From Japan to India, explore Asia’s most beautiful book towns where literature comes alive in streets, cafés, and markets.
As readers, we’re all used to seeing bookstores and libraries wherever we travel. But in Asia, things go a step further with the continent’s assortment of booktowns. These literary settlements cater to every kind of bibliophile, where whole corners of cities are carved out for all things to do with the written word.
From South Korea’s iconic Paju Book City to the lively College Street Book Market in Kolkata, here are our favorite booktowns in Asia.
Jimbōchō Book Town (Tokyo, Japan)
Located in the Kanda-Jinbōchō district of Chiyoda, Jimbōchō Book Town is one of the first stops every well-read traveler makes upon arriving in Tokyo. Dubbed one of the world’s biggest booktowns, this part of the Japanese capital once housed just a handful of shops, but over time it grew into the sprawling book district it is today. Around 150 bookstores are now believed to be established in Jimbōchō.
If you’re planning a visit, we’ve put together A Book Lover’s Guide to Jimbocho Book Town, with everything you need to explore the area at your own pace, including where to browse and even where to stay overnight. Book Hotel Jimbocho is one accommodation we can’t recommend enough. When you check in online before your arrival, you can fill out a form for their book-matching service, allowing the staff to select books tailored to your tastes for your stay.
When it comes to browsing, Kitazawa Bookstore is a reliable choice for foreign literature, as they have around 12,000 titles ready to purchase. Another one to keep an eye out for is Yaguchi Shoten. It has earned a reputation on social media for its window-facing shelves that sit beautifully against exposed brick walls.
Address: 2 Chome-20-26 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan
Paju Book City (Paju, South Korea)
When Paju Book City was first established in South Korea in 1989, few could have predicted quite how far it would go. The original goal was to push the country’s book publishing scene forward, and by most measures, it well and truly delivered.
A good starting point when you come to Paju Book City is the Forest of Wisdom, which holds over 500,000 books donated by leading intellectuals. Among the topics covered are history, philosophy, and more. One thing I think you’ll really like about this spot, besides its fine mix of literature, is the shelving with cube sections. It adds a warm, charming feel to the space you’ll appreciate.
After wandering around Paju, Milkeubug book café is the perfect place to pause. Settle in next to their carefully curated selection and try one of their aromatic coffees!
Address: 145 Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
College Street Book Market (Kolkata, India)
Anyone visiting Kolkata can’t leave without walking through the College Street Book Market. This roughly 1.5 km stretch is lined on both sides with stalls packed with literature sold at relatively low prices. It’s also regularly cited as the largest second-hand book market on the planet.
Take on the Bengali humidity and move at your own pace through the stands. Many of them are set up much like street food stands you’d find anywhere across India, except here, instead of grub, it’s books. There are physical stores too, including publishers like Techno World that showcase a great variety of texts.
One stop that stuck with me when I visited College Street Book Market was the Indian Coffee House. This historic café has served for decades as a gathering place for readers and writers. It’s had its fair share of challenges over the years, but it’s still standing strong.
Address: College St, Lalbajar, Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, India
Bosu Book Street (Busan, South Korea)
Established during Busan’s time as the country’s capital, Bosu Book Street remains a highlight of any visit to the city. When you step onto this avenue, you’re immediately surrounded by literature from all angles, whether it’s a new release or a used classic from your favorite author.
As you’ll see when researching, there aren’t many stores from Bosu Book Street listed on Google. It’s more of a place where local vendors sell through their independent shop windows, with minimal online advertising.
At some point while wandering around Bosu Book Street, you’ll come across the steps, which are a well-known photo spot. Just be prepared to queue for a few minutes on weekends if you’re interested in getting your picture taken.
Try to time your visit to coincide with the Bosu-dong Culture Festival, usually held in the third week of October. This event transforms Bosu Book Street, with authentic experiences like bookmaking workshops that are sure to add something unique to your visit.
Address: Bosu-dong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
In District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street tends to find its way onto most book lovers’ itineraries during a trip to Vietnam.
A stroll down here will take you past plenty of booths, including Little Cats Bookstore, which is great if you’re looking to update your collection of English-language titles.
To cool off, Đẹp Café is a good call for a cà phê sữa đá. This is a Vietnamese classic iced coffee made with condensed milk that goes down as an absolute treat when settling in for a quiet read.
While you’re in this part of Ho Chi Minh City, the neighboring Central Post Office is worth a quick detour. Many visitors like to walk here after exploring the Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street to send a postcard home to mark their visit.
Address: 2 Đ. Nguyễn Văn Bình, Bến Nghé, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Bras Basah Complex (Singapore)
Bras Basah Complex has had a literary identity since it opened in the 1980s, when small book fairs were already regularly held around here. Over time, its creative character has only grown. Now it functions as a full arts and culture hub with a solid range of bookstores that draw in many bookish enthusiasts when they come to Singapore.
Basheer stands out for its impressive collection of art and graphic design books, with a focus on specialized topics such as architecture and illustration. Evernew is another popular location that specializes in pre-owned titles. If you’re lucky, they might take some of your books off your hands to lighten your suitcase. That said, anything you offer must meet their criteria.
Address: 231 Bain St, Singapore 180231
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Adam Ryan
Adam is a distinguished content writer, bookworm, and full-time adventurer with a constant craving for coffee. When he's not working, he loves exploring remote corners of the world, immersing himself in different cultures, and writing about his experiences.
