Sleep in a sea of books: A charming secondhand bookstore hostel in Tainan

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Want to sleep surrounded by the scent of books? Besides Tokyo’s “Book and Bed Tokyo,” a hostel built around the concept of “a place you can live in and read books,” the ?Ji Bookinn in Tainan can also make this dream come true. Originally a well-known secondhand bookstore, the shop was taken over by new management and transformed into a unique hostel, allowing guests to feel as if they’re sleeping among the bookshelves.

?Ji was originally a long-established secondhand bookstore in Tainan with a loyal customer base, but under the waves of a new generation, even well-known traditional bookstores have gradually declined. Just as it was about to close its doors for good, the current owner took over and transformed it into a hybrid space that blends a bookstore with accommodation, creating a homestay with a book-themed concept.

The ?Ji hostel houses tens of thousands of books. With an abundance of volumes on the shelves, books are more than just decorative elements—they create an immersive experience where guests feel like they’re sleeping within a world of literature. The first floor is an open public reading space, while the second floor features thoughtfully designed unique beds for backpackers, preserving the spirit of the original bookstore.