Job Discussion Forums

DoctorPayne · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2005 1:24 am Post subject: English Libraries?

Are there english libraries or english books in major city libraries (Osaka and area)?

Celeste · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2005 5:28 am Post subject:

In Fukuoka (a much smaller city than Osaka) we have English books available at the public library, bookstores, and the lending library at the international association. I'm sure Osaka must have the same.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Yeah, even the smallish (500,000 people) city I live in has a fairly decent selection of English books. Recent releases as well, they are always adding new books. I'd guestimate they had about 1000 English books.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

The city I live in (300,000) has a library with fewer English books than I personally (home and office) have in Japan. Perhaps less than 400 books and nothing newer than 1990.

kitano · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 86

The main Osaka public library has a great Foreign language section which is 90% English books. You can also get movies and cds. I'm not sure about the smaller branch libraries.

Rorschach · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 130 Location: Osaka

The main Municipal Osaka library is okay - it has a decent selection but what you see is what you get (not much considering the size of the place). It's decent and membership is free. There is Kinokuniya in Umeda and a score of stores in Shinsaibashi (Athens and another one I can't remember the name of, starts with J I think). There is a second hand bookseller in Kobe the has a decent selection of used literature but I have yet to go myself. If you are into American comics there is a great store in Sannomiya - I have done a lot of business there. All of the above are really exspensive. Your best bet is Amazon Japan - fantastic selection and a reasonable price on books. You don't need a credit card either, you can do COD.

DoctorPayne · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:46 pm Post subject:

thanks a lot for the info guys and girls, I consider myself educated.

sildentokyo1 · Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 9

Sorry to jump on this a little late, but since we're on the topic, does anyone know of any good libraries in Tokyo? Thanks!

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

Maruzen is a good bookstore in Osaka and Kobe.
I think Junkudo is in both cities.

Wantage Books is near Shin-Kobe station. They have used books.

Rorschach · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 130 Location: Osaka

Junkudo was what I was thinking of. In terms of selection Kinokuniya is the best, it also has a large selection of foreign magazines. Junkudo in Kobe isn't very good, just a lot of ELT material and movie screenplays. Junkudo in Shisaibashi on the otherhand is on par with Kinokuniya, lots of paperbacks to be had. Mazuren is decent but the selection is very small. Athens is a good medium sized store with a floor dedicated to foreign books. I'll have to check Wantage out, I have never been there.