Selected as one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Bookstores,” Kyoto’s Seiryo Shoten has become a tourist attraction.

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Reported and photographed by Yutaka Ueno / Kyoto

Falling in love with Kyoto, the renowned “world’s most beautiful bookstore” Seiryo Shoten is one of the key catalysts. In the Ichijoji area of Kyoto — not a popular shopping district among tourists — visiting this area at night reveals yellow glows from alleyways where a bookstore with no visible sign quietly stands at the end of the street. No need for extra words to describe it — Seiryo Shoten itself is an important and alluring tourist attraction.


▲ Seiryo Shoten is a very well-known independent bookstore in Kyoto.

Seiryo Shoten is a highly renowned independent bookstore in Kyoto. To put it in perspective, it’s roughly equivalent in status to Eslite Bookstore in Taiwan. It started gaining recognition about 40 years ago, simply because of the whimsical reason: “We wanted a bookstore we liked.” It now has three locations in Kyoto — one for manga, one general bookstore, and another. The way books are displayed relies entirely on the staff’s taste. Store manager Yuki Kamada says, “Even if a book doesn’t sell well, it’s fine — as long as it’s interesting.”

Without concern for popularity, they choose to place what they love in the most “golden-angle” spots. Kamada explains that the bookstore does not follow traditional categorization or publisher-based arrangements. Instead, it sorts books by theme — such as women’s interests, cooking, or travel. Each section might have duplicate titles or may lack certain books, but that’s perfectly okay. “The feeling of unexpectedly encountering a book is exactly what we want.”


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The bookstore doesn’t only sell books — it also offers clothing, handmade goods, stationery, and even art displays. The three stores are nestled along the street. It may sound like a mishmash, but everything is arranged with a subtle and heartwarming aesthetic. The wooden ambiance is quiet and serene, encapsulating the concept of an “once-in-a-lifetime meeting” with a book. Kamada says, “When you come in next time, the display will be different, and the staff will have something else to share.” Some books may remain hidden within the sea of tomes. Encounters aren’t just between people — walking into a space filled with books can also spark a heartbeat.

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