Taste of Jimbocho: Tokyo’s Second-Hand Book Capital

Throughout our lives, books have always been a great source of information and inspiration. Digital books have recently gained popularity as they are lighter and better for the environment and your pocket. However, a digital book will never have the same feeling as a paper book. The town of Jimbocho in Tokyo is where these paper books are grouped. Jimbocho, which is in the center of Tokyo, is the ideal location for book lovers and offers much joy for bibliophiles everywhere. This post will go deeper into this neighborhood, the sacred home of paper books.

History of Jimbocho

Jimbocho once housed a huge number of universities, and as a result, plenty of cafes and bookstores dedicated to students and faculty members were opened in the area. Since the majority of these colleges specialized in law during the Meiji period, a large number of used and antiquarian bookshops primarily focusing on legal literature, but also featuring other prominent genres, appeared nearby. Building the area around these educational institutes was the primary foundation for the neighborhood’s development as an antique book district. Even though the neighborhood was almost completely destroyed by fire after the war, Jimbocho still managed to keep the tradition of being the main destination for book lovers or the town of bookstores alive.

Our Bookstore Recommendation List For You

Jimbocho is filled with new and secondhand bookstores, and we’d like to highlight four of the top ones for you here. 

Bookstore in Kitazawa 

One of Jimbocho’s oldest bookshops, Kitazawa Bookstore has been in operation for more than 120 years. It boasts a big range of vintage novels and is well known as a store that specializes in Western literature, which constantly draws in a lot of people. The business also focuses on stage settings, exhibitions, store interior design, and other interior design projects. It also provides appealing interior design suggestions made from used books. 

Kitazawa Bookstore’s official website
Google Maps Link

Bookstore Isseido 

Isseido Bookstore, which has been around for more than 115 years and offers a large selection of books on Japan, including Japanese literature, poetry, ethnic books, and historical books. This wide selection makes it the best place to go if you’re seeking books specializing in Japan as a whole. Another bonus to this store is that customers can also buy books online without having to go to the store thanks to the official website’s online store.

Bookstore Isseido’s official website
Google Maps Link

Our Selection of Book Cafes in Jimbocho

Cafés and coffee shops are the perfect places to go if you want to take a break while reading your brand-new book. Jimbocho has a wide variety of cafés for people who wish to disconnect from the real world through the perfect cup of coffee and a little bit of reading. We’ll introduce five of Jimbocho’s top cafés for you.

Sabouru

Jimbocho’s Sabouru has been a popular cafe for more than 60 years. A special ambiance covers the inside thanks to the wooden ornaments and other collection items that are typically found in tropical countries. Pizza toast is the top suggestion on the menu. The chef tops a large slice of bread with pizza sauce and tasty melted cheese. You can’t go wrong with this delicious dish

Official Website: Sabouru
Google Maps Link

Bumpodo Gallery cafe

On the third floor of Bumpodo Gallery, there is a cafe that is connected to a long-standing art supplies store. Numerous exhibitions are held in the gallery space, allowing guests to admire art whilst enjoying delicious sweets and amazing drinks. Visitors can savor their rich coffee and pastries in the café’s corner vintage western setting.

Official Website: Bumpodo Gallery Cafe

Glitch Coffee Roasters

The owner of Glitch Coffee & Roasters runs a well-lit cafe where the best coffee is served. The proprietor is very careful about not offering any blended coffees and only serving his preferred roasted coffees. Coffee beans come in a variety of jars at the store, and the owner is very proud to offer freshly ground coffee to you.

Official Website: GLITCH COFFEE & ROASTERS

Our selection of Curry restaurants in Jimbocho

In this same area loved by writers and novelists we find a variety of delicious curry restaurants that you should stop by while you are there, we will recommend you a few below:

Curry specialty Ethiopia Curry

Ethiopia Curry is definitely one of the best by merit. When you eat their smooth curry, which is cooked with a variety of veggies by simmering them with 12 different kinds of spices, your body will begin to heat up. Although chicken curry is the most popular option, there are other beef, chicken, and bean curries on the menu. You should go there because it is one of the only restaurants to offer 70 different levels of spiciness choices for your tongue’s tolerance.

Sumatra Curry Kyoeido

The curry served in this restaurant is originally from the island of Sumatra and has been specially prepared for Japanese clients. This is the oldest curry restaurant in Jimbocho. It has a huge variety of Curry that you can try, including beef, chicken, or even ox tongue. The potage soup that is served alongside the curry complements the hot curry quite well.

Udon Maruka

Maruka Udon took part in this list specifically because it is special of its kind. Curry pairs well with other foods besides just rice! This restaurant decided to couple it with a bowl of Udon noodles. This restaurant is considered to be the most famous in Jimbocho for its chewy and substantial Udon noodles well combined with the curry sauce. We also advise adding tempura or a poached egg as topping. The combination of curry and udon noodles is the best to bear with the cold weather.

Gavial Curry restaurant: 

Gavial Curry is famous for being cozy and comfy in style. The Japanese beef used in GAVIAL’s curry foundation is cooked over the course of more than a full day. You can taste the high quality of the ingredients that were carefully chosen and prepared to make this delicious curry. Grated cheese is put on top of the rice before serving to complete the taste alongside their excellent side dishes selection. It’s a cozy restaurant!

And because Jimbocho is home to many delicious cuisines, we can not finish without talking about…

Jimbōchō Kurosu

This restaurant is famous as the hidden gem of the curry district, it is famous even among people who are not fans of Ramen. The noodles are made with a special Hokkaido-grown flour called “Haru yo Koi”. which gives it an earthiness,  in addition to the perfectly measured portions of salt and alkaline “Kansui” which gives it a bounciness pairing with its refined sauce. You can choose from a big selection of classic toppings available. Give it a try on your next trip to Japan. It definitely deserves it.

Sagatani Jimbocho:

Japanese people love this restaurant and you can notice it when visiting the long line forming in front of it, it serves one of the best Soba noodles in Tokyo at competitive prices. Don’t worry even if the line forms quickly, it also moves quickly. The restaurant offers Soba full of taste by itself, adding the sauce to it makes it juicy and tender, they also offer a variety of fried toppings that can only add to the taste. In short, a taste out of this world.

Are you a lover of books or cafes? Jimbocho, with its huge book volumes stacked at every corner, offers you a moment surrounded by books in a wonderful old-fashioned coffee shop with the warmth of its curry restaurants. You will definitely feel at home. Do not forget to add it to your list for your next trip to Japan.

Feature photo credits: gltjp.com

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