Bookstores in Japan (Western Japan) Evelyn C. Leeper (eleeper@optonline.net) Go to my home pageBookstores in Japan
Western Japan (west of Kobe)
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. All entries here were written based on visits before Yohan failed. ============================================================================ Cities listed in this file: Himeji Okayama Kurashiki Kure Hiroshima Tottori Yonago Matsue Nagato-shi Takamatsu Matsuyama Kochi Kita-Kyushu Fukuoka Kurume Saga Sasebo Nagasaki Kumamoto Oita Miyazaki Kagoshima -------------- 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 ============================================================================ Himeji NTT long-distance area code: Himeji 0792. Junkudo Himeji-eki (210 Ekimae-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyougo-ken 670_0927; 2F Festa, JR Himeji Station Mall. 21-8280, Fax 21-8281; HQ Kobe) "Large general bookstore. Modest foreign section. The other Junkudo in Himeji closed Feb '02." Open 10-21. Shinko Shoten Main Store (265 Ekimae-cho; Inside the arcade on the east side of main boulevard. 85-3344) "Traditional general bookstore. Very few foreign books." ============================================================================ Okayama NTT long-distance area code: Okayama 086. Maruzen Okayama Symphony Bldg. (1-5-1 Omote-cho, Okayama-shi 700_0822; Streetcar Shiroshita. Follow underground passage from platform to Symphony Bldg. 233-4640, Fax 233-4610; HQ Tokyo) "Foreign books on 1F. Many books on Japan. Very few imported science or technology books. Some French and German titles." Open 10-20. Kinokuniya Cred Okayama (1-8-45 Nakasange 700_0821; Near Central Post Office, Okayama-ken Gov't Hall and Near Tenma-ya Bus Terminal. Streetcar Yubinkyoku-mae. 212-2551, Fax 212-2550; HQ Tokyo) "One large floor. The other Kinokuniya closed '05." Open 10-20. Kikuya Okayama (2F&3F Vivre A, 7-6 Saiwai-cho 700_0903; 10 minutes by foot from JR Okayama, toward south on Shiyakusho-dori, the wide street outside east station gate. 801-4181) "Opened May '08. 3,000 square meters. Some foreign books." Open 10-21. [08/08] "There is a Sanseido in the Sun Station Terrace (station mall). No foreign books." [11/08] ============================================================================ Kurashiki NTT long-distance area code: Kurashiki 086. Miyawaki Shoten (1-1-1 Achi, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama-ken 710_0055; JR Kurashiki Mall Le Blanc 4F; 435-2877; HQ Takamatsu) "Probably second largest in city. 1 shelf foreign books." Open -21. Closed Jan 1st and 3rd Tue of Sept. Kikuya Kurashiki (1 Mizue, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama-ken 710_8560; 2F Aeon Kurashiki Shopping Center, between JR tracks, Route 2 Bypass and Takahashi River. 430-5450) "Richer collection than Miyawaki Shoten above. About 2 shelves on pottery. Several shelves foreign books. Shopping center has large free parking lots. Shuttle bus runs to and from JR Kurashiki North Exit: 160 yen one way." Open 10-21. ============================================================================ Kure NTT long-distance area code: Kure 0823. Futaba Cresta (1-16 Takaramachi, Kure-shi, Hiroshima-ken 737_0029; In Station Mall, Cresta. 20-0911, Fax 25-8550) "Somewhat smaller than Sogo store. 1 rack foreign books." Open 9:30-22. Sogo Book Center (1-1-1 Nishi-Chuo 737_0811; 7F Sogo, in front of Kure Station. 27-2715) "Large general bookstore. Small section of foreign books. Run by Kobunkan, Hiroshima." Open 10-21. ============================================================================ Hiroshima NTT long-distance area code: Hiroshima-shi 082. Northern Suburbs: -------------- Futaba Tosho Mega (4-11-7 Nakasuji, Asa-Minami-ku, Hiroshima-shi 731_0122; On Gion-Shindo, between Astram Line Nakasuji Station and Sanyo Expressway Hiroshima I.C. 4 minutes to the north of station. 830-0600, Fax 830-0611) "First suburban drive and shop mega-bookstore in Japan. Claims 700,000 books in stock as of fall '01. (It was '300,000 titles, 500,000 books' the summer before.) Rich collection of Japanese art, computer and medical books. Nice collection of nautical and marine biology titles. Foreign selection rather small for a store this size." Open 10-24, -1AM Sat. JR Hiroshima Terminal: -------------- Junkudo Hiroshima (9-1 Matsubara-cho, Minami-ku 732_0822; 10F Fukuya Hiroshima-Ekimae. Across the street from JR Hiroshima South Exit. 568-3000, Fax 568-3666; HQ Kobe) "Smaller than Futaba Mega but rich selection appeals to specialists. Most foreign books in city. 8 tall shelves paperback fiction and non-fiction. Some war-related titles but not much emphasis." Open 10-21. Kobunkan Station Bldg. (2-37 Matsubara-cho; 5F Asse, Hiroshima Station Mall, south side of tracks. 506-1002, Fax 506-1003) "This store has the most foreign books in the Kobunkan chain. (26 stores in Hiroshima-ken.) 2 shelves foreign books." Open 10-21. [Chain HQ: 1-11 Hondori, Naka-ku; 248-2391, Fax 248-2393] Futaba Giga (2-22 Matsubara-cho; East of JR Hiroshima South Exit. 568-4770, Fax 568-4670) "Opened '01. Claims a collection of 500,000 books. New books 1F. Used books 4F, mostly manga. 1 rack foreign paperbacks 1F." 1F open 9-22, 4F 10-22. Kamiyacho and Hondori: -------------- This is the downtown district of Hiroshima, near A-Bomb Dome and Memorial Park. Stores aligned north to south, west to east. All stores in Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken. Hiroshima Seifu Kankoubutsu Service Center (6-30 Kami-Hattchobori 730_0012; 1F Goudou-chousha (joint govt. offices) bldg. 2, east side of castle. Streetcar Kamiyacho. 222-6012, Fax 222-6013) "Periodicals, surveys, official reports from the Japanese government. This shop is state-run but known for its business-oriented mindset. Also sells maps, computer tutorials and popular business titles. Few if any foreign-language books." Open 9:30-17:30 Weekdays. Closed Sat, Sun, Hol. Kinokuniya Hiroshima (6-27 Motomachi 730_0011; 6F Hiroshima Center Bldg. Above bus terminal. Streetcar Kamiyacho. 225-3232, Fax 211-0223; hiro-te@kinokuniya.co.jp; HQ Tokyo) "Largest bookstore in downtown Hiroshima. Many foreign paperbacks, language texts and books on Japan. Few or no imported science or computer books." Open 10-20. Futaba Tosho Kamiyacho (2-2-34 Kamiyacho 730_0031; Block south of Sogo & bus terminal. 542-6889) "Casual collection. Good for manga and popular readings. Probably no foreign books. Former Sogo Book-kan." Open 10-22. Kinshodo (5-9 Hondori; Between streetcar Hondori and Parco. 248-3715, Fax 245-0631) "Another traditional Hiroshima bookstore. Usually no foreign books." Academy Shoten (1-7 Hondori; Kinza-gai, between Fukuya and Parco. Streetcar Hattchobori. Phone/Fax 247-3118) "Used books. Well organized. From their collection of first editions: 'Shirobamba' 4000 yen. 'Kirikirijin' 1000 yen. (Aug. 2000) Some foreign books: philosophy, paperbacks." Open 10-20 through year. [Branch in Kamiyacho also has a handful of paperbacks. (1-5-11 Kamiyacho; 247-8333)] Outsider Global Lounge (2F Nakano Bldg. 1-5-17 Kamiya-cho; On block south of Iyo Bank and northwest of Kokusai Hotel. North side of block with a used book seller on northeast corner and Academy branch on west side. 244-8145, Fax 244-8146; http://www.hiroshima-no1.com/lounge-eng.html) "Former 'Book Nook'. Renamed April '08. Multi-purpose meeting room of a language school. Used foreign books sold. Largest such store west of Kobe. Also internet access and drinks." Open Noon-21, -23 Fri & Sat. Closed Sun, Hol. Libro Hiroshima (2-1 Shintenchi 730_0034; 5F Parco Shopping Center Shin-kan. South of streetcar Hattchobori. 542-2261; HQ Tokyo) "Opened Sept. '01. 200,000 books. Many imported magazines, design, art books." Open 10-20:30. Maruzen Hiroshima closed Summer '02. Sekizenkan closed Summer '03. Hiroshima University, Kasumi Campus: -------------- Inoue Shoten (1-4-10 Deshio, Minami-ku; North side of street which leads to campus gates. 254-5257) "Mostly medical, some architecture. Imported medical books 2F." Hiroshima University, Higashi-Sendamachi Campus: -------------- Most of Hiroshima Univ. has moved from here to Higashi-Hiroshima. The proprietor of Kandori, head of the local used booksellers' union, says no stores have followed. Kandori Shoten (1-1-80 Higashi-Senda-machi, Naka-ku 730_0053; Near Sekijuji Byouinmae (Red Cross Hosp.) streetcar stop. 246-4341, Fax 244-3941) "Academic. Very few foreign books: old paperbacks and academic texts." Daigakudo (1-12-6 Senda-machi, Naka-ku 730_0052; West side of street near Kandori. 241-9491) "Used books. Academic. Very few foreign books." ============================================================================ Tottori NTT long-distance area code: Tottori 0857. Imai Shoten Tottori (164 Suehiro-Onsen-cho, Tottori-shi, Tottori-ken 680-0833; About 4 minutes north of JR Tottori on Hon-dori near Wakasa-dori. 23-7271, Fax 22-9362) "Former Fuji Shoten. 2 floors. Few or no foreign books." ============================================================================ Yonago NTT long-distance area code: Yonago 0859. Imai Book Center (2-3-10 Shinkai, Yonago-shi, Tottori-ken 683_0801; On R.431 facing Sangyo Taikukan. 10 minutes from Fukuike 9 ku bus stop, Kaike Line. 31-5000, Fax 31-9230; schulebc@imaibooks.co.jp) "Advertised as largest bookstore in San-in area. Opened 1995. Main store of chain in Matsue. Here is the famed Hon-no Gakkou (Buchschule) dedicated to the training of masters of the trade. Despite the location the store is a powerful leader in the publishing business. Often hosts symposiums. The premises has a museum, lecture rooms and libraries." ============================================================================ Matsue NTT long-distance area code: Matsue 0852. Imai Shoten Main Store (63 Tonomachi, Matsue-shi, Shimane-ken 690_0887; Between Kitatono Intersection and Kyohashi. 20 minutes from JR Matsue, 15 minutes from Ichibata Matsue-Onsen by foot. 24-2230, Fax 31-7887; bookimai@joho-shimane.or.jp) "General bookstore. Serious collection. Several shelves foreign books on 2F. Sells government reports." Open 10-19. ============================================================================ Nagato-shi NTT long-distance area code: Nagato-shi 0837. Kaneko Bun'ei-do (Kaneko Misuzu Memorial Museum) (1308 Nishi-Gion, Senzaki, Nagato-shi, Yamaguchi-ken 759-4106; 5 minutes north of JR Mine Line Senzaki Terminal. Very few trains come to this station. By bus it is 10 minutes from JR Nagato-shi (junction of San'in Line and Mine Line) to Senzaki. 26-5155, Fax 26-5166; http://www.city.nagato.yamaguchi.jp/) "This is by far the most popular reconstructed bookstore in Japan. JR West runs a special train to this destination from Shimonoseki. The front side is the bookstore where poet Misuzu Kaneko (1903-30) worked in in the 1920s. Behind are living quarters and a museum dedicated to her. Souvenir shop sells poem books, CDs and postcards. Museum admission fee: 350 yen." Open 9-17. Enter museum by 16:30. Closed last Fri each month, next day when Hol. ============================================================================ Takamatsu All stores in Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa-ken. NTT long-distance area code: Takamatsu 087. Miyawaki Main Store (10-2 Kon'ya-machi 760_0027; In Marugame-gai arcade, south of Mitsukoshi. Northwest of Kotoden Kawaramachi Terminal. JR Takamatsu, not Marugame. 851-3733, Fax 822-4797; info@miyawakishoten.com) "General bookstore. Head of franchise chain: about 300 outlets nationwide. Large foreign collection on 5F. Many foreign novels and translations of Japanese literature. Also classic English and American literature, science titles, children's books and cookbooks. Foreign medical books on 4F. Quantity of foreign books out of proportion for a store of a city of 331,000." Open 9-22. Miyawaki Culture Space (3-4 Asahi-shinmachi 760_0064; North of Kagawa-ken Budo-kan, near docks and warehouses. Take bus to Asahimachi, walk to wide avenue to the east, turn north and proceed to signal. Roof sign will be visible to the right. 823-3152, Fax 823-2772) "More like a wholesale warehouse/showroom than a retail store. 600,000 titles on 3 floors, 6207 square meters. Organized by publisher: searches by topic are a nuisance although computer terminals are installed. Very few foreign-language books: only language study aids and translated dissertations by Japanese scholars. Foreign publishers not present. Entire third floor devoted to regional publications from the whole of Japan: by far the largest such collection with the sole exception of the National Diet Library. The president of Miyawaki wanted to make available all publications within Japan in one place. To dodge bureaucratic restrictions, the place was initially opened as a display room: customers ordered here and would pick up elsewhere." Open 10-19. Sanshuudou Shoten (2-1-9 Matsushima-cho 760_0068; Kotoden Railways Matsushima 2-chome. Walk west to police box and first railroad crossing, which leads to prison gates. Before crossing tracks, turn left. 4 minutes from station. 834-1533) "Used bookstore. Large collection from popular titles to serious literature and history. Regional studies on back end. Only a few foreign books." Open 10-19:30 through year. ============================================================================ Matsuyama All stores in Matsuyama-shi, Ehime-ken. NTT long-distance area code: Matsuyama 089. JR Matsuyama Terminal: -------------- Book Off Matsuyama-ekimae (123-1 Miyata-cho 790_0066; Near JR Matsuyama Terminal. 915-1870) "Large discount bookstore. Very few foreign books." Open 10-24. Gintengai area: -------------- Stores aligned west to east. The west entrance of Gintengai faces Iyotetsu/Streetcar Matsuyama-shi Terminal, locally called 'Shi-eki. Kinokuniya Matsuyama (5-7-1 Chifunemachi 790_0011; On Chifune-kaido, avenue north of Gintengai. 932-0005, Fax 932-6936; HQ Tokyo) "Largest bookstore in Matsuyama. Foreign books on 4F. Many books on Japan. Also art and cooking titles. Not many science books. A few French books and German books. Many foreign magazines. European newspapers available." Open 10-19:30. Marusan Shoten (4-6-6 Minatomachi 790_0012; In Gintengai. Near 'Shi-eki. South of Kinokuniya. 931-8501, Fax 943-6829) "General bookstore. Smaller than Kinokuniya or Haruya. Small foreign collection on 2F. Many domestic and imported medical books. 6 stores in Ehime, including one in Ehime Univ. School of Medicine." Bottchan Shobo (4-8-15 Minatomachi; Gintengai. 931-3426) "Used bookstore. Vintage collection on display near entrance. Few if any foreign books." Open 10:30-20. Closed 2nd or 3rd Wed of month. Haruya Kosho-bu (old book section) (4-8-7 Minatomachi; Gintengai. 943-5140) "Among the best known used book stores in Japan. Large academic collection. Regional studies at the back end. Very few foreign books." Open 10-20. Closed Wed. Haruya Main Store (4-7-2 Minatomachi 790_8656; Gintengai. 941-4141, Fax 932-5411) "Headquarters of nationwide chain of about 70 stores, most in Ehime, Oita, Yamaguchi and Fukuoka. The old-fashioned book store. Serious, conservative selection. They hang paper banners with announcements and advertisements in neat calligraphy everywhere, making the place like a permanent Tanabata Festival. High morale of workers a nationwide model in the trade. Named plates on bookshelves announce who is in charge of each section. Foreign books on 3F, smaller collection than Kinokuniya's. Books on regional culture on 1F." Open 10-20. "'Bottchan' by Souseki Natsume, probably the most famous modern Japanese novel, is about the adventures of a haughty Tokyo boy who becomes a math teacher in a town in western Japan. Local folks he meets there have their ways of doing things. The book is said to reflect the author's own experiences as a teacher in Matsuyama." "The clerk at the back end of Haruya Kosho-bu says that books on the adagio Iyo dialect are often requested but short in supply." ============================================================================ Kochi All stores in Kochi-shi, Kochi-ken. NTT long-distance area code: Kochi-shi 088. Tanpopo (2-5-1 Minami-Harimaya-cho 780_0833; Southeast of Streetcar Harimaya-bashi Junction and Seibu. 2nd corner south of fire station. Phone/Fax 884-5632) "Small used bookstore. Announcements on blackboard in front of store." Kinkodo (1-13-14 Obiya-machi 780_0841; Nakanohashi-dori, southeast of Daiei Shoppers. Streetcar Horizume. 822-0161) "Large general bookstore. Fine selection of computer books, medical books, drama books on 3F. 2 racks foreign books on 2F." Open 9:30-20. Inoue Shoten (2-1-1 Obiya-machi; Across the street from Kinkodo, 2F of bldg. on south corner. 872-3921) "Small used bookstore. Strong in literature and regional studies. Few if any foreign books." Fuji Shobo (4-1-46 Honmachi 780_0870; Southeast corner of Kochi Castle. 873-3570, Fax 872-2141) "General bookstore. Strong in regional studies. A few foreign magazines on 1F, one rack foreign books on 2F." Open 9:30-20:30, 10-19 Sun, Hol. ============================================================================ Kita-Kyushu NTT long-distance area code: Kita-Kyushu 093. Book Center Quest (Culture Space) (1-4-7 Bashaku, Kokura-kita-ku, Kita-Kyushu-shi, Fukuoka-ken 802_0077; 10 minutes from JR Kokura. West of first intersection south of monorail Heiwa-dori. 522-3912, 533-0530) "Biggest bookstore in Kita-Kyushu. Quite large foreign section. Maruzen, Junkudo and Kinokuniya of Fukuoka City and Hiroshima have more foreign books." Open 10-20. [Branch in Kokura Station Mall. (1-1-1 Asano, Kokura-kita-ku; 513-5685, Fax 513-5686) A few foreign books. Open 8-21. Large branch in Kurosaki also has foreign books. Open 10-19.] Furuhon Bunkoyasan (4-1-2 Kuzuhara-honmachi, Kokura-minami-ku, Kita-Kyushu-shi, Fukuoka-ken 800_0253; Take bus route 10 or 15 from Kokura Station Bus Terminal to Kuzuhara Rousai-byouin-mae. Roof sign visible from intersection by bus stop. Between JR Abeyama-koen and Shimosone. 20 minutes+ from either station by foot. Above bus routes run parallel to JR Nippo Line. 475-2583, 0120-81-2583, Fax 475-2590) "Specialist of used bunko. 500,000 books in stock. They admit that they charge a rather wide premium for out-of-print titles: 'necessary to maintain a ceiling of 1280 yen'. No foreign books. Ships overseas." Open 10-18 through year. ============================================================================ Fukuoka NTT long-distance area code: Fukuoka-shi 092. Hakata District (JR Hakata Terminal): -------------- Kinokuniya Fukuoka Main Store (2-1 Hakata-eki-chuo-gai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi 812_0012; 6F Fukuoka Kotsu Center Bldg. above Hakata Station Bus Terminal. 434-3100, Fax 434-3104; fukuh-te@kinokuniya.co.jp; HQ Tokyo) "Large bookstore, now second largest in Fukuoka. Large paperback selection with bestseller corner. Also many magazines and language study aids. One shelf imported computer books. Some French and German books, and a handful of Spanish titles. No direct imports from China or Korea when visited Jan 2005. (Books on Korea and China are in the language text section, the classic literature section, travel section etc. The region has strong economic ties with Asian neighbor countries.) Open 10-21. "There is a large Aoi Shoten in Yodobashi Hakata. 500,000 books." Tenjin District (Nishitetsu Fukuoka Terminal): -------------- This is the central commercial district of Fukuoka City. Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 810_0001. Maruzen Fukuoka Building Store (2&3F Fukuoka Bldg. 1-11-17 Tenjin; On the corner with Subway Tenjin Station. Across the wide street, Watanabe-dori, is Nishitetsu Fukuoka Terminal. 731-9000, 731-9042 (foreign books), Fax 731-8996; sd-fukuoka@maruzen.co.jp, HQ Tokyo) "Broad selection of foreign books on 3F. Not as many science and technology titles as Maruzen Marunouchi Main in Tokyo but many art books. Good for imported social science books, classics, travel guides and maps. Imported medical books in the Japanese medical section." Open 9:30-20. Junkudo Fukuoka (1-10-13 Tenjin; 1F-4F Media Mall, behind Tenjin Core. 738-3322, Fax 738-3230, HQ Kobe) "Opened Nov '01. With 1.5 million books, they say it's largest in west Japan. Foreign books 4F. Large foreign paperback collection. Many books on Japan. Large English educational material for children section. Like other major Junkudo branches, imported technical books tend to be placed with the Japanese books in each section." Open 10-21. Libre Tenjin (4-4-11 Tenjin; 6F Daiei Shoppers, north of Maruzen. 713-1001) "Far less foreign books than Maruzen or Kinokuniya." Tower Records (4-4-11 Tenjin; 7F Daiei Shoppers, above Libre Tenjin. 722-4611; HQ Tokyo) "Unique collection of imported magazines. Very few books." Open 10-20, -21 Fri, Sat. Closed irr. Fukuoka Mandarake (5-7-7 Tenjin; Block north of Daiei Shoppers. 716-7774, Fax 716-7762; HQ Tokyo) "Large collection of used manga comics." Open 12-20. Closed around the New Year. Yaesu Book Center (in Mitsukoshi), Libro Tenjin (in Iwataya Z Side) and Yosho Hacknet are now closed. Kinokuniya Fukuoka Tenjin closed March '07. Aoyama Book Center opened Sept '05 and closed Aug '07. There is another Kinokuniya in Hakata You Me Town. Somewhat smaller than the Fukuoka Main Store. In central Fukuoka, look for the 100 yen flat-rate bus. Subway fares start from 200 yen. Through tickets are issued for Subway Nanakuma Line stations from Hakata, Fukuoka Airport, etc. with a foot link between Tenjin and Tenjin-Minami, about 500 meters through an underground mall. The tickets are machine-readable and carry time stamps. The City Transit Authority allows 120 minutes between the exit gates of one station and the entrance gates of the other, encouraging shopping and dining during the break. Jounan Ward: Dejima Shoten (5-2-37-2 Torikai, Jounan-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken; North of Subway Befu Exit 3, near Jounan-kuyakusho (Ward Office). 843-5100) "Korean books. Small, but sole store in Kyushu specializing in Korean books." ============================================================================ Kurume NTT long-distance area code: Kurume 0942. Book Center Quest Kurume (8-12 Mutsumon-machi, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka-ken 830_0031; 6F Izutsuya, halfway between JR Kurume and Nishitetsu Kurume. 31-8543) "Largest bookstore in Chikugo region. Claims 450,000 books stocked." Open 10-19. [Branch in Nishitetsu Kurume station mall also has foreign books. Open 10-21.] [01/07] Libro Kurume (1-1 Tenjin-machi, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka-ken; East side of Nishitetsu Kurume. 4F Iwataya shin-kan. 0942-36-9860) "General. Very few foreign books." Open 10-19. [01/07] ============================================================================ Saga NTT long-distance area code: Saga-shi 0952. Kinokuniya Saga (2F You Me Town Saga, Hyougo-kita, Hyougo-cho, Saga-shi 849_0915; 15 minutes by bus from JR Saga, 36-8171, Fax 33-8534; HQ Tokyo) "Opened Dec. '06. 500,000 books. Largest store in Saga-ken." Open 10-22. Yogakudo Books (2-8-44 Shin'ei-Nishi, Saga-shi 840_0859; 4 km west of JR Saga and Saga-ken Gov't Hall. 22-0022, Fax 22-2133; http://01allweb.com/yogakudo/) "Antiquarian, scholarly publications. The store owner is a serious collector who is interested in Japan's contacts with the Occident. Some foreign books. Store owner recommends visits by car, or by taxi from JR Saga. Appointment recommended." ============================================================================ Sasebo NTT long-distance area code: Sasebo 0956. Kinmeido (803 Shimokyo-machi, Sasebo-shi, Nagasaki-ken 857_0875; Near southeast entrance of Yonkacho Arcade. 22-4214, Fax 23-9026) "General selection of new books. Moderate size. About 2 shelves foreign books." Open 9:30-20:30. [Branch in Friesta Sasebo beside JR Sasebo 0956-42-0711 Fax 956-42-070] [01/07] Hakubundo (6-25 Kamikyo-machi 857_0872; Beside Kentucky Fried Chicken on wide avenue (Route 35). Near Kyomachi Bus Stop. About 10 minutes from JR Sasebo by foot. 22-6311) "About as large as Kinmeido. Very few foreign books." [01/07] Kumazawa Shoten Sasebo (4-7 Motoshima-cho 857_0871; B1F Twinkle Nishizawa, Yonkacho Arcade. About 15 minutes from JR Sasebo by foot. Closer to Matsuura Railway (MR) Sasebo-chuo Station. 37-2895, Fax 37-2897) "Largest bookstore in Sasebo. 150,000 titles. This store has the most foreign books: magazines, paperback novels, on Japan, books for children and cookbooks." Open 10-19:30. [01/07] ============================================================================ Nagasaki NTT long-distance area code: Nagasaki-shi 095. Metro Shoten (1-1 Onoue-machi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki-ken 850_0058; 3F Amu Plaza Nagasaki, adjacent to JR Nagasaki Terminal. 821-5400, 0120-746468, Fax 821-) "General bookstore. 2 shelves foreign paperbacks and books on Japan." Open 10-21. Kinokuniya Nagasaki (10-1 Motofuna-machi 850_0035; 4F You Me Saito (pronounced "Yumay Site") near streetcar Ohato, route 1. 811-4919, Fax 811-4923; HQ Tokyo) "Largest bookstore in town. Foreign section has paperbacks, non-fiction, books on Japan, language texts and a small amount of science and computer books. Large for a Kinokuniya, but the Fukuoka Main store is larger." Open 10-21. Douwakan (2-10 Minami-Yamate-machi 850_0931; On the slope toward Oura Cathedral. Streetcar route 5. 828-0716, Fax 828-0768) "Children's books. 10,000 titles. Upstairs is a picture book museum." Open 10-17:30. Closed Mon (following Tue if Mon is a Holiday) and around the New Year. A general store called Chugoku Boueki Koushi in Shinchi Chinatown has some Chinese books. (Streetcar Tsukimachi. 823-3222, Fax 822-9257; Open 10:30-21.) ============================================================================ Kumamoto Streetcar Toricho-suji station is between entrances of Shimotori and Kamidori shopping arcades. NTT long-distance area code: Kumamoto-shi 096. Kikuya Kumamoto (1-3-10 Shimotori, Kumamoto-shi 860_0807; 6F Daiei, near Shimotori entrance. About 3 minutes from streetcar Tori-cho-suji. 319-8581, Fax 319-8583) "Large store with rich technical selection. Foreign section is small with about 2 shelves total: paperbacks and ELT. Imported picture books in children's book section." Open 10-21. [01/07] Tsutaya Kumamoto Sannen-zaka (1-2 Ansei-machi 860_0801; 1F 2F Carino Shimotori, Sannen-zaka-dori. Enter street opposing Daiei. 212-9111, Fax 212-9890) "Vivid place, good for Japanese art, design and life-style books. Foreign section in the back end of 2F is second largest in town." Open 10-1AM, -4AM next morn Fri, Sat. [01/07] Kinryudo Marubun Store (5-1 Kamidori-cho 860_0845; In the Kamidori shopping arcade. 356-4733, Fax 352-5665) "Large bookstore, head of local chain. Comic section has special 'Kumamoto artists' corner. 4 shelves of foreign books, mostly paperbacks (2F)." Open 10-20. [01/07] Nagasaki Shoten (6-23 Kamidori-cho; North of Marubun on opposite side of street. 353-0555, Fax 322-2245) "Casual store with chic interior. Very few foreign books." Open 10-21. [01/07] Tiger Lily Bookstore (6-19-3F Kamidori-cho; Beyond Nagasaki Shoten on same side of street. 322-8566) "Art. Some imported books." Open 15-20. Closed Tue, Wed. [01/07] Double Decker (1-43-8-1F Wakaba, Kumamoto-shi 862_0903; Southeast of Kengun-machi streetcar terminus. Far from the other bookstores listed above. For directions visit this Book-Crossing page: http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/DOUBLE-DECKER/, 200-5693) "English-language educational material. Provides a book-exchange service." Kumamoto Parco has Village Vanguard on 8F (some imported art books) and Tower records on B1F (some imported magazines). Kinokuniya Kumamoto (in Shimotori) closed June '07. There is a Kinokuniya in Hikari-no-mori You-me Town, far from the city center. [2 minutes from JR Houhi Line Hikari-no-mori; 096-233-1700, Fax 233-1701; Open 10-22.] Kumamoto City International Center (http://www.city.kumamoto.kumamoto.jp/) has a library. Kumamoto YMCA Kamitori (Near Nagasaki Shoten; http://www.kumamoto-ymca.or.jp/map/kamitori/index.html) has a foreign book exchange facility. Yahoo group Kumamoto International (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kumamoto-i/ : non-subscribers can view postings) has information. We thank Kirk Masden for his continuous work in this field. ============================================================================ Oita NTT long-distance area code: Oita-shi 097. Haruya Cent Porta Oita (2-5-25 Chuo-cho, Oita-shi 870_0035; 532-4343, Fax 532-4392; HQ Matsuyama) "Reopened April '03." Junkudo Oita (7F/8F Oita Forus 1-2-7 Chuo-cho; 2nd block from station. 536-8181, Fax 533-7761; HQ Kobe) "Large store. 550,000 books. More foreign books than Haruya." Open 10-20. Kinokuniya Oita (1-1-1 Akeno-Higashi 870_0161; In Akeno Acros Town. Far from JR Oita: 20 minutes by bus. HQ Tokyo) "Opened April '06. Large store in suburban mall." ============================================================================ Miyazaki NTT long-distance area code: Miyazaki-shi 0985. Kotobukiya Department Store (4-10 Tachibana-dori-higashi, Miyazaki-shi 880_0805; About 5 minutes from JR Miyazaki Station. Right side of wide street. 27-4111) "Books on 7F. Some foreign books." Chuo Tanaka Shoten (3-6-19 Tachibana-dori-higashi; Faces Kotobukiya. 24-3511) "General bookstore. Some foreign books on 2F." Hashimoto Shoten (5-6-67 Tachibana-dori-nishi 880_0001; About 12 minutes from JR Miyazaki. 23-3075) "Used bookstore with tradition of 80 years." Asahiya Aeon Miyazaki (862-1-232 Shin-Beppu-cho-Eguchi 880-0834; 2F Aeon Shopping Center. Shuttle bus available from JR Miyazaki East Exit. 60-3881, Fax 60-3885; HQ Osaka) "Opened May 2005. They say it is largest in Miyazaki-ken. Some foreign books." Open 10-22. ============================================================================ Kagoshima NTT long-distance area code: Kagoshima-shi 099. Kinokuniya Kagoshima (1-1-4F Chuo-cho, Kagoshima-shi 890_0053; JR Kagoshima-chuo Terminal Mall. 812-7000; HQ Tokyo) "Opened March '03, with the Shinkansen. Advertisements say this is the largest store in Kagoshima." Open 10-21. Manyu Shoten (3-13 Nishi-Sengoku-cho 892_0847; Between Sengoku-Bamba and Tenjin-Bamba. Nissan showroom across the street. 225-8325, Fax 227-3136) "Used bookstore. Large stock. Some foreign books." Open 12-21. Junkudo Kagoshima (3-15 Nakamachi 892_0827; Streetcar Tenmonkan. Turn north into Terukuni-dori at the corner with Mitsukoshi. 239-1221, Fax 239-1220; HQ Kobe) "General collection housed in a triangular tower. Foreign books downstairs." Open 10-20. Ito Shoten (20-19 Higashi-Sengoku-cho 892_0842; Streetcar Tenmonkan. Turn right at the koban beyond Junkudo. 223-5485) "Small used bookstore. Some foreign books." Open 9-18:30 Jelly Beans Educational (16-118B Shinyashiki-cho 892_0838; On triangular block on east (ocean) side of Koutsuki-bashi and Streetcar Shinyashiki (route 1). 216-8800, Fax 216-8801; mail@jellybeansed.com) "English-language educational books and materials. Over 4,000 titles." Open 10-19, 13-18 Sun. Closed Mondays. Book Jungle closed Jan '08. ============================================================================ 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 2009 by Evelyn C. Leeper (the FAQ maintainer).