Jimbocho, located in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, is a famous district lined with secondhand bookstores 📚 and loved for its retro charm. Buildings and shops reminiscent of the Showa era create a nostalgic atmosphere. The area is home to numerous used bookstores, antique shops ☕️, and old-fashioned cafés, attracting literature enthusiasts and tourists alike. Jimbocho boasts one of the largest concentrations of secondhand bookstores in Japan, making it a great place to hunt for hidden literary treasures. You can also relax and unwind in charming retro cafés—a definite highlight ✨.
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History of Jimbocho
Dating back to the Edo period, Jimbocho was originally a quiet area lined with samurai residences 🏯. After the Meiji era, it developed into an academic hub, attracting numerous bookstores and publishing houses. From the Taisho era to the early Showa period, the number of universities and vocational schools increased, turning it into a lively student town. Even after World War II, the number of bookstores continued to grow, and the area became one of Japan’s most famous secondhand book districts. Today, while preserving its historic buildings and retro charm, Jimbocho has also seen a rise in antique shops, adding to its diverse appeal ✨.
Charm of the Jimbocho Area
One of Jimbocho’s main attractions is its abundance of cafés and coffee shops ☕️ steeped in the atmosphere of the Showa era. With wooden furniture and antique-style interiors, you can enjoy classic coffee and homemade sweets 🍰—with pudding à la mode and cream soda being especially popular. In the area’s book café-style shops, you can relax with a coffee in hand while reading 📚. You’ll also find traditional diners and izakayas serving nostalgic dishes like katsudon and grilled fish set meals 🍶. Enjoying Japanese cuisine and drinks in an izakaya decorated with vintage Showa posters is an experience not to be missed.
Tourist Attractions in the Jimbocho Area
The Jimbocho secondhand bookstore district offers a wide selection of rare and out-of-print books, and the used book markets are great places to find hidden gems 📚✨. Nearby, the campuses of Nihon University and Senshu University feature historic buildings and beautiful greenery, making them perfect for a stroll 🌿. Just a little further is Yasukuni Shrine ⛩️, where you can learn about Japan’s history and culture. Around Suidobashi Station, you’ll find Tokyo Dome and Korakuen Amusement Park 🎡—ideal spots for families to enjoy. You can spend the whole day watching baseball games or enjoying amusement park attractions ⚾️🎠.
Three Recommended Snack Bars in the Jimbocho Area
- A Warm and Healing Evening with Art: “Snack Misono”
- Beyond the Neon Lights, a Stage for Heartfelt Songs: “Snack Asako”
- A Showa-Era Snack Bar Wrapped in the Warmth of Wood and Song: “Hana no Ki”
Access to Jimbocho 🚶♂️🚇
- Jimbocho Station (Toei Mita Line, Shinjuku Line; Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line)
- Within walking distance from JR Sobu Line’s Ochanomizu Station and Suidobashi Station
- Convenient transportation options including buses 🚌 and taxis 🚕
Experience a Japanese Snack-bar with a fun guide tour
After you enjoy the place, you can go to Snack Bars, beloved by many but you can’t enter without a guide. You can enjoy communication with the owner and other customers, as well as singing karaoke, allowing for a relaxing time.
Most snack bars have a policy of refusing entry to foreigners. However, with a tour, you’ll have a guide, so you can enter with peace of mind.
When visiting Japan, don’t just check off the tourist spots –
dive into local experiences for an unforgettable journey!
Once you experience it, you’ll be captivated too! The charm of snack bars.
New encounters with people! The camaraderie of singing at a snack bar! Conversations with the mama-san!
