Kyoto Used Book Fair at Shimogamo Shrine – Summer

Even if you don’t read Japanese, you still might want to buy some Japanese books on your visit to Japan. Graphically oriented books in Japan are very beautifully illustrated and the content is well communicated, visually. If you are interested in the arts, culture, travel, or just a window into an exotic bygone era, Japanese used books offer a look into another world and often at very reasonable prices.

Kyoto has 3 major used book fairs, or festivals (matsuri), as they are called in Japanese. The mid-summer fair is held at Shimogamo Shine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It takes place in Tadasu-no-mori forest which is said to be the only patch of virgin, primordial forest in the city and is actually older than Kyoto itself. You can browse from 800,000 used books, many very old, under an expansive canopy of deciduous trees amid the cry of cicadas. Along the east side of the fair runs the Izumigawa Stream, so you can also hear the cooling trickle of moving water.

It is quite an experience!

Kyoto Used Book Fair in the Forest at Shimogamo Shrine

Book Stall Under the Trees at Kyoto Used Book Fair

About the Shimogamo Used Book Festival
Kyoto, being the cultural capital of Japan and a university town, has more than 110 used book stores! Many of these stores take part in this fair which is called Shimogamo Noryo Furuhon Matsuri (下鴨納涼古本まつり) in Japanese. This second hand book fair takes place every August 11th to 16th. Thirty-three second hand book dealers from Kyoto, Shiga and Osaka prefecture gather and offer some 800,000 used books.

Book Stall Under the Trees at Kyoto Used Book Fair

Book Stall Under the Trees at Kyoto Used Book Fair Next to Izumigawa Stream

Reading Books and Eating Lunch Under the Trees at Kyoto Used Book Fair

Treasures Available
Most of the books available are out of print. There are of course novels and history books, some English language books and an extensive collection of art and culture books, a lot on traditional Japanese culture. For example, I saw a 12 volume set of books on the history of Japanese art that would sell for around $1,000 now that was just $50. Several vendors offered large selections of vintage manga. The promotors say that there are about 10,000 children’s books. Prices start at 100 yen. There are also a lot of posters and even some Japanese woodblock prints.

Vintage Japanese Posters and Prints

Vintage Art Books

Vintage Illustrated Books

Vintage Illustrated Books

Vintage Copy of The Tale of Genji

Vintage Japanese Picture Postcards

Vintage Japanese Woodblock Prints

Big Three Vintage and Second Hand Book Fairs in Kyoto

Spring (May 1st to 5th)
Haru-no-Kosho Daisokubai-kai (春の古書大即売会)
venue: Miyako Messe (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall)

Summer (August 11th to 16th)
Shimogamo Noryo Furuhon Matsuri (下鴨納涼古本まつり)
In 2009 there were 33 book stores from Kyoto, Osaka and Shiga offering some 800,000 used and rare books.
venue: Shimogamo Shrine Tadasu-no-Mori Forest
hours: 10am to 6pm (last day closes at 4pm)

Autumn (October 30th to November 3rd)
Aki-no-Furuhon Matsuri (秋の古本まつり)
In 2009 there were 17 book stores offering some 200,000 used and rare books.
venue: Chinon-ji Temple
hours: 10am to 5pm

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