Category Archives: Asia

Bookstore Tourism : Tokyo (with a twist)

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Conceived by a group of book loving entrepreneurs that includes Smiles and Morioka Shoten (the booksellers behind the “single room, single book, bookshop), Bunkitsu opened on December 11, 2018 in a sprawling space that was previously occupied by Aoyama Book Center in … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Library Porn

Posted on December 29, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Every bibliophile that I know would love to have one of these in their neighborhood. This stunning little library was designed by Shulin Forest Architects to be a serene reading space for the book-loving village of Liangjiashan in Zhejiang Province, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Asia, Books, Libraries | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Work Your Fingers To The Bone Selling Books

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san or Skeleton Bookstore Employee Honda, is a very funny anime series based on an equally amusing manga created by the eponymous bookshop clerk Honda. If you’ve ever worked in a bookstore, or spend lots of your time hanging … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bookshelf Art

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

A big h/t to dedicated TBTP follower Bonnie B. for these fantastic bookshelf dioramas. The handcrafted wooden bookend inserts are created by Tokyo-based artist Monde with intricate details down to led lighting and shop fronts. Hopefully, they will be available … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Sculpture Gone Wild

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

You can make sculptures with almost anything and everything: marble, stone, paper, wood … and even books . In Seoul, South Korea’s Starfield COEX Mall Library , which we featured back in January of this year, there’s an impressive example of book art. The Starfield Mall … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Libraries, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

When You Walk Through A Storm

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

“And you really will have to make it through that violent, metaphysical, symbolic storm. No matter how metaphysical or symbolic it might be, make no mistake about it: it will cut through flesh like a thousand razor blades. People will … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Art of Shinkansen

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Who doesn’t love an anime inspired gif ? The Central Japan Railway (JR Central) has commissioned a series of fifteen fun gifs by Japanese and international artists and animators to celebrate the world famous bullet train. The Art of Shinkansen project illustrates … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Asia, Public Transport, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bookstore Tourism Beijing

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Chinese bookstore chain Xinhua has opened the nation’s first employee-less, 24-hour bookstore, in Tongzhou, a district in southeast Beijing, and plans to open another 19 similar stores in the city before the end of the year. The bookshops, which are … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Travelers, Bibliophiles and Digital Nomads Welcome

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The Japanese bookstore and retail electronics chain Tsutaya recently opened an innovative concept store in Tokyo’s Shinjuku District. The six-story Tsutay Book Apartment includes co-working spaces, a bookshop, short stay accommodations, a Starbucks, quiet lounges, a sake bar, a convenience … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Gulliver’s Travels

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Asia, Books, Europe, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment