Event Map (Front Side) for the 66th Kanda Used Book Festival 2026
A 500-Meter Corridor of Books Along Yasukuni-dori: The 66th Kanda Used Book Festival
Lined with over 100 book carts along Yasukuni-dori in Jimbocho, the "66th Tokyo Meibutsu Kanda Used Book Festival" will take place from October 23 to November 1, 2026. Browse through second-hand treasures along a roughly 500-meter "corridor of books," and stop by special exhibitions, live talks at the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan, or a student-run workshop making traditional Japanese stab-bound notepads during the festival period.
- Venue
- Kanda-Jimbocho (Kanda-Jimbocho Secondhand Book District), Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
- Admission & participation
- Shows confirmed participation fees. An overall general admission fee for the entire Kanda Used Book Festival is not specified in the materials.
HIGHLIGHTS
Event highlights
The "Corridor of Books" on Yasukuni-dori and Event Venue Map
The Kanda-Jimbocho secondhand book town is home to around 120 used bookstores, with about 120 shops taking part in the festival. Along Yasukuni-dori, more than 100 carts are set up, turning a roughly 500-meter stretch framed by storefronts and bookshelves into a bustling "corridor of books." Visitors can pick up and browse titles across a wide variety of genres prepared by specialty secondhand booksellers, searching for that one special volume. In total, over one million books are slated to be on display.
The open-air bargain book fair runs from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, closing at 17:00 on the final day. Because it is an outdoor event, it will be cancelled in the event of rain. Due to construction on the Iwanami Jimbocho Building, parts of the layout differ from previous years; checking the official event map before your visit will make it easier to locate the specific sections and activities you wish to see.
The Jimbocho Used Bookstore Association's official guide map, "JIMBOCHO Secondhand Bookshop MAP 2027," will be distributed for free starting in mid-October. Copies can be picked up at participating secondhand bookstores and at the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan. It is a helpful reference for locating specific shops as you explore the book town alongside the festival.
At the venue, limited-edition tote bags created in collaboration with Rilakkuma—an official tourism ambassador for the Chiyoda City Tourism Association—will also be on sale. Available in two designs, they are priced at 2,000 JPY each (tax included) and can be purchased at the Kanda Used Book Festival Headquarters Tent located in the Iwanami Naka venue. Type A goes on sale October 23 at 11:00, and Type B on October 30 at 10:00. Quantities are limited and may sell out.
Rotating Exhibitions and Talks at the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan
During the first half of the festival, from October 23 to 25, the "Special Selection Used Book Sale" will be held in the basement hall of the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan. This direct-sale exhibition brings together rare volumes from Japan and abroad, including classic manuscripts, handwritten documents, and modern first editions. Over the same dates, the "Book Town Cultural Heritage & Rare Book Exhibition" takes place on the second-floor Information Corner, showcasing rare volumes of museum and gallery caliber. Admission to this exhibition is free.
On October 25, the 7th-floor conference room will host "Hideyuki Kurata x En Mikami: Jimbocho Chat PART 11." Screenwriter Hideyuki Kurata and author En Mikami will discuss books and magazines spanning literature, mystery novels, sci-fi, manga, and the occult. The session is scheduled from 14:00 to 17:00, with an admission fee of 500 JPY (tax included) and capacity limited to 80 participants.
From October 27 to November 1, students from six universities in Chiyoda Ward will present "BOOK DIVE JIMBOCHO: A Bookshelf Adventure from Ground Zero" on the second-floor Information Corner. Along with panel displays detailing the history, literature, and antiquarian book culture of Jimbocho, the event offers walking guide maps covering local bookshops and kissaten (coffee houses), as well as a workshop for crafting traditional Japanese stab-bound notepads. Participation is free; the exhibit closes at 15:00 on the final day.
On the final day, November 1, the basement floor will host a talk titled "Ghost Stories and Horror: Their History and Evolution." Scheduled speakers include Natsuhiko Kyogoku, Unga Asamiya, Aki Kishimoto, and Daisuke Nitagai. The talk runs from 14:00 to 15:30 with an admission fee of 3,500 JPY (tax included) and a capacity of 120 people. Numbered admission tickets will be distributed starting at 12:00, with registration opening at 13:30.
EVENT INFORMATION
Dates & participation
Official title第66回 東京名物 神田古本まつり
| Dates | 2026-10-23〜2026-11-01 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Kanda-Jimbocho (Kanda-Jimbocho Secondhand Book District), Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo |
| Admission & Participation | Please check the official announcements |
| Address | Kanda-Jimbocho (Kanda-Jimbocho Secondhand Book District), Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo |
| Hours | Please refer to the official website. |
Fees & admission details
Exhibitions & Live Talks
- Book Town Cultural Heritage & Rare Book Exhibition
- Free
- Hideyuki Kurata x En Mikami: Jimbocho Chat PART 11
- 500円 (tax included)
- Ghost Stories and Horror: Their History and Evolution
- 3,500円 (tax included)
Hours, admission rules, and ticket availability are subject to change. Please check the official website before heading out.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE & TICKETS
Official website & tickets
Official event websitejimbou.infoACCESS
How to get there
Step-by-step guide
Set Your Schedule and Venues to Explore Jimbocho
- 01
Check the Venue Layout on the Official Map
Some locations have changed due to construction on the Iwanami Jimbocho Building. Review the official event map to confirm the exact location of the areas you plan to visit.
- 02
Select Your Travel Dates Based on Desired Programs
Exhibitions and talks at the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan run on specific dates, and the student exhibition closes at 15:00 on the final day. Check individual program schedules before making plans.
- 03
Plan Separately for the Outdoor Fair and Indoor Hall Events
The open-air bargain book fair on Yasukuni-dori will be cancelled in the event of rain. If you plan to attend indoor exhibitions or talks, verify the specific floor and date in the official event guide.
Detailed access info
Check the official venue list to find the location and transit directions for the specific site you plan to visit. Please review dates, hours, and travel information individually for each venue.
Kanda-Jimbocho (Kanda-Jimbocho Secondhand Book District), Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Multiple locations are not grouped into a single pin.
BEFORE YOU GO
Good to know before you go
Does the open-air bargain book fair take place if it rains?
The open-air bargain book fair is cancelled in the event of rain. The rain cancellation policy applies specifically to the outdoor market; indoor events held inside the hall are scheduled and announced separately.
Are all Kanda Used Book Festival programs held every day of the festival?
No, dates vary depending on the program. The Special Selection Used Book Sale and Rare Book Exhibition take place October 23–25, the Jimbocho Chat on October 25, the student-led project October 27–November 1, and the ghost stories and horror talk on November 1.
How much is admission?
General admission for the festival as a whole is not listed on the official page. For individual programs, the Rare Book Exhibition and the student-led project are free, the Jimbocho Chat is 500 JPY (tax included), and the ghost stories and horror talk is 3,500 JPY (tax included).
