Shosen Book Mart

Shosen (株式会社書泉, SHOSEN) is a Japanese retail bookstore company operating stores in the Kanda-Jinbocho and Akihabara districts of Chiyoda, Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Animate, which acquired the company in June 2011. Its flagship store, Shosen Grande in Jinbocho, is one of the large bookstores that represent the Kanda book town, alongside Sanseido Bookstore's main store and Tokyo-do Shoten. Shosen Grande is known for its highly specialized inventory, including a well-regarded mathematics section on the 4th floor and extensive railway-related books and goods on the 5th and 6th floors. The company also operates Shosen Book Tower in Akihabara, which opened in 1994 and carries a wide range of electronics, computer, and subculture titles, and hosts idol-related events on weekends. Shosen has taken over stores from other booksellers, notably some Yurindo stores after Yurindo's bankruptcy in 2016. The company has also faced controversies related to promotional posts and events. Shosen issues its own point card, which is interoperable with the Animate card.

Shosen is a bookstore company based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, with a history tied to the Kanda-Jinbocho book district. Its flagship store, Shosen Grande, is located in Jinbocho and is considered one of the area's major large bookstores. In 1994, Shosen opened Shosen Book Tower in Akihabara, near Akihabara Station, which became known for its electronics, computer, and later anime and game-related books and magazines. In December 1998, Shosen opened Shosen Book Dome in Kawaguchi, Saitama, which operated until January 2008. In June 2011, Animate acquired Shosen, making it a subsidiary. In 2014, Shosen introduced its own point card on April 21. In 2016, following the bankruptcy of Yurindo, Shosen took over some Yurindo stores, including the Takadanobaba store, which was transferred on March 26, 2016. Shosen Grande underwent a major floor reorganization and reopened on October 1, 2023. Over the years, Shosen has closed several stores, including Shosen Nishikasai in 2008 and Shosen Book Mart in 2015. The company continues to operate Shosen Grande and Shosen Book Tower as its main stores.

• 2023

  Shosen Grande reopens after major floor reorganization.

• 2016

  Shosen takes over Yurindo Takadanobaba store.

• 2015

  Shosen Book Mart closes.

• 2014

  Shosen point card introduced.

• 2011

  Animate acquires Shosen, making it a subsidiary.

• 2008

  Shosen Nishikasai closes.

• 2008

  Shosen Book Dome closes.

• 1998

  Shosen Book Dome opens in Kawaguchi, Saitama.

• 1994

  Shosen Book Tower opens in Akihabara.

Specialist bookstore chain with strong subculture and hobby niches, operating in Tokyo's historic book district and Akihabara.

• Shosen Grande

  Flagship store in Jinbocho with specialized floors for mathematics, fortune-telling, and railways.

• Shosen Book Tower

  Akihabara store opened in 1994, strong in electronics, computers, light novels, and subculture.

• Shosen Book Mart

  Former Jinbocho store focused on subculture and pop culture, closed in 2015.

• Yurindo Takadanobaba

  Store acquired from Yurindo in 2016.

1. 1書泉 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
2. 2書泉Book Mart - Wikidatawikidata.org