Shosen Book Tower

Shosen Book Tower (書泉ブックタワー) is a landmark specialty bookstore in Akihabara, Tokyo, operated by SHOSEN Inc. (株式会社書泉), a bookseller with roots in Kanda-Jinbocho. The tower opened in 1994 near Akihabara Station and has since become a destination for hobbyist readers, particularly in comics, light novels, games, railways, computers, idols, and professional wrestling. Its nine floors are organized by genre, with two full floors dedicated to comics and a top-floor event hall used for signings, talk shows, and idol events. The store is part of SHOSEN Inc., which also operates Shosen Grande in Jinbocho. SHOSEN Inc. was founded in September 1950 (Showa 25) and has been a subsidiary of Animate Inc. since June 2011. The company sells books, magazines, merchandise, DVDs, and CDs, and runs an online shop offering signed books and exclusive bonus items. Shosen Book Tower is known for its deep genre curation. Its floors cover light novels, games, Gundam, comics for various demographics, American comics, English manga, railways, cars, motorcycles, aviation, military, idols, wrestling, tokusatsu, sports, film, music, computers, illustration techniques, science, engineering, qualifications, paperbacks, business, languages, travel, maps, children's books, subculture, and fortune-telling. The store hosts frequent events, especially on weekends, and attracts both domestic fans and inbound tourists to Akihabara. In 2016, SHOSEN Inc. took over some stores from Hōrindō Shoten after that company's bankruptcy, though those locations were later closed or integrated. Shosen Book Tower remains active, with recent notices about self-checkout, event ticket sales, and New Year holiday hours. The store is a well-known fixture of Akihabara's pop-culture retail landscape.

Shosen Book Tower opened in 1994 in Akihabara, Tokyo, as a branch of the bookstore chain Shosen. The chain itself traces its origins to Kanda-Jinbocho, where Shosen Grande remains the flagship store. The tower was established in the Izumibashi Building near Akihabara Station, an area known for electronics and pop culture. From its opening, it carried a strong selection of light novels, and its computer and hobby sections were well regarded. Over time, it expanded its comics, games, and anime-related offerings, becoming a key destination for fans. In June 2011, Animate Inc. acquired Shosen Inc., making it a subsidiary. This strengthened ties between the two companies, including shared point cards and cross-promotions. In 2016, Shosen took over some stores from Hōrindō Shoten after that company filed for bankruptcy, though those locations were later closed or integrated. Shosen Book Tower continued to operate as a central Akihabara store, hosting numerous events such as idol meet-and-greets, signings, and talk shows. In recent years, it has introduced self-checkout and updated its event ticket systems. The store remains active and is a well-known landmark in Akihabara's retail scene.

• 2025

  Self-checkout begins operation at Shosen Book Tower.

• 2023

  Shosen Grande renews floor layout (not Book Tower).

• 2016

  Shosen takes over some Hōrindō Shoten stores after bankruptcy.

• 2014

  Shosen point card introduced.

• 2011

  Animate Inc. acquires SHOSEN Inc., making it a subsidiary.

• 1994

  Shosen Book Tower opens in Akihabara.

• 1950

  SHOSEN Inc. founded (Showa 25).

Specialty bookstore for hobbyists and pop culture fans in Akihabara, with deep genre curation and frequent events.

• Retail

  Books and magazines

• Retail

  Comics and light novels

• Retail

  Hobby merchandise

• Retail

  DVDs and CDs

• Services

  Event tickets

1. 1書泉ブックタワー | 【書泉】神保町/秋葉原の書店shosen.co.jp
2. 2会社概要 | 【書泉】神保町/秋葉原の書店shosen.co.jp
3. 3書泉 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
4. 4書泉BOOK TOWER - Wikidatawikidata.org