Best place in Tokyo for a book nerd?

[wraithfive]

So, one of my favorite things to do on any vacation is to find a large bookstore, preferable with a coffee shop, and just soak in the place for hours. It's one of my favorite ways to force myself to slow down from the normal pace of life and just enjoy the trip.

Obviously, not being able to read Japanese at present, this affects the experience somewhat but it still works for me. So I come to you asking for the most amazing book stores in Tokyo to just sit and enjoy. Bonus points for large english language selections.

 

[Lars Lust]

Maruzen in Marunouchi

 

[Ken1988]

So, one of my favorite things to do on any vacations is to find a large bookstore, preferable with a coffee shop, and just soak in the place for hours. It's one of my favorite ways to force myself to slow down from the normal pace of life and just enjoy the trip.

Obviously, not being able to read Japanese at present, this affects the experience somewhat but it still works for me. So I come to you asking for the most amazing book stores in Tokyo to just sit and enjoy. Bonus points for large english language selections.

While reading your post, what came up to my mind first is Tsutaya Daikanyama. It's definitely one of the most amazing bookstores in Tokyo.
http://real.tsite.jp/daikanyama/english/index.html

However, if you like books, the place to go is Jibocho area where you can find many small used/antique bookstores as well as several large bookstores. The area could be Tokyo's equivalent of London's Charing Cross Road. What you can find are mostly Japanese books, but I know there is one store on Chinese books in the area, and there is also one bookstore on Russian books. Several other specialized bookstores (adult, military, film, science, cats etc.) are there, too. There are three large bookstores in the area: Sanseido, Tokyodo Shoten, Shosen Grande. Sanseido is a standard large book store. Tokyodo is more on academic books. Shosen Grande is more on subculture.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...-visit-lovers-antiquarian-books/#.WqNJyVV76M8

 

[wraithfive]

However, if you like books, the place to go is Jibocho area where you can find many small used/antique bookstores as well as several large bookstores. The area could be Tokyo's equivalent of London's Charing Cross Road. What you can find are mostly Japanese books, but I know there is one store on Chinese books in the area, and there is also one bookstore on Russian books. Several other specialized bookstores (adult, military, film, science, cats etc.) are there, too. There are three large bookstores in the area: Sanseido, Tokyodo Shoten, Shosen Grande. Sanseido is a standard large book store. Tokyodo is more on academic books. Shosen Grande is more on subculture.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...-visit-lovers-antiquarian-books/#.WqNJyVV76M8

Thanks for this. I absolutely love this type of suggestion as well and really should have mentioned it in my original posting. Loved all the little antique book shops on Cecil Court just off Charing Cross.

 

[matt_j]

For used books, other than the Book Off branches that have English books, the only game in town is Infinity Books in Asakusa. Also serves as a bar/cafe and has acoustic music events. Good place.

 

[Lars Lust]

I love Tsutaya Daikanyama, but the English section is very limited. Maruzen or Kinokunya in Shinjuku is far more extensive.

 

[Maxblack]

http://bookandbedtokyo.com/

 

[Maxblack]

http://savvytokyo.com/tokyo-top-five-cafes-book-lovers/

 

[Ken1988]

Visiting a public library could be fun, too, though probably you are not allowed to drink coffee while reading in the premises. They don't have many foreign language books in the shelves either.

The most accessible one would be Hibiya Library. Tokyo Central Library in Hiroo is nice, too, but you need to get a pass and put your bag in a locker to enter the facility. If you want to feel more local book nerd atmosphere, I would recommend Suginami Central Library in Ogikubo, a few blocks away from American Express Japan's Tokyo HQs.
http://hibiyal.jp/hibiya/index_e.html
http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/english/central/tabid/3023/Default.aspx
https://www.library.city.suginami.tokyo.jp/facilities/chuou.html

 

[wraithfive]

Visiting a public library could be fun, too, though probably you are not allowed to drink coffee while reading in the premises. They don't have many foreign language books in the shelves either.

The most accessible one would be Hibiya Library. Tokyo Central Library in Hiroo is nice, too, but you need to get a pass and put your bag in a locker to enter the facility. If you want to feel more local book nerd atmosphere, I would recommend Suginami Central Library in Ogikubo, a few blocks away from American Express Japan's Tokyo HQs.
http://hibiyal.jp/hibiya/index_e.html
http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/english/central/tabid/3023/Default.aspx
https://www.library.city.suginami.tokyo.jp/facilities/chuou.html

Thanks. I considered asking about Libraries originally but decided against it because I figured they wouldn't allow coffee in with the books and that the english language selection would likely be non-existent at any but a large central library. Not that libraries don't often have a charm all their own. Especially if they are really old or have interesting architecture, etc.

 

[wraithfive]

http://bookandbedtokyo.com/

I remember reading about the idea of falling asleep in a private room in a internet cafe or something as a cheap accommodation in Tokyo when researching my first trip to Japan, but these guys are taking it to another extreme. Wonder how they handle loud snorers though.

 

[MikeH]

Tokyo Central Library in Hiroo is nice, too, but you need to get a pass and put your bag in a locker to enter the facility.

You need to get a pass but there are no forms to fill or IDs to show, you just get a magnetic card to open the gate. I don't like Hiroo as a place, way too many ugly foreigners there, but this library and the park surrounding it are very nice.

 

[Ken1988]

Thanks. I considered asking about Libraries originally but decided against it because I figured they wouldn't allow coffee in with the books and that the english language selection would likely be non-existent at any but a large central library. Not that libraries don't often have a charm all their own. Especially if they are really old or have interesting architecture, etc.

It turns out that it's all right to have coffee with the books in Hibiya Library. Hibiya is one of few remaining 1950s (modestly) brutalist architectures in Tokyo, but it's no New York Public Library. Architecture-wise, an interesting one to visit is a branch of the National Diet Library in Ueno for children's books, International Library of Children's Literature (ILCL).
https://www.stroll-tips.com/en/international-library-of-childrens-literature/