I am crazy about books...and as much as I love to read, I am most happy when I am browsing shelves upon shelves of books. Most especially if the bookstore is pretty. I get depressed when the books don't get the proper respect they deserve, really. I cringe when my book has a dent, a folded page, or worse, a tear on the page or cover. I shudder just thinking that books are just stacked haphazardly in fugly, dust-covered shelves; moreso when it's the bookstore itself that has no regard for the books' well-being.
Yes, I am quite OC about books and being quite discerning when it comes to bookstores, where I buy my books, comes with the territory, of being OC, that is. I mean, I could stay at a well-lighted, well-designed bookstore for hours, so I was really hyped when I saw an article about the The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World by Flavorwire website. I mean, bookstores! Pretty, lovely bookstores! I'm in book heaven!
An excerpt of the article/list from Flavorwire is quoted here:
"With Amazon slowly taking over the publishing world and bookstores closing left and right, things can sometimes seem a little grim for the brick and mortar booksellers of the world. After all, why would anyone leave the comfort of their couch to buy a book when with just a click of a button, they could have it delivered to their door? Well, here’s why: bookstores so beautiful they’re worth getting out of the house (or the country) to visit whether you need a new hardcover or not. We can’t overestimate the importance of bookstores — they’re community centers, places to browse and discover, and monuments to literature all at once — so we’ve put together a list of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, from Belgium to Japan to Slovakia. Just so you know now, all you bookstore fiends: neither the Strand nor Powell’s is on this list. They’re both great bookstores, of course, but not particularly pretty (at least in our minds), and thus disqualified. Click through to see our picks for the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and as always, if we’ve left off your favorite, be sure to add to the collection in the comments!"
And, I got all happier when 4 bookstores in Asia made the cut, 2 in Beijing, China, 1 in Japan, and 1 in Taiwan. So great, right? Since, this is an Asian travel blog, I'll only discuss the 4 bookstores in Asia as mentioned. Include these bookstores in your "places of interest" which you may want to visit while in Beijing, Taipei or Tokyo.
So, here it goes:
BEIJING, CHINA
The Bookworm, Beijing
"There’s magic in the air at this English-language bookstore in Beijing. Bookworm, Beijing, China."
The first thought that popped into my head was: "Oh, Hogwarts!" Yeah, really, the "floating" candles really struck me. The illusion, though, was more twinkling stars in the night sky. Very divine, don't you think?
Here are a couple of photos from The Bookworm's website. Apparently, it is not only a bookstore but a library, bar, restaurant and events space as well.
Anyway, here's the About Us excerpt from The Bookworm's website:
A bustling hive of literary activity, The Bookworm is forever expandineag its book offering – at the last count, we were able to boast 16,112 titles on our library shelves.Our bookshop offers a wide range of sometimes surprising tomes, and our talks continue to beguile our audiences. Our restaurant is well loved for its tasty-yet-value-for-money menu, and spontaneous musical evenings are apt to bubble up from nowhere.
It’s easy to see why The Bookworm is such a hit among Beijingers; where else can you while away the hours savouring fabulous fare, browsing thousands of books, sipping good espresso, being regaled by eminent authors, catching up with friends over your favourite tipple, or simply just checking your emails? The spacious, interconnecting rooms with floor-to-ceiling books on every wall are light and airy in summer, yet cosy and snug in winter. And the roof terrace is perfect for yard-arm cocktails.
Booklovers, old China hands, newcomers, students and business travellers alike unite at The Bookworm. Our coffee’s always freshly ground, our chocolate cake voluptuous and our staff delightful.
So, why not drop in sometime and join us?
Apparently, The Bookworm now has branches in Suzhou and Chengdu. However, if you want to visit the Beijing branch, here's its address and contact information:
Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road,Chaoyang District, Beijing100027, P.R China
Tel: (010) 6586 9507
Email: books@beijingbookworm.com
Directions to The Bookworm Beijing by Car, Bike or Foot (very detailed):From Tuanjiehu Subway Station: Exit at the Pacific Century Plaza exit, on Gongti Bei Lu.
1. Head West along Gongti Bei Lu to the intersection of Nan Sanlitun Lu and Sanlitun Bei Lu.
2. Turn South onto Nan Sanlitun Lu and walk 200 metres (passing The Rickshaw on your left) to the first small turning on your Left. (Be careful not to walk too far South on Nansanlitun).
3.You will find The Bookworm, a large green building on your immediate Right. If you reach Banana Leaf, you've gone too far - we're between Banana Leaf and the main road.
From Gong Ren Ti Yu Cheng (The Worker's Stadium):
1. Head East passing China View on the South side of the road, and 200 metres later, pass Ya Show Clothing Market on the North side.
2. When you reach the intersection of Nan Sanlitun Lu and Sanlitun Bei Lu (approx 0.5km from The Worker's Stadium), turn South onto Nan Sanlitun Lu and walk 200 metres (passing The Rickshaw on your left) to the first small left turning on your Left. (Be careful not to walk too far South on Nansanlitun).
3.You will find The Bookworm, a large green building on your immediate Right. If you reach Banana Leaf, you've gone too far - we're between Banana Leaf and the main road.
BEIJING, CHINA
Poplar
"How could any kid (or adult, for that matter) resist those delicious reading nooks? Poplar Kid’s Republic, Beijing, China."
This one is special; it's designed for kids. I mean, this is a sure way to get kids fall in love with books and reading. Just look at the reading area! Yup, this may very well be a good diversion rather than playing computer games day in and day out. Ah, to be a kid.
A couple of photos from Poplar's website:
From Poplar's About Us page:
Introduction of the Company
The Beijing POPLAR Culture Project Co.,Ltd (BPCPC) was established in July,2004, by the Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd., which is the largest professional children’s book publishing company in Japan.
Against the background that more attention is put on international cooperation, the BPCPC devotes itself to the creation and development of a new children as well as picture book culture. In the information era as we are in now, the children’s world accordingly is becoming diversified and more internationalized. We take children as the future pillars of each society and the hope of the world peace. In order to help them grow up healthily, we would launch various forms of international cooperation. With the mission to communicate the colorful and abounding culture, which is so indispensable to a meaningful life, to children, we hope to contribute our efforts to a better future for children, with the assistance of our Chinese friends.
In the middle of Oct. 2005, Kid’s Republic, the picture book store of BPCPC, opened in Jianwai SOHO community, Beijing. It has become the first specialized picture book store in China. With the aim to supply the children and parents with the top of the best children’s books as well as a relaxing reading environment, not only plenty of carefully chosen Chinese and foreign children’s books are available in Kid’s Republic, a special reading room assembling excellent original version of picture books from all over the world is also established. Meanwhile, a Reader’s Club has been formed and various fun activities relating early reading have been launched. The club also periodically provides early reading information up to date.
In China's children book stores, there are many kinds of books available for children, but more and more people feel something important is missed in most of them, something that touches the heart naturally or some naive enthusiasm. Therefore, we want to introduce picture books, this special art form which has a long history in Western countries and often enjoyed by different generations together, to Chinese children. We hope these fine craft stories and art works nurture their hearts and spirits, and bring them an imaginative childhood.
Here's Poplar's store information and directions on how to reach there:
Store Hours
- Open everyday
- Summer (May 1st – sep. 31st) 10:00 am – 19:00 pm
- Winter (oct.1st – Apr.30th) 10:00am – 18:30 pm
How to get here?
- For more Information, please call: 010- 5869-3032
- Add: the First Floor, Building 13th, Jianwai SOHO Community, No.39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Beijing (Opposite the China World Hotel;At the South Side of the Chang An Avenue; Close to GuoMao Subway Station; Southwest of the Guomao Bridge. Please note, It ‘s NOT SOHO New Town)
- Main Bus Route: Take 28, 57, 705, 703, 801, 976 to Da Bei Yao Nan Station, On the West of the road is Jianwai SOHO Community.
- By Metro：Line 1 Guomao Station, use exit Cand walk 100 meters West.At the path to the South opposite the Jinglun Hotle, look for the sign that says with “Jianwai SOHO”.
- Parking Lot：Base 2 of Tower 13, Jianwai SOHO. Free parking ticket available.
VVG Something
"Almost utilitarian but filled with simple old-world grace, this store is a little like what we might imagine our ideal ship’s main cabin to look like. VVG Something, Taipei, Taiwan."
Oh, this one's small, but pretty! How come I haven't been to it before? Anyway, I've roamed around one of the Eslite branches in Taipei, but it'll definitely be a treat to visit this bookstore. Look at the details! I'll want my private library to look like this. Before I forget, VVG means "very, very good."
I've scoured the internet for details about this lovely bookstore and found out that it has a cafe, too! Also, from the blog of one of the owner's friend, "nanamoose: m-u-s-i-n-g-s", I was able to learn some facts about the VVG Something bookstore. An excerpt from the blog post entitled, Taipei Finds: VVG Something, can be found here:
"A cute little addition to the VVG empire that occupies one end of Alley 40 on Lane 181, VVG Something sells beautifully bound, imported hardbacks on gastronomy, along with random household knickknacks like old typewriters, ice-shavers, copper teapots from India, enameled brassware from Poland, and handmade stationary from Japan. If this doesn't already send you pacing out the door to go find it, add bright red French doors, white brick walls a big fat lamps with a black shade, and an oh-so-cute coffee counter that reminds you of an old ticketing booth.The coffee here comes in gargantuan sizes, so pack up a good book, or simply flip through the ones available here, and while away a rainy afternoon in the company of Some Very Very Good Things."
For more wonderful photos, you can check out nanamoose: m-u-s-i-n-g-s blog here: http://nanamoose.typepad.com/musings/2011/07/taipei-finds-vvg-something.html. Or to this blog, entitled the Cookie Cutter here: http://thecookiecutterblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/taipei-vvg-something.html.
Contact information for the VVG Something bookstore:
VVG Something is at 13, Alley 40, Lane 181, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Daan District, Taipei台北市忠孝東路四段181巷40弄13號Tel: (02) 2773 1358
If you're getting off at Zhongxiao Dunhua Station, it's a 4 minute walk from the exit (via Google maps).
TOKYO, JAPAN
Daikanyama T-Site
"This slick, super-modern store benefits from clean design and charming flourishes of light and mirrors. Daikanyama T-Site, Tokyo, Japan."
And, this is Daikanyama T-Site, T apparently means, Tsutaya, if I read the Google translated website of this bookstore correctly. Also, this is more than just a bookstore; it is a complex of stores, and I think, even a pet salon, again, if I read the Google translation correctly. This one is super sleak, very modern. So pretty!
Here are some other photos from its website:
And here's the link to the CNNGo article about Daikanyama T-Site if you want to know more about it: http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/shop/tokyos-stunning-palace-printed-word-334326.
Here's instructions on how to reach the complex:
T-SITE Daikanyama Address
Ya ivy bookstore
Sarugakucho, 17-5, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 〒 150-0033
GARDEN
Sarugakucho 16-15, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 〒 150-0033
How to access
Train
5 minutes walk from the "station" Daikanyama Tokyu Toyoko Line
Bus
"Shibuya Station" Toranse Tokyu
"T Daikanyama site" →
Car
5 minutes from the "Shibuya Station" JR Yamanote Line
Taxi
5 minutes from the "Shibuya Station" JR Yamanote Line
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