[Nagoya] Want to Find an Exciting Book? A Report on Secondhand and Antiquarian Booksellers

With Cafe and Gallery
A Secondhand Bookstore in an Old Private House "Manami Old Book Store"

Next, I would like to introduce "Manami Old Book Store" in Kita ward, Nagoya City, a secondhand bookstore opened in 2022 in a renovated old private house.

An 8-minute walk from Shimizu Station on the Meitetsu Seto Line, or a 10-minute walk from Kurokawa Station on the Meijo Line when using the subway. As you walk along the street of Nagoya City Shimizu Elementary School, you will see the signboard of the store. There are many old-fashioned buildings and shops, so it's fun to take a walk around the area.

What is it like inside the store? While inflating the image, I'm entering the store!

As soon as you enter the store, you will be greeted by the entrance dirt floor decorated with cute marbles that the owner Ms. Sugiura did DIY.

Brilliant marbles are embedded in the concrete floor, and they reflect the sunlight and sparkle. The playful design will heal you when you see it. Shoes are not allowed inside the store, so please take off your shoes on the dirt floor and change into the store slippers before entering the store.

In-store entrance

The interior of the store, where Ms. Sugiura has created a new atmosphere while carefully preserving the atmosphere of an old private house, is very bright and spacious, and is a space where you can enjoy choosing books at your leisure. I'm excited to see where to start.

Ms. Sugiura's special bookshelf

Based on the concept of "once again for others / something useful for others", they handle books in a wide range of genres, including technical books and human documents, picture books, photo collections, magazines, essays, and subculture books. In addition to books, we also handle American vintage miscellaneous goods, Showa toys, and original works by artists.

There are plenty of back numbers such as nostalgic "POPEYE", "BRUTUS", and "Animage".

Manami Old Book Store / Owner Ms. Sugiura

Previously, she ran an online and mobile secondhand bookstore "paquet." Online book sales are still ongoing.

Ms. Sugiura has a soft demeanor and charm that attracts people. The author and she were close in age, so we ended up chatting about small things that had nothing to do with the interview. Thank you!

A lot of foreign books and art books! They also sell records that Ms. Sugiura collects as a hobby.

There is an eat-in space in the store where you can enjoy coffee and handmade desserts. Although it is a second-hand bookstore, it seems that they created a cafe space because they want people to come and visit more casually.

It's nice to be able to take a short break surrounded by books. The mugs and glasses they offer are all wonderful, and are a must-see for tableware fans!

Coffee 450 yen (tax included)

Coffee in a special space surrounded by books is also exceptional. The coffee, which has just the right amount of bitterness and aroma, is carefully dripped one cup at a time after receiving an order. A perfect cup for afternoon tea, every sip will leave you with a sigh of bliss. Coffee menu such as cafe latte and espresso affogato is also substantial.

Heat-resistant milk glass dishes are served in the famous Fire King mugs. It's hard to describe how the milky-white jade-colored mug becomes slightly transparent when you pour a drink into it, but it's very nice. In addition, it has a very pleasant texture and is made thick, so you can enjoy hot drinks until the end without getting cold.

Lemon cream soda 550 yen (tax included)

The lemon cream soda, which is popular for its fresh lemon sourness and mellow sweetness, is an original drink of Manami Koshoten that combines homemade lemonade and soda. Needless to say, the combination of lemon soda and vanilla ice cream that pops in your mouth. There is also a lemonade (water/hot) for 500 yen (tax included).

The glass was a very cute Aderia glass. Aderia's tableware, which was popular in the Showa era, was reprinted several years ago and is a brand that has revived in popularity and is captivated by the younger generation.

There are also many other menus that are perfect for snack time, such as homemade plum drinks and handmade pudding. Take a break with a delicious drink in a healing space like a hideout. It was such a cafe space where you can forget your thoughts and daily busyness and spend a leisurely time.

There is a gallery space in the back of the store, where pop-up stores and exhibitions by artists are held every month.

At the time of the interview, a pop-up store "Anoko's Stationery" was being held by the general store "Cherp". Along with the exhibition of works, cute overseas stationery and miscellaneous goods were on sale.

Fish pencil sharpener.

Information about the pop-up store is posted on the official Instagram as well as the schedule, so be sure to check it out.

Manami Old Book Store is full of Ms. Sugiura's commitment and sense. It was a used bookstore that made me want to go over and over again. Visiting only for cafe is also welcome, so please stop by once.

[Manami Old Book Store]
Address: 5-21-4 Shimizu, Kita Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Phone number: 052-688-5820
Business hours: 12:00-19:00
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
HP: https://bookspaquet.stores.jp

Located in Atsuta Jingumae Shopping Street
Bookstore "Kotonohado"

The last place I visited was "Kotonohado" in Atsuta Shrine.

Get off at Jingumae Station on the Meitetsu Main Line, walk about 3 minutes from the west exit, and you will find the shop in the Atsuta Jingumae shopping district, which is right in front of Atsuta Jingu. If you are using the subway, we recommend getting off at Atsuta Jingu Tenmacho on the Meijo Line.

Located on the east side of Atsuta Jingu, Atsuta Jingu-mae Shopping Street has a Showa retro atmosphere. There are many well-known shops such as the long-established pure coffee shop “Cafe Loire” and “Kiyome Mochi Atsuta Jingu Ekimae Main Store”.

Perhaps because it is close to a powerful and spiritual spot like Atsuta Shrine, I felt that the air was somehow clearer. It feels so good just walking in the gentle breeze.

Books are lined up in front of the shop! At Kotonohado, we mainly handle literary and humanities and social studies books. We also purchase a wide range of technical books, academic books, posters, and records.

Books are lined up from the ceiling to the feet. The store area is not that large, but the number of books is as good as other stores. The indirect lighting that illuminates the interior of the store with a soft light makes it easy to see the spine and does not tire your eyes even if you choose books for a long time. It is an irresistible space for book lovers.

It is a shop where you can spend a comfortable time looking for books in a store where the flow of time flows slowly.

There are so many intriguing title. It's fun to look for your favorite book without being trapped in time.

A book series published by Heibonsha, first published in 1963. It is in good condition!

After visiting Kotonohado, I stopped by Atsuta Shrine and headed home. Business hours and regular holiday information are updated monthly on the website, so please check before visiting the store.

[Kotonohado]
Address: 3-3-12 Jingu, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Phone number: 0120-18-9413
Business hours and regular holidays: Please check the "business calendar" on the website.
Website: https://www.kotonohado.jp/

Today's Purchase

Now I'm introducing the purchased books. I have come across many wonderful books.

Surf Girl Roxy/Natalie Linden

A collection of photographs of the apparel brand "Roxy". This is an impressive book that contains more than 200 works, such as the daily lives of female surfers and photos used in advertisements.

From cool looks to charming one-shots with bursting smiles. This is a photo book that will make you feel energetic when you see it, full of girl power.

Soul & Blues / Yutaka Sakurai

This book attracted me to the title and the cover. The Chi-Lites on the cover, the Stylistics on the back, and the subtitle, "Music of the soul that captivates you", blew my mind.

It is a book that allows you to enjoy the charm of blues and soul music while tracing the history of music. Issued in 1976.

The Little Prince / Saint-Exupéry (translated by Mariko Kono)

I often hear titles and quotes, but I had never actually read "The Little Prince". The illustrations are cute, and the book has a soft impression. Each publisher has released "The Little Prince" with different translators, so it would be fun to read and compare the different translations and expressions.

Dialogue / Jinichi Uekusa

I also found a book by Mr. Uekusa, a movie and jazz critic who loves how to choose words, structure, and expressions. When I opened the book, there was a newspaper clipping from the time Uekusa passed away.

Was it cut by the previous owner? Another good thing about used books is that you can enjoy the connections with people that you can't meet with new books.

This time, I introduced 4 charming used bookstores. Every shop has a different field, and it's all about new discoveries. I had a lot of fun doing the interview myself. Please go to a second-hand bookstore to find your favorite book.