Keibunsha Ichijoji

Distance aside, this bookstore/​gallery/​event space is pretty bomb! The variety of books is mind-​blowing, and it’s really fun to browse the non-​mainstream stuff. There are tons of books that would make great coffee table books, and they also carry old/​secondhand books. It’s a great place to look for something, but also a place of discovery.
Not only do they sell books, they also have boutique-​like stuff/​crafts.
There’s a small gallery, and also event space which hosts various food/​crafts/​music events throughout the month. There’s a small courtyard also, and the bathrooms are very clean.
What a great place to be delighted and to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon ^^

It’s good way to know Japanese subculture in Kyoto. They have wide variety of books so they offer unknown books. You might find your favorite book here!
The concept of this bookstore is «select shop for books and related products» so you can find something not book too!
There are tiny gallery at this bookstore. Also they provide a 16 mm short movie show too which is pretty cool, isn’t it?
In this area called Ichijo-​ji, there are some lovely cafés and temples close to the bookstore so you can walk around and enjoy there for a day.

It seems to come out in a picture book or animation film. I love this nostalgic and retro bookstore. Since I knew it in a guide book, I had been fascinated by its pop and cute outside appearance.
So I lent a bicycle in front of Demachiyanagi station to head to the book store. I parked it at the side of the shop and entered with my heart beating. I felt strong preferences everywhere in this store such as space-​conscious layout, elaborately selected books, nostalgic furniture of wooden shelves or lightings … Very cozy and I forgot time and was absorbed in looking for my favorite books.
Not only selling books (including second-​hand books), stationeries, CDs, but also a mini gallery corner is installed, where a small exhibition is sometimes held. The reason why the books are so special is that they are selected by the staff members traveling around the world. So you can find rare or maniac books or difficult to obtain here. I feel sorry that recently everyone has been apart from books. Everyone, let’s read a book!!!
Original products are also provided. If I live near here, I will be a repeat customer.

Keibunsha is one of the best bookstore in Kyoto not only because it is know as the world’s #9 best bookstore. If you go around the bookshelf you will notice that the books are shelved with unique categories as followed: books for maiden, fantacy and surrealism, books for life, Mathmatics and Science, Books for books, Books for movies, children books etc… Also there are also various visual books that you could find rare artistic books.
Keibunsha also has general merchandises space which has many types of things like cards, stationery, and some accessories. The stationeries there has quite unique and artistic ones that I’m sure that it is impossible to find in other places.
Keibunsha also holds exhibitions in the back of the shop. Various artists and hand craft maker holds its own exhibition there. Sometimes you could find a masterpiece that you never expected.
However, I have to say that there are not much English books there, but you might be able to enjoy the beaty of the shop and the artistic display of it.