Second-hand Book Fair @ Kanda: Nov 3rd, 2013

When we visit Kanda Jinbo-cho, which is only 500 meters north from the Imperial Palace, we find many secondhand bookshops.

There are more than 100 such shops. The local community advertises the area as “the largest town of second-hand bookshops IN THE WORLD”.

Today, I visit the town as annual fair was held.

Special bookshelves were placed in the sidewalks. Hundreds of open-air stalls were open in some roads. Thousands of visitors were there.

The environment surrounding book is changing rapidly because of the development of net and electronic books. The bookstores (both for new books and secondhand books) are also facing drastic changes.

Kanda Jinbo-cho, the Mecca of secondhand book in Japan, is also changing. More shops were closed in recent years than before. More shops are trying to concentrate in special fields (such as maps, cinema books, drama books etc.) rather than attracting various guests.

Still, I felt today that the fair preserved good old book culture. I enjoyed it.