Kyoto Stroll | A cultural journey through unique bookstores, a stroll from Ichijyoji to Shugakuin.

Today’s stroll Kyoto
Kyoto is a city of students. For students whose main job is to study, bookstores are familiar and indispensable. Kyoto is dotted with unique bookstores and used bookstores. Jimbocho is famous for its used bookstores, but Kyoto is also a town that loves used books. In this article, we will walk around the Ichijoji to Shugakuin area located in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward and visit unique bookstores. This course will be enjoyable not only for book lovers but also for those who love general merchandise. Let’s enjoy the quiet time while slowly looking at the spines of books.

Kyoto Strolling Today’s route to visit unique bookstores

A.Ichijyoji Akanomiya bus stop
B.Alibibooks
C.Keibunsha
D. Hagi Shobo
E.Ichijyoji downpine
F. ba hütte.
G.Shugakuin Station, Eizan Electric Railway

Kyoto Stroll: Start from Ichijoji to Shugakuin, visiting unique bookstores.

A.Ichijyoji Akanomiya bus stop

The Ichijoji Akanomiya bus stop is located a short distance north of Takano, a major intersection in the northern part of Kyoto. It is located on a small bridge over the river, and in the direction north of the bridge is a famous ramen street within Kyoto. You may want to grab a bite to eat before you go for a stroll.

So let’s start walking north from the bus stop toward the ramen street. On your way, you will see many restaurants as well as ramen shops. Some of them may even have a long line of people waiting in line.

As you continue on with these stores behind you, you will come to a crossroad. The first destination, Alibi Books, is located on the first floor of an apartment building on the east side of the crossroads.

B. Alibibooks, a joint venture of four used bookstores

Major chain used bookstores offer a wide selection of books in all genres. It is fun to browse through the large store, as some bargains can be found at low prices.

However, used bookstores run by individuals or on a small scale have an attraction that chain stores do not have. They may specialize in a particular genre or have a selection based on the owner’s taste. Finding a store that suits your tastes is a joy.

Located in a corner of Ichijoji Ramen Street, Alibi Books is an unusual type of used bookstore, jointly run by four Kyoto used bookstores: Kyoto Star Books, Kogamuya, indigo book, and Houkodo.

Kyoto Star Books specializes in movies, theater, and subcultures. indigo book is a secondhand bookstore based on Internet shopping and offers a wide variety of genres. As the name implies, Houkodo focuses mainly on old documents and other antiquarian books.

Alibibooks is not a large store. However, its contents are quite dense. As you browse through the tightly packed bookshelves, you may find that book you’ve always wanted to read.

Once you’ve had a good look around, it’s time to move on to your next destination.

C. Keibunsha, the most beautiful bookstore in the world

Keibunsha, located near Ichijoji Station, was selected by a British newspaper as one of the “10 most beautiful bookstores in the world. Many tourists, not only Kyoto residents, can be seen taking pictures of the storefront.

Keibunsha is characterized by a selection of books that is different from that of other bookstores (especially those that sell new books). Walking through Ebunsha’s store, you are likely to find books that are hard to find in other stores.

In addition to books, Keibunsha also carries miscellaneous goods. The variety of goods it handles ranges from tableware to clothing, and all of the products on the shelves are unique. If you are a lover of sundries, you will enjoy just looking at them.

Events are regularly held in the store. Sometimes the café will be traveling on business, so drop by if you see it.Once you have enjoyed Ebunsha, head to your next destination.

For the official Ebunsha website, click on the image.

Leaving Ebunsha and heading east, you will see a railroad crossing at Ichijyoji Station. After crossing the railroad crossing, continue walking. You will see “Hagi Shobo” with a tasteful signboard on the north side before the third crossroads, passing stylish cafes and bookstores.

Hagi Shobo, a antique bookstore

A sign depicting an old man with a deep sense of humor. Hagi Shobo, with this as its trademark, is an antiquarian bookstore with the appearance of an “antiquarian bookstore. Founded in 1986, it is one of the oldest and well-known antiquarian bookstores in Kyoto.

Stepping into the store, one is confronted with piles of books lined up in a cramped space inside a not-so-spacious store. The aroma of old books is different from that of a bookstore that sells new books or a stylishly maintained secondhand bookstore. If you like to be surrounded by books, you will feel at home here.

Hagi Shobo handles a wide range of genres, including art and photography, as well as a large selection of literature. Each time you pick up a book, you can’t help but imagine what the previous owner must have been like.

Once you have had your fill of the antiquarian bookstore atmosphere at Hagi Shobo, it is time to move on. Your next destination is not a bookstore, but something with a sense of history.

After leaving Hagi Shobo and walking east for a while, you will come to Shirakawa Dori, a major street. Cross Shirakawa Dori and go further east. Go straight at the three-way intersection. This area is residential and there are no sidewalks, so please be careful passing through.

Walking gently uphill, you will see a sign on the right side (south side) that points the way to the “Hachidai Shrine. Behind the sign is the Ichijyoji Sagarimatsu, a historical site.

Click on the image for “Hagi Shobo”, the official website of Kyoto City Industrial Tourism Bureau “Kyoto-kan”.

Ichijyoji Downed Pine, the site of Musashi Miyamoto’s duel

Musashi Miyamoto is a historical swordsman. And Ichijyoji Kamimatsu is said to be the site of one of the most famous duels of his life, with the Yoshioka clan.

As the name implies, the pine tree is planted on this land, where Musashi fought a duel with dozens of members of the Miyamoto clan. See the stone monument stating this fact and the pine tree, and think back to the heroic history of the area. After visiting this place, you may discover something new by reading a novel or other work related to Musashi.

The Isshujyo-ji downhill pine tree has been an important transportation link between Omi (Shiga Prefecture) and Kyoto since ancient times. The pine trees have been used as a landmark.

The pine tree seen today is the fourth generation. The tree from the time of Musashi’s duel is dedicated at the Hachidai Shrine further in the back. If you have enough energy and time, it would be a good idea to visit there.

This time, we will not stop at the Hachidai Shrine, but will continue on to our final destination.

We will go back the way we came and turn onto Shirakawa Dori. We will continue walking north on Shirakawa Dori. It is a longer distance than you have walked so far, so take your time.

Shirakawa Dori is a large street. The sidewalks are well maintained. It is an easy street to walk on, so take your time while looking at the rows of stores and houses that line the street from east to west. This street is home to condominiums and private homes, as well as stores and fashionable cafes that are closely connected to daily life. You will enjoy the atmosphere of Rakuhoku, Kyoto.

Walking for about 10 minutes from Ichijoji Kamishimatsu, you will see the intersection of Kitayama Dori and Shirakawa Dori with an AEON store on the west side. Passing through this intersection and past the first traffic light, you will see a long, narrow building marked “ba hütte.”.

F. Bookstore? A general store? Or a bar? Mysterious store, “ba hütte.”

“ba hütte.” is a store that is difficult to describe in a few words, but it is a combination of many things: a long, narrow store that fits two people side by side, lined with books and sundries, and an extensive list of natural wines that you can choose from and drink on the spot. Another pleasure of visiting the store is the natural wine, which you can choose from an extensive list and drink on the spot.

All of the books sold at Bakhütte are the favorite of the store’s owner. The lineup may be more eclectic than that of a regular bookstore, but that is also part of its charm. If you like looking at your friends’ bookshelves, you will probably have a lot of fun.

Look at the books, look at the sundries, and have a drink. It is a good idea to set aside such time for a peaceful holiday segment. And then you will be on your way home in a tipsy mood.

Click on the image for the official ba hütte. website

G. Shugakuin Station, Eizan Electric Railway

Leave ba hütte. and head south on Shirakawa Dori. Head west on Kitayama Dori, which you passed earlier. After a short walk, you will see a railroad crossing. This crossing is the Eizan Electric Railway/Shugakuin Station.

From this station, you can take the train further north to Iwakura or Kurama, or continue on to Demachiyanagi, where you can access the town center. You can continue walking or sightseeing, or go home. Go in any direction you like. Perhaps you may even choose your destination based on your feelings.

Anyway, let’s end this walk here.

Kyoto Stroll: A review of the Ichijyoji to Shugakuin stroll through unique bookstores

A.(Start) Ichijyoji Akanomiya bus stop
↓ 130m
B. Alibibooks
↓ 200m
C. Keibunsha
↓ 450m
D. Hagi Shobo
↓ 350m
E. Ichijyoji downpine
↓ 1km
F. ba hütte.
↓ 250m
G.(Start) Shugakuin Station, Eizan Electric Railway

Kyoto Stroll: Official site of the Ichijyoji to Shugakuin walk

・Alibibooks　Official X (formerly Twitter)：Click here

・Chinyu　Chinese noodle store　Official Site：Click here

・Keibunsha　Official Site：Click here

・ “Hagi Shobo”, the official website of Kyoto City Industrial Tourism Bureau “Kyoto-kan”.：Click here

・ba hütte.Official Site：Click here

Kyoto Stroll Ichijyoji to Shugakuin Stroll Recommended Nearby