Nakao Bookstore is a rare book store in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, that sells a wide range of books from the Edo period to modern literature. Here, you can find books that interest you if you are curious about history and culture. In this article, we will introduce the history and charm of Nakao Bookstore and some of the valuable books you can find there.
The history and charm of Nakao Bookstore
- Nakao Bookstore opened in Shinsaibashi-suji, Osaka, in 1967. The founder, Yoshihiko Nakao, worked in the classical book trade at Nakao Matsusendou, a store run by his father. He mainly dealt with Japanese books from the Edo period.
- Nakao Bookstore sells a wide variety of books, such as classical books (Japanese books, documents, and materials from before the Edo period), Japanese literature, literature, history, art books, old books from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods, hobby books, Chinese books, Chinese classics, ukiyo-e prints, Chinese medicine books, divination books, calligraphy-related books, and Osaka local history.
- Nakao Bookstore operates mainly by selling books at the store and at exhibitions and sales events at department stores and other places. It also sells catalogs such as "Classical Book Catalog" and "Medical Books / Classical Books and Materials Related to Medicine Catalog".
- Nakao Bookstore believes that its job is to pass on the good books left by the predecessors to future generations. Therefore, it conducts honest purchases and evaluations. If you have any books that are lying on your shelves or in your storerooms, feel free to consult them.
The valuable books you can find at Nakao Bookstore
- At Nakao Bookstore, you can find valuable books such as Japanese books and ukiyo-e prints from the Edo period. For example, there is a series called "Shinnaibashi Honzen", which is about the culture and history of Shinsaibashi.
- "Shinnaibashi Honzen" is a booklet issued by "Shinnaibashi", a voluntary association of Shinsaibashi-suji shopping street. It is a collection of various things about Shinsaibashi, and the theme changes every issue.
- "Shinnaibashi Honzen" has interesting titles such as "Shinsaibashi Are ya Kore ya" (Shinsaibashi This and That) and "Sarava! Sogo" (Goodbye! Sogo). The contents are also diverse, such as articles on bookstores before the war, interviews, product stamps, and phantom fanzines.
- You can buy "Shinnaibashi Honzen" at Nakao Bookstore. Please take a look at it if you want to know more about the charm of Shinsaibashi.
How to access Nakao Bookstore from Shinsaibashi Station
It is a one-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station.The way to get to Nakao Bookstore from Shinsaibashi Station is as follows:
- Exit from exit 2 of Shinsaibashi Station and turn left.
- Go south along Shinsaibashi-suji shopping street.
- Cross Mitsukoshi-mae intersection and turn right.
- Turn left immediately and go west along Shinsaibashi-suji.
- After a while, you will see Nakao Bookstore on your left.
The business hours and holidays of Nakao Bookstore
- The business hours of Nakao Bookstore are from 10:00 to 19:30.
- The regular holidays of Nakao Bookstore are the second and fourth Wednesdays. However, it will be announced separately for the year-end and New Year holidays.
If you come to Osaka, please visit this rare book store. You might be able to touch history and culture through books.
Nakao Bookstore
1-2-14 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka