.
If you want to understand the mentality of the people here, open the pages
of 'Doctor Slump Arare-chan' by Akira Toriyama, a manga comic about a
handyman of a bucolic village who tries to invent his own household maid but
instead gets a violent kid robot who throws cars over the moon."
"If you come to Nagoya, set a day for visiting Meiji-Mura, the Japanese
equivalent of Greenfield Village, Detroit. The former residences of Souseki
Natsume, Ougai Mori, Takuboku Ishikawa are on display here."
============================================================================
Gifu
Meitetsu-Gifu Terminal is 1 minute north of JR Gifu Junction. All stores
except Garakuta Shobo on street which goes north from Meitetsu-Gifu
Terminal. Stores aligned south to north.
NTT long-distance area code: Gifu-shi 058.
Book Box (6-8 Kanda-machi, Gifu-shi 500_8833; 267-5230) "Used books. Very
few foreign." Open 10-22.
Garakuta Shobo (5-7-3 Kanda-machi; Tetsumeicho Intersection. Turn east at
Melsa. 265-3055) "Used books. Very few foreign." Open 10-22.
Closed Thu.
Book World Okamoto (5-4 Kanda-machi; Opposing Melsa. 16 Bank cash
dispensers on 1F. About 10 minutes from Meitetsu-Gifu Terminal.
Phone/Fax 262-5378) "Used books. Good academic collection. Some
foreign books."
Jiyuu Shobo (4-9 Kanda-machi; 2 minutes north of Okamoto, same side of
street. 265-4301) "Largest bookstore in downtown Gifu. Several
shelves foreign books on street side of 2F."
============================================================================
Yokkaichi
NTT long-distance area code: Yokkaichi 0593.
Miyawaki Shoten (1-3-31 Yasujima, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie-ken 510_0075; 4F
LaLasquare Yokkaichi, above Apita, west side of Kintetsu Yokkaichi.
HQ Takamatsu) "One large floor. Wide selection but not many
foreign books." Open 10-21.
Hakuyo Shosekikan (1-10-3 Shibata 510_0822; Several blocks west of
LaLasquare, beyond Cultural Hall. About 15 minutes from Kintetsu
Yokkaichi by foot. 54-0171, Fax 53-5937) "Good technical section
2F. More foreign books than Miyawaki Shoten. (The large store in
Suwa-Sakae-cho arcade closed Summer 2005.) Chain has several stores
in Mie-ken." Open 10-midnight.
============================================================================
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Evelyn C. Leeper (eleeper@optonline.net)
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