Jimbocho Bookshop Walking Tour
For those who are interested in antiquarian Japanese books, woodblock prints, maps, vintage manga, etc. but don’t know where to start, Walk Jimbocho is for you. Alexander Byrne, the only non-Japanese member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Japan (ABAJ), will guide you around the Jimbocho area and introduce you to book stores based on your interests. Alex has lived in Japan since 1999 and established Bakumatsuya - Rare Books & Photos in 2018.
Exclusively limited to groups of just 4 people, we will explore the Jimbocho bookstores area of Tokyo, the only place in the world where there are still around 200 bookshops concentrated in a relatively small area. Save time, money, and enjoy discovering this very special area of Tokyo. Walk Jimbocho also includes lunch with Alex at one of the many restaurants in the area. Total tour walking distance is only 1 to 1.5km in total (on flat roads) so is suitable for all. Total tour time is 4 hours (including a 30-minute break). Tours are generally only held on Fridays (no tours in July & August).
Day/Time: Fridays 10:30-14:30 (break from 12:00-12:30).
Meet: 10:30 (meeting place confirmed after tour fee payment)
Tour highlights:
10:30-11:00 Brief orientation about the area and confirm attendees' interests. Receive area map.
11:00-12:00 Visit various book stores based on attendees' interests
12:00-12:30 Visit weekly bookfair (Alex on break)
12:30-13:30 Lunch with Alex (restaurant to be confirmed prior to tour)
13:30-14:30 Visit various bookstores based on attendees' interests
14:30 End of walk (attendees free to re-visit bookstores etc).
Price: 12,000 yen per person (including lunch), payable in advance.
Payment: Credit cards or PayPal.
Cancellation policy: Pre-payment is required but cancellations for a full refund up to 48 hours prior to Friday tour (i.e. by 10:30am Japan time on the Wednesday before the tour) are possible. Sorry, but cancellations less than 48 hours before the tour or no-shows on the day are not permitted. If you are running late on the day, please call or email Alex as soon as possible.
Minimum no. of participants: 2 people
Maximum no. of participants: 4 people
Email Inquiries: info at bakumatsuya.com
