Jimbocho, located in Chiyoda City, Tokyo is an area known as a town of bookstores and students (due to the many universities in the area).
Jimbocho is lined with approximately 130 antiquarian bookstores selling used books of various genres, and is said to be the best used bookstore district in the world.
The nearest station is Jimbocho Station, but it is also a 20-minute walk from Akihabara, where many people visit.
Jimbocho as a used bookstore district
Yasukuni-dori Street
Many universities were built in the Jimbocho area during the Meiji era (1868-1912), and the area was a bustling student town.
A number of bookstores and used bookstores targeting these students opened one after another, and this is the root of Jimbocho as a used bookstore district.
In Jimbocho, many used bookstores have their stores facing north along the main street, Yasukuni-dori Street. The reason for this is to prevent books from deteriorating due to sunlight.
An event called the “Kanda Used Book Festival” is usually held for about a week from the end of October every year.
In recent years, the festival has become a Tokyo landmark, attracting many people at home and abroad during the festival period.
Kanda Suzuran-dori Street
Curry rice and cafes
Jimbocho is known as a used bookstore district, but it is also famous as Japan’s most competitive curry district.
It is said that more than 400 curry stores are gathered in Jimbocho and the surrounding Kanda area.
Jimbocho is also home to retro old-fashioned cafes and fashionable cafes, and many people visit for the cafes.
Ski and snowboard specialty shops
The Kanda-Ogawamachi area adjacent to Jimbocho is home to many ski and snowboard specialty stores and mountaineering equipment stores, and is considered a mecca for skiers and snowboarders.
If you like winter sports, you may be able to find what you want in this area.
INFORMATION
NAME
Jimbocho (神保町)
ADDRESS
Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0051
ACCESS
Around Jimbocho Station
STATION INFO
(Tokyo Metro) Jimbocho Station
Hanzomon Line
(Toei Transportation) Jimbocho Station
Mita Line, Shinjuku Line
LINK