Isseido Booksellers

Legit rare old school books, it's almost like a book museum where you can purchase works from historical times. The atmosphere is as such too, be careful handling the old books and definitely no kids.

Upstairs they have English and art book or related to Japan cultures mostly, not so many but rare books, truly gems. Photos are not allowed upstair. I can't believe how can they have these books, some of them might be from early 19s but in good conditions and books about archeology, Egypt... I wish I can live here forever but also can read Japanese. It is much more of a museum rather just a bookstore.

Fantastic place for old books and cool building

Very kind service, very willing to find niche books for you and let you have a browse even though they know you’re probably not going to buy the books. It’s like going to the museum, only better, because you can actually touch and smell the old books.

Great for mathematics and architecture books - could spend hours here!

A small bookshop with an old fashioned store front. English books upstairs though the selection isn't great. Worth a look if you are passing.

I was looking for some Japanese illustrations books and while walking around for book town I saw this place and I was attracted in. I don’t speak Japanese at all, and they don’t speak English (just few words) but all the staff was super kind and tried to help with all the limitation we both had. I was able to find some nice book and had a great experience.

Rare books. English upstairs.

This is a great bookstore! I have been coming here forever and I am always impressed with what they have to offer. Their shelves are lined with great, rare, and sought after books. They offer everything from original hand painted calligraphy books in Japanese, onto rare and vintage texts. They also have a large section geared towards people, like me, who are interested in eastern mysticism. I have found so many printed gems at this shop I cannot come close to listing them all. This shop is located in Chiyoda-ku. It is easy to get to from anywhere in Tokyo (or beyond) via the Marunouchi Line or the JR Line. It is a short walk from Ochanomizu Station. This store has multiple floors. The foreign language section is upstairs on the second floor. Here, you will find all kinds of interesting and rare books. As stated, they have a large section of book based around eastern mysticism. Many of these, very hard to find books, are printed in India and other South Asian countries. But, they are in English, so if that is the language you speck and the subject you like to research, this bookstore is for you. But, they offer so much more than my limited description. They have books on every subject from every region of the world. Overall, this store is a well lighted, airy space. The staff are all very nice and helpful. To me, this is the best bookstore in Tokyo. Highly Recommended!