Jimbo-cho holds the largest area of used book stores in the world. If you are a bookworm, this is a place you must go. Most of the shops specialize in particular fields such as arts and architecture, film and plays, and cars and trains. Also, since there are lots of colleges around this area, you can get a hearty portion of great food at a reasonable price.
◆Hanging Around Used Book Shops
Go out from exit A1 of Jimbo-cho station (S06 Shinjuku Line, I10 Mita Line and Z07 Hanzomon Line) and turn right, and walk down the long street called Yasukuni Dori. Along this street, there are various types of used book stores. Here’s a rundown of the more famous used book stores in this area.
@Wonder
The store is about 30 seconds walk from exit A1. They have collections of books on film, science fiction and other subculture stuff. Most books are in Japanese. Besides books, they have a wonderful set of old film posters.
http://jimbou.info/town/ab/ab0006.html
Address: Kaitaku Sha Bldg.1F,2F, 2-5-4, Jimbo-cho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3238-7415 (Open Everyday)
Kitazawa Book Store 北沢書店 http://www.kitazawa.co.jp/index.html
Established in 1902. This store specializes in used English books in all fields. Particularly they have a wonderful collection on British arts and history, and you can find lots of rare collections here. The store stands right next to @Wonder.
Address: Kitazawa Bldg.2F, 2-5, JImbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3263-0011 (Closed on Wednesdays)
The Isseido Book Sellers 一誠堂書店 http://www.isseido-books.co.jp/
Established over 100 years ago, this book store has almost become a landmark in this area. They deal in books on arts, films, plays, history, literature etc (both in English and Japanese). The collection of art books on the second floor is splendid. The beautiful early 1900s décor itself attracts many customers. With Kitazawa Book Store on your right, walk further down Yasukuni Dori. You can find this store on your right.
Address: 1-7, JImbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3292-0071 (Closed on Sundays)
Sugamura Book Store 菅村書店 http://www.h2.dion.ne.jp/~sugamura/index.html
They sell all sorts of books related to cars, motor cycles, planes, vessels and tanks. The store is located just next to The Isseido Book Sellers.
Address: 1-7, Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5281-2877 (Closed on Tuesdays)
Komiyama Book Store 小宮山書店 http://www.book-komiyama.co.jp/
This four-story book store sells various kinds of books, with topics ranging from Japanese literature, philosophy to art and design. If you are a Yukio Mishima fan, don’t forget to check out the 4th floor. Lots of first editions of his novels and rare portraits are exhibited in the show space (unfortunately not available for purchase). Just a minute’s walk from Sugamura Book Store.
Address: 1-7, Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3291-0495 (Open Everyday)
Nanyodo Bookstore 南洋堂書店 http://www.nanyodo.co.jp/
Specialized in both used and new books and magazines on architecture (in Japanese and English). The shop was renovated in 2007 and the beautifully designed space seems like a trendy Tokyo retail shop. With Komiyama Book Store on your right, walk further down Yasukuni Dori. When you get to the intersection (Surugadai Shita Crossing), turn right. The shop stands next to big book store called Shosen Book Mart.
Address: 1-21, Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3291-1338 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
Genkido 源喜堂 http://www.genkido.jp/
If you interested in all the fields of the arts, this is the best place in Jimbo-cho. They have collections of used books on various kinds of arts in several languages including very rare collections of 1950’s and 1960’s American graphic magazines. From Nanyodo Bookstore, turn left and go back to Yasukuni Dori. Then, turn right and walk straight torward Ogawamachi station. It’s about a 7 minute walk from Nanyodo Bookstore.
Address: 3-1, Ogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3291-5081 (Closed on Sundays)
2008年11月24日月曜日
Lunch and Dinner Spots
If you would like to have Japanese ordinary cuisine at a reasonable price, Jimb-cho is probably the best place. This area is also known for being a curry area. Here are my recommendations.
◆Imoya (Tempura joint) いもやThey serve reasonably priced tempura dishes. Their Tendon (tempura with a bowl of rice) is highly recommended. It costs only JPY550! There are several branches in the Jimbo-cho area. From exit A7, cross the street and walk straight along Hakusan Dori. After about minutes walk, you can see Imoya （いもや）on your left.
Address: 2-16, Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3265-0921 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidasy)
◆Maruka (Udon (thick Japanese noodle) joint) 丸香They serve authentic Kagawa (southern part of Japan) style udon at a reasonable price.
There is always a long line in front of the entrance, but it’s worth lining up for. Go out from exit A7 and turn right, and turn right again at the first corner and walk down Yasukuni street. Cross the intersection with big book store called Sanseido on your back and go straight down the street (Kinka Dori) with MacDonald’s on your left. Then, you can see the sign “丸香”on your right.
Address: 3-16-1, Kanda Ogawa-Machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
◆Big Boy (Jazz Music Café Bar)
Small café bar that serves good sandwiches and coffee, where you can enjoy jazz music played over their excellent sound system. Their freshly ground coffee is excellent! During bar hours, you can enjoy beers, wines and cocktails. Go out from exit A7 and turn left wand walk down the narrow street. You can find this café on your right after a few minutes walk.
Address: 1-11, Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3233-4343 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
◆Karma (Curry restaurant) カーマTheir curry is a sort of blend of Indian spices and western cuisine. The Chicken curry is very hot, while the Keema curry (minced pork and beef curry) is milder. Besides curries, they serve Indian light snacks. With ②Maruka on your right, walk straight down the street. You can find Karma on your right after a few minutes walk.
Address: 1-2-3, Sarugaku-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3233-8787 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
◆Matsuou (Soba (noodle made of back wheat) resutaurant) 松翁
One of the best Soba restaurants in Tokyo. Their homemade soba is worth trying as well as the fantastic tempura made using seasonal ingredients, and other Japanese dishes. While the price is higher compared to the Jimbo-cho standard, it’s one of the must-go restaurants. From Karma, turn right and walk straight down Kinka Dori. Turn right at the corner of Tokyo Shoka Gakuin (college) and turn right again at the first corner. It’s about 12 minutes walk from ④Karma.
Address: 2-1-7, Sarugaku-cho, Chiyoda-u, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3291-3529 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
◆Imoya (Tempura joint) いもやThey serve reasonably priced tempura dishes. Their Tendon (tempura with a bowl of rice) is highly recommended. It costs only JPY550! There are several branches in the Jimbo-cho area. From exit A7, cross the street and walk straight along Hakusan Dori. After about minutes walk, you can see Imoya （いもや）on your left.
Address: 2-16, Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3265-0921 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidasy)
◆Maruka (Udon (thick Japanese noodle) joint) 丸香They serve authentic Kagawa (southern part of Japan) style udon at a reasonable price.
There is always a long line in front of the entrance, but it’s worth lining up for. Go out from exit A7 and turn right, and turn right again at the first corner and walk down Yasukuni street. Cross the intersection with big book store called Sanseido on your back and go straight down the street (Kinka Dori) with MacDonald’s on your left. Then, you can see the sign “丸香”on your right.
Address: 3-16-1, Kanda Ogawa-Machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
◆Big Boy (Jazz Music Café Bar)
Small café bar that serves good sandwiches and coffee, where you can enjoy jazz music played over their excellent sound system. Their freshly ground coffee is excellent! During bar hours, you can enjoy beers, wines and cocktails. Go out from exit A7 and turn left wand walk down the narrow street. You can find this café on your right after a few minutes walk.
Address: 1-11, Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3233-4343 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
◆Karma (Curry restaurant) カーマTheir curry is a sort of blend of Indian spices and western cuisine. The Chicken curry is very hot, while the Keema curry (minced pork and beef curry) is milder. Besides curries, they serve Indian light snacks. With ②Maruka on your right, walk straight down the street. You can find Karma on your right after a few minutes walk.
Address: 1-2-3, Sarugaku-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3233-8787 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
◆Matsuou (Soba (noodle made of back wheat) resutaurant) 松翁
One of the best Soba restaurants in Tokyo. Their homemade soba is worth trying as well as the fantastic tempura made using seasonal ingredients, and other Japanese dishes. While the price is higher compared to the Jimbo-cho standard, it’s one of the must-go restaurants. From Karma, turn right and walk straight down Kinka Dori. Turn right at the corner of Tokyo Shoka Gakuin (college) and turn right again at the first corner. It’s about 12 minutes walk from ④Karma.
Address: 2-1-7, Sarugaku-cho, Chiyoda-u, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3291-3529 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
