The Koganecho Art Book Bazaar: A space that is like a work of art
Enter an artistic space!
YOKOHAMA ART SPOT FILE
A stylish and unique second-hand bookstore with the Keikyu Line running above it
Koganecho Art Book Bazaar
Koganecho is one of Yokohama's art hubs, attracting attention with artist-in-residence programs and art festivals. Under the elevated Keikyu Line tracks that stretch to neighboring Hinodecho and nearby are a number of studios, galleries, and public art in the form of show windows. In this area, we discovered a stylish second-hand bookstore with glass windows that also occupies the space under the elevated Keikyu Line tracks. It's the Koganecho Art Book Bazaar.
The Koganecho Art Book Bazaar opened on April 1, 2010, and is managed by the Koganecho Area Management Center. As Yamano Shingo, the director of the Koganecho Bazaar, is a fan of secondhand books, the store has a collection of around 40,000 secondhand books, mainly art books such as photo books, art books, and magazines, making it a must-see for art and book lovers.
Don't miss the special booth showcasing art books on Asian art!
In addition to books, the store also exhibits and sells works by artists who are residing and creating in Koganecho.
If you find something you like here and think, "I'd like to see more of this artist's work," feel free to ask the staff for advice!
With bare light bulbs illuminating the store, exposed steel beams, stacks of nostalgic CDs and plastic model sets popular among enthusiasts...the store itself is a part of a work of art, creating a slightly quirky, chaotic space that is also its charm.
Looking outside the store... Alongside old books, they also sell plants that were featured at the art event "Kogarden - Koganecho's Fantastic Gardening Shop," which was previously held by artists from Koganecho and where they exhibited and sold works related to plants.
Here is a glimpse of the "Asia Art Library" attached to the "Koganecho Art Book Bazaar." Open this door and you can browse art-related books from Asian countries. (If you would like to browse, please ask the staff at the "Koganecho Art Book Bazaar.")
If you are strolling around the Koganecho area, be sure to stop by the Koganecho Art Book Bazaar, where you can experience the unique, nostalgic smell of a secondhand bookstore. If you take your time browsing the shelves in this mysterious, maze-like space, you're sure to find a book that catches your eye.
