The Koganecho Art Book Bazaar: The space itself is like a work of art
Infiltrating an artistic space!
YOKOHAMA ART SPOT FILE
A stylish and unique used bookstore with the Keikyu Line running above it.
Koganecho Art Book Bazaar
Koganecho, one of Yokohama's art hubs, is attracting attention with its artist residencies and art festivals. Under the elevated tracks of the Keikyu Line, which stretches to the neighboring Hinodecho, and in the surrounding area, you'll find studios, galleries, and public art in the form of shop windows. Within this area, I discovered a stylish, glass-fronted secondhand bookstore also utilizing the elevated tracks of the Keikyu Line. It's called "Koganecho Art Book Bazaar."
"Koganecho Art Book Bazaar" opened on April 1, 2010, and is operated by the Koganecho Area Management Center. Because Shingo Yamano, the director of "Koganecho Bazaar," is a book lover, the shop has collected approximately 40,000 used books, mainly art-related books such as photobooks, art books, and magazines, making it an irresistible place for art lovers and book lovers alike.
The special booth showcasing art books on Asian art is also a must-see!
In addition to books, the shop also displays and sells works by artists who are staying and creating art in Koganecho.
If you find something you like here and think, "I want to see more of this artist's work," don't hesitate to ask the staff for their opinion!
The bare light bulbs illuminating the store, the exposed steel beams, the stacks of nostalgic CDs and model kit sets popular with collectors...the slightly quirky, "chaotic" space is also appealing, as if the store itself is part of a work of art.
Looking outside the shop... Alongside the used books, they were also selling plants that had appeared in "Kogarden ~ Koganecho's Whimsical Garden Shop," an art event held previously in Koganecho where artists from the area exhibited and sold works related to "plants."
Here's a glimpse of the "Asia Art Library," located next to the "Koganecho Art Book Bazaar." Opening this door reveals... a collection of art-related books from Asian countries. (If you wish to browse, please speak to a staff member at the "Koganecho Art Book Bazaar.")
When you're strolling around the Koganecho area, be sure to visit the Koganecho Art Book Bazaar, where you can enjoy the unique, nostalgic scent that only secondhand bookstores can offer. If you take your time browsing the shelves in this mysterious, labyrinthine space, you're sure to find a book that catches your eye.
