Archive-name: books/stores/asian

Last change:
Thu Sep 19 13:05:12 EDT 1996

Additions:
	Seoul, Republic of Korea (The Ulchi Bookstore)
Changes:
	Tokyo, Japan (Kinokuniya Bookstore)

Danny Au maintains the Australian bookstores list at:
	http://www.anatomy.su.oz.au/danny/books/shops/index.html

============================================================================

Copies of this article may be obtained by anonymous ftp to rtfm.mit.edu
under /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/asian.Z.  Or, send email to
mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with "send
usenet/news.answers/books/stores/asian" in the body of the message.

============================================================================
Cities include (listed basically west to east, north to south by country,
alphabetically within country, but associated areas and language groups are
listed together; if anyone has a better ordering, let me know):

Jerusalem, Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel
Bangalore, India
Bombay, India
Delhi, India
Madras, India
Pune, India
Singapore
Jakarta, Indonesia
Bangkok, Thailand
Hong Kong
Beijing, People's Republic of China
Xi'an, people's Republic of China
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Nagoya, Japan
Osaka, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Taipei, Taiwan/Republic of China

[Note 1: I collected these comments from a variety of people.  I personally
have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you
buy a book you don't enjoy. :-)   Phone numbers and precise addresses can be
gotten by calling directory assistance for the appropriate city.  Call ahead
for precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.]

[Note 2: If you can add information for any of these, in particular
addresses when they are missing, please send it to me.]

[Note 3: I am cross-posting this to rec.arts.sf.written, but the bookstores
listed include *all* types of bookstores, so please don't tell me that a
particular store has a limited SF section unless I have specifically claimed
otherwise.  All references to science fiction are abbreviated SF for ease in
electronic searching.]

============================================================================

Jerusalem, Israel:

Steimatzky's (on Ben-Yehuda; on Jaffa Road; on King George Avenue).  *The*
	importer of English-language books for Israel.  Just look for a
	large green sign with "Steimatzky's" written in white in both
	languages. You can't get away from them.  They carry a decent
	selection of Hebrew and English books, although they are *extremely*
	expensive--$8 for a paperback?
Sefer ve-Sefel ("Book and Mug", on one of the tiny side streets near
	Ben-Yehuda; you're going to have to ask a local for directions,
	since it's one of the "in, up, and over" stores well off the
	street).  One of the best places to go.  A used/new bookstore-cum-
	cafe. They have a large selection of Judaica in both English and
	Hebrew, and a *huge* selection of fiction--novels, mystery, romance,
	and a SF section to shame many stores in the U.S.  Their prices are
	about the same as those in American used-book stores.

"Jerusalem is filled with small bookstores in every language, for every
price range and taste in reading.  I was a dusty and exhausted archaeology
sla--I mean, *volunteer*--so I hit most of the used-paperback stores.  I
got most of my directions from a friend, but I found out later that any good
guidebook will have a list of bookstores with directions, or at least
addresses--usually hidden and not indexed, but it's there."

============================================================================

Tel Aviv, Israel:

Dyonun Bookstore (Tel-Aviv University).
 
============================================================================

Bangalore, India:

Gangaram's (MG Road).  "One of the biggest book shops that I have seen in
	India.  Quite like a western departmental store."
Premier Book Shop (behind MG Road).  "A very good book shop.  I found this
	to have a good number of books, but it was a bit disorganized."
	Another poster adds, "However, the owner, a Mr Shanbag, can find
	any title you are interested in within seconds, and does a good
	line on offering a percentage off if he likes you!"  "I second the
	recommendation for Premier Book Shop in Bangalore, India.  It is
	very disorganized but the owner, Mr. Shanbag, can always locate a
	book for you, or order it.  And he gives discounts if you ask him
	nicely."

============================================================================

Bombay, India:

The Computer Book Shop (the Fort Road joining VT station to Flora Fountain).
	Has the most comprehensive selection of computer-related books.
Crossword (Mahalaxmi Chambers, Bhulabhai Desai Rd).  Crossword has a very
	large selection of books, but its main drawing point is its
	computerised library of all available titles.  It also offers a
	"Dial a Book" service by which you can order a book to be delivered
	to your doorstep the same day.  It stocks greeting cards, toys,
	compact discs and audio cassettes in addition to books.  It often
	organises "Meet the author" sessions or book readings by eminent
	personalities.  They don't offer the most competitive prices but
	it's well worth checking out.
Danai (Off Linking Rd, Khar).  Danai is another bookshop which is willing to
	order titles which may not be in stock.  They also have a large
	collection of magazines and music.  Quite a good collection of books
	but somewhat expensive too.
Lotus Book House (Bandra Reclamation, Bandra).  Lotus Book House has the
	reputation of being a more personalised version of Crossword and the
	convenience of being located at the halfway point of the city and
	suburbs.  It is perfect for browsing and offers a computerised
	ordering service.  "Easily offers the finest inventory of books
	especially some rather esoteric ones. If they don't have a book,
	they will tell you exactly when they will be able to procure it.
	It's in a pretty obscure location (somewhat hard to find) but it's
	well worth it."
Nalanda (Colaba).  A very good collection of books (but rather on the
	expensive side considering that it serves a very upmarket
	clientele).
Smokers Corner (a block from the Strand Bookstall).  Running since the 1940s
	or early 1950s, this is another of Bombay's institutions.  As well
	as being a bookstore, it also houses a small library....  This store
	offers the best deals for new books.  For instance on a lucky day,
	one could get an original unused/sealed copy of LABYRINTHS by Borges
	for Rs.25 (about US$0.75).
Strand Book Store (Dhannur, Sir.Pherozshah Mehta Road, about two blocks from
	the Computer Book Shop).  The most famous bookstore in Bombay.  It
	offers an impressive inventory of books.  Though small in size by
	American standards, the owners promise they can order any book that
	is available.  The store is constantly flooded by book enthusiasts
	and sometimes "bumping" becomes necessary. :-)
? (down the road towards Flora Fountain).  It is the "most" famous book
	shop in that area of Bombay.  Carries all the best sellers and
	general fiction/non-fiction books.

"By far the most frequented book location is the street aound Flora
Fountain.  This is a stretch of about 2 kilometers on which street vendors
have hawked books (for the past twenty or thrity years).  Approx
100,000-200,000 books are up for grabs everyday.  About 80% of the books are
used (thousands of books are sold/bought by these vendors).  Books of all
types, fiction, non-fiction, technical and non-technical books are
available.  Any self-respecting Bombaywallah would have bought at least one
book from these vendors at least once."

"This just covers a small section of south Bombay.  If I cover all the
bookstores in Greater Bombay itself (not in the outskirts/suburbs), I would
require at least two or three hours (not counting the typing :-) ).  I
could still cover the Lamingtoin Road area (and the Matunga area) which has
perhaps the finest collection of bookstores, selling technical books....  I
should mention, however, that the favourite haunt of book maniacs would be
the thousands(!!!!!!!!) of street vendors/stalls well littered all around
Bombay.  It is at these book"stores" that one can get the best
bargains/choice and the joy of finding a rare book that one has been
searching, for a throwaway price not to mention the atmosphere where one
can chat with other "hunters" whilst browsing through the books!  At one of
such vendors I picked up an original copy of VENUS IN FURS by Leopold von
Sacher-Masoch for a mere Rs.5 (about USD$0.16)!"

============================================================================

Delhi, India:

The Book Shop (in Khan Market).
The Bookworm (B-29 Connaught Place, 3322260).  Biggest collection of
	English-language paperbacks I saw in New Delhi.  Claimed to have
	Hindi books upstairs but I didn't see any.  "I strongly second the
	recommendation.  Mr. Anil Arora (the owner of the shop) is a very
	nice and helpful person. He is one of the few guys who has the
	titles in his computer's database.  Also has a SF section.  And yes,
	some Hindi books do exist upstairs.  The bargain sale price of
	hard-backs and classics is fantastic.  A good selection of Penguins
	and Pelicans too."
Galgotias (B-Block of Connaught Place). Good for technical books and general
	reading/fiction.  They are close to the Bookworm and next door to
	another bookstore (Capital Book Shop?).
Metropolitan Book Company (1 Nataji Subash Marg Darya Gang-2, 327-1661).
	Claims to be the largest bookstore in Delhi.  In the Old Delhi area.
Sehgals (in the South Extension market).
Teksons (in the South Extension market).

There are two other book shops on Janpath (close to Connaught Place). You
get bargain prices in the book shop that is close to the Indian Oil Bhawan.

"As with the cities above, there is at least one major bookshop in the
downtown area of any big city.  A rambling walk in the down-town area
is sure to turn it up.  Books are comparatively cheaper in India. The prices
in Germany are really atrocious. DM 20,- for a paper-back in English !!"
(They're also cheaper in India than in either the United States or Britain,
even for British books.  There is a shop that sells books at the airport,
and it's not a bad way to get rid of those final rupees.)

============================================================================

Madras, India:

Fountain Head (Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai or Edward Elliots Road near Jammi
	Buildings).  Started as a rival to Landmark to attract the young
	yuppie crowd.  Very similar to Lanmark, but is split into three
	levels and has a bargain section downstairs.
Higginbothams (Mount Road, a.k.a. Anna Salai).  India's largest bookstore in
	terms of area.  It has a good section on technical books on all
	subjects, but lacks the ambience and class of Landmark.  Has a good
	section on India, travel and tourism.  Also sells tapes and CDs of
	Indian classical music.  Very popular with tourists, partly because
	of its location.
The Karnatic Music Book Centre (14, Sripuram First Street, Royapettah
	(near Ajantha Hotel), Madras 600 014, +91-44-826-0147).
	"The owner, Mr. T.N. Balasubramanian speaks English well and is
	very helpful and knowledgeable about South Indian Classical music,
	also known as 'Karnatik Music.'"
LandMark (Nungambakkam High Road near the U.S. counsulate).  Truly a
	landmark, for the young and the restless, and the old alike.
	It's your best bet for foreign books.  It boasts of a wide variety
	of books on almost every subject, very nicely classified, spacious,
	and a quite ambience without any nosy salesperson.  Also has a
	section on gift articles and children's toys and books.  If you
	can't find it at Landmark, chances are that you will not find it in
	Madras.  Good collection of paperbacks, omnibus and a seperate
	section on computer books.
Moore Market. "I dont know how much of it is left, but was the *definitive*
	treasure house for rare books in India before a fire burnt the
	place.  A lot of books were destroyed, but a few shops still remain,
	and you can take a chance.  I found the entire collection of the
	original Faust (both versions by Reynolds and Goethe) for a measly
	300 Rs. (US$10). 

"What to Avoid: American Book House and Kennedy Book House on Mount Road,
where the sales people are very nosy and pester you into either buying
a book or ask you not to loiter around reading books. I walked out in
disgust!"

Also Madras has a very famous book fair in Dec-Jan (Dec 15 to Jan 15
usually, but dates vary).  So if you are there around that time, check that
out. There is a 10-15% discount on all books at that time.

There are many speciality book stores too, but these are your best bets.

[Most of the section was contributed by Balaji ThirumalaiKumara
<bthiruma@beatles.edaca.ingr.com>.]

============================================================================

Pune, India:

The International Bookhouse (Fergusson College Rd by the Garware flyover).
	Great, takes credit cards, and will ship your books home for you.
Manny's Bookseller (in Camp).
Oxford Press Showroom.

[This section was contributed by Cheryl Mandala <cmandala@macalstr.edu>.]

============================================================================

Singapore:

Book Chamber (1 Coleman #03-07, The Adelphi, Singapore 0617).  Probably
	the only and best place in Singapore for old and rare books.  Good
	selection, reasonable prices and friendly (couple) management.  If
	you're looking for a first edition of, say, Edward Gibbon's DECLINE 
	AND FALL, this is the place in Singapore to look.  They do ordering
	too. Most of the stock is from the US and UK, personally selected by
	the owner himself and his "book scouts."
Book World (Boat Quay).  Great selection of German and French books.
Campus Bookstores (National University of Singapore).  Best technical
	bookstores.  "Theoretically, you can get any book you want in
	Singapore if you are willing to order and wait for a few weeks for
	it to arrive, and the price will more expensive than buying in US
	if they have to order from US.  However, some publishers do have
	local student editions (mostly paperback) that is significantly
	cheaper than you can get in US.  Don't expect to find much (if any)
	Springer Verlag books there; McGraw-Hill and Addison-Wesley have
	larger selection there.  I am not too sure about World-Scientific."
	"They have some international editions at great prices, but the
	selection is very limited."
Computer Book Centre (Funan Centre).  Excellent selection of computer books.
Kinokuniya (Raffles City, at the Sogo Supermarket; Shaw House, Lido Cinemas,
	Isetan; Liang Court, River Valley Road, The New Otani Hotel; and
	Parangon Mall, Orchard Road).  Like everywhere else in the world,
	these stores are very good.
Popular Bookstore (Bras Basah, near to Raffles City MRT stop and the
	refurbished Raffles Hotel, and other outlets).  "The prices were not
	that competitive compared to Hong Kong (or even Sydney!), but it was
	the largest bokstore I came across, and there were other large
	bookstores in the same building."  "Popular Bookstores are mostly
	stationery and only carry a few books, half of which are Chinese.
	They cater more to textbooks and schoolbooks."
San Bookshop (Funan Centre).  A very good shop for used (second-hand books
	or rental).
Select Books (the third floor of the Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin
	Road, #03-15, Singapore 1024, 65-732-1515, FAX 65-736-0855).  "This
	is the only bookstore I've visited where I would like to order 'one
	of everything.'  It is a remarkable collection of social sciences,
	political science, architecture and art of Asia, currently and in
	history.  For Asia buffs, there is nothing better."
Sultana Book Store (Paradise Centre).  A *very* messy place.  But if you
	find something rare, you'll probably get it for an outrageously low
	price.
World Scientific Publisher.  Unfortunately, they don't have a proper
	showroom.  You can go to their warehouse, which is kind of far.
	They sometimes have some books at the campus bookstore.

The two main chains are Times and MPH.  All the Times stores are
typical chain stores, but the MPH at Stamford Rd is probably the best
bookstore in town.

There are several computer bookstores at Sim Lim Square shopping center
(Bencoolen St & Rochor Rd) and Sim Lim Towers (Jalan Besar & Rochor Rd),
quality of selection very good to so-so.

"It's difficult to find good bookstores in Singapore.  Most stores are
chain stores with a limited selection.  The used books stores mostly
carry paperback fiction.  Books tend to be expensive.  The only
redeeming feature is that some books are available in international
editions. In particular, computer books are much cheaper than in the
US.  Bras Basah has lots of stores, some of them used and some of them
with a good Chinese selection."

[Most of this section was contributed by Helmer Aslaksen
<mathelmr@nusunix.nus.sg>.]


============================================================================

Jakarta, Indonesia:

Click and Drag Books (upstairs in Plaza 21 Shopping Centre, next to Glodok
	Plaza, in the downtown Kota area).  A fair selection of computer
	books.  A similar but perhaps inferior selection is a shop on the
	third floor of Glodok Plaza itself.
Gramedia (Blok M and Pondok Indah Mall).  A chain that carries some
	English-language titles with an emphasis on business-related titles
	and academic textbooks.
Gunung Agung.  A chain that carries some English-language titles with an
	emphasis on business-related titles and academic textbooks.
Kinokuniya (in the Sogo department store on the 2nd floor of Plaza
	Indonesia).  A bookshop carrying both English language and Japanese
	books and magazines.  It's not cheap and the selection is smaller
	than the Singapore branches.
Maruzen (first floor of the Wisma Koei Prince office building, Jalan
	Sudirman).  Carries English-language and Japanese books.  Similar to
	Kinokuniya but slightly smaller.  "I believe they are planning to
	open a second larger branch soon in a new development next to the
	existing Pasarya department store in Blok M."
Rubino (several near-identical branches mainly in shopping centres).  A
	magazine store carrying cheap US paperbacks as well.  "I'm not sure
	the magazine selection is better than the Times Bookshop but it does
	carry a different selection of titles."
Scientific Bookshop (Jalan Melawai IV, Blok M).  Carries a big stock of
	(sometimes dated) academic (including social sciences, etc.)
	textbooks but getting what you are after is a bit erratic.  As in
	Gramedia some Asian student editions are available and priced
	competitively but other titles can be prohibitively expensive.
Times Bookstore (Plaza Indonesia, Jalan Thamrin; Pondok Indah Shopping Mall,
	South Jakarta).  Like its sister in Singapore, this is basically a
	best-sellers/picture books/how-to bookstore.  You can get many types
	of magazines, but there is a better magazine store (Rubino) near the
	escalators from the basement to the main level in the Plaza
	Indonesia.  Both branches are smaller than their Singapore relations
	with a smaller stock and higher prices."

There is a small chain of bookstores operating under various names with
limited ranges of books very similar to Times the bookshop.  An example is
the Family Bookshop at Kemang Club Villas in South Jakarta.  I believe the
same company run the newsstands in some of the international hotels which
carry reasonable ranges of international newspapers.

A second-hand book store sells mainly English language paperbacks at
reasonable prices located in Jalan Kemang Bangka I in Kemang.  The American
Womens Association have a selection of second-hand books for expats at
their thrift shop at Jalan Gaharu I, number 15, Cipete Selatan (and a
lending library for members).  I understand there is English Language
Teaching Materials specialist called Triad located at the Slipi building on
Jalan Parman in the Slipi area but I have never been there.

"Overall, finding English language books in Jakarta is a frustrating
experience with limited selections at mostly expensive prices. A major
barrier to the development of the book business here is that many
photocopying shops exist that will copy and bind whole books incredibly
cheaply (about 2c a page or less).  This greatly limits the market for
original purchases."

[Most of this section was contributed by Simon Delay
(sdelay@server.indo.net.id).]


============================================================================

Bangkok, Thailand:

Asia Books (between soi 15 and Soi 17 on Sukhumvit Rd).  A Bangkok
	institution, one of the best collections of Western paperbacks in 
	Thailand.  Crummy for textbooks, however.

[This section was contributed by Darius Teter (darius@unixg.ubc.ca).]


============================================================================

Hong Kong:

Bloomsbury (Alexandra House) on the first floor near the elevators, on the
	right as you come in from Prince's Building).  Specializes in
	professional books (e.g., law and business), but also contains books
	on the English language like dictionaries, dictionaries of
	quotations, "The History of the English Language", etc.
Bookazine (Alexandra House on the first floor near the elevators, on the
	right as you come in from Prince's Building; Prince's Building, on
	the second floor on the right side of the building if you go up the
	escalators).  General bookstore and stationery shop, selling
	everything from SF to magazines to sport books, etc..
Cave's Books (main store: Ferry Street, just north of Jordan Road; small
	store: Central MTR station, near entrance at Mandarin Oriental
	Hotel).  Technical.
Commercial Press (main store: North Point; branch: Sha Tin Town Centre
	(near Yaohan's).  Learning materials for Chinese language.
Cosmos Books (Wanchai near the MTR).  Has two floors.  The basement holds 
	Chinese books and the second floor has English books.  Cosmos also
	has a store in Central and it carries a lot of educational materials
	for the local schools.
The Government Publications Centre (GPO building next to the Star Ferry).
	This is not your typical bookstore but it has some really neat
	government publications as well as books about Hong Kong and
	China.  Great place to get some maps.  You can also pick up a Hong
	Kong Yearbook here (~HK$50).
Hong Kong Art Museum (in the Cultural Center at the bottom of Nathan Road,
	on Salisbury Road) has a good art bookstore.  You can go in without
	going into the museum.
HK Book Centre (Hong Kong side, near Central MTR Station; take MTR to
	Central MTR Station, exit to World Wide House on De Voeux Road
	Central, proceed East (right) along the north side of the street a
	very short distance to entrance of store below street level).
	General.
InfoSources (VicWood Plaza, near Sheung Wan MTR station).  Technical.
Joint Publishing (in Tsuen Wan above the Pizza Hut in the Fou Wah
	building).  Has some English language books (but not many).  It
	specialises in books published in China.  The books from China are
	interesting especially if you notice the publishing dates are
	usually related to the topics.
South China Morning Post Bookshop (Star Ferry, HK side).
Swindon's (Kowloon side, Tsim Sha Tsui, Lock Road; take MTR to Tsim Sha
	Tsui Station, exit MTR station at Kowloon Mosque, proceed one block
	west along Haiphong Road, turn south (left) 13-15 Lock Road.  Store
	is on the right about halfway to Peking Road.)  General.  Carries
	British and US imports as well as books published in the Far East
	in English, primarily on Oriental topics.  A good place to stock up
	on the Chinese classics.  Other branches of Swindon's located on
	Queen's Road, 246 Deck 2 Ocean Terminal, 310 and 346 Ocean Centre,
	and Shop KP1-3 Star Ferry (Tsim Sha Tsui).
Times Book Centre (in HK Club Building, diagonally across from the
	Legislative Council Building at the corner of Nathan and Granville).
YMCA (Kowloon, 41 Salisbury Road, just west of the Peninsula Hotel, enter
	from Salisbury road, at front of building).  Small but pleasant
	tourist-oriented bookshop. 

"I was told by a friend that the Englsh School Foundation (the folks who run
the schools for ex-pats) has a small bookstore in one of the schools.  Good
bargain if you find a way to get in.  When I was in Hong Kong a couple of
years ago, I came across a few used bookstores near Hollywood Road.  I found
a couple interesting books that were published in the 50's.  Even you can't
find the bookstores, you can go for a walk in the neighborhood.  In Mongkok,
you can find numerous bookstores, some are on mobile carts.  However, most
of them only carry English textbooks, reference books or Chinese books."

"By the way, if you have a chance to go to Macau, make sure you check out
the bookstores there.  I can't remember the names of the stores, but there
aren't too many, just look them up from the telephone directory or ask at
the tourist office."

[Most of the section was contributed by Bruce Balden (balden@wimsey.com).
Please send all corrections/changes to him as well as to the poster of
this.]


===========================================================================

Beijing, People's Republic of China:

Foreign Languages Bookstore (235 Wangfujing, the shopping district next
	to the Beijing Hotel).  Foreign Language Bookstores are found all
	over China, but there main business is selling language courses to
	Chinese Students.  This one in Beijing also stocks some
	English-language magazines, maps and guide books.
Friendship Store (17 Jiangguomenwai, ground floor).  One of the best
	selections of magazines and general fiction paperbacks.  They even
	have special sections for mystery/SF, something unheard of
	anywhere else in China.  Here is also one of the best places for
	locally published and richly illustrated books about China's
	sights.

Also, like everywhere else in China, it's worth checking out the big
international hotels, some of those have small selections of paperbacks.

[This section was contributed by Thomas Sturm (mf101@fim.uni-erlangen.de).]


===========================================================================

Xi'an, people's Republic of China:
Foreign Language Bookstore (it's on the right side as you walk along Dong
	Dajie in the direction of the Bell Tower, near the Friendship
	Store).  Very, very small selection of English books in the first
	room.  Walk through the doorway at the end of the room, past the
	stairs, and you enter the "forbidden" room, which is unguarded in
	this store!  Here you'll find lots of illegal copies of recent
	American scientific text books, which you'll have to smuggle out of
	the country, since they all have a stamp that tells you to not take
	the book out of China ... an average 300-page book costs about
	$1-$2!  Most Foreign Language Bookstores seem to have such a
	section, but usually they are guarded by a frail old lady who
	raises hell when a foreigner approaches.  Good Luck! :-)

[This section was contributed by Thomas Sturm (mf101@fim.uni-erlangen.de).]


===========================================================================

Shanghai, People's Republic of China:

Peace Hotel (20 Nanjing Donglu, near the Bund).  There's a tiny bookstore
	on the second floor with a small selection of general fiction and
	SF paperbacks.
Friendship Store (40 Beijing Donglu).  Basically the same selection as the
	Peace Hotel.  There are also some books about Shanghai's history
	which are hard to find outside Shanghai.

[This section was contributed by Thomas Sturm (mf101@fim.uni-erlangen.de).]


===========================================================================

Seoul, Republic of Korea:

I'tae Won Foreign Book Store (533 I'tae Won-dong, yongsan-gu, 793-8249).  "A
	good used book store across the street from Gate #3 of Yongsan Army
	Garrison.  Because there are so many GIs close to the store, it
	carries a good selection of American fiction, and has a whole wall
	of SF, much of it out of print.  They also have few books about
	various Japanese animation series in good condition for less than
	you'd pay for them in Japan.  As always, though, their stock varies
	quite a bit."
Jongro Book Store (about 2 or 3 blocks east of Kyobo Building).  "Covers six
	floors of a building (I think)."
Kyobo Book Store (basement of the Kyobo building--it's a big red brick
	building located between the Chosun hotel and the US Embassy.
	Citibank is housed on the upper floors).  The entire basement is one
	bookstore, but gives the impression of "many small bookstores"
	because the store is sectioned by books of different topics.  Thus
	each "section" will have its own cashier, helpers, etc.  "They had a
	good selection of English Language books--I bought Knuth's Vol 1-3
	books there."
The Ulchi Bookstore (in the underground shopping mall of the Ulchiro-1-ga
	subway station). "It's got a wonderful selection of English books:
	everything from Lonely Planet Guides to Korean language instruction 
	to science textbooks to recently published novels.  Not as big (nor
	as manic) as Kyobo, but with a friendly, accessible staff who will
	help you with your purchase if necessary.  Enter across the street
	from the Lotte Hotel, on the Doosan Building corner, and you'll see
	it when you descend on your left."
? (almost directly between Kyobo and Jongro book stores).  "This place
	specializes in technical/scientific textbooks.  You'll find many
	(hopefully legal) copies of textbooks used in American universities.
	I don't know the name of this place.  From the outside, it looks
	pretty scanky.  (Not nearly as fancy or large as Kyobo.)"
? "Good used book store across the street from Gate #3 of Yongsan Army
	Garrison.  Because there are so many GIs close to the store, it
	carries a good selection of American fiction, and has a whole wall
	of SF, much of it out of print."


============================================================================

Nagoya, Japan:

Maruzen (one block south, three blocks west of Sakae Station--entrances on
	Hirokoji-dori and Gofukucho-dori, local phone 261-2251).  Department
	store, but two floors of books.  Third floor (second floor British)
	is foreign-language books.  

============================================================================

Osaka, Japan:

Asahi Bookstore (Umeda; south of the JR Osaka Station, visible from the
	large pedestrian overpass near the taxi waiting area on the east
	side of the street, across from the Hanshin department store).
	Seven floors.
Kinokuniya Bookstore (Umeda; beneath the Hankyu Railway platform).  One
	(big) floor.

============================================================================

Tokyo, Japan (city code 03, country code +81):

American Pharmacy (1-8-1 Yuraku-cho, Chiyoda-ku 3271-4034).  Has English
	magazines and bestseller/general fiction.
Biburosu (in front of the JR Takadanobaba station, 3200-4531).  English-
	language books.  (The name is the Japanese version of "Byblos.")
	Open Mon-Sat 10:30-19:30, Sun, hol 11-18:30.  Closed third Monday
	of each month.
The BookShelf (1-14-13 Kaitori, Tama-shi, Tokyo, Japan 206, (0423) 38-1005,
	FAX (0423) 38-1006).  "This one is a book-ordering service that will
	also run used book searches with bookstores in the U.S.  This is the
	place to find out-of-print and hard-to-find titles.  It is operated
	by the same people who used to run the Bookworm.  Staff is excellent
	in either English or Japanese.
Bunseido (Osaki New City, 10605 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku 5460-5421).
Dragon's Egg (3-3-33 Asagaya Minami #302, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan 166;
	seven minutes from JR Asagaya station's South exit, one minute from
	Minami-Asagaya station on the Marunouchi line, near the Suginami
	ward office, just off the Ome Kaido, 3393-3344).  "This used book
	shop, the successor to the Bookworm, is small, well-ordered and
	located up an almost hidden stairwell.  It accepts trade-ins of
	paperbacks only and has a respectable selection of SF.  The
	proprietor will search for titles sent by postcard and mail them to
	you.  It will soon be listed on-line through TWICS, the first
	public-access Internet system in Japan.  It caters to a slightly
	more literary crowd than the Library, but also accepts comic books."
	Open Fri-Tue 11-19.
The English Resource (2-3-2-201 Sagamidai Sagamighara-Shi Kanagawa-Ken 228,
	0427-44-8898, FAX 0427-44-8897).  Located in a Tokyo Suburb, about
	forty minutes on Odakyu line from Shinjuku Terminal, three-minute
	walk from Odakyu-Sagamihara Station.  Best source of
	English-language textbooks, teaching aids, etc. in Japan.  Serves
	language schools and teachers all around Japan through mail-order
	service.  Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 11-17, Sat-Sun-Hol 12-19.
Furansu (3 minutes from Shinjuku station, 3346-0396).  French-language
	books.  Open Mon-Fri 10-18.
Ginnan Shobo (a.k.a. Icho Shoten) (1-16-37 Naka, Kunitachi-Shi, south of JR
	Chuo Line Kunitachi Station, on right side of main street,
	two-minute walk from station, +81-425-72-1091).  Tiny store, but
	beautiful collection of foreign (non-Japanese) picture books.  Also
	used books, mostly economics and business.
Goethe (in front of the JR Tokyo station, 5/F of Marunouchi Bldg,
	3211-8481).  German-language books.  Open Mon-Fri 9:30-17:30,
	Sat 9:30-15.  (But one person says, "I searched for days but I was
	not able to locate it.")
INEA/JENA (5-6-1 Ginza, Chuuou-ku; Ginza (subway), Yuurakucho (JR);
	3571-2980).  English books in general.  Open Mon-Sat 10:30-19:50,
	Sun 12:30-18:45.  Closed holidays.
Italia (5 minutes from Jimbouchou subway station, 3262-1656).  Italian,
	Spanish, and Portuguese books.  Open Mon-Fri 9:30-17, Sat 9:30-15.
	Closed first and third Staurdays of each month.
Itoya (2-7-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku 3561-8311).
Kinokuniya Bookstore (3-17-7 Shinjuku, Shinkjuku-ku; Exit B7 from Shinjuku
	Subway station (Marunouchi Line), 3354-0131,
	http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp).  English and other non-Japanese
	books and periodicals on the 6th floor (5th floor British).  Broad		selection.  Open 10-19.  Closed on third Wednesday of each month.
Kitazawa Bookstore (2-5 Kanda-Jinboucho, Chiyoda-ku; Jinboucho (subway);
	3263-0011, 3263-0017 (rare book section)).  Specializes in
	literature written in English.  Foreign books only, little or no
	Japanese books.  Also has the rare book section in second floor.
Koureishorin (40 meters from west exit of JR Suidoubashi station,
	3262-6801).  Korean-language books.  Open Mon-Fri 9-18, Sat 9-15.
The Library (Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan; near Ogikubo station's South Exit on
	the JR Chou line and subway Marunouchi line, 3391-2164).  "Dave's
	place takes a while to get used to, but it is a good source of used
	paperbacks.  It usually opens around 5 PM and serves very good
	home-made salsa on quesadillas when the cook is working, also serves
	Sapporo beer on tap.  It's a one-room bar/used book store, with a
	crowd of reasonably friendly regulars at the bar. Also has a
	reputation for being a good place for Japanese girls to practice
	their English without getting hit on too heavily.  The book
	selection is a little bit of everything, but has some SF.  Accepts
	trade-ins.  It is located on the third floor over an Indian
	restaurant, down a side street to the left coming from the station
	coming from the Royal Host restaurant."  Open Tue-Sun 15-00.
Mananteiaru (2 minutes from JR Ichigaya station, 3264-0788).  Spanish-
	language bookstore.  Open Mon 12-18, Tue-Sat 10-18.
Maruzen Bookstore (2-3-10 Nihobashi, Chuuou-ku; Exit ?? from Nihombashi
	Station, opposite Takshimaya on street level, 3272-7211).  Head
	office of the major bookstore chain.  Many branches around Japan.
	Japanese/English books in general.  Largest selection of English
	technical books in Tokyo area.  English and other non-Japanese books
	and periodicals on 2nd floor (1st floor British).  Broad selection.
Mathematica (Yushima 4-1-22, next to Tokyo university Hongo Campus,
	3916-3724).  "You guessed it, this is one of the very few bookstores
	in the world that sells only math books.  The selection is
	fantastic, but the prices are extremely high."
Mekurenburugu (3 minutes from Hibiya subway station, 3591-8666).  German
	language books.  Open Mon-Fri 9:30-18, Sat 9:30-17.
Nisshindo Philosophical Books (2-7, Jinboucho, Kanda, Chiyodaku, Jinboucho
	(subway), 3261-6246, FAX 3261-6347).  Specializes in philosophy and
	Greek/Roman classics.  Foreign books only, little or no Japanese
	books.
Oumei-sha (3 minutes from west exit of JR Iidabashi station, 3262-7276).
	French-language books.  Open Mon-Fri 9:30-17:50, Sat 9:30-16:30.
Sanchuudou (3 minutes from Kyobashi station of the Ginza line, 3271-1981).
	Korean-language books. Open Mon-Sat 11-19 .
Sanseido (1-1 Kanda-Jinboucho, Chiyoda-ku, 4 minutes from Jimbouchou subway
	station, 3233-3312).  Largest bookstore in Jinboucho bookstore area
	(but only a few English books).  Open Wed-Mon, 10-18.
Takashimaya (2-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku 3211-4111 ext. 5555).
Tower Books (Shibuya).
Charles E. Tuttle (Tatoru) (1-3 Kanda Jinbouchou, Chiyoda-ku, 3 minutes from
	Jimbouchou subway station, 3291-7071).  "Publishes many books in
	English about Japan and the Orient and translations of Japanese
	literature.  I haven't been to the store itself, but the titles they
	publish are very good."  Open Mon-Sat 10:30-18.
Wave (Roppongi; Exit ?? from Roppongi Station).  English-language books and
	periodicals on 4th floor (3rd floor British).  Very narrow
	selection, catering mainly to arts related materials--photography,
	music, art.
Wise Owl Books (fourth floor of the Shineido Bookstore, across the square
	from Ikebukuro station's East exit, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 5391-2960).
	"This shop is a friendly alternative to Kinokuniya for new books,
	periodicals and comics.  It has only one room, but the staff is much
	more helpful and has better English ability.  They seem more on top
	of ordering books too."
Wonderland (1 minute from Jimbouchou subway station, 3233-2507).  English-
	language books.  Open Mon-Sat 10:30-18:30, Sun, hol 10:30-18.
	Closed first and third Mondays of each month.
Yaesu Book Center (2-5-1 Yaesu, Chuuou-ku, Tokyo (JR), Kyoubashi (subway),
	3281-1811).  Japanese/English books in general.  Good selection of
	English technical books.  Open Mon-Sat 10h-19h.
Yosho Biblos/Akasaka (Akasaka Park Building, 5-2-20 Akasaka, Minato-ku
	5573-8821).
Yurindou (Landmark Tower, Yokohama (few minutes from the Sakurakichou
	station)).  English-language books.
Yurinsha (Hongo 5-28-1, next to Tokyo University Hongo Campus, 3814-0275).
	"This is one of the very few bookstores in the world that sells only
	math books. The selection is fantastic, but the prices are extremely
	high."

"Jimbocho (Jimbouchou) to books is Akihabara to electronic gizmos.  Truly a
bookworm's paradise.  The most direct way to get to Jimbouchou is to take
the Shinjuku subway line from the Shinjuku station.  Get off at the
Ochanmizu station if you're taking JR."  "A faster way is to take the subway
(Toei Mita, Toei Shinjuku, or Hanzomon lines) to Jimbocho station.  You exit
the station and are on the street where most of the Jimbocho bookstores are
located."

"Call the bookstores first to confirm opening hours and to ask for
directions.  Since most of them are specialized in a certain foreign
language, I'd suspect that the store-keepers are fluent that language."

"In Japan apartments are small.  That makes used books very appealling, you
can rotate them through and keep some open space in your rabbit hutch.  I
figure why pay the full Kinokuniya price just to be ignored.  I've heard of
some good stores in Shimokitazawa, but don't know anything definite.  The
Toshima-ku Central Library, near JR Otsuka station, has a few English
periodicals and a very small English book section."

"First of all when buying new foreign books be sure to shop around.
Foreign books are going to be expensive anywhere in Tokyo but I have
discovered huge price differences between stores at times.  Recently I saw
the same book for 3000 yen at one store and 5000 yen at another.  In
general I've found Kitazawa to be a relatively good deal compared to
Maruzen/Tuttle/Kinokuniya.  But it varies a lot depending on the book,
sometimes for little apparent reason.  The general rule I go by is that if
something seems absurdly expensive (rather than ridiculously expensive like
everything else in this country) you can probably get it cheaper elsewhere.
"

[Most of the section was contributed by Wayne Lui <waynelui@nttica.ntt.jp>
and Steven Fossoy <fossoy@tanuki.twics.co.jp>.]

============================================================================

Taipei, Taiwan/Republic of China:

Bookman Books, Ltd. (5, Lane 62, Rossevelt Rd. Sec. 4, Taipei; 2F-5, No.88,
	Hsin-sheng S. Rd. Sec. 3, Taipei).  One of the famous bookstores
	selling books in English and other "foreign" languages (i.e., not in
	Chinese).  Lots of literature text, fiction, poem, textbook
	(reading, writing, etc) especially literature theories and critique.
Caves Books, Ltd. (103, Chungshan N. Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei 5414754, 5371666).
	Near a university which many foreigners attend.  They sell many
	textbooks, English books about Taiwan/China, and many English
	translations of Chinese books.  Mentioned in the Lonely Planet
	Guide.
The Eslite Bookstore (249, Sec. 1, Dun-hua S. Rd, Taipei; 1 Kuan-chien Rd.,
	Taichung--*not* Taipei).  One of the largest bookstores in Taipei
	and Taichung.  Though various kinds of books are sold, fine art is
	its celebrated category (e.g., books from Taschen Verlag).

[Most of the section was contributed by Deng Liu
(dengliu@solar.csie.ntu.edu.tw).]


============================================================================
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============================================================================

Evelyn C. Leeper | +1 908 957 2070 | eleeper@lucent.com

-- 
Evelyn C. Leeper    |  eleeper@lucent.com
+1 908 957 2070     |  http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4824
"El sueno de la razon produce monstruos."
--caption to plate 43 of Goya's "Caprichios"
