Buying a book online is without a doubt convenient. Invariably there’s a much better selection too. But, if one picks the right shop, at the right time of day, the old fashioned way can be wonderfully appealing.
A beautifully lit outdoor Tokyo bookshop
Hans ter Horst says
I love walking around the area around Kanda for just these kind of scenes; love the light just hitting the books in the dark street!
Lee says
Yeah, it was a lovely moment. I must have passed by at just the right time. Jinbocho has some great bookshops. A cracking selection of photo books too.
June says
Really nice. It looks so warm and inviting. SO much better than internet shopping. 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, on days like that it certainly takes some beating.
ex-expat says
Interesting as one ting I have noticed of late here is there are fewer and fewer people reading an actual book, but rather flipping through their Kindles or whatever. Given Japan’s penchant for gadgets, I would think most readers would have abandoned hard cover books too.
Lee says
Very much the same here to be honest. Something that’s especially noticeable on trains, with most people transfixed by their phone or tablet. But yet in places like this, the second hand book shops are surprisingly busy.
Hans ter Horst says
I love books, I love the smell of books, always have done. I now own a kindle as books these days seems to be constructed to fall apart after 2 years; you rent them just as like in a kindle. If only my kindle would come with the soft smell of a new book 🙂 All kiddin’ aside, I love to hunt for photo books at flea markets and 2nd hand book stores. In Japan you’ll always find me in the local Book*Off 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, as convenient as Kindles and iPads are, the experience isn’t quite the same. At the moment I only really read ebooks when I’m traveling, but no doubt that will change over time.
There are certainly no shortage of options in Japan, and the huge BookOff chain amply proves that. With all those books being bought, they must simply be read at home, rather than on the train.
david says
Looks like you had some ‘crystal light’ as I call it when it appears in Cornwall. A wonderfull light that draws out the hidden colours and everything seems to be clearer than normal
Lee says
Yeah, that sums it up perfectly!