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Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store is a large general bookstore located near the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, with the bookstore building situated alongside "Shinjuku Street." Since its opening in 1927, the bookstore has played an important role in the development of the Shinjuku area and in promoting various cultural activities within the district. The current "Kinokuniya Building" was constructed in 1964 and was designated as a "Historical Building" by Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2017.
The architecture itself features a simple and robust style. The first floor has a structure that allows for passage between the front and back entrances. The "Area A," which is closer to Shinjuku Street, primarily features the latest magazines and bestsellers. The "Area C," located further inside, has a tax-free counter selling foreign books and English newspapers. From the second floor onward, each level contains a variety of books in specific professional fields.
The layout of the floors is as follows: the second floor is dedicated to literary works, the third floor to the humanities, the fourth floor to art-related books, and the fifth floor to medical and nursing academic books that are quite valuable in Japan. The sixth floor focuses on children's literature, including picture books, and also features books on sports. Additionally, the sixth floor has a section selling various merchandise themed around fairy tales and cartoons. The seventh floor is dedicated to language and various learning materials. The first basement level connects to the subway passage, allowing direct access to the underground food street.
Moreover, at the end of the first-floor corridor is the "Annex." The middle section of the annex has two floors selling CDs and DVDs, along with a tax-free counter, while the upper two floors mainly sell merchandise related to anime. Whether you want to pass the time while on the go or are looking to buy a book or DVD, Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store, which is very close to the station, is highly recommended. As the first store of Kinokuniya, it’s also worth a visit just for the experience.
