If you have ever put down a heavy art book because of the price, this weekend in Jimbocho is worth a look. Kyuryudo (求龍堂), a Tokyo publisher that focuses on art books, is running a stall at the 34th Jimbocho Book Festival (神保町ブックフェスティバル) on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026. Its books are up to 50% off at the festival’s Hon no Tokutoku-ichi, or Book Bargain Market (本の得々市).
There is one catch you should know up front: every discounted book is a damaged copy. Here is what is on the table, where to find the booth, and what to check before you go.
Event overview: dates, hours and booth location
| Event | 34th Jimbocho Book Festival, Book Bargain Market (第34回 神保町ブックフェスティバル 本の得々市) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Venue | Jimbocho Suzuran-dori |
| Address | Suzuran-dori, Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Kyuryudo booth | Enter Suzuran-dori at the main entrance. Kyuryudo is the third stall, in front of Sanseido Books. |
| Nearest station | About 2 minutes on foot from Jimbocho Station, Exits A6 and A7 |
| Admission | Not stated in the announcement. Please check official sources. |
| Organizer | Jimbocho Book Festival Executive Committee (神保町ブックフェスティバル実行委員会) |
Suzuran-dori is a narrow shopping street, and the festival fills it with tents. The landmark to remember is Sanseido Books: find it, and the Kyuryudo stall is right in front.
The discount: up to 50% off, on damaged copies
Kyuryudo describes this as a once-a-year special sale, with art books and photobooks at up to 50% off. The discount comes from the condition of the books, not from a clearance of unsold stock.
For a book you plan to read and keep on your own shelf, a scuffed cover is often a fair trade for a much lower price. Large-format art books are the kind of title where that trade pays off most.
What to look for at the Kyuryudo booth
The publisher named a few titles and items it is bringing. The posters are a separate item from the discounted books, and the announcement does not say whether they are discounted.
| Daido Moriyama posters | Two designs, sold in limited quantities |
|---|---|
| Seigo Matsuoka Senya Sensatsu (松岡正剛 千夜千冊) | A deluxe edition distilling the wide-ranging reading and thought of writer and editor Seigo Matsuoka |
| Tetsuya Ishida posthumous collection (石田徹也遺作集) | A posthumous collection that continues to attract interest in Japan and overseas |
| Exhibition catalogues and artist books | Titles from well-reviewed exhibitions, plus other artist monographs |
| Art goods | Merchandise related to the books |
Kyuryudo says the selection should also appeal to readers interested in design, architecture and literature, not just fine art. If you came to Japan with an interest in Japanese photography or contemporary painting, the Moriyama posters and the Ishida collection are the two items to head for first.
Who is Kyuryudo?
Kyuryudo is an art book publisher founded in 1923; it marked its 100th year in 2023. The name comes from the French word curieux, reflecting a pursuit of artistic and intellectual curiosity and of whatever is new. The painter Ryuzaburo Umehara chose it. The company is based in Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and publishes everything from classical Japanese art to illustrated art books for children. More about the publisher is on the Kyuryudo official website.
Tips before you go
- Go early for the posters. The two Moriyama posters are limited in number, and nothing in the announcement says they will be restocked on Sunday.
- Check each copy. Damage varies from book to book. Pick the copy you are happy with rather than the first one on the pile.
- Plan how to carry them. Art books are large and heavy. A sturdy tote or backpack makes the walk back to the station much easier.
- Payment and admission are not listed. The announcement does not say which payment methods the stall takes or whether there is an entry fee. Bring some cash as a backup, and see our guide to credit cards in Japan for foreigners if you are still setting up how you pay day to day.
- Confirm details before you leave. For questions about the stall, see the Kyuryudo press release or the publisher’s website.
Making a weekend of autumn events? We also cover the Musashino Art University Festival 2026, and art fans may like our Ghibli Park exhibition guide. For more ways to save on days out, see the Asoview Asobitsukushi campaign.
FAQ
- When is the Kyuryudo booth open?
- On Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 10:00 to 18:00.
- How big are the discounts?
- Art books and photobooks are up to 50% off. All discounted books are damaged copies, so covers or pages may show minor wear or marks.
- Where exactly is the booth?
- On Suzuran-dori in Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Enter the street from its main entrance; the booth is the third stall, in front of Sanseido Books, about a two-minute walk from Jimbocho Station Exits A6 and A7.
- What else is on sale besides books?
- Two Daido Moriyama posters in limited quantities, plus art goods related to the books.
- Is there an entry fee?
- The announcement does not mention one. Check official sources before you go.
Sources: Kyuryudo press release (October 20, 2026) and the Kyuryudo official website. Details may change, so please check official information before visiting.