Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store

One of the best bookstores in Tokyo. Few elevators, so be prepared to take the stairs up. The curry shop in the basement is also one of the best restaurants

Very large bookstore. I went there looking for 1–2 baking books, but there didn’t seem to be that many, or maybe I didn’t know where to look. I ended up buying 2 books as planned. Staff were helpful even though they mainly spoke Japanese. Most books are in Japanese. If you already have some baking knowledge, it’s not too hard to understand with help from Google Translate. But if you have no background in cooking or baking and don’t understand Japanese, it might not be suitable.

The biggest bookstore I've ever been in. I was looking for an old picture book specifically published only in Japan. At the information desk I thought I would order it and pick it up later. In comparison, the staff member did a quick search and told me which floor and shelf the book was on, which was very surprising and I was very pleased. You can find almost any book here and everyone is very helpful and nice, it was a pleasure to shop here.

I NEED TO LEARN JAPANESE! 😓 Kinokuniya KLCC opened when I was 17, sparking a quiet dream to one day visit the “original Kinokuniya.” 📚✨ And there I was, at Kinokuniya Tokyo, a vision from my school days now fully realized. 💫 Kinokuniya Tokyo has 9 levels, but only a few are relevant to non-Japanese readers. Despite this, every corner holds something special. There’s no wooden floor, yellow lights, or classical music like KLCC - it’s a different vibe. No cafe overlooking the tall buildings either, despite being in Shinjuku. Everything felt more businesslike, with a nostalgic air, like the 1990s Popular bookstore in Malaysia. 🏛️ I begin with The Apothecary Diaries, holding Maomao’s world in my hands. It’s as if I’m drawn into her realm, a place of secrets waiting to be uncovered. 🕵️‍♀️🌿 Jujutsu Kaisen’s character guide follows, with Gojo’s gaze almost tangible, the world of curses and courage pulsing beneath my fingertips. ⚔️✨ The Boy and The Heron mascot stands nearby, guarding endless stories, a silent nod to Miyazaki’s magic. 🕊️🌌 The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai feels like Tokyo’s heartbeat on a rain-soaked day, a delicate moment I can almost walk through. 🌧️💧 Anya from Spy Family beams from a set of stickers, her playful grin reminding me to find joy in small things. 😆💖 Another difference? No customer service to discuss membership, merchandise, or book a book. It felt transactional, missing the personal touch. Despite my love for “everything Japan,” Kinokuniya KLCC still feels like home. The ambiance, service, and KLCC location are irreplaceable. ❤️ Maybe Kinokuniya Tokyo would feel different with my own Kenji beside me. But the steep prices remind me there’s only one way forward: to learn the language and make this place mine. 🌏📖 Maybe I was missing Kinokuniya Malaysia too much? 😅

Beautiful, sprawling, nine story bookstore in the heart of Tokyo. Only one floor has English language books, but the collection is excellent, and it's a place you'd love to wander around in for hours.