Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store

A Cultural Landmark in Shinjuku for Nearly a Century: Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store

Founded in 1927 by Shigeichi Tanabe, Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store began as a small bookstore with just five employees, operating out of a two-story wooden building measuring only 38 tsubo (approximately 125 square meters). From its early days, the store actively published literary coterie magazines and steadily expanded its activities while adapting to the changing times. Through the successive opening of branch stores, it continued to grow as a bookstore.

In May 1945, the store was destroyed as a result of World War II. However, in 1947, a new building designed by architect Kunio Maekawa was completed. In 1964, it was rebuilt into its current form: a nine-story building above ground with two basement levels. The modern and refined architecture—featuring curved walls constructed using uchikomi tile, a technique that integrates concrete and tile—has been highly acclaimed. In 2017, the building was designated a Tokyo Metropolitan Selected Historical Building. By incorporating a pass-through space within the dense urban environment, the store functions as a place where anyone can casually stop by and take a break. The plaza on the first floor is also popular as a meeting spot and is constantly filled with people.

From Translated Comics to Language-Learning Books: a Gathering Place for Book Lovers from Around the World

Sales floors extend from the first to the eighth floor, each organized by genre. Among them, the seventh floor—dedicated to foreign-language books and language-learning materials—is especially popular with international visitors. Literary works, manga, magazines, and practical books are available in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, and French.

Foreign-language titles cover a wide range of genres such as cooking, art, and children’s books, but manga is particularly popular. From classic masterpieces to the latest trending titles, the extensive selection attracts those eager to explore Japanese pop culture.

Many visitors also deepen their interest in the Japanese language during their stay in Japan, making Japanese-language learning textbooks another highly sought-after category.

In recent years, Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store has seen a rapid increase in international visitors. According to Assistant Manager Sumi, Japanese books tend to be more expensive overseas due to shipping costs, leading many visitors to purchase multiple titles while in Japan. With ample space to browse leisurely across all eight floors, the store is also an ideal destination for souvenir shopping.

An Art Book Section Where Uniquely Japanese Titles Can be Found

The art book section on the fifth floor is another area frequently visited by international customers. From classic works by world-renowned artists to collections by creators leading Japan’s illustration industry, the floor showcases a diverse range of works that Japan proudly presents to the world.

Many of these works have influenced contemporary fashion and culture, making this floor a unique place to experience Japan’s creative spirit through books. We spoke with Assistant Manager Sumi about some of the most popular titles in the art book section.

Thoughtful in-Store Features Designed to Connect Books and People

Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store hosts more than 200 events annually, including book-signing and handover events with authors and editors, seminars, and pop-up events. Through these initiatives, the store consistently emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for visitors to engage directly with books in person.

Inside the store, numerous features are designed to spark interest among casual visitors, from curated sections highlighting new and trending titles to handwritten recommendation cards created by staff. The store also offers original merchandise such as tote bags and book covers. Collaborative items with picture-book author Shinsuke Yoshitake and Miffy are enjoyed by people of all ages.