Evelyn C. Leeper (eleeper@optonline.net) Go to my home pageBookstores in Japan
Northern Japan (north of Tokyo)
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: Kitami Kushiro Obihiro Asahikawa Sapporo Otaru Hakodate Aomori Hirosaki Morioka Ichinoseki Sendai Akita Yamagata Iwaki Fukushima Koriyama Tadami Utsunomiya Maebashi, Takasaki, Kiryu and Oizumi Note: Hitachi and Mito are now in the Tsukuba/Eastern Tokyo file. -------------- 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 ============================================================================ Kitami NTT long-distance area code: Kitami 0157. Fukumura Shoten (8-4 Miyoshi-cho, Kitami-shi, Hokkaido 090_0064; About 20 minutes from JR Kitami by foot. 26-1313, Fax 26-2800) "Largest bookstore in region. Very few foreign books." Open 9-Midnight. ============================================================================ Kushiro NTT long-distance area code: Kushiro 0154. Houbundo (8-1 Kita-Odori, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 085_0015; South side of station, east side of wide street. Phone/Fax 31-4880, 22-4465 (main store)) "Used books. Regional industries (mining, fishing railroad), wildlife, art. Jazz and classic records. Great place for books on Takuboku. Very few foreign books. Well organized." Yamashita Shoten (3-3 Kita-Odori 085_0015; South of Houbundo, same side of street. 22-1201) "Largest bookstore downtown. No foreign books." Coach & Four Kushiro (7-1-24 Harutori 096_0813; Near Harutori Park & Ice Arena. 46-7777; http://www.coachandfour.ne.jp/) "500,000 books. Orders, including foreign books, accepted through e-mail." ============================================================================ Obihiro NTT long-distance area code: Obihiro 0155. Shunyou-Do (20 W2S10, Obihiro-shi, Hokkaido 080_0012; 4 minutes to the north of JR Obihiro. Phone/Fax 27-2790) "Used academic bookstore. A handful foreign books. Wide Japanese selection." Miyawaki Shoten (2 W8S17 Obihiro-shi 080_0018; Walk down Koen-dori about 15 minutes south of JR Obihiro and turn right. Building with high ceiling; used to be a bowling alley. 20-6211; HQ Takamatsu) "Largest bookstore in region. One shelf foreign books." Open 10-22. ============================================================================ Asahikawa Central Asahikawa is based on a lattice plan and lies between Ishikari River and the JR tracks. The central axis is Heiwa-dori-kaimono-koen (shopping park): Japan's first permanent pedestrian-only avenue. NTT long-distance area code: Asahikawa 0166. Sanseido Asahikawa (1-jo Migi-8, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido 070_0000; Seibu Dept. Store B-kan 9F. 2 minutes from JR Asahikawa. 22-6411, Fax 23-8267; HQ Tokyo) "Second largest in city. Some foreign books." Open 10-19:30. Fukido Main Store (3-jo 8 Migi-2, Asahikawa-shi 070_0033; Turn east from Heiwa-dori-k.k. at Akamatsu. Across Kentucky Fried Chicken. 26-6100, Fax 26-3485) "Smaller than MEGA store but still popular among localers perhaps due to good organization. Books now on two floors. Established in 1914, enjoys good reputation and has opened 4 large stores in the region since 1994." Open 10-18:30, 1F -19:50. Fukido MEGA (2-jo 7, Asahikawa-shi 070_0032; 6F Marukatsu Dept. Store on west side of Heiwa-dori-k.k. 29-2888, Fax 29-3888) "Entire 6F of Marukatsu. With 220,000 books largest bookstore in Dohoku (Northern Hokkaido) region. Many imported magazines and paperback novels." Open 10-19. Closed Tue. Kosho-no-machi which shared 6F Marukatsu with Fukido Mega closed. The head store of the Book Big Box chain is on Shijo (4-jo). Some used book dealers around Asahibashi. Proceed to end of Asahi-dori or Heiwa-dori-k.k. and turn northeast. About 15 minutes from station. "Fukido's web site www.fukido.co.jp is rich in information of the local literary scene. Announcements of events such as poem presentations appear. Novels in which Asahikawa appear are listed. The local pride is Yasushi Inoue, author of 'Roof Tile of Tempyo', born here in 1907. All text currently in Japanese." ============================================================================ Sapporo Sapporo, final destination of Japanese pioneers, is laid out under an organized plan like most Hokkaido cities. In the center is Odori (Grand Boulevard), a park that serves as a fire belt. Avenues running E-W are called Jo and numbered from Odori, headed with either Kita (for North) or Minami (South). N-S avenues are usually called Chome-dori. Chome numbers are headed with either Higashi (East) or Nishi (West) counting from Sosei-gawa-dori. The N/S - E/W convention often used in foreign correspondence is followed here. Major intersections have signs with addresses translated into English but visitors are recommended to learn the Japanese. NTT long-distance area code: Sapporo 011. Hokkaido University JR Sapporo Terminal Odori District Naebo Shiroishi-ku Toyohira-ku Hokkaido University: -------------- Stores in Hokkaido University vicinity aligned from north to south. Hokutendo Kita-Juhachijo (N18W3 Kita-ku 001_0018; 1 minute from Subway Kita-Juhachijo (N18) Station. On north side of street heading east from intersection with subway exit. 716-5113) "Used bookstore with good collection in a variety of fields from science readings to aircraft magazines. Strong in literature. Histories of Hokkaido communities along the back end. No foreign books." Open 10-22. Closed Wed. Konando (N12W4 Kita-ku 001_0012; On Hokudai-dori, one street west of avenue above Subway Kita-Junijo (N12) Station. Near Hokkaido University gates. 716-9429, Fax 716-1410; http://www.abaj.gr.jp/konandoshoten/) "Impressive collection of serious academic titles, all used. Mostly college textbooks and cornerstone studies that have become classics. Law, history, science and literature are among the fields well represented. Also has collection of Hokkaido town and village histories. Few if any foreign books." Kitajunijo Shoten (N12W4 Kita-ku 001_0012; On Hokudai-dori, a bit south of Konando. 717-7779) "A discount used book store. Collection not much different from a modest general bookstore. Mostly recent titles. Lots of literature. No foreign books." Open 10-22. "Hokkaido University's Faculty of Literature leads studies of poet Takuboku Ishikawa. Students started with a calendar and worked to fill in the events of each day of his life." "'Boys be ambitious!' - parting words of Professor William Clark (1826-86), who came from Massachusetts to teach in the Sapporo School of Agriculture, is one of the few lines most Japanese learn by heart and understand in English. Clark was first at a lost: He could not speak Japanese, nor could his students understand much English. Somehow, they managed to get a school in order and Clark succeeded in leaving a lasting impression in Japanese education although his stay was less than a year. Unfortunately the used bookstores around Hokkaido University, which grew out of Sapporo School of Agriculture, do not display any noticeable amounts of imported textbooks." JR Sapporo Terminal: -------------- JR Sapporo Terminal covers blocks N6W2 to N6W4. Two subway stations, several department stores and an underground mall are connected by a rather complicated network of corridors. Kinokuniya Sapporo Main (7 N5W5 Chuo-ku 060_0005; Sapporo 55, west side of Daimaru. 231-2131, Fax 241-0526; HQ Tokyo) "Opened April 8 '05. With 4300 square meters, this is the second largest store in the chain and the largest bookstore in Hokkaido." Open 10-21. Sanseido Daimaru Sapporo (N5W4 Chuo-ku 060_0005; 8F Daimaru Department Store, west block of station mall. 222-4650, Fax 222-4640; HQ Tokyo) "Paperback section small but better than Asahiya nearby. They allow you to bring pre-purchase books into the coffee corner." Open 10-22. Asahiya Sapporo (5 N5W2 Chuo-ku 060_0005; 5F JR Tower Stellar Place (station mall), 209-5181, Fax 209-5177) "Sapporo branch of nationwide chain based in Osaka. 800,000 books. Some foreign magazines, good language study section. Few foreign paperback novels. Opened March '03, replaces Odori Store." Open 10-21. Sapporo Koeido Chikatestu (Subway) Store (N4W4 Chuo-ku 060_0004; Exit 8 along underground passage over Subway Sapporo. About 4 minutes from JR gates. 221-5510, Fax 221-5557) "Large general bookstore in convenient location. 3 shelves foreign books. Koeido has several stores in the vicinity." Open 8:45-21, 10-20 Sun. Open throughout year. Sapporo Odori District: -------------- Three subway lines merge in Odori Station. A large network of underground passages connect the junction with adjacent subway stations, a bus terminal, several department stores and two subterranean malls: the E-W Aurora Town and N-S Pole Town. The Odori district is about 1000 meters south of JR Sapporo Station, about 10 minutes by foot. All stores in Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido. Stores aligned east to west, north to south. Kinokuniya Sapporo Aurola Town (1-14-2 Odori-Nishi 060_0042; Near Totoyo Line Odori and TV Tower. In the underground mall. 231-8531, Fax 231-2134) "Above-ground floors closed Jan '05 but underground annex still open. The store near JR Sapporo is much larger. See above." Open 10-20. Livre Naniwa (B1&B2F Hinode Bldg. S1W4 060_0061; On corner. Across the street is Mitsukoshi. 221-3800, Fax 251-8531) "Popular bookstore in downtown Sapporo. The collection is smaller than Asahiya's but has stronger character." Open 9-21. [The 'Naniwa Shobo' branch in front of Grand Hotel (N1W3 Chuo-ku 060_0001; 221-4433, Fax 221-4434) is also busy and has a small Hokkaido book selection on the first floor. No foreign books.] Maruzen Sapporo Pivot (7F Pivot S2W4 060_0062; West side of Sapporo-ekimae-dori, opposing Parco. 219-4215, Fax 219-4216; HQ Tokyo) "Bookstore of shopping center which sells culture rather than utility. Now run by Maruzen. Much smaller than the Minami-Ichijo store, which closed Oct '05." (Pronounced "Pivo".) Open 10-22. Tower Books (8F Pivot; Above the main bookstore. 241-3851) "Division of Tower Records. Sells more magazines than books and very little literature. Most titles imported. About half the magazines are devoted to music. Unique selection: sells exactly the books that Maruzen and Kinokuniya don't handle. Largest Tower Records in Tokyo." Open 10-20. Closed 2nd, 3rd Tue each month (irr.) Hokkaido Kampo Hanbai-jo (Odori Park Bldg. 4-23 Odori W11 060_0042; Near S1W12 Intersection west of Subway Tozai Line Nishi-Juichi-chome (W11) Station Esco Bldg. Exit. 231-0975, Fax 271-0904) Sells government statistics and periodical reports. Asahiya moved into JR Station Mall (see above). Parco Book Center closed '03. New Day Books closed around '06. Maruzen Sapporo Minami-Ichijo closed '05. Maruzen plans to open a large store in the district around 2008. Junkudo plans to open a store in the Odori district in 2010. Naebo -------------- Maruzen Sapporo Ario (2-20 N7E9 Higashi-ku 065_8518; 3F Ario Sapporo. 7 minutes from JR Naebo by foot. 15 minutes from Subway Higashi Kuyakushomae. 733-6226, Fax 733-6229; HQ Tokyo) "Opened in '06 after Minami-Ichijo store closed. Japanese and foreign books. Total 300,000 volumes. About twice as large as the Pivot store." Open 10-21. Shiroishi-ku: -------------- Bunkyodo (8-N1-5 Nango-dori, Shiroishi-ku 003_0023; Subway Tozai Line Nango 7. North of subway exit 3, east side of street. Nearby is a Lawson's. 1 minute from station. 864-5550, Fax 864-3139) "Used books, records, CDs. Good for regional studies and music-related titles. 1 small shelf foreign books near entrance. Mostly Penguin classics. Order by mail, fax or e-mail: with limited staff they 'can't cope with phone inquiries.' Directions on their homepage start from Shin Chitose Airport. Those who come from far are probably attracted by the record collection." Open 10-22, -21 Nov-Mar. Closed 2nd and 3rd Mon of each month. Book House Little One (6-S2-1 Hongo-dori, Shiroishi-ku 003_0024; North of Subway Nango 7 exit 1. Adjacent to Shiroishi Jr. High School on Hongo-dori. Phone/Fax 860-1325) "Books for children. Very few foreign titles. The owner participates in children's literature activities in Kenbuchi." Open 10-19. Closed Wed (open when Hol.) Toyohira-ku: -------------- Coach & Four Muenchen Ohashi (1-13-1-1 Nakanoshima, Toyohira-ku 062_0921; Near Subway Sumikawa. 817-4000, http://www.coachandfour.ne.jp/) "Largest branch of the recently expanding Coach & Four chain which sells books, games and videos. 4,000 square meters. Some foreign books. Orders, including foreign titles, accepted through e-mail. The Coach & Four / Reliable Books chain is part of the Tsutaya / Top Culture group." Open 9-23. [Another Coach & Four branch in 1-5 Utsukushigaoka, Kiyota-ku 004_0811. Phone 889-2000.] ============================================================================ Otaru NTT long-distance area code: Otaru 0134. Kinokuniya Otaru (2F Ekimae Daiichi Bldg. 2-22-8 Inaho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047_0032; East side of JR Otaru, by bus terminal. 33-1381, Fax 34-2529; HQ Tokyo) "Much more variety than Marubun. About 2 small shelves English paperbacks. Some imported magazines. No books in Russian. Small independent corner of Russian language texts and dictionaries." Open 10-19:30. Marubun Inaho Store (1-3-9 Inaho; In Sun Mall Ichiban-gai (roofed mall); near Authent Hotel. About 6 minutes from station. 33-1411) "General bookstore. Manga comics on 2F. No foreign books." "Hokkaido does about a half of its trade with Russia. Many freighters arrive in Otaru and sailors come to the shopping area." ============================================================================ Hakodate NTT long-distance area code: Hakodate 0138. Mori Bunkado (3-13 Matsukaze-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido 040_0035; Near Matsukaze-cho streetcar stop. Beneath Hitachi neons. About 5 minutes from JR Hakodate by foot: follow streetcar tracks. 23-3238) "General bookstore. Old and conservative in taste. Books on Hakodate and Hokkaido on right side, near entrance. No foreign books." ============================================================================ Aomori NTT long-distance area code: Aomori-shi 017. Narita Honten (1-13-4 Shinmachi, Aomori-shi 030_8588; 4 minutes from JR Aomori. 723-2431, Fax 735-6620) "Largest store in Aomori-shi. 1 shelf foreign books 2F." Open 10-20. ============================================================================ Hirosaki NTT long-distance area code: Hirosaki 0172. Oyama Koshoten (3-6-7 Ekimae-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori-ken 036_8003; About 8 minutes beyond Ito-Yokado. 32-6030) "Used books. Academic. Has long been the leader of the region, but sadly, now in disarray. Very few foreign books." Kinokuniya Hirosaki (126-1 Dotemachi 036_8182; 1F Park Hotel. About 15 minutes from JR Hirosaki by foot. 36-4511, Fax 36-6186; HQ Tokyo) "Largest bookstore in Hirosaki. More foreign books than Narita Honten, Aomori but probably less than Junkudo Akita." Open 10-19. Viva Narita Shoten (24-1 Dotemachi; Near Nakasan Dept. store, on corner toward castle. Phone/Fax 34-8836) "Used Japanese books, manga comics for rent, snacks and drinks. 1 shelf foreign paperbacks. Japanese academic books in main store uphill, near castle. (18-3 Oyakata-machi)" ============================================================================ Morioka NTT long-distance area code: Morioka 019. Sawaya Shoten Main Store (2-2-15 Odori, Morioka-shi, Iwate-ken 020_0022; From JR Morioka North Exit cross bridge (Kaiun-bashi) and proceed on large street (toward hotel). In Odori Arcade. 653-4411, Fax 623-1882) "General bookstore. Serious academic collection on 2F. Bright and tidy place; hand-written suggestions here and there. Store manager Mr. Kiyohiko Itoh likes to work miracles. He orders in quantity titles no other bookstore in Japan shows interest in. He proves his vision by selling a few hundred copies (in a city of 283,000). On occasion a title is saved from oblivion. Few foreign books. No books the manager dislikes: rare in Japan." Open 9-20. Momo (2-2-14 Odori; 623-4422) "Children's book division of adjacent Sawaya Shoten. Broad collection, among best in Japan. Some foreign picture books. Also has some education and infant-rearing related titles." Open 9:30-20. Maruzen Morioka Kawatoku (1-10-1 Saien 020_8655; 6F Kawatoku Dept. Store. 621-8844, Fax 621-8845; HQ Tokyo) "Smaller store than Tozando and Sawaya but probably most foreign books in city after the new Junkudo." Open 10-19, -19:30 July, August. Tozando Main Store (1-5-23 Nakanohashi-dori 020_0871; From Sawaya proceed east along arcade, pass shrine and cross bridge. Enter old roofed arcade. 623-7121, Fax 654-1614) "General bookstore. Good collection of education related titles including collection of school drama scripts. Some foreign books." Open 9:30-20, 10-19 Sun, Hol. "Junkudo Morioka opened December 2006. (3F/4F MOSS Building 2-8-14 Odori) Ads say it is much larger than local rivals." ============================================================================ Ichinoseki NTT long-distance area code: Ichinoseki 0191. Kitakami Shobo (1-24 Omachi, Ichinoseki-shi, Iwate-ken 021_0881; From JR Ichinoseki Station take wide street west. Turn right at McDonald's. On right side of street. 23-4088, Fax 23-8603) "General bookstore. Conservative collection. Books on Hiraizumi near entrance. No foreign books." Kenjuu Shoten (2-41 Omachi; Across the street from Kitakami Shobo. 21-1803) "Used bookstore selling a bit of everything from serious literature, art museum collections to aircraft magazines." Open 10-20:30, -20 Sun. Closed Mon. ============================================================================ Sendai NTT long-distance area code: Sendai 022. All stores in Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken. JR Sendai Terminal: -------------- Junkudo Sendai (E-Beans 4-1-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku 980_0021; E-Beans is connected to JR Sendai by pedestrian overpass. McDonald's on 2F. 265-5656, Fax 265-7557; HQ Kobe) "With 600,000 books in stock largest bookstore in Tohoku region. Selection of excellent quality and wide variety. Computer books account to about half of science books. Quite large selection of foreign books and language texts on 7F. For foreign technical books Maruzen is usually better, except for computer books. Junkudo also has more imported art books. Coffee corner on 6F. Tables and chairs provided for readers." Open 10-20. [The Junkudo in Loft nearby has a rich Japanese collection but few or no foreign books.] Kikuya Shoten Manga-kan Sendai (8F E-Beans; Above Junkudo. 716-2021) "The hall of manga. Larger selection than nearby Animate. Also sells videos, CDs and toys." Animate Sendai (2F Shin-Sendai-ekimae Building 3-8-5 Chuo; On right (north) side of Ame-yoko market behind E-Beans. 264-0437) "Specialist store of manga comics. Various pamphlets stocked near the entrance. Much space devoted to manic collectibles such as posters, figures and stationery engraved with cartoon characters ordinary people never hear about." Open 10-19. Maruzen Sendai Aer (1F Aer 1-3-1 Chuo 980_6104; North end of pedestrian bridges on west side of JR Sendai. 264-0151, Fax 264-0112; HQ Tokyo) "Large store opened fall '02. Replaces Maruzen Sendai Ichibancho. Somewhat smaller than Junkudo nearby, but great for foreign books. Large imported magazine section. Foreign technical books finely classified: travel, economy & business, linguistics, math & physics, biology. Many language texts. Total 500,000 books." Open 10-21, 10-20 Sun, Hol. Ichibancho: -------------- The Ichibancho Arcade is about 15 minutes from JR Sendai, 10 minutes from JR Aoba-dori. Sendai Chizu Center (2-7-1 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku 980_0811; Near Kinkodo, opposite side of street. Phone/Fax 222-9322) "Domestic maps, travel guides and government publications." Kinkodo (2-3-26 Ichibancho; Near south end of Ichibancho arcade. 225-6521, Fax 267-6506) "Traditional bookstore of Sendai. Regional publications on staircase. Very few foreign books." Open 9:15-20. Shobundo (1-5-8 Ichibancho; On west side of street beyond south end of Ichibancho Arcade. 223-0526, Fax 266-1534) "Most serious academic selection and only one with foreign books among the three used bookstores on the block." Open 10-19. Sendai suburbs: -------------- Kinokuniya Sendai (7-20-3 Nagamachi, Taihaku-ku 982_0011; 3F The Mall Sendai Nagamachi, near Subway Nagamachi-Minami. About 10 minutes from JR Nagamachi by foot. 308-9211, Fax 308-9230; HQ Tokyo) "3rd biggest in Sendai. Foreign books and magazines near cashier B. Emphasis on language texts. Maruzen and Junkudo have more paperbacks. Mall has large parking lot." Open 10-22. Manyou-do (Kagitori-Honcho, Taihaku-ku 982_0805; Bus Kagitori. 245-0511, Fax 245-0566) "Large used bookstore. 200,000 books. Some foreign-language titles in the foreign literature section 1F. Basement has imported academic books. It is questionable whether it is worth the 20 minute bus ride from JR Sendai just for the foreign books." Biblionia (12-10 Sanjo-cho, Aoba-ku 981_0935; Kitayama 3 bus stop on Kitayama-Shiheicho Loop. Faces Seven-Eleven. Between Senzan Line Kitayama and Sanjo Junior High. Near Tohoku-Fukushi Univ. 275-6464) "Used bookstore. Academic. Little space to move around but proprietor knows where things are. Very few foreign books." Closed Sun. ============================================================================ Akita NTT long-distance area code: Akita 0188. Junkudo Akita (4-2 Senshuu-Kubota-machi, Akita-shi 010_0874; 6F,7F Forus, right outside JR Akita. 884-1370, Fax 884-1370) "By far the largest in Akita. Several shelves foreign books." Open 10-20. [01/08] Matsuzaka Koshoten Ushijima (5-4-16 Naka-dori, Akita-shi 010_0001; Near Gochome-bashi and river. 090-2988-5372) "Wide selection of used books. Discounts as well as regional studies. A few foreign books." Open 10-18:30. Closed Wed. ============================================================================ Yamagata NTT long-distance area code: Yamagata 023. Hachimonjiya Main Store (2-4-11 Honcho, Yamagata-shi 990_0043; In front of Honcho Bus Stop. Shinai-junkan (downtown loop) service convenient. North of Castle Hotel and Central Post Office. 622-2150, Fax 622-6736) "Largest bookstore in Yamagata. Foreign books near back end, foreign children's books 2F. Dynamic interior: huge red lantern above phone booth next by mid-floor staircase, big wooden plaque with store name in powerful calligraphy." Open 10-20. ============================================================================ Iwaki NTT long-distance area code: Iwaki 0246. Yamani Shoten (2-7 Taira, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima-ken 970_8026; From JR Iwaki take Taira-odori to third traffic light, turn right into Honcho-dori Swing Road. On second block, about 5 minutes from station. 23-3481) "Largest bookstore of city. Broad selection shows fine attention. English paperbacks and books on local geography on 1F near elevator. Strong in science and technology books. A corner was set aside for books critical of nuclear energy (following the accident in Tokai-mura; visited December 1999. The Hamadori ("Shore-side Strip") region of Fukushima has several nuclear plants that provide power to Tokyo.)" ============================================================================ Fukushima All bookstores listed here are on the east side of JR Fukushima Station. Stores aligned west to east. NTT long-distance area code: Fukushima-shi 024. Iwase Shoten Nakago (5-1 Sakae-machi, Fukushima-shi 960_8031; Nakago Dept. Store 2-bankan (east tower). South side of Ekimae-dori. 521-3022, Fax 521-1177) "Largest bookstore of city. Newly furnished but conservative collection. Favorite bookstore of intellectuals of area. Medical books and computer books well stocked. Modest foreign book section. Has branch in Richmond, British Columbia (near Vancouver)." Open 10-20. [01/08] Hakkodo (10-5 Sakae-machi; South side of Ekimae-dori. Near post office. About 3 minutes from station. 521-1161) "General bookstore. No foreign books." [01/08] Kikuya Shoten Manga-kan Fukushima (10-11 Sakae-machi; 5F&6F of shopping center Cornier Tsutaya, south side of Ekimae-dori, on corner of block with Hakkodo. 528-2556) "Specialty bookstore of manga comics. Large collection. Most titles covered with plastic wraps but samples available. Tables and chairs available for readers. Also sells videos and CDs (6F)." Open 10-19. Nishizawa Shoten Fukushima (7-20 Omachi 960_8041; Between Renga-dori (beyond Ekimae-dori) and Heiwa-dori. About 7 minutes from station. 2 blocks east on Heiwa-dori is Fukushima-ken Government Hall. 522-0161, Fax 522-4139) "General bookstore. Conservative collection. Has corner of books about Fukushima. Government periodicals available. No foreign books." [01/08] ============================================================================ Koriyama NTT long-distance area code: Koriyama 024. Yaesu Book Center Koriyama Usui (13-1 Nakamachi 963_8004; 9F Usui Dept. Store. 5 minutes from JR Koriyama. 927-1524, Fax 927-1271; HQ Tokyo) "Largest bookstore downtown. Foreign books and magazines on northwest end." Open 10-19. Closed Jan 1st and irr. Humikura (10-6 Nakamachi; Ekimae-dori, west of View Hotel. 939-2210, Fax 952-6680) "Small shop of used books. Has collection of regional publications. Very few foreign titles, all in the children's books section." Open 10-20. Iwase Shoten (36-1 Fukuyama-machi Yatsuyamada Ohmori-shinden 965_8051; On Route 4, about 2.5 km north of JR Koriyama. 936-2220, Fax 936-2221; HQ Fukushima-shi) "Either this or Yaesu Book Center is the largest store in Fukushima-ken." Open 10-22. Tohoku Shoten closed June '07. ============================================================================ Tadami NTT long-distance area code: Tadami 0241. Tamokaku Hon-no-mori (61 Narato-Tsubaki, Tadami-cho, Minami-Aizu-gun, Fukushima-ken 968_0431; From JR Tadami cross bridge. Follow river south (not toward Tagokura Dam), upstream for about 20 minutes. Phone/Fax 82-2946) "Deep in the mountains a unique business model. Bring your used books, receive in return a stake of forest land. They get much media attention and tons of books have arrived, mostly via mail. Several storage houses and old rail box wagons hold the books, but much waits classification. Some foreign illustrated volumes, children's books and paperback novels. To enter the warehouses one buys a ticket for 500 yen, an amount later deducted from the purchase. They have a Japanese catalog available online, but it doesn't seem someone's around to reply to inquiries about foreign titles. Branch in Ikebukuro." Open 9-18. Closed Dec 31 & Jan 1. "Here are huge hydraulic power plants which send energy to the cities, but beside this, there is little industry. Spectacular scenery. Miss a train and you're stranded 3+ hours." ============================================================================ Utsunomiya -------------- NTT long-distance area code: Utsunomiya 028. Kinokuniya Utsunomiya (3-1-1 Baba-dori, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi-ken 320_8566; 8F Parco. About 20 minutes from JR Utsunomiya, 10 minutes from Tobu Utsunomiya. 611-2050, Fax 611-2055; HQ Shinjuku, Tokyo) "300,000 books. Quite large foreign section toward west end." Open 10-20:30. ============================================================================ Maebashi, Takasaki, Kiryu and Oizumi -------------- NTT long-distance area codes: Maebashi 027, Takasaki 027, Kiryu 0277, Oizumi 0276. Kankodo (1-2-13 Honmachi, Maebashi-shi, Gunma-ken 371_0023; From JR Maebashi North Exit proceed along wide avenue to large pedestrian bridge with Tokyu Inn visible on the corner. Turn northwest toward Gunma-ken Government Hall. About 15 minutes from station by foot. 1 minute west of Honmachi Bus Stop. 235-8111) "Leading bookstore of region. Above entrance are these words: "QVOD PETIS HIC EST MCMLIV LIBRSRIVIS" Foreign books 3F. Music scores and instruments on 4F. Established 1868." Open 10-21, -20 Sun, Hol. [08/07]. Kinokuniya Maebashi (2-1-1 Bunkyo-cho, Maebashi-shi 371_0801; 1F Keyaki Walk, southeast of JR Maebashi Station, 7 minutes by foot. 220-1830, HQ Shinjuku, Tokyo) "Opened March '07. One of the larger stores of the Kinokuniya chain. 3200 square meters. Foreign section is proportionately well stocked with magazines, books on Japan, travel guides, translated Japanese comics, art and even some computer books. Also sells stationery and audio, video media. About twice as large as Toda Shoten Takasaki." Open 10-21. [08/07] Kaizosha (222 Yashima-cho, Takasaki-shi, Gunma-ken 370_0849; 5F Takasaki Station Mall Montre. West side of tracks. 325-4223) "Popular bookstore with wide selection. Some foreign paperbacks." Open 10-20. [08/07] Tenkado (31 Yoriai-cho, Takasaki-shi 370_0822; In Chuo-Ginza-gai roofed arcade. From JR Takasaki West Exit walk 2 blocks north to Takashimaya, walk west several blocks and turn north at tower with observation dome. 325-2311) "Conservative bookstore." Toda Shoten Takasaki (438-1 Shimokotori-machi, Takasaki-shi 370_0074; Near intersection of Mikuni-Kaido (Pref. Route 25) and Takasaki Kanjo (Loop) road. Bus Kotorimachi-Yotsukado. Near Shinkansen tracks and National Route 17. About 1km west of JR Takasaki-Tonyamachi Station. 363-5110, Fax 363-5119) "Large suburban store. 400,000 books in stock. Rich collection of Japanese technical books. Modest foreign section near back end has paperbacks, translated Japanese literature and language texts." Open 10-23. [08/07] Shirokiya (5-40 Honcho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma-ken 376_0031; About 4 minutes east of JR Kiryu. North side of tracks. 45-1101, Fax 47-1234) "Small foreign section 2F. No books in Portuguese." Open 10-21. Quitandinha Plaza (1-26-4 Nishi-Koizumi, Oizumi-cho, Gunma-ken 370_0517; 2F Brazilian Plaza, to the east of Tobu Nishi-Koizumi Station, about 5 minutes by foot. 62-7910) "Ethnic grocery store with some publications, CD records and videos from Brazil." [08/07] Beyond the north end of Takasaki Chuo-Ginza-gai arcade is ethnic grocery Heiwa Korean Market. Some magazines from Korea. (027-325-6776) [08/07] ============================================================================ Copyright Notice Information contained in this FAQ is compiled from many sources. The compiler accepts no responsibility for the comments contained herein. The comments are provided "as is" with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. This FAQ is not to be reproduced for commercial use unless the party reproducing the FAQ agrees to the following: 1) They will contact the FAQ maintainer to obtain the latest version for their collection. 2) They will provide the FAQ maintainer with information on what collection the copy of the FAQ is in, and how that collection may be obtained. 3) They will agree, in writing, that the FAQ will be included in the collection without modification, and that acknowledgements of contributors (if any) to the FAQ remain in the FAQ. 4) They will agree, in writing, that the collection including the FAQ will be distributed on either a non-profit basis, or have some percentage of profit donated to a non-profit literacy program. To support this, this FAQ is Compilation Copyright 2008 by Evelyn C. Leeper (the FAQ maintainer).