Bookshop shopping in Japan
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A
Junkudō
In the BAL Building, this shop has a great selection of English-language books on the 5th and 8th floors. This is Kyoto's best bookshop now that the old Maruzen and Random Walk bookshops have closed (you may remember these shops if you visited in the past). There is an excellent cafe on the top floor, which has a great view over Kyoto to the Higashiyama mountains. You can get light meals here as well as drinks.
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B
Maruzen
Based in the curvy Oazo Building just across from Tokyo Station's Marunouchi exit, Maruzen boasts a satisfyingly wide selection of English-language books and local guides. Foreign-language material can be found on the 4th floor alongside a cafe and stationery shop.
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C
Junkudō
This giant bookshop has the best selection of foreign and Japanese-language books in Osaka. It's inside the Dōjima Avanza Building in Kita, about 10 minutes' walk from Osaka Station. Most English-language books are on the 3rd floor along with a cafe. English travel guides, including a good selection of Lonely Planet guides, are on the 2nd floor.
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D
On Sundays
This might just be the coolest store ever. Attached to the Watari-Um, this incredible bookshop and cafe carries an eclectic collection of avant-garde art, retro postcards, Scandi-style office accoutrements and a wide selection of colourful coffee-table books.
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E
Blue Parrot
One of the best selections of used English-language books in Tokyo.
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F
Kinokuniya Books
In the Meitetsu Men's-kan building, south of Nagoya Station. Has English-language titles.
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G
Libro Books
Located downstairs from Ishikawa Prefectural International Exchange Centre (石川県国際交流センター), Libro sells English-language books and magazines.
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H
Village Vanguard
Officially, this place is a bookshop, but books are only half the story: between the cluttered racks of books and magazines are all sorts of odd curios – probably the stuff that Tokyu Hands deemed too arcane for its shelves. Some of these novelty items would make great 'only available in Japan' gifts for the folks back home.
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I
Maruzen & Junkudō Shoten Umeda Branch
While this place wasn't open when we were researching this guide, it should be open by the time you read this. It is slated to be the largest bookshop in the city.
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J
Maruzen
On busy Hirokōji-dōri. Has English-language titles.
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K
Kinokuniya
Inside Hankyū Umeda Station, this shop has a decent selection of foreign books and magazines.
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L
Athens
This Minami bookshop has a good selection of English books and magazines on its 4th floor.
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