To paraphrase comedian Bo Burnham, “Is there anything better than sex? Yes, a really good book.” This is an ethos Japan has taken to heart, with bookstores being prolific throughout the country. However, many of these bookstores are relatively basic, stocking general mainstream literature and manga. So is there anywhere one can go for LGBTQ+ literature or community?
Well, of course! You can find anything in Tokyo, and that includes bookshops for LGBTQ+ people with radical content. Open up a new chapter with one of these five folio flogging favorites!
loneliness books
Based in Higashi-Nakano, loneliness books prides itself not only on being a store that sells works on the topics of queerness, feminism, loneliness, and solidarity, but is also specifically catering towards those looking to explore such topics from Asia broadly, rather than Japan specifically or catering to exclusively western points of view. For anyone who wants to find work that reflects the modern world from the perspective of the east, there is no substitute.
- Opening Hours: Weekdays: 2pm – 10pm; Weekends: Noon – 10pm
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Etcetera Books
Based in Shindaita, Etcetera Books is a women-owned and women-run bookstore that specializes in feminist literature, including feminist works from a queer perspective. It also hosts a number of events for women and LGBTQ+ people, with the aim of making it a place for anyone who is marginalized to come, feel comfortable, and meet people who share your experiences. While “etcetera” can mean “and the rest,” nobody here is an afterthought.
- Opening Hours: Thu – Sat: Noon – 8pm
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Boundary Books
Founded in 2023, Boundary Books is a store that focuses entirely on stocking and selling works that represent the masculine form, with works that are erotic but not pornographic. Featuring a number of photography books, zines, and artwork from both Japan and abroad, this store is the place to be for anyone who wants to peruse the full gamut of what men can look like, and what men can be.
- Opening Hours: Sat: 1pm – 9pm
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OkaMalt
Found close to the Nichome gay district in Shinjuku, OkaMalt is not just a bookstore, but a literary cafe for anyone looking to delve into LGBTQ+ books, magazines, and stories while enjoying a nice cup of coffee or tea and a delicious Japanese dessert. It also plays host to various events, so this place is unmissable for anyone who wants to meet up with other gay lovers of literature — or, indeed, for anyone who just wants a little mochi and a latte.
- Opening Hours: Wed – Sun: 1pm – 8pm
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イレギュラー・リズム・アサイラム
About a ten minute walk from Nichome, this iconic bookstore is a home for radicals and the dispossessed of any stripe. From LGBTQ+ writers to socialist readers to feminist activists, this bookstore is a Mecca for anyone who wants to find literature to prod their imagination. It also serves coffee, and has a spacious area for rest and relaxation, and events are regularly held. The perfect meeting spot for those who want to free society, as well as your mind.
- Opening Hours: Thu – Sun: 1pm – 7pm
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Well, as we turn the page and close the chapter on this article, we hope that you have been inspired to visit one of these extraordinary bookstores. Scout Finch may not have loved the act of reading, and few do: but what you read, and even where you read it, can be deeply affecting. Don’t miss the chance to visit these bookstores that have been, and still are, life changing.
