Evelyn C. Leeper (eleeper@optonline.net) Go to my home pageBookstores in Osaka and Kobe
Last Change: 8 Jan 2009 ============================================================================ Cities of the Kansai region have distinct characters. Kyoto is artistic, Osaka, commercial and Kobe, cosmopolitan. ============================================================================ 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. ============================================================================ Districts listed in this file: Takatsuki Suita Osaka Awaji Umeda (JR Osaka Station) and Dojima Honmachi Temmabashi Shinsaibashi Namba and Minatomachi Tanimachi 9 chome Tsuruhashi and Imazato Tennoji (Abenobashi) Nishinomiya Kobe Rokko Shin Kobe Sannomiya Motomachi and Kobe Nara Wakayama -------------- Kyoto (independent file) Northern Kyoto Kyoto University and Doshisha University Marutamachi Shijo-Kawaramachi (Downtown Kyoto) JR Kyoto Station Himeji (West Japan file) -------------- Subject Index, Kansai area ============================================================================ Takatsuki: -------------- NTT long-distance area code: Takatsuki 0726. Roman Koshoten (11-1 Kitasono-cho, Takatsuki-shi, Osaka-fu 569_0802; North side of Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Station. Behind Mizuho Bank. 85-1048, Fax 71-9101, tadn@nifty.com) "Used books in very good condition. Some foreign books: literature, history." Open 13-20. Closed Sun, Hol. (Check before visiting.) ============================================================================ Suita: -------------- NTT long-distance area code: Suita 06. Stores aligned north to south. Tengyu Shoten (5-14-7 Esaka, Suita-shi, Osaka-fu 564_0063; East of Iwaibashi which crosses Shin-Midosuji and Kita-Osaka-Kyuko Line between Esaka and Ryokuchi-Koen. East side of block with McDonald's on the corner. Parking space available. 20 minutes from Ryokuchi-Koen by foot. 6337-0687, Fax 6330-7879; info@tengyu-syoten.co.jp) "Leading used book dealer of Kansai. Solid Japanese collection. Rare items as well as discounts. Neat display. Total 100,000 books. Many foreign books: serious literature, history. Complete collections of French novelists in the original." Open 11-20. Closed Wed, Thu. Izumiya Shoten (3-16-17 Tarumi-cho 564_0062; From Midosuji Line Esaka walk east to Hiroshiba-koen. Turn north, pass fire station, turn right at Royal Industry Co. 6384-4861, Fax 6384-4851; http://www2.ocn.ne.jp/~izumiya/) "Used and new foreign books. Academic collection: humanities, education." Open 9:30-17:30, -15 Sat. Closed Sun, Hol, 1st & 3rd Sat. Crayon House Osaka (3-34-24 Tarumi-cho; Leave Esaka Exit 1 to east, cross Esaka-koen. 5 minutes from station. 6330-8071, Fax 6330-8075) "Children's books, women's books and organic food. Some imported children's books in the original. Much smaller than the main store in Tokyo Aoyama. Relocated from other side of station Nov '01." Open 11-20. ============================================================================ Awaji: -------------- NTT long-distance area code: Osaka-shi 06. Hon-no-mori (5-2-17 Awaji, Higashi-Yodogawa-ku 533_0032; Hankyu/Subway Awaji Junction West Exit. About 20 minutes from Shin-Osaka by foot. Ask for directions to Awaji.) "Used bookstore, fund-raising effort for the Asian Library. Total 120,000 books. Currently closed, to relocate and reopen end '09." [11/08] "The Asian Library is run by volunteers. Asia, developing countries, modern Japanese history, language. 204,500 Japanese-language books, 23,500 foreign-language books as of June '05. They lend books overseas. 2000 yen initial fee, 3000 yen annual membership fee. Non-member visitor's fee: 500 yen per day. Donations welcome. Moved June '08. (5-2-17 Awaji, Higashi-Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 533_0032; 06-6321-1839, Fax 6323-1126; http://www.asian-library-osaka.org/) Umeda (JR Osaka Station), Nakatsu and Dojima: -------------- Central Osaka is laid out in a lattice shape. The addresses are in the ordinary Japanese format. Streets called 'suji' run N/S. JR Osaka and Hankyu/Hanshin Umeda are virtually the same location. Also connected through underground passages are Subway Higashi-Umeda and Nishi-Umeda Stations. JR Tozai Line Kita-Shinchi Station is within walking distance. There are people who hail a taxi in front of JR Osaka and order "To Umeda!" All stores in Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu. NTT long-distance area code: Osaka-shi 06. Nellie's Osaka Bookstore (1-18-18 Nakatsu 531_0071; 6F Wakatsuki Bldg. Above Meshiya-don and Balance Delica, north of Subway Nakatsu Exit 2. Northeast of Hankyu Nakatsu, beyond JR tracks. 4802-4655, Fax 6376-8044; HQ Tokyo) "English language education supplies. From March 2006." Open 10-18. Closed Sat, Sun, Hol. Kinokuniya Umeda (Hankyu Sanbangai 1-1-3 Shibata 530_0012; Beneath Hankyu Umeda Terminal on the north side of JR Osaka Station. 6372-5821, Fax 6375-2385; HQ Shinjuku, Tokyo) "Largest Kinokuniya in Osaka. One big floor beneath tracks. 600,000 books. Foreign books in section M. (Use side door to avoid the crowd.) Foreign selection strong in new paperbacks, history, social studies. Books on Japan divided into culture, manga and language texts with about a shelf each. Some foreign natural science and computer books. Some French, some German, a bit Spanish and a bit Portuguese books." Open 10-22. Closed about once a month, usually 3rd Wed. Librairie Arcade (Hankyu Kosho-no-machi 1-6-2 Shibata; 2 streets north of Kinokuniya, beneath tracks. 6374-2524) "Only store in this used bookstore mall specializing in foreign books. Art albums." All stores in this mall open 11-20. Closed Wed. Asahiya Main Store (2-12-6 Sonezaki 530_0057; South side of JR Osaka, on Mido-suji across Hanshin Dept. Store. Visible from the large pedestrian overpass near the taxi waiting area. If underground try to find Subway Higashi-Umeda Station Exit 2 (H68). 6313-1191, Fax 6313-4992) "Leading bookstore of Osaka, many branches nationwide. 500,000 books. Narrow building with 8 floors. Most foreign books on 7F. Foreign medical books on 5F, science books on 6F. Large collection of railway books 8F. World newspapers printed on-demand. Their policy is in between Kinokuniya's (strong marketing) and Junkudo's (great variety and display). Overseas branches in London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Torrance CA, San Diego, Chicago, New York. Asahi='rising sun': not associated with Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Beer, etc." Open 10-22, -21 Sat, Sun, Hol. Closed Jan 1st. Umeda Mandarake (9-28 Doyama-cho 530_0027; In Hankyu Higashi-dori arcade, behind Tokyu Inn. 15 minutes from JR Osaka, to the east of the large pedestrian overpass. If underground look for Whity East Mall Exit M6 by the fountain. Visit website: http://www.mandarake.co.jp/ for map. 6363-7777, Fax 6363-7776; HQ Nakano, Tokyo) "Discount seller of used manga comics. Huge stock. Branch in Namba." Open 12-20 through year. Junkudo Osaka Main (Dojima) Store (1-3F Dojima Avanza, 1-6-20 Dojima 530_0003; From JR Osaka Station cross street, go south on street with Osaka Hilton: Yotsubashi-suji. In huge building on the left, 3 blocks south of JR Tozai Line Kita-Shinchi Station. Connected to underground passage south of Subway Nishi-Umeda Station. 4799-1090, Fax 4799-1091; HQ Sannomiya, Kobe) "One of the largest bookstores in Japan. Stocks 800,000 books. Very low copy per title ratio. Excellent classification and display. Their strategy, to sell expensive books for specialists where profit per shelf space is high, is obviously working well. Large comic section on 1F. Wide selection of foreign books on 3F (sections 16-20). Large collection of foreign paperbacks. Much more imported computer books than Kinokuniya Umeda. Has Japanese discount book corner. Encourages browsers to pick up books and read; comfortable chairs and tables are provided along the windows. A shopper's paradise." Open 10-21. "Dojima is in the financial center of Osaka, which was known as 'The Kitchen of Japan' during the Tokugawa period for its markets of foodstuffs, especially rice, the salary of the samurai. The world's first futures market settled here in 1731, more than a century before the first forward trade was recorded in Chicago." Honmachi: -------------- Kinokuniya Honmachi (1F Osaka Kokusai Bldg. 2-3-13 Azuchi-machi, Chuo-ku 541_0052; Honmachi-dori, near Subway Sakaishuji-Honmachi. 7 minutes from Subway Honmachi Exit 7. 4705-4556, Fax 4705-4592; HQ Tokyo) "Located in the middle of business district. Leisurely layout, not crowded. Quite large foreign section." Open 10-20:30, -19 Sat. Closed Sun, Hol. Temmabashi: -------------- All stores in Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu. Junkudo Temmabashi (1-1 Temmabashi-Kyomachi 540_0032; 7F Keihan City Mall, above Keihan Terminal. Former Matsuzakaya. 6920-3730, Fax 6920-2828; HQ Kobe) "300,000 books. Modest foreign section. Some foreign titles in architecture, ecology sections. Some imported children's books. No computer books in English. Great view from their coffee corner." Open 10-21. Seifu Kankoubutsu Service Center (1-5-63 Otemae 540_0008; Take stairs up just outside Subway Temmabashi Exit 3. 1F Goudou-chousha 3 (joint government offices). 6942-1681, Fax 6942-1683) "Government periodicals. Few or no material in foreign languages." Shinsaibashi: -------------- Subway Midosuji Line Shinsaibashi Station is convenient to this location. All stores are in Shinsaibashi-suji and aligned from north to south. Sanseido Shinsaibashi Sogo (1-8-3 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku 542_0085; 12F Shinsaibashi Sogo Dept. Store. South of Nagahori-dori. Subway Shinsaibashi. 6282-1451; HQ Tokyo) "Large general store. Some foreign books. Used to be a Maruzen. Sanseido took over July '07. The department store is lavishly decorated as a symbol of the new Sogo." Open 10-20, -20:30 Fri, Sat, Sun, Hol. Closed Jan 1st. Nakao Shoten (1-2-14 Shinsaibashi-suji; Directly south of Parco. Phone/Fax 6271-3535) "Renowned old book merchant of Osaka. Small but excellent selection, including the very few foreign titles. Branch in Hankyu-kosho-no-machi, Umeda." Athens Shinsaibashi (1-6-10 Shinsaibashi-suji; On corner of Shinsaibashi-suji and Suomachi-street, south of Nakao. To the west is Citibank. 6253-0185;) "Foreign books on 4F. Mostly illustrated books of fine art, photography, cooking, design and other arts and hobbies. Also imported fashion magazines. Unique collection. Their branch in America-mura also has foreign books, but this place has more." Open 10-22. There used to be a major Maruzen in Shinsaibashi. The company sold the real estate and moved into Sogo in Sept '05. The new store didn't last two years. (See above.) Random Walk Osaka closed Dec '07. It was also short-lived. It lasted only 20 months. Namba and Minatomachi: -------------- Maruzen Namba OCAT (1-4-1 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi 556_0017; 5F Osaka City Air Terminal Mall. Above JR Namba. About 15 minutes from Nankai Namba, west end of Namba Walk. 6635-3225, Fax 6635-3224; HQ Tokyo) "Large Japanese collection. Small foreign section. This is the sole surviving Maruzen in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region." Open 11-21. Asahiya Namba City (B2F Namba CITY 5-1-60 Namba, Chuo-ku 542_0076; Beneath Nankai Railway Terminal. 6644-2551, Fax 6634-2524; HQ Umeda) "Large general bookstore. 4 shelves of English books, mostly paperbacks." Open 10-21. Closed 3rd Thu of each month and Jan 1st. Namiya Shoten (2-11-13 Sennichimae, Chuo-ku 542_0074; North side of Nankai-dori. 6641-5561, Fax 6633-6066) "Well known for cookbook collection. Few or no foreign books." Open 9:30-21:45. Junkudo Osaka Namba (YES Namba Bldg. 12-7 Namba-Sennichimae, Chuo-ku 542_0075; From north side of Takashimaya Dept. Store & Nankai Terminal enter Nankai-dori on the east. Turn right at first corner. About 4 minutes from station. From Namba Walk take escalator by fountain (exit 21) and head south. 6635-5330, Fax 6635-5331, HQ Kobe) "Smaller in scale than the Dojima Main Store but nevertheless a magnificent collection. Foreign books on 3F, foreign magazines on 1F. Chairs and tables for readers available." Open 10-21. Hirata Shoten Namba (1-2-17 Nippombashi-Nishi, Naniwa-ku 556_0004; Travel south down street on east edge of Nankai Terminal. South of Ninomiya. 10 minutes from station exit. 6647-7345) "Used bookstore. Notable collection of classic Japanese cookbooks and railroad material. Very few foreign books." Open 10-19. Kansai Book Center closed '03. "The Namba Doutombori district is known for its restaurants. Here in the city of 'kuidaore' one keeps eating and eating till he falls penniless." "Directly south of Junkudo Namba is the Douguya-suji: the shopping center for restaurant owners. Everything one encounters in a Japanese restaurant, coffee shop, yatai or naito kurabu is available here: spoons and forks, takoyaki irons, plastic showcase food, noren door curtains and oh yes, red lanterns of every size." Tanimachi 9 chome: -------------- Kaede Shobo (9-16 Ikutama-cho, Tennoji-ku 543_0071; 2 minutes to the east of Subway Tanimachi 9 chome. South side of wide avenue. 6774-2420) "Small used bookstore. 1 shelf foreign books: William Shakespeare and Charles & Mary Lamb." Tsuruhashi and Imazato: -------------- Seoul Shorin (4-18 Tojo-cho, Tennoji-ku 543_0026; Southwest of JR/Kintetsu Tsuruhashi Junction. On Tamatsukuri-suji, first wide street west of station exit. 6772-0675, Fax 6772-0255) "New and used Korean books and magazines. Also some books in Japanese about Korea." Open 10-19, -18 Hol. Closed Sun. Kosho Rakutokan (1-48 Tojo-cho; Along west side of JR tracks, south of station, couple streets to the east of Seoul Shorin. Phone/Fax 6774-0741) "Used books. Many books about Korea and China. Many books in Korean." Open 10-22. Hinode Shobo Kintetsu Imazato (4-10-20-105 Shin-Imazato, Ikuno-ku 544_0001; From Kintetsu Imazato enter shopping district beyond gates on south side. Turn left at first intersection beyond manga bookstore (a Hinode branch). Subway Imazato is about 20 minutes from Kintetsu Imazato. 6754-0607, Fax 6758-6631) "Used books. Many books in Korean. Chain has several branches in area." Tennoji (Abenobashi): -------------- JR Tennoji and Kintetsu Abenobashi are virtually the same location. Asahiya Tennoji Mio (10-39 Hidein-cho, Tennoji-ku 543_0055; 9F Mio, above JR Tennoji Terminal. 6773-0107, Fax 6773-0108; HQ Umeda) "Large general selection. Namba City store is probably larger. Some foreign books. Has a 'Living Design' section with books on architecture, interior design, art, photography, fashion, etc." Open 11-21. Closed 3rd Tue and Jan 1st. Kikuya Abeno (2F Apollo Bldg. 1-5-31 Abeno-suji, Abeno-ku 545_0052; JR Tennoji South Exit. West end of subway corridor. 6634-8606, Fax 6634-8616) "Large general bookstore. Expanded March '02. More foreign books than Asahiya Tennoji Mio." Open 10-21. Suzuya Shoten (2-10-13 Ebisu-Higashi, Naniwa-ku 556_0002; West side of Sakai-suji between JR/Nankai Shin-Imamiya and Hankai Ebisu-cho (streetcar terminal). Subway Doubutsuen-mae. 6641-1688) "Tiny used bookstore notable for collection of imported military magazines." ============================================================================ Nishinomiya: -------------- NTT long-distance area code: Nishinomiya 0798. Junkudo Nishinomiya (1-1 Kitaguchi-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo-ken 663_8035; 4F Acta west tower, northeast side of Hankyu Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi Junction. 68-6300, Fax 68-6301; HQ Kobe) "Another huge Junkudo. Several shelves foreign books." Open 10-21. Asahiya LaLaport Koshien (1-100 Koshien Hachibancho 663_8178; 2F LaLaport Koshien. 5 minutes from Hanshin Koshien Station by foot, to the southeast, beyond Koshien Stadium. JR and Hankyu are quite far. 81-6790, Fax 81-6793; HQ Umeda) "Large bookstore in new mall. Quite large foreign section." Open 10-21. Closed irr. Kobe: Kobe lies on a thin strip of land between the Rokko-Maya Mountains and Osaka Bay. Not easy to get lost here. Hankyu, JR and Hanshin run parallel here. NTT long-distance area code: Kobe 078. All stores in Kobe-shi, Hyogo-ken. Stores listed east to west. Rokko: -------------- Unisuga Shoten (2-3-25 Morigo-cho, Nada-ku 657_0028; Between JR Rokko-michi and Hankyu Rokko on Hachiman-hondori. 841-2018) "Small store of used books. Great academic collection. 1 shelf foreign paperbacks near entrance. Well learned proprietor." Open 10:30-21. Closed Sun. Shin-Kobe: -------------- Wantage Books (1-1-13 Ikuta-cho, Chuo-ku 651_0092; Block south of OPA. Seek corner with Yoshinoya and Daimaru neon, enter alley left of film shop shortly west. Phone/Fax: 232-4516, http://www.wantagebooks.com/) "Largest collection of used foreign books in Kansai area. Many paperback novels in English, read many times over, available at bargain prices. Some children's books, SF, travel guides. Open only on weekends." Open 11-17 Sat & Sun. Sannomiya: -------------- All Sannomiya, Motomachi stores in Chuo-ku. Stores north of JR tracks first. St. Paul Kobe (4-10-24 Kano-cho 650_0001; North of Sannomiya Station on Flower Road. 393-7755, Fax 393-7756) "Catholic books. Very few foreign books." Open 10:30-19. 12-17 Sun, Hol. Closed Fri. Covenanter Shoten (1-25-2 Nakayamate-dori 650_0004; Proceed uphill from St. Paul, cross large pedestrian overpass, take wide street a couple blocks west. North side of street. Phone/Fax 242-7003; covenant@hf.rim.or.jp) "Reformed Presbyterian bookstore. About 1/3 foreign. Probably largest collection of non-Japanese Christian literature in Kansai." Open 10-18. Closed Sun, Hol. Junkudo Sannomiya Eki-mae (6-1-15 Kumoi-dori; 7F Sun City Bldg. to the left of JR Sannomiya South Exit. 252-0777, Fax 252-0616) "Large collection but following Kobe Sannomiya store is larger and has more foreign books." Open 10-21. Kinokuniya Kobe (8-1-8 Onoe-dori, Chuo-ku 651_0088; 5F Sogo, south side of JR Sannomiya. 265-1607; HQ Shinjuku, Tokyo) "Smaller than Junkudo Kobe Sannomiya but has good foreign section." Open 10-20. Junkudo Kobe Sannomiya (New Center 1-6-18 Sannomiya-cho 650_0021; South side of Sannomiya Center Street. 392-1001, Fax 392-1024) "Headquarters of nationwide chain which is taking over Maruzen and Kinokuniya as the supplier of technical and foreign books. Total sales more than tripled in a decade. This store expanded and moved upstairs to 2-4F in May '00, shortly after the Shinshindo failure. Now largest in Kobe. Like Junkudo Kyoto, a general bookstore with an emphasis on serious academic titles. Lots of Japanese law books, good math selection. Expanded again in March '07. The Osaka Dojima Store is somewhat larger. Nearby branches in Sumiyoshi, Ashiya, Maiko and Akashi." Open 10-21. Closed Jan 1st. Nishiyama Yosho (2-11-1 Sannomiya-cho; 3F of Center Plaza Nishi-kan, across street from Junkudo Sannomiya. Occupies back end of model shop 'Accel Work'. Phone/Fax 332-3596; HQ Ginza, Tokyo) "Tiny collection of imported railway, airplane, automobile books." Open 11-20. Closed Jan 1st. Random Walk Kobe (2F 33 Bldg. 3-9-8 Sannomiya-cho; Toward the west end of Sannomiya Center-gai, near Motomachi. On the second floor of building on north side of the street. ) "Closed August '08 when owner Yohan when bankrupt. It appears the board of trusties has allowed this store and the Kyoto branch to reopen, but the ultimate fate is unclear. Was one of the best-stocked foreign collections in Kansai; but now, the website is down and the NTT online directory gives no phone number." [11/08] Gotoh Shoten closed Jan '08. Motomachi and Kobe: -------------- >From Sannomiya Center-gai keep walking west under arcade, turn left at street with VEGA and Daimaru will come in sight. About 7 minutes from Junkudo Sannomiya to JR Motomachi. Kobe Christian Book Store (2F Sanyo Bldg. 3-9-18 Sannomiya-cho; On street along tracks, east of hamburger shop 'First Kitchen' visible from JR Motomachi East Exit. 331-7569) "Christian books from children's books, theology to scores of church organ music. Very few imported books, mostly Bibles." Open 10-18. Tsunobue (3-14-7 Motomachi-dori; 100m to west of JR Motomachi. South side of tracks on wide avenue. 2F of building. 391-1988) "Small Christian used bookseller. Few foreign books: Bibles, a handful theology, 1 stack pagan literature piled on entrance staircase." Open noon-18. Closed Sun. Books Kiosk (3-1 Aioi-cho 650_0025; Under JR tracks, Kobe Station. 366-0537) "General bookstore. 1 shelf foreign books at east end." Open 10-21. Maruzen Kobe Motomachi closed June 2003. "Stores in Kobe compete among themselves as well as those in Umeda. JR Osaka is just 19 minutes away from Sannomiya." "South of Motomachi-dori is Nankingai, Kobe's Chinatown." ============================================================================ Nara NTT long-distance area code: Nara-shi 0742. Keirindo Nara (1-1 Nishi-Mikado-cho, Nara-shi, Nara-ken 630_8225; Near north entrance of arcade, on east side of Kintetsu Nara (exit 4). About 15 minutes from JR Nara. 20-8001) "Largest of local chain, largest bookstore in Nara. 1 shelf or so foreign books 2F." Open 9-21. Closed Jan 1,2. ============================================================================ Wakayama NTT long-distance area code: Wakayama-shi 073. Miyai Heiando (1-18 Honmachi, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama-ken 640_8033; Between Nankai Wakayama-shi and JR Wakayama. North of castle, near Kyobashi (bridge which crosses small river). 431-1331) "Largest store in Wakayama-shi as well as Wakayama-ken. Small foreign section 2F." Open 10-20. Watch store announcements for schedule around the New Year. ============================================================================ 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).