Job Discussion Forums

naujokaitis · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 32 Location: london, ontario

Hello all,

I wanted to ask those who know, what is the deal with English novels in Japan? I enjoy reading and was wondering how accessible English novels are in Japan and how expensive they are. Either in book shops or even ordering online.

lenoreelux · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 44

I actually bought a Kindle and I just download English books. You can download books anywhere in Japan as long as you have a 3G connection which is pretty much everywhere. I think it is the easiest, cheapest and best way to get books IMO.

naujokaitis · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 32 Location: london, ontario

Hmmm, see I'm old school, don't like reading on electronic devices. I need an actual book in my hands.

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:47 am Post subject:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/search/ref=sr_ex_n_1?rh=i%3Aenglish-books%2Cn%3A!52231011&bbn=52231011&ie=UTF8&qid=1269240024

The internet is your friend if you can't find a large selection of books in English in local stores. And amazon.co.jp is good since they always have free shipping avaliable.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:27 am Post subject:

There are many bookshops like Kinokuniya and junkudo in the big cities but in the country side there are not many. Shocked

Hay! I did order some books from amazon but weirdly they haven't even shipped yet. Confused

Did you have that problem seklaria?

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:02 am Post subject:

I have ordered a variety of things from amazon.co.jp and never had a problem with getting stuff from them. I bought many things from them that have always arrived when they said. I even ordered stuff for next day delivery on a saturday and have it at my door Sunday lunch time.

I've bought everything from monitors, game consoles and books and it's been fine. But I've never tried to order anything that wasn't currently in stock and ready to ship within a day or two. Did you order something that wasn't in stock or had a 1 week+ shipping dates?

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

The Kinokuniya at Shinjuku station (Takashimaya Times Square) and the Junkudo in east Ikebukuro both have pretty good selections.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:41 am Post subject:

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

OP, that depends very much on where in Japan you are. Tokyo has a number of second-hand foreign book stores, plenty of normal book stores that stock foreign books, and in some areas even the libraries have foreign books. If you are in rural Saga prefecture for example though it will be a completely different story.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

naujokaitis,
Where are you?

Amazon.co.jp ships without shipping charges if you order over 1500 yen worth of books.

Prices on the shelves seem to be about 2 times the prices in the USA.

Others have given good info, but it depends where you are. In my town, by the way, there is only one bookstore that has any English novels at all, and the collection is limited to about 2 meter-long shelves. Regrettably, the selection is extremely thin.

Other than buy books or read online, you might also see what your local library has. I'm not promising anything, but it's another source. Also, how about where you work? Or does the city/town have a book exchange?

LaniB · Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 35

Bookdepository.com has free shipping worldwide, including Japan.
It's always cheaper than Amazon (even compares it's prices with Amazon on every book) and ships very quickly. My favourite place to get books and I've got all of my friends hooked on it Very Happy

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

You can also check used bookstores (I like to read, but don't feel like paying new book prices), though again, out of Tokyo, English books are harder to find. The libraries can be hit or miss, even the ones in Tokyo generally have very few English books. If you can get access to a university library, it can be better, but they tend to have books that you can't browse, you have to request books that you want with forms you give to the librarians.

robertokun · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 199

I'd guess if you're in a major city, you should have access to an English library at the international/cultural/whatever center in your town. I've read a lot of good books this year for free that way. If you do, don't forget to donate sometime...

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

naujokaitis · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 32 Location: london, ontario

bookdepository is great!!!
the prices are so good, cheaper than amazon and free shipping.

thank you LaniB