Tokyo is a city of readers, and you often see people on trains with their nose in a book. Small neighbourhood bookshops stock a wide selection of Japanese books, magazines and comics. For foreign language reads, online stores like Amazon.co.jp will have the biggest selection but there are some good local options. Kinokuniya next to Takashimaya Times Square is a favourite with expats. It has some English-speaking staff, an electronic search system, a huge section of books on Japanese culture and translated comics. Maruzen and Libro have good children’s books sections, and Junkudo carries most big sellers. The top floor of the mammoth Ikebukuro branch is full of English language books and magazines. It has more of a library astrosphere and the staff won’t bother you if you simply want to leaf through some periodicals. Tower Records and HMV tend to be a bit cheaper than other shops for foreign magazines as they import them directly. They also have a good selection of music and photography books. The area around Jimbōchō and Kanda is known as ‘Book Town’, and there are close to 200 used and antique bookshops (try Sanseido for new English-langauge books).

Blue Parrot is a good place to start for second-hand English books. The books are in good condition, there’s a large selection and the stock changes frequently. It also has a buy-back system. Good Day Books is the city’s other beloved English used bookstore. It has a great selection and hosts sporadic book readings and signings.