If you are looking for James Patterson’s latest mystery novels or any of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, you won’t have a chance of finding them at Shosen Book Tower in Akihabara, despite its being a ten-storey edifice filled with piles and piles of books. Instead, you will see customers in thick glasses browsing through books and magazines bearing photos of electronics on their covers. This bookstore deals mostly, if not solely, with reading materials containing information on computers and gadgets, ideal for the geeks and the gadget-freaks.
- 1 min read
Shosen Book Tower, Akihabara
A 10-floor building of books ideal for the geeks
Community writer
You will surely be awed by the rows of books that will greet you as you enter the first floor
Shosen Book Tower is not easy to miss, as it stands towering at a street corner with windows reflecting against the lights, shining in blue
Several Akiba locals and expatriates walk past the bookstore's main entrance
From the Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station, it's only about four minutes on foot to Shosen Book Tower, situated just south-southeast from the station
The busy street below the towering book store
Beside the escalator, you will see the floor guide in blue posted on the wall
For the security of both locals and tourists, a police van went patrolling around the busy streets of Akihabara
Join the discussion
Iain Stanley
10 years ago
What else would you expect in AKB!!
Justin Velgus
10 years ago
Interesting to have such a big place to cater to such a specific market. I am guessing all the books are also in Japanese? You included just one picture of inside the store. I wish I could see more.
Hi Justin, indeed, most of the books are in Japanese. I'm sorry, I would love to take more photos, but like most of the shops in Akihabara, cameras are not allowed. I could have taken more photos if I wasn't caught shooting... better luck next time, then.
3 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1Miyoko Schinner: Japan Vegan Tour 2026
Food -
2Hotel NORD Otaru, Your Front-Row Seat to Otaru’s Canal District
Hokkaido - Sponsored -
3Explore Ako, Tatsuno, and Himeji with Ease From Kamenoi Hotel Ako
Hyogo - Sponsored -
4Japan Pottery Tour: Hands-On Workshops & Artisan Encounters
Culture -
5Arima Onsen: One of Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring Towns
Hyogo - Sponsored -
6Ultimate Japan Car Culture Journey - From Auto Salon 2026 to the Open Road
Chiba -
724-Hour Yaro Ramen in Shibuya Revolutionizes Noodles With an All New Type of Ramen Taking Over Tokyo
Tokyo - Sponsored -
8Photogenic Miyazaki: Relaxation and Discovery
Miyazaki - Sponsored -
9Golden Route to West Japan: Hiroshima & Fukuoka
Hiroshima - Sponsored -
10Wintertime Magic in Otaru, Hokkaido
Hokkaido - Sponsored
-
1Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
3Yodogawa Fireworks Festival
Osaka -
4Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
5Bad Bunny Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour
Tokyo -
6Japanese Urban Legends
Culture -
7Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
8Tokyo Christmas Market
Tokyo -
9Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
10Tokyo Auto Salon
Chiba