Stay at the world’s most beautiful bookstore – A must-visit list for literary travelers at Japan’s first Tsutaya Apartments

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

In recent years, the Tsutaya bookstore, hailed as the most beautiful in the world, has not only sparked a new wave of reading enthusiasm but also expanded into a diverse range of business ventures. Following the launch of the BOOK AND BED TOKYO bookstore-style capsule hotel in 2015, Tsutaya has recently opened a brand-new 24-hour “Tsutaya Book Apartment” in Shinjuku. Conceptualized around the comfort of a living room, it combines a bookstore, co-working space, and youth hostel, completely redefining the traditional bookstore model.

The Tsutaya Book Apartment has three floors in total, with the overall space centered around books and magazines, housing approximately 20,000 volumes. In addition to functioning as a bookstore, the fourth floor is a co-working space equipped with desks, chairs, power outlets, as well as iPads, iMacs, and printers. The fifth floor is a shared space for both men and women, designed with nature and camping themes, where readers can enjoy a comfortable reading experience. Meanwhile, the sixth floor is exclusively for women, featuring a Japanese tatami-style space created specifically for female guests, and includes amenities such as massage chairs and a vanity area.

The apartment is strategically located in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district, offering readers a quiet and comfortable reading environment amid the city’s hustle and bustle. Guests first confirm their desired length of stay, with a fee of 500 yen per hour per person (including coffee drinks). Some facilities, including the women-only floor, private rest spaces, work areas, showers, and loungewear, incur additional charges.