Bookstores in Kyoto

Last Change:
 8 Jan 2009

============================================================================

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.

Nearly all entries here were written based on visits before Yohan failed.

============================================================================

Kyoto

Kyoto is an old Asian capital which took its model from Tang Chang-an
(present  Xi-an).  Unlike other Japanese cities, people can usually give you
directions from an address.  Kyoto addresses are given in a 'nearby
intersection' + 'direction' format.  Higashi-iru means east, nishi-iru west,
agaru (up) north, sagaru (down) south (the direction the river Kamo flows).
Kado means 'on the corner'.  Note that N/S traffic here frequently omits E/W
coordinates and vice versa.  Streets which end in 'jo' are numbered N/S and
run E/W.

All stores in Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu.
NTT long-distance area code: Kyoto-shi 075.

Northern Kyoto
Kyoto University and Doshisha University
Marutamachi
Shijo-Kawaramachi (Downtown Kyoto)
JR Kyoto Station

--------------

Osaka and Kobe (now separate file)
Subject Index, Kansai area


--------------

Stores with Mail/Fax/Online services

Bookstores in other cities of Japan
Bookstores in other cities of the world

============================================================================

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

============================================================================

Northern Kyoto:
--------------

Kitaoji Bus Terminal is directly above Subway Karasuma Line Kitaoji Station.

NTT long-distance area code is 075, with the exception of Kitayama: 077.

Kitayama (18-2 Higashi-Kurusu-cho, Shichiku, Kita-ku 603_8434;  North of
	Kitayama-dori Shichiku-Kurusucho Intersection, near Joutokuji.
	Phone/Fax 077-529-1032)  "Used books.  Sociology, anthropology and
	Asian studies in various languages including German, English,
	Chinese and Japanese.  Does business solely through mail and
	internet order."  
Shiseido (55 Minami-Kamifusa, Koyama, Kita-ku 603_8149;  South of Otani
	University (a Buddhist college).  From Subway Kitaoji Station Exit 6
	walk south down Karasuma-dori on right side.  About 3 minutes from
	station exit.  431-2345,  Fax 432-6588;  shiseido@jd5.so-net.ne.jp)
	"A vast collection of philosophy books on 2 floors.  Well organized,
	fabulous selection.  The majority French and German but also many
	English titles."  Open 9-17.  Closed Sun, Hol.
Keibunsha (10 Ichijoji-Haraitono-cho, Sakyo-ku 606_8184;  4 minutes west of
	Eiden Ichijoji.  Phone/Fax 711-5919)  "Unique collection of art
	books, zany literature.  Some imported photography, design titles
	and children's books.  During a past visit I spotted poetry in
	Italian but I'm not sure if it's intended for reading.  Also sells
	postcards, etc."  Open 10-22:30, 11- Sun.  Closed only Jan 1st.
Yamazaki Shoten (22 Tanaka-Ohkubocho, Sakyo-ku 606_8236;  North of Eiden
	Mototanaka on wide street.  711-7148)  "Used books.  Art."  Open
	10-18.  Closed Thu.

Kyoto University and Doshisha University:
--------------

To Kyoto University Campus:  Bus 17 from JR Kyoto Terminal serves
Hyakumamben.  From Keihan Demachiyanagi Terminal Exit 4 walk east along
Imadegawa-dori about 15 minutes, or take bus 17, 102 or 203 from stop 3.

Rinsen Shoten (Imadegawa-dori Kawabata Higashi-iru, Sakyo-ku, 606_8204;
	East of Demachiyanagi and Kamo-Ohashi bridge.  721-7111,  Fax
	781-6168;  http://www.rinsen.com/)  "Foreign books sold through
	catalog order.  Few books on display here."  Open 9-17.  Closed most
	weekends, Hol.
Kyoto University Coop Bookstore (Seikyou Shoten) (Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku
	606_8501;  West side of Higashi-Oji Ave. south of Hyakumamben.
	Nearby is the gym and pool.  771-7336,  Fax 771-8045)  "Academic
	collection.  Best selection of foreign science & technical books in
	Kyoto.  Many imported philosophy, linguistics, math, physics,
	biology and computer books.  They say orders from abroad take 1-6
	months to arrive and warn foreign students who do not plan to stay
	so long not to order.  Visitors may purchase here but only coop
	members get a discount."  Open 10-18, 11-15 Sat.  Closed Sun, school
	Hol.

Shirakawa-dori north of Imadegawa-dori:

Zentekido (6-2 Kita-Shirakawa-Kami-Bettocho, Sakyo-ku 606_8275;  East side
	of Shirakawa-dori, near Kita-Shirakawa-Betto Intersection, about 8
	minutes north of Imadegawa-dori by foot.  Phone/Fax 723-2221)
	"Small store selling used academic books.  Some foreign books.
	Clean place.  Prices are reasonable."  [08/08]

There are two more stores between Imadegawa-dori and Zentekido.  The one
near Imadegawa-dori is likely to have some foreign books.

The following stores on the north side of Imadegawa-dori and the campus,
between Hyakumamben and Kyodai-Nougakubu-mae bus stops:
--------------

Yoshioka Shoten (87 Tanaka-Monzencho, Sakyo-ku 606_8225;  781-4747,  Fax
	701-9075)  "Two buildings selling old books.  The store on the west
	sells humanity titles.  A good selection of philosophy books (but
	far smaller than Shiseido's).  The store on the east (Nintendo games
	on 1F) sells science books.  Fine collection of math books,
	including antiques."
Gallia Shobo (90 Tanaka-Monzencho;  702-6548,  Fax 702-6223)  "Tiny shop of
	French books.  Mostly titles about history, colonialism, feminism
	and language.  Small but serious collection."  Open 10-18.  Closed
	Sun, Hol.
Chubun Shuppansha (91 Tanaka-Monzencho;  701-2898,  Fax 702-4877)  "Chinese
	books.  Large selection of classics and social studies.  Also a
	handful of Korean books."  Open 10-18, -12 Sat.  Closed Sun, Hol.
Earth Shobo (96-2 Tanaka-Monzencho;  Phone/Fax 721-3619)  "Obviously run by
	someone with strong social concerns.  Used books, mostly serious
	studies by scholars critical of the establishment.  Many titles
	about ecology.  Announcements and newsletters of various
	organizations active in Japan appear, including 'Kaihou', the
	newspaper of the fanatical Marxist sect by the same name.  Few if
	any foreign books."

Doshisha University area, west bank of river:
--------------

Zenshodo (Kawaramachi Imadegawa-agaru, Kamigyo-ku 602_0822;  Northeast
	corner of intersection.  231-7711,  Fax 231-7716)  "Used books.
	Solid academic collection.  Strong in the humanities.  Many foreign
	books.  The place to look for classics in the original.  This is
	also a 'pawn-bookshop': books serve as collateral."  Open 11-18.
	Closed Wed.
Fujiwara Kitagosho Shobo (Imadegawa Teramachi Nishi-iru, Kamigyo-ku
	602_0832;  5 minutes west of Demachiyanagi Terminal.  Phone/Fax
	241-2598)  "Some foreign books: history, economics, linguistics and
	literature.  Doshisha is Kyoto's foremost Christian University."

"Kyoto is the academic center of western Japan.  Kyoto University studies
pure science, Tokyo University studies applied science.  Beneath the
scholastic philosophy of Kyoto is a long Buddhist tradition.  Tokyo is busy
skimming the productive fruits of the most recent foreign developments.
Kyoto has produced Nobel laureates, including Hideki Yukawa.  Tokyo breeds
bureaucrats unmatched in power in Japan but little known overseas.  Kyoto
scholars interpret law much more liberally than their counterparts in
Tokyo."

"To the east of Kyoto University Campus is Ginkaku-ji, The Temple of the
Silver Pavilion.  It was never painted silver due to financial problems.
Much better that way: austere but somehow decadent.  Indeed one of the
artistic masterpieces of oriental architecture.  Take a stroll down nearby
Testugaku no Michi (The Philosopher's Path).  Ginkaku-ji is about 25 minutes
by foot from Kyoto University.  Or take any eastbound bus to
Ginkakuji-michi."

Marutamachi:
--------------

Stores aligned west to east along Marutamachi-dori.

Ibundo (Kawaramachi Marutamachi Nishi-iru, Kamigyo-ku 602_0875;  11 minutes
	from Subway Marutamachi (walk along park), 5 minutes from Keihan
	Jinguu-Marutamachi.  Phone/Fax 231-0767)  "Chinese books.  Academic.
	Some books in Japanese.  No English books."  Open 10-18.  Closed
	Sun, Hol.
CLC Books Kyoto (Kawaramachi Marutamachi-sagaru, Kamigyo-ku 602_0873;
	Shortly south of corner.  2nd floor of bldg.  231-3967,  Fax
	231-3970)  "Christian books.  Very few books in English.  Their
	store in Ochanomizu, Tokyo is much larger."  Open 10-19, -17 Hol.
	Closed Sun.
Green-E Books (Kawabata Marutamachi Higashi-iru, 9-5 Higashi-Marutacho,
	Sakyo-ku 606_8395;  Northeast corner of intersection, 2F of building
	adjacent to Keihan Jinguu-Marutamachi Exit 4.  See their online map.
	Phone/Fax 751-5033,  http://www.greenebooks.net/)  "Foreign
	books and magazines.  Mostly English, also some French, German and
	Spanish.  Website has inventory lists.  Call and confirm hours for
	their web pages give inconsistent information."  Open 13-19.  Closed
	Tue, Wed (according to the lady on the phone [11/08]). 
Makimura Shoten (Marutamachi Kawabata Higashi-iru, 25 Higashi-Marutacho;
	About 4 minutes from Keihan Jinguu-Marutamachi.  East bank of river.
	North side of street.  771-2607,  Fax 771-7400)  "Largely academic
	collection.  Piles and piles of books, badly disorganized."
Souzousha (Marutamachi Kawabata Higashi-iru, 32 Higashi-Marutacho;  North
	side of Marutamachi-dori, shortly east of Makimura.  761-7025)
	"Used books.  Academic collection.  Some foreign medical books."
Fushikido Shobo (Marutamachi Kawabata Higashi-iru, 41 Higashi-Marutacho;
	Between Souzousha and Kumano Shrine.  771-0617)  "Academic used
	bookseller.  Some foreign books: dictionaries, math, physics and
	social sciences."  Closed Sun, Hol.

Kumano Jinja is on the corner of Marutamachi and Higashi-Oji.  Hyakumamben
Intersection is 3 bus stops to the north or about 18 minutes by foot.

Shijo-Kawaramachi:
--------------

Shijo-Kawaramachi is the central shopping district of Kyoto.  From west to
east under Shijo-dori are Hankyu Omiya Station, Subway Shijo/Hankyu Karasuma
Junction and Hankyu Kawaramachi Terminal.  Takashimaya Department Store is
Shijo-Kawaramachi kado.  On the east side of Shijo-Ohashi Bridge is Keihan
Gion-Shijo Station.  At the east end of Shijo-dori is Yasaka Shrine.

>From JR Kyoto, most people take the Subway to Shijo and stroll around.
Buses 5, 17 and 205 from JR Kyoto serve Shijo-Kawaramachi.

Sanjo means 'Third Avenue', Shijo means 'Fourth Avenue' and Kawaramachi
means 'River Bank Town'.

Stores aligned north to south along Kawaramachi, then east to west along
Shijo.

Kikuo Shoten (Kawaramachi Sanjo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku 604_8005;  231-7634,  Fax
	255-4436;  kikuo@sc4.so-net.ne.jp)  "Most famous antiquarian
	bookshop in Kyoto.  Great collection of illustrated books.  Many
	foreign books: Japan & East Asia studies, art.  Issues catalog."
	Open 10-19.  Closed Sun, Hol.
Daigakudo (Kawaramachi Sanjo-sagaru, 54 Daikokucho, Nakagyo-ku 604_8031;
	Phone/Fax 221-5063)  "Used bookstore.  Academic collection.  Strong
	in English, American literature, humanities and art.  Some foreign
	books."  Open 13:30-19:30  Closed Fri.
Media Shop (Kawaramachi Sanjo-sagaru, 44 Daikokucho 604_8031;  Enter corner
	with camera shop.  255-0783,  Fax 255-1592)  "Modern art books:
	photography, design, architecture.  Largely imported."  Open 11-22,
	-21 Sat.
Seifu Kankoubutsu Service Center (Kawaramachi Rokkaku-sagaru, 245
	Yamazaki-cho, Nakagyo-ku 604_8032;  Enter street north of Kyoto Bal.
	221-4444,  Fax 255-2913)  "Government periodicals.  Usually no
	foreign books."
Junkudo Kyoto Bal (Kawaramachi Rokkaku-sagaru, 2-chome Yamazaki-cho,
	Nakagyo-ku 604_8031;  Kyoto Bal, east side of Kawaramachi-dori,
	block north of former Maruzen.  Halfway between Sanjo and Shijo.
	253-6460,  Fax 253-6470)  "Second Junkudo in Kyoto.  Opened Oct.
	'05.  Largest bookstore in Kyoto with 900,000 books.  Large foreign
	section on 8F: many paperbacks and books on Japan.  Japanese
	literature in English alone is given 2 shelves, history, 3 shelves.
	No imported science, technology titles as of Aug. '08."  Open 11-20.
Kichuudo (Teramachi Sanjo-kita 604_8081;  In the Teramachi shopping arcade,
	west side of street.  231-2971,  Fax 212-0934;
	http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/kiraya/indexe.html)  "Buddhism.
	(Teramachi means 'Temple Town').  Established 1905.  Very few
	foreign books."  [08/08]
Random Walk Kyoto Teramachi (Teramachi Takoyakushi-sagaru 273 Empukuji-cho,
	Nakagyo-ku 604_8045;  In the Teramachi shopping arcade.  256-8231,
	Fax 256-8234;)  "Closed August 1 '08 when owner Yohan when bankrupt.
	It reopened in mid August, but the ultimate fate is unclear.  This
	store had books about Kyoto and Japan for tourists and many
	paperbacks."  [08/08]
Daishodo (Teramachi Nishikikoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku 604_8045;  One street to
	the west of the Takoyakushi (The Temple of the Healing Octopus).
	221-0685,  Fax 255-6463)  "Antique Japanese books dating from the
	Tokugawa period.  Lots of ukiyoe prints.  Tourists welcome."
Book 1st Kyoto (Shijo-dori Kawaramachi-kado, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-sho,
	Kyoto-fu;  3F-6F Kotocross Hankyu Kawaramachi, on the corner of
	Shijo and Kawaramachi.  Hankyu Kawaramachi Terminal Exit 3.
	229-8500)  "Large store, but the two Junkudo branches nearby are
	much larger.  Modest foreign book section 4F.  Replaces the Book 1st
	on Kawaramachi, near Sanjo which was open till Jan '06."  Open
	10-22.  [01/08]
Junkudo Kyoto (Shijo-dori Tominokoji-kado, Shimogyo-ku 600_8005;  On north
	side of Shijo-dori between Karasuma and Kawaramachi.  Between
	underground passage exits 9 and 13.  252-0101,  Fax 252-0550;
	HQ Kobe)  "Leading bookstore of Kyoto.  Science section has
	excellent reputation for offering both variety and depth.  Also many
	law books.  Refurbished March '05.  (Coffee corner removed to make
	way for more shelves.)  500,000 books.  Usually crowded.  2 shelves
	foreign books.  For foreign books visit the newer branch in
	Kawaramachi Bal.  See above."   Open 10-21.
Bookstore Dan Kyoto (Shijo-dori Yanaginobamba Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku
	600_8005;  On north side of Shijo-dori, several buildings to the
	west (toward Karasuma) of Junkudo.  255-0654,  Fax 256-5082)
	"Popular bookstore in downtown Kyoto.  In sharp contrast to Junkudo,
	handles almost no academic literature.  Wide variety of
	entertainment related titles.  Many photograph volumes of pop idols.
	English editions of Japanese manga 2F."  Open 10-22. -22:30 Fri.

Maruzen closed October '05.  Gion Shobo closed October '06.

"There is an interesting legend behind the Takoyakushi (Temple of the
Healing Octopus).  A young monk named Zenkou (Good Light) bought an octopus
to feed his sick mother.  (In Japan, octopus is considered a delicacy.  It
is also a good vitamin source.)  The townspeople did not like the monk, who
was supposed to adhere to a vegetarian diet, carrying seafood, and
apprehended him in front of this altar.  While the distressed Zenkou prayed,
the octopus shone and turned itself into eight medical scrolls."

"Inoda (Shijo branch: basement, Shoken Bldg, adjacent to Daimaru; Main
store: Sakaimachi Sanjo sagaru) is regarded by many as the best coffee in
Kyoto. With cream and sugar by default."

"One street north of Shijo is Nishiki Market, the 'Kitchen of Kyoto'.
Vegetable varieties unique to the city called 'kyoyasai' are available
here."

"Yasaka Shrine is dedicated to Gion, Kyoto's 'guardian saint'. 'Yasaka' is
another name for Gion who is called 'Susanou-no-Mikoto' in Kojiki. Gion
Matsuri in July is one of the most famous festivals in Japan."

JR Kyoto Station:
--------------

JR/Kintetsu Kyoto Terminal lies on the north side of the intersection of
Karasuma and Hachijo (Eighth Avenue).  Several large shopping centers in the
vicinity, connected by underground passages to the station.

Avanti Book Center (31 Higashi-Kujo Nishi-Sanno-cho, Minami-ku 601_8003;
	Covers entire 6F of mall tower 'Avanti' on south (Hachijo-guchi)
	side of JR Kyoto.  671-8987)  "General bookstore which offers both
	popular books and technical books.  About as large as the smaller
	Junkudo.  Many foreign paperbacks."  Open 10-20.

Asahiya Kyoto closed February '07.

============================================================================

• Junkudo Kyoto Bal
• Kinokuniya Umeda
• Junkudo Osaka Main (Dojima)
• Junkudo Kobe Sannomiya