Photo/Illutration Yaguchi Shoten, a used bookstore in Tokyo’s Kanda-Jinbocho district, draws bibliophiles and tourists with its iconic bookshelves that line the building’s exterior. (Tatsuya Shimada)

In the heart of Kanda-Jinbocho, Tokyo’s famed district for secondhand books, a stucco building stands out with bookshelves covering its outer walls. The eye-catching display often stops people in their tracks.

Founded in 1918, Yaguchi Shoten shifted its focus in 1975 from general books to ones specializing in film and theater. Today, it also offers works on “rakugo” comic storytelling, Kabuki and sumo.

Tetsuya Yaguchi, 62, the third-generation owner, said his goal is to make the store fun to visit.

With around 30,000 items, the shelves inside reach the ceiling. The outdoor shelves were added simply because there wasn’t enough space.

The outdoor shelves offer more than just film and theater books.

They’re filled with rare finds like Kabuki performance guides, film catalogs organized by props, sci-fi magazines and illustrated books on Chinese fashion. Wooden crates on the ground hold DVDs and rakugo magazines.

A 44-year-old university educator, who regularly stops by on his walking route, said he spends about half an hour browsing during each visit.

“It’s the thrill of discovering something unexpected,” he said.

The shop also has international fans. Chang Youyou, 26, traveled from Shanghai to buy posters of Japanese films.

“The Yaguchi bookstore is famous in China,” she said.

Yaguchi Shoten remains a quiet haven for those who cherish a bit of old Tokyo in the hustle and bustle of the modern city.

Most of the items bear traces of the previous owner thumbing through the pages, offering a glimpse into their life and interests. For those hunting rare gems, it’s part of the joy of joining a timeless, unseen community of book lovers.

(This article was written by Suzuka Tominaga and Tatsuya Shimada.)

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