Every autumn, Kanda-Jimbocho turns its sidewalks into one long bookshelf. The 66th Kanda Used Book Festival (神田古本まつり) runs for ten days from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, November 1, 2026, and it is one of the easiest ways to dig through Tokyo’s secondhand book scene without knowing which shop to enter first. Here is what is on, when to go, and what to keep in mind before you head over.
What the festival is
Jimbocho is Tokyo’s secondhand book district, and this festival has been held there since 1960. The core of it is simple: shops bring their stock out onto the street, so you can browse without stepping inside a single store.
About 120 shops take part, putting out more than one million books in total across literature, history, hobbies and many other genres. It is the kind of event where you come for nothing in particular and leave with a book you did not know existed.
Dates, hours and venue
| Event | 66th Tokyo Meibutsu Kanda Used Book Festival (第66回 東京名物 神田古本まつり) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (10 days) |
| Hours | 10:00–18:00 Last day (Nov 1) until 17:00 |
| Venue | Jimbocho bookstore district (神田神保町古書店街): along Yasukuni-dori, Iwanami-naka venue and other spots |
| Address | Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (東京都千代田区神田神保町) |
| Nearest station | Jimbocho Station (神保町駅) Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro |
| Official page | jimbou.info (festival announcement) |
| Organizer | Kanda Secondhand Booksellers Association (神田古書店連盟) |
Three things to see
The festival is really three events in one. The outdoor wagon market runs the whole ten days, while the two indoor programs at the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan (東京古書会館) only run for the first weekend.
| Program | Dates | Where | What you’ll find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-air wagon market (青空掘り出し市) | Oct 23 – Nov 1 Canceled in rain | Sidewalks along Yasukuni-dori (靖国通り) | 100+ wagons facing the shop shelves for about 500 m |
| Special Antiquarian Book Sale (特選古書即売展) | Oct 23 – 25 | Tokyo Kosho Kaikan, basement hall | Classical Japanese books, handwritten materials, first editions of modern works |
| Book Town Cultural Heritage and Rare Book Exhibition (本の街文化遺産・稀少書展示会) | Oct 23 – 25 | Tokyo Kosho Kaikan, 2F information corner | Museum-level rare books and materials, free to view |
The wagon market is the star. With shop shelves on one side and wagons on the other, the 500 m stretch feels like walking down a corridor lined with books. The special sale is an exhibition and sale run by a group of Jimbocho dealers, aimed at serious collectors. Even if rare books are not your thing, the free exhibition upstairs is worth a look while you are in the building.
Rain and this year’s venue change
1. The open-air wagon market is canceled in rain. Check the forecast, and if the weather looks unsettled, the indoor programs on Oct 23–25 are the safer bet.
2. Because of construction at the Iwanami Jimbocho Building, part of the venue is different from previous years. If you have been before, do not rely on last year’s layout. Check the official site for the latest details.
Maps and goods on the official site
Jimbocho has a lot of shops packed into a small area, so a map helps. The official site shows a bookstore map with a full list of member shops, plus a color map of the area around Jimbocho.
The site also features two Rilakkuma tote bags made for the festival. For how and where to get them, check the official site.
Tips for the day
- Plan around the first weekend. Oct 23–25 is the only time you can see the wagon market, the special sale and the free exhibition together.
- Mind the last day. On Sunday, Nov 1, things wrap up at 17:00, an hour earlier than usual.
- Bring a bag with room to spare. Old books add up fast, and you will be walking the whole 500 m stretch.
- Keep your phone charged. If you will be checking maps all afternoon, a free power bank rental can help. See our guide to free ChargeSPOT rentals with d VALUE PASS.
- Make a day of it. Jimbocho is also full of cafés, curry restaurants and musical instrument shops, so a coffee or curry break between finds is part of the fun.
Looking for more weekend plans this season? Check out our guide to the Musashino Art University Festival, or see how the Asoview campaign takes up to ¥3,000 off other outings.
FAQ
- Q. When is the Kanda Used Book Festival in 2026?
- From Friday, October 23 to Sunday, November 1, 2026, for ten days. Hours are 10:00 to 18:00, and the last day ends at 17:00.
- Q. Where is it held?
- In the Jimbocho bookstore district in Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, along Yasukuni-dori, at the Iwanami-naka venue and other spots. The nearest station is Jimbocho Station on the Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro.
- Q. What happens if it rains?
- The outdoor open-air wagon market is canceled in rain. Check the weather before you go.
- Q. Is anything free to see?
- Yes. The Book Town Cultural Heritage and Rare Book Exhibition on the 2nd floor of the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan, held October 23 to 25, can be viewed for free.
- Q. Why is the venue different this year?
- Construction at the Iwanami Jimbocho Building means part of the venue has changed from previous years. Check the official site for the latest layout.
Details are based on the official announcement as of October 21, 2026. Schedules can change, so please check the official page before you go.