Today, we had the chance to have a conversation with Ms. Rika Kitazawa, the fourth-generation owner of KITAZAWA BOOKSTORE, specializing in foreign second-hand and rare books with a rich history spanning more than 100 years. Our discussion revolved around the bookstore itself and its new offering called KITAZAWA DISPLAY BOOKS. About the bookstore, please refer to this article as well.
– Not in a bookstore, but the time spent in your own study.
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today. I must say, I’m amazed by the beauty of KITAZAWA BOOKSTORE. It’s a truly wonderful space, different from what one might typically expect from a “bookstore.” I have a feeling I could easily spend a lot of time here without even realizing it.
Thank you very much. We aim to create an environment where customers feel as though they are browsing through their own personal study while selecting books. That’s why, for example, we deliberately refrain from using dividers that might make it easier to find books in a typical bookstore. While we do organize books by genre and group them by author for clarity, we strive to maintain an ambiance reminiscent of a personal study. It’s not uncommon for some visitors to spend over three hours fully immersed in exploring our collection. We want our customers to take their time and enjoy the process of discovering books and making connections during their visit.
Yes, indeed. At the end of last year, we further stocked up on books related to Japan. There are books written by Japanese authors as well as those written from the perspective of foreign authors about Japan, allowing readers to explore Japan from various angles. Most of these books are out of print, so they are only available from the time they were originally released. Even from our perspective, there aren’t many stores that have collected such a wide range of foreign books related to Japan. When we acquire books, we inspect them before presenting them to customers, and each one is so good that we often find ourselves engrossed in them, making it hard to progress with the inspection. We are gradually placing them on the shelves, so please come and visit the store to see them for yourself.
We receive a significant number of requests from hotels, restaurants, cafes, and similar establishments asking for book selections that can be enjoyed by English-speaking guests. With the increasing number of foreign residents and tourists in Japan, we not only coordinate books based on their design but also ensure that their content is suitable for the space. Our strength lies in curating spaces with books that not only have excellent design but also offer high-quality content.
Sometimes I’ve noticed that cafes and hotels display books that don’t quite match their brand image. That’s where the strength of KITAZAWA BOOKSTORE shines, isn’t it? Furthermore, I believe it’s an eco-friendly service that not only encourages reading but also breathes new life into spaces by decorating with books.
In today’s digital age, printed books are not as commonly read as before. For instance, books that are part of incomplete series may be difficult to sell, so we sometimes offer them at affordable prices. However, for customers who wish to use them for decoration, we introduce them as ‘DISPLAYBOOKS.’ Instead of leaving them untouched, we aim to connect them with individuals who can appreciate their new charm. I believe that such efforts ultimately contribute to reducing book wastage.
There’s a charm in old books that you won’t find in data books, isn’t there? Each book has been passed through someone’s hands, making us wonder about who has used them before. It’s an innovative service that connects each book, each person, in an ethical way. Lastly, please share a message to those looking at belongingJAPAN.
Books, places, and people all have their limits, and eventually, they will fade away. This bookstore has been passed down to me as the fourth generation, and among these over 12,000 books, there are some that my father, the third generation, acquired over 40 years ago. Unlike new books, each of these books has been passed from one person to another who needed them, connecting us through time. Each book carries a valuable history, and this space filled with tens of thousands of them offers a charm different from that of a new book store. Sharing the inherited ‘now’ is incredibly precious, and I want to share it with our customers. Moreover, I would be delighted if they could find their own passions in this place.
Details:
Kitawaza Bookstore: View Website
- Kitazawa Display Books: View Website
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- Address: 2F, Kitazawa Building, 2-5 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo,
Business Hours: 11:00~18:30, 12:00～17:30 on Saturday, Closes on Sunday and bank holidays,
