On October 9, the Tokyo Antiquarian Booksellers' Association announced that the 66th Tokyo Famous Kanda Furuhon Matsuri will be held from October 23 to November 1. It is organized by the Kanda Used Bookstores Federation. About 120 shops will take part, with more than 1 million books expected to be on offer in total.
The photo shows a previous edition of the book fair.
Walking the roughly 500-meter "book corridor"
More than 100 book carts line Yasukuni-dori, creating a roughly 500-meter "book corridor" facing the secondhand bookshops. While browsing the books of many genres that each shop prepares, visitors can enjoy events such as the open-air bargain market and the special selection sale of rare secondhand books.
The venues are along Yasukuni-dori in the Kanda Jimbocho secondhand bookstore district, including the Iwanami Chu venue. Because of construction at the Iwanami Jimbocho Building, some venues differ from previous years. Hours are 10:00 to 18:00, until 17:00 on the final day.
Venue-exclusive tote bags and a new secondhand bookstore map
The original Rilakkuma tote bags come in two types, priced at ¥2,000 each (tax included). The size is 330 mm wide x 420 mm high x 60 mm deep. Sales of Type A begin at 11:00 on October 23, and Type B at 10:00 on October 30.
They are sold at the Furuhon Matsuri headquarters tent at the Iwanami Chu venue. They are limited to the venue and to limited quantities, and mail order is not available. Sales hours are normally 10:00 to 18:00, from 11:00 on the first day because of the opening ceremony, and until 17:00 on the final day.
The official guide map "JIMBOCHO Secondhand Bookstore MAP 2027" will also be distributed free from mid-October. Its cover is by Ao Kojima, the author of the manga "Hon nara Uru hodo," and it will be handed out at the member bookstores of the Kanda Used Bookstores Federation and at the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan.
Rare book exhibition and Japanese-bound notebook making
On the second floor of the Tokyo Kosho Kaikan, the free "Book Town Cultural Heritage: Rare Books Exhibition" will be held from October 23 to 25. It runs from 10:00 to 18:00, until 17:00 on the final day, and displays old books and materials.
From October 27 to November 1, "BOOK DIVE JIMBOCHO," run by students, will be held on the same second floor. It features panel exhibits on history and secondhand book culture, a guide map, Japanese-bound notebook making and more. Admission is free, from 10:00 to 18:00, and this event ends at 15:00 on its final day.
Talk events are also planned, and fees, capacity and reservation methods differ by event. Please check the date and venue of each event before attending.
- Name: The 66th Tokyo Famous Kanda Furuhon Matsuri
- Dates: Friday, October 23 to Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 to 18:00, until 17:00 on the final day
- Venue: Kanda Jimbocho secondhand bookstore district (along Yasukuni-dori, Iwanami Chu venue, etc.)
- Nearest station: Jimbocho Station (Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro)
- Limited item: Rilakkuma x Kanda Furuhon Matsuri original tote bag, 2 types, 330 mm wide x 420 mm high x 60 mm deep, ¥2,000 each (tax included)
- Sales start: Type A at 11:00 on October 23, Type B at 10:00 on October 30
- Sales location: Furuhon Matsuri headquarters tent, Iwanami Chu venue. Limited to the venue and quantities; no mail order
Image: courtesy of the Tokyo Antiquarian Booksellers' Association
