Where can I buy English books?
Explore Tokyo's best spots for English books in Shinjuku and Nihonbashi. From vibrant manga selections to diverse literature, find your next read!
Where can I buy English books in Tokyo?
Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store
This is THE place for English books in Tokyo. The entire 6th floor is dedicated to foreign books, with thousands of titles in fiction, non-fiction, business, and self-help. They even have a great selection of magazines and newspapers. It's a bit pricey, but the selection is unbeatable. They often have new releases on the same day as the US/UK!
What if I need something more academic or specialized?
A: Then Maruzen & Junkudo is your best bet! They have stores in Ikebukuro and Shibuya, and their English selection is more focused on academic texts, professional books, and study materials. The Ikebukuro store is massive—9 floors!—and their foreign book section has everything from scientific journals to art books. If you're looking for TOEFL prep books or academic papers, this is where Tokyo's university students go.
Maruzen & Junkudo Ikebukuro · 1 Chome-28-1 Minamiikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo 171-0022
Those sound expensive! Any budget-friendly options?
Book Off is your friend! It's a massive second-hand chain, and their larger stores (especially in Shibuya and Akihabara) have decent English sections. You can find bestsellers for ¥500-800 that would cost ¥2,000+ new. The selection varies day by day, so it's like a treasure hunt. I've found everything from Harry Potter to business books there.
What is Book Off? Book Off is Japan's largest second-hand bookstore chain, famous for buying and selling used books, CDs, DVDs, and games. They're super strict about book condition—even "used" books look almost new. Look for "Super Bazaar" locations for the biggest English selections.
I'm actually looking for English manga. Any special spots?
For English manga, definitely hit Kinokuniya Shinjuku—they have a whole section on the 6th floor. But here's an insider tip: check out Mandarake in Akihabara! They specialize in rare and out-of-print manga, including English editions. Sometimes you'll find volumes that are sold out everywhere else. Another surprise spot is Tsutaya in Daikanyama—they curate a small but excellent selection of English graphic novels and art books.
What about digital options?
Honestly, most people I know just use Amazon Japan or Kindle these days. Amazon Japan has a huge English book selection, often cheaper than physical stores, and they deliver next day in Tokyo. If you have a Japanese address, setting up an account is easy. For instant gratification, Kindle Japan has almost the same selection as Kindle US, and you can switch between stores if you have accounts in both countries.
Digital Shopping Tips:
- Amazon Japan often has better prices than bookstores for new English books
- Kindle Japan accepts foreign credit cards
- Apple Books and Google Play Books also work fine in Japan
- Some people use VPNs to access their home country's digital libraries
Quick Shopping Guide:
- New releases & bestsellers: Kinokuniya Shinjuku
- Academic & professional: Maruzen & Junkudo
- Budget shopping: Book Off
- English manga: Kinokuniya or Mandarake
- Rare finds: University bookstores or SPBS
- Convenience: Amazon Japan or Kindle
Happy book hunting in Tokyo! 📚
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