Koganecho Art Book Bazaar, Japan. For the mixture of arts and functions

Thirty minutes south of Tokyo, Koganecho is part of a non-profit organization aiming to promote the arts and provide a safe space for children and adults alike

A Unique Art Bookstore in Koganecho

Thirty minutes south of Tokyo, Koganecho is home to a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts and providing a welcoming, safe space for both children and adults.

It is rare to find a place where you can browse 30,000 art books in one setting, but at Koganecho Art Book Bazaar this is exactly what awaits visitors. Located in the seaside district of the same name—half an hour from central Tokyo and a short train ride from Japan’s largest airport—the bookstore has become a key destination for artists, readers, and anyone drawn to art and printed matter.

Koganecho Art Book Bazaar opened in 2009 as part of a larger cultural complex operated by the Koganecho Area Management Center, a non-profit founded in the same year to revitalize the neighborhood and create an environment where children and adults could feel safe. The building houses a permanent gallery space and artist studios for both Japanese and international creatives, who are regularly invited for residencies, exhibitions, workshops, and talks.

“Koganecho Art Book Bazaar is a meeting place for artists—a place where they can gather, work together and socialize. Many of our visitors are artists themselves,” says Eri Hirashita, who runs the shop. Eri is a painter and long-time member of the local arts community. Before joining the team, she was a regular customer, and she knows many of the artists whose works are sold or exhibited in the space.

Lampoon Review: Book Selection at Koganecho

“We have around 30,000 books in stock, mainly second-hand but with some new titles as well,” Eri explains while guiding Lampoon through the shop. “While Tokyo has similar stores, ours is the only one of its kind in this city.”

Much of the inventory comes from art lovers and collectors who donate books they no longer have space to keep. “We receive many books from curators and art critics in the area,” adds Shingo Yamano, director of the Koganecho Area Management Center. “Everything here is art-related. Most of what we carry focuses on contemporary art—about half Japanese, half international.”

Shingo, an art and book enthusiast, oversees the organization’s exhibitions and is also involved in the daily operations of the bookstore. Holding up a 1926 Picasso volume—his favorite piece in the shop—he recounts the store’s beginnings: “When we opened, several bookshop owners from Tokyo helped us by supplying books. It felt like a true bazaar, and we wanted the name to reflect both that idea and our neighborhood, even if it is a bit long.”

In addition to books, the shop sells artworks by thirty-nine artists, ranging from tote bags and T-shirts to bandanas, keyrings, balloons, posters, and postcards. Eri notes that many of the artists represented either live locally or have completed residencies at the Center. Among the special collections currently on display is a selection of works from Myanmar, with all profits donated to community support initiatives in the country.

A Diverse International Audience

Reflecting Koganecho’s multicultural environment, the bookstore’s visitors are internationally diverse. The district has long been popular among travelers thanks to its proximity to Tokyo and its vibrant creative scene. According to Shingo Yamano, many of the store’s customers are visitors from Japan and abroad, while Eri adds that Koganecho hosts one of the largest expatriate communities in the country.

The bookstore’s online shop has also become an important part of its operations, attracting customers from around the world and serving as a complement to the physical space—not a replacement. In fact, the team is currently exploring the possibility of opening an additional outlet nearby. “We are trying to set up a second shop within five minutes of here,” Shingo says. The idea is to give more room to display exhibition books flat, and the planned location includes a second floor that may be used as an art room.

The Value of Printed Books in the Twenty-First Century

When asked about the future of the book market, neither Shingo nor Eri express concern. In their view, printed books remain highly valued in Japan, with a strong readership that continues to choose physical editions. “Digital formats are growing, but not as fast as in other countries,” Eri explains. Shingo adds that much of their stock—unique second-hand and often older books—does not exist in digital form anyway.

Koganecho Art Book Bazaar also serves as a community hub. Alongside artist talks and workshops for teenagers and adults, the store hosts creative programs for local children, especially during school holidays. “During summer breaks, children know they can come here to play,” Eri says, showing examples of crafts they create together. “We want to offer a safe space. While they play, they are surrounded by books and artworks.” With such early exposure, many may grow into lifelong readers—and future members of the arts community.