Kinokuniya Building Shinjuku Tokyo
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Kinokuniya Building Shinjuku Tokyo

4.2
·18k reviews·Shinjuku City, Japan

A multi-story literary paradise in Shinjuku, offering a vast collection of Japanese and English books, unique stationery, and more.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful browsing

CrowdLow
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Kinokuniya Building Shinjuku Tokyo

Kinokuniya Building Shinjuku Tokyo

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful browsing

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A multi-story literary paradise in Shinjuku, offering a vast collection of Japanese and English books, unique stationery, and more.

4.2
(18k reviews)

"A paradise for book lovers and one of Tokyo’s most iconic bookstores, spread across multiple floors."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Ask for Help!

Staff are incredibly helpful in locating books, even rare ones . Don't hesitate to ask! :raised_hand:

📚 English Book Section

The English collection is primarily on the sixth floor, offering a great selection for international visitors . 📚

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.2 · 18,138 reviews

Type

Book Store

♿ Wheelchair accessible

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

English Language Book Floor

English Language Book Floor

Sixth Floor

An extensive collection of English books, a must-visit for international readers in Tokyo.

Stationery and Gift Sections

Stationery and Gift Sections

Various Floors

Discover a vast array of unique Japanese stationery, art supplies, and thoughtful gifts.

Crystals and Fossils Shop

Crystals and Fossils Shop

First Floor

A serendipitous find offering beautiful crystals and intriguing fossils for collectors.

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Planning Your Visit

Navigating the Book Lover's Paradise

Kinokuniya Shinjuku is a multi-story haven for bookworms. While many floors house Japanese titles, dedicated sections offer a surprisingly robust English collection. Plan to spend a few hours exploring, and don't be afraid to ask staff for help finding specific genres or titles, as they are known to be very helpful.Reddit

Beyond Books: Unique Finds

This isn't just a bookstore; it's a destination. Discover a treasure trove of stationery, magazines, and even a charming crystals and fossils shop on the first floor.Instagram Keep an eye out for pop-up shops and exclusive merchandise, especially if you're a fan of anime or specific fandoms.TikTok

Best Times

When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful browsing
Crowd
Low
When
Late Afternoons
Why
Lively atmosphere, post-work buzz
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Given pop up shop at Shinjuku Kinokuniya. It was so beautiful to get to see the bois irl 😭😭😭 and pick up exclusive merch in person 🥺🥺🥺 いくらなんでも日本に住んでてもやっぱりこう言うイベントとかは東京にいないとダメだよね … Yes, i made Brother Loach come with me 😆 I’m sorry we gave up on Hachiko for BL 🥺🥺🥺 but it was worth it (for me). I have a feeling i would’ve just been looking for jjk references if we went to Shibuya 😅😅😅 (lmao i’m commi...
@fatloach2.0
23.4K likes • 96.3K views

🎯 Ask for Help!

Staff are incredibly helpful in locating books, even rare ones.Reddit Don't hesitate to ask! :raised_hand:

📚 English Book Section

The English collection is primarily on the sixth floor, offering a great selection for international visitors.Instagram 📚

A bookstore that takes up the whole sixth floor of a building? Yes, please! Kinokuniya bookstore is one of the must-see bookstores containing English books in Tokyo. It is located in Shinjuku, Tokyo and although we got a bit lost on our way there, it’s actually in a really accessible area. Plus, not only is it in a great space but it also has a great selection! I was really impressed with the ...
nadsylovesbooks
42 likes • 937 views
🛍️@anabananacrystals goes to Tokyo! I was SO HAPPY to come across this crystals and fossils shop (located on the first floor of the Shinjuku Kinokuniya building) 🥰 A very serendipitous discovery!!!❤️ Definitely bought a piece to bring home to my personal collection 👀 Try to guess what I got! #crystals #rocks #minerals #japan #travel #shopping #kinokuniya #shinjuku #tokyo
anabananacrystals
38 likes • 502 views

💎 Unique First Floor Finds

Don't miss the crystals and fossils shop on the ground floor for unexpected treasures.Instagram 💎

🚶‍♀️ Prepare to Wander

The store is vast! Wear comfortable shoes and allow ample time to explore all its levels.Reddit :athletic_shoe:

reddit.com

What book stores have the largest English selection in town?

Hey guys, I'm looking for some new books to read and I'd rather not have to wait for shipping from ordering online. Can anyone tell me some places that you go to buy English books? I'm specifically looking for some nonfiction but I am open to all genres of literature. I've…

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Ask for Help!

Staff are incredibly helpful in locating books, even rare ones.Reddit Don't hesitate to ask! :raised_hand:

📚 English Book Section

The English collection is primarily on the sixth floor, offering a great selection for international visitors.Instagram 📚

💎 Unique First Floor Finds

Don't miss the crystals and fossils shop on the ground floor for unexpected treasures.Instagram 💎

🚶‍♀️ Prepare to Wander

The store is vast! Wear comfortable shoes and allow ample time to explore all its levels.Reddit :athletic_shoe:

✨ Pop-Up Surprises

Keep an eye out for temporary pop-up shops featuring exclusive merchandise.TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.2
(18k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Kinokuniya Shinjuku is celebrated as a vast, multi-story bookstore offering an impressive selection of both Japanese and foreign language books, particularly praised for its extensive English collection. Visitors appreciate the wide variety of stationery and unique finds, as well as the helpfulness of the staff. However, some note that finding specific genres like baking books can be challenging, and many books are in Japanese.

"Very large bookstore. I went there looking for 1–2 baking books, but there didn’t seem to be that many, or maybe I didn’t know where to look. I ended up buying 2 books as planned. Staff were helpful even though they mainly spoke Japanese. Most books are in Japanese. If you already have some baking knowledge, it’s not too hard to understand with help from Google Translate. But if you have no background in cooking or baking and don’t understand Japanese, it might not be suitable."

Watcharee T.

"One of the best bookstores in Tokyo. Few elevators, so be prepared to take the stairs up. The curry shop in the basement is also one of the best restaurants"

O-MAL

"Beautiful, sprawling, nine story bookstore in the heart of Tokyo. Only one floor has English language books, but the collection is excellent, and it's a place you'd love to wander around in for hours."

Souradeep Sengupta

What People Like

Vast English book selection
Impressive stationery range
Helpful and friendly staff

What People Dislike

Many books in Japanese
Specific genre availability

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Kinokuniya Shinjuku is conveniently located in the heart of Shinjuku. It's a short walk from Shinjuku Station, one of Tokyo's busiest transport hubs. You can access it via the South Exit or the New South Gate. The building is easily recognizable and often mentioned as a landmark.Instagram

While the building is large, some visitors have reported getting a bit lost on their first visit.Instagram Look for clear signage for the Kinokuniya bookstore within the building. It's a well-known destination, so asking locals for directions to 'Kinokuniya' should be straightforward.

Shinjuku Station is a major hub for JR lines, private railways, and subway lines, making it highly accessible from all parts of Tokyo. Consider using a Suica or Pasmo card for easy tap-and-go travel on public transport.

While there might be paid parking garages in the vicinity, public transportation is highly recommended due to the busy nature of Shinjuku. This avoids potential parking hassles and costs.

Yes, taxis are readily available in Tokyo. You can provide the address or simply tell the driver 'Shinjuku Kinokuniya' and they should know the location.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, there is no admission fee to enter Kinokuniya Shinjuku. It's a retail store, so you can browse freely without purchasing a ticket.Instagram

The opening hours can vary slightly, but generally, Kinokuniya Shinjuku is open from around 10 AM to 9 PM daily. It's always a good idea to check their official website or a reliable directory for the most up-to-date hours before your visit.

Yes, the English language books are primarily located on the sixth floor, which is a significant draw for international visitors.Instagram

While not explicitly stated in all sources, large bookstores like Kinokuniya often have online ordering options. It's best to check their official website for details on online reservations and in-store pickup services.

Kinokuniya often hosts pop-up shops, author signings, and special exhibitions. It's worth checking their event calendar online or looking for announcements within the store.TikTok

🎫 📚 Onsite Experience

Kinokuniya offers a vast selection of both Japanese and foreign language books, including literature, art, photography, design, travel, and more. The English section is particularly well-regarded.Reddit

Yes, the sixth floor is dedicated to English books and is well-organized, making it relatively easy to find what you're looking for.Instagram

Beyond books, you'll find a wide range of stationery, magazines, DVDs, and unique gifts. There's also a notable crystals and fossils shop on the first floor.Instagram

The store has multiple floors, and while elevators are available, some visitors have noted that taking the stairs might be necessary at times.Reddit It's advisable to inquire about specific accessibility options if needed.

Photography is generally allowed for personal use, especially to capture the atmosphere and impressive displays. However, it's always polite to be mindful of other shoppers and avoid intrusive photography.

📸 📸 Photography

The sheer scale of the bookshelves, the neat arrangements of colorful book covers, and the bustling yet orderly atmosphere offer great opportunities for lifestyle and urban photography.Reddit The long aisles and stacked displays create visually interesting compositions.

Many visitors enjoy capturing the 'literary heartbeat' of Tokyo by photographing readers browsing aisles or the impressive stacks of books. The unique stationery and gift sections also make for interesting flat lays or detail shots.

While generally permitted for personal use, be respectful of other patrons. Avoid flash photography that might disturb readers and refrain from photographing staff or private areas without permission.

Weekday mornings offer softer lighting and fewer crowds, ideal for capturing the serene ambiance. Late afternoons can provide a more dynamic, lively feel with more people browsing.

Yes, the crystals and fossils shop on the first floor is quite photogenic with its unique displays. Just be mindful of other shoppers and any specific store policies.