Feeling used?

I don't believe I linked to Mikimoto in my last post, like they need any more business. Hrmph. Places I don't mind plugging, however, are used books stores in Tokyo that trade English-language books, as they are thin. on. the. ground.

I am a rapacious reader and books are terribly expensive in Japan if you go to the biggies like Kinokuniya or Junkudo (although you do get the funky plain paper book protectors so people can't see what you're reading...). So used books stores are an oasis for little ol' ex-pats like myself.

Traditionally, Good Day Books in Ebisu has been the cornerstone of the market, but others have been coming out of the woodwork, too. Good Day Books has a good selection, but it can be overpriced. If you're in the area, try Caravan Books in Ikebukuro (Our local, and cheaper (albeit less well-organised) than Good Day with a dinky little cafe to boot) and Bondi Books in Kichijoji (No fiction over 600yen).

The brilliant thing about all these stores, of course, is that you can buy, sell and trade, a necessity for the temporary resident and literary cannibal.