The 5 best bookshops in Tokyo

Possibly the best bookshop if you are looking for books on architecture, photography, and fine arts. Their shop is bright and airy, so you feel very comfortable while browsing their selection of books and magazines. They also organise small exhibitions and in-store events.

HMV’s first shop complex, located on the 5th, 6th and 7th floors of Shibuya MODI building, in the heart of Shibuya. Each level has an event space, and around 1000 events, including live music performances and talk shows, are organised here every year. They have a good selection of subculture books.

This bookshop sells only one title every week. They will display a particular book (which you can buy) and exhibit and sell related items in the shop. They often invite the author of the book they chose during that specific week. It is like a salon where authors, editors, and readers can gather around a specific book.

A bookshop chain, which is very popular with creative people and subculture fans, selling books and magazines as well as goods that are featured in magazines. But be warned: once you cross that doorstep, you might find it very difficult to drag yourself out of there and you may even end up breaking the bank.

Tsutaya created the concept of a ‘cultural convenience store’ with the Daikanyama T-Site, which is a new type of cultural complex facility. Daikanyama Tsutaya is located in the centre of the site. The place to go for books, films, and music and the kind of shop where you could happily spend hours browsing.