40 bookstores gathered at Futako Tamagawa Book Fair, attracting 33,000 visitors and selling 10,126 items over two days

2020.02.06 Press Releases
Bookstore Expo Executive Committee / Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.

40 bookstores gathered at

The Futako Tamagawa Book Fair, held by the Book Fair Executive Committee on Friday, January 31st and Saturday, February 1st, 2020, became a hot topic on social media, attracting over 30,000 visitors over the two days and ending in great success.

https://store.tsite.jp/futakotamagawa/bookshop-expo/

40 bookstores gathered at

40 bookstores gathered at

Futakotamagawa Book Fair is a festival where 40 bookstores come together to promote the appeal and potential of bookstores. The event was planned by Hiromitsu Kitada, book concierge at Tsutaya Electrics in Futakotamagawa, and an executive committee was formed, with the cooperation of various bookstores.

The number of bookstores in Japan, which exceeded 20,000 in 2000, has halved to 11,000 in 2018, and we see news reports that suggest a decline in the momentum of the publishing and bookstore industry.However, on the other hand, there are also activities that spread the potential of books and bookstores, such as the birth of unique independent bookstores, community events held in bookstores, and original publishing. The Executive Committee believes that the source of such activities is booksellers and store owners, and so called on booksellers and store owners who are engaged in appealing activities to participate in this event. The exhibitors are a diverse group, including major chain bookstores, independent bookstores, and "air bookstores" that do not have physical stores but operate through websites and events, but these 40 stores all share the common thread of attractive people, products, and activities.

[Scenes from the day]

40 bookstores gathered at

40 bookstores gathered at

One visitor commented, "I found out about Bookstore Expo on the social media of my favorite bookstore and was looking forward to it. We also received comments such as, "I learned about various bookstores at this event and now I want to visit other bookstores too."This was a very welcome response for Futakotamagawa Book Fair, which aims to connect books, bookstores, and people. In addition, the venue was bustling with activity, with over 10,000 items for sale, including books, magazines, and miscellaneous goods.

40 bookstores gathered at

40 bookstores gathered at

40 bookstores gathered at

40 bookstores gathered at

There was a wide variety of bookstores, including new book stores, magazine specialty stores, second-hand bookstores, and manga specialty stores, and there were also stores selling miscellaneous goods and original goods.

40 bookstores gathered at
"Keibunsha Ichijoji Store" from Kyoto will also be opening. The author of the collection of poems pictured on the right will also be participating in the Bookstore Fair, and will be giving out poems to those who request them.
40 bookstores gathered at
"Keibunsha Ichijoji Store" from Kyoto will also be opening. The author of the collection of poems pictured on the right will also be participating in the Bookstore Fair, and will be giving out poems to those who request them.
40 bookstores gathered at
At Cat's Meow Books, a store specializing in cat books, the owner serves customers dressed as a cat. It became popular among children. The store donates 10% of its sales to cat rescue organizations.
40 bookstores gathered at
At Cat's Meow Books, a store specializing in cat books, the owner serves customers dressed as a cat. It became popular among children. The store donates 10% of its sales to cat rescue organizations.
40 bookstores gathered at
Shobo, a bookstore run by a Buddhist monk and open only on weekends, also held a meditation workshop at the event venue.
40 bookstores gathered at
Ika Bunko, an "air bookstore" that doesn't have a store or inventory but is always open somewhere, has produced original goods for Bookstore Expo.

In addition to the bookstore booths, the venue also had a workshop and event space where people could try their hand at making book covers, and a food truck came along so people could enjoy food and drinks.
Also on the main stage, there was a lively talk event about books and bookstores, as well as five live music performances, including one by Sohei Oyamada.

At the Futakotamagawa Book Fair, a variety of bookstores joined forces to promote the possibilities of bookstores, from major chain stores to small bookstores of about 16.5 square meters, specialty stores for foreign books and used books, unique bookstores that directly reflect the owner's worldview, mobile bookstores that deliver books to various locations by truck, and air bookstores that do not have a physical store. The Executive Committee will use this experience to plan an event that will create even broader and deeper connections between people, books, and bookstores. I hope to see you again someday, somewhere.


Date and time: Friday, January 31, 2020, 11:00-20:00, Saturday, February 1, 2020, 11:00-19:00　
Location: Futako Tamagawa Rise Galleria (directly connected to Futako Tamagawa Station, 2-21-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)
Participation fee: Free
Organized by Book Fair Executive Committee
Sponsored by Japan Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd., Yuaniture Co., Ltd.
Cooperation: Futako Tamagawa Rise Shopping Center, Futako Tamagawa Tsutaya Electrics

Home page　https://store.tsite.jp/futakotamagawa/bookshop-expo/

Twitter　 https://twitter.com/bookshopexpo

Instagram　 https://www.instagram.com/bookshopexpo/

Facebook　 https://www.facebook.com/bookshopexpo/

note　 https://note.com/bookshopexpo


Blue and Night Sky / Aoyama Book Center / ATELIER / Ika Bunko / Itoito / HMV&BOOKS HIBIYA COTTAGE / H.A.Bookstore / Picture Book Shop Yarusubanbansha / Oheso Shobo / Kamome Books / Cat's Meow Books / Kusafune Antosgo / Keibunsha Ichijoji Branch / Kotomu Banri Bunko / SUNNY BOY BOOKS / JulyBooks / Shichigatsu Shobo / Shobo / SNOW SHOVELING / Chekkori / CHIENOWA BOOK STORE / toi books / Tokyo Kurikarado / Nijino Picture Book Store / BAG ONE / VALUE BOOKS / Futakotamagawa Tsutaya Electrics / Futago no Lion-do / BOOKSHOP TRAVELLER / BOOKS Blue Hippo / BOOK TRUCK / book pick orchestra / plateau books / Printing Teller Book Service / Used Books Ikkaku Bunko / Frobergue / Baseyard Tokyo / Pebbles Books / Magazine isn't dead. / MAIN TENT / Rhythm & Books

Materials related to this matter

40 bookstores gathered at Futako Tamagawa Book Fair, attracting 33,000 visitors and selling 10,126 items over two days

Inquiries regarding this matter
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. Public Relations: Motonaga
Tel: 03-6800-3570

Futako Tamagawa Book Fair Secretariat Contact: Shimoyakawa
Email: bookshopexpo_pr@ccc.co.jp

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