Abookstore is one of the places that makes you feel out of time. Upon hearing great reviews of the Tsutaya Bookstore, I finally decided to head down to witness the charm myself, and I must admit, it was love at first sight.
As I walked through the entrance, I was greeted by the scent of new paperbacks neatly stacked on antique-looking book shelves. It felt as if, in that liminal space, the world had come together, abiding languages.
Famously named as “one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores,” the aesthetic-looking bookstore provides readers with the opportunity to slow down and browse, getting lost in thousands of collections of novels and genres. There are different compartments and the books are arranged by categories and genres with a little bit of free association. If you are clueless as to where to start or to find what exactly you are looking for, stroll along the arrays of humanities, young adults, fiction, and non-fiction. It’s difficult to be unamused by the hardback conversations you might stumble upon.
It is a great place to spend a calm, laid-back weekend or mid-week with friends and family. For some side treats, accompany yourself with some coffee or tea while searching for your next favourite book.
Surrounded by stories from all over the world, spending time in Tsutaya gives you the feeling of being in a chamber library in olden times. The arrays of collections are highly stacked, and the friendly workers are more than happy to serve you should you need some assistance.
I walked around for about 2 hours, stopping at various sections and picking up a book to read, probably skimming through its prologue. Tsutaya’s Bookstore surely elevates the reading culture and experience as it provides ample space for one to sit and just enjoy reading, the art of immersing in a story.
The literary environment fosters reading habits along with some imagination for the beauty of literature. I came across several kids who appeared to be particularly interested in the collections’ arrays. It is rather endearing to see our young minds scrolling through books in a world where digitization has captured their attention.
With its eye-catching aesthetics, it was hard to say goodbye without capturing some photos. The scenery is indubitably stunning in a family-friendly space. Additionally, there is a vast collection of stationery, arts and crafts, essential oils, and accessories if you feel like splurging on non-literary items.
Tsutaya is among the bookstores that champion the celebration of literature in a much needed space where digitalization seems to be a hard win for reading trends. It captivates the joy of reading, as there is something magical in the experience of flipping pages, as one anticipates the next page.
If you are feeling like you need some sacred slowing-down, head over to Tsutaya for a quick breather. You might just get lost in the world of books!
Photos by Tsutaya Bookstore.