Kyoto’s annual Autumn Antiquarian Book Fair starts Thursday Oct. 30th at Chion-ji Temple – just a stone’s throw away from the Hyakumanben intersection. Though the majority of the books available (about 200,000 in all) are Japanese, there are always some English books available, as well as art books and ukiyo-e prints etc. The grounds of the temple are also a very peaceful and pleasant location in which to browse for bargains.
Dates: Thursday October 30 – Monday November 3
Location: Chion-ji Temple
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Access: Chion-ji Temple is on the north side of Imadegawa opposite Kyoto University. It’s a ten minutes walk east of Keihan Demachiyanagi Station, or 3 minutes from the Hyakumanben bus stop. (map)
This is one of three annual used book fairs held in Kyoto, the others being held in spring and summer. I have written about the summer sale here.
Nakagawa Non is the regular artist for the Book Fair flyers and I think you’ll agree that with her latest design (see above) she has done a lovely job. You can view more of her artwork at her site here: http://nonkimegane6-6.com/
Tertia says
October 30, 2014 at 9:57 pmThanks so much for this information. I went there today and I really liked it. I first went to the wrong temple (Chion-In!) and there a lady fortunately could tell we had to be at Chion-Ji. Oops.
There were more English books than I expected. Also, I bought 2 amazing books with woodblock prints, very cheap and very nice. Thanks for all the useful information you are giving on your website!
Michael Lambe says
October 30, 2014 at 9:59 pmGlad to be of service!
Joyce Carol says
September 8, 2015 at 5:30 amHello there!
any information about this event for the fall of 2015?
dates? same place?
thank you for your informative and interesting site.
Michael Lambe says
September 8, 2015 at 10:45 amHi Joyce,
Thanks for reminding me of this. Yes, it is the same location and dates this year. I just posted the new flyer here: http://www.deepkyoto.com/39th-autumn-antiquarian-book-fair-2015/