Jimbocho Book Town

Tokyo's used-book district: 130-plus secondhand and antiquarian bookshops packed into a few Chiyoda blocks, plus legendary curry houses. Browsing is free and most shops open around 11am. A quiet, deeply local afternoon, not a set-piece attraction.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Why is Jimbocho also called curry town?

The district has one of Tokyo's densest clusters of old-school Japanese curry shops, a tradition tied to the student and publishing crowd. Bondy and Kyoeido are the famous names, with lunchtime lines. Pair a book hunt with a curry plate.

How do I get to Jimbocho?

Take the metro to Jimbocho Station, served by three lines (Hanzomon, Toei Mita, Toei Shinjuku). Exits A1 through A7 open directly onto Yasukuni-dori, the main bookshop street. It's about 10 minutes from Otemachi or Shinjuku.

Which side of the street has the best shops?

Most shops line the south side of Yasukuni-dori because they face away from direct sunlight that fades books. Walk that side for the densest run of storefronts, then dip into the side streets toward Suzuran-dori for cafes and smaller specialists.

How much do books cost?

Huge range. Sidewalk bins start at 100 yen, everyday used paperbacks run a few hundred yen, and rare first editions or ukiyo-e prints climb into the tens of thousands. Browsing costs nothing and nobody pressures you to buy.

Is Jimbocho worth visiting if I don't read Japanese?

Yes, if you love books as objects. Kitazawa Shoten (founded 1902) and a handful of others carry rare English and European titles, and there are vintage prints, maps, and film posters everywhere. If you only want souvenirs, you'll get more out of a proper bookshop like Tsutaya.

When do the bookstores open and close?

Most shops open around 10-11am and close by 6-7pm. Many close on Sundays or Mondays, so a weekday visit is safest. Don't come first thing in the morning expecting shutters up.

Is the Used Book Festival worth timing a trip around?

If you're already in Tokyo in late October, absolutely. The Kanda Used Book Festival spills hundreds of thousands of discounted titles onto the sidewalks for about a week. It's crowded but genuinely fun. Not worth flying in for on its own.

Can I sell or ship books home?

Some larger shops will ship internationally, though many small ones won't and deal only in cash. Bring a tote bag and cash. If you're buying something fragile or valuable, ask before assuming they pack and post overseas.

Nearby in Ask Tokyo

• Glitch Coffee & RoastersCafé0.41 km · 5 min walk
• Kanda Yabu Soba (かんだやぶそば)Restaurant1.01 km · 13 min walk
• Imperial PalaceAttraction1.27 km · 16 min walk
• Koishikawa Korakuen GardenPark1.32 km · 17 min walk
• KagurazakaNeighborhood1.64 km · 21 min walk