Shira'ishi Bookstore

Shira'ishi Bookstore (有限会社白石書店) is a Japanese bookstore company headquartered in Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. Founded on March 5, 1923, in the Higashi-Chiku Junior High School street area as Kobundo Shira'ishi Bookstore, it is one of the oldest bookstores in the Kitakyushu and Onga regions. The company operates as a yugen-gaisha (limited liability company) and is currently led by representative director Shira'ishi Takayuki, the fifth generation of the founding family. The bookstore's core business includes the sale of books, CDs, medical books, and textbooks for elementary, junior high, and high schools, as well as supplying books to schools and public libraries. It holds a special dealership for medical books and textbooks. Its main store is located in Rikimaru-machi, Yahatanishi-ku, and it operates additional locations including the Industry Medical University store, the Yume Town Onga store, and a textbook sales office. The Orio Ekimae store is temporarily closed. Beyond traditional bookselling, Shira'ishi Bookstore has diversified into events, café operations (S-cafe), and digital services. It launched a YouTube channel in April 2020 to share the appeal of books through readings of picture books and novels. In March 2021, it developed and began operating "Raku-Buy," an e-commerce service for school textbook sales. The company has also been featured in various media, including NHK's "Document 72 Hours" and local Fukuoka programs. In 2023, the bookstore celebrated its 100th anniversary. It has received recognition for its digital initiatives, including the "Reiwa 7 Kitakyushu DX Award Semi-Grand Prix" in 2026. The bookstore remains a well-known presence in the Kitakyushu area, actively engaging with the local community through author events, fairs, and collaborations.

Shira'ishi Bookstore was founded on March 5, 1923, in the Higashi-Chiku Junior High School street area of Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, as Kobundo Shira'ishi Bookstore, a small two-tsubo (approximately 6.6 square meters) shop. The founder was Shira'ishi Tsuyoshi (first generation). In November 1952, the store opened a 10-tsubo branch in front of Orio Station, which became the main store, while the original Higashi-Chiku location was converted into a textbook sales office. In August 1967, a specialized student store for study reference books opened in Orio Station's Kitakata area, operating until August 1981. In July 1976, the business was reorganized into a limited liability company, Yugen-gaisha Shira'ishi Bookstore. In April 1979, a 20-tsubo shop opened at the Industry Medical University. In August 1983, a new three-story, 170-tsubo main store was built (closed in June 2007 due to the Orio redevelopment project). In August 1986, a 100-tsubo Honjo store opened along National Route 199 in Rikimaru-machi. In April 1993, a 150-tsubo S-PAL Onga store opened in Matsumoto, Onga District. In March 1995, a 70-tsubo Yume Town Onga store opened. In July 1996, a 200-tsubo S-PAL Wakamatsu store opened in Shirokita, Wakamatsu Ward. In January 2003, the company began using a library nano-system to supply books to elementary and junior high schools. In June 2007, the administrative and wholesale functions were moved to the Honjo store, which became the new main store, with a sales floor of 200 tsubo and a 50-tsubo office. In November 2007, a café was added to the main store (now S-cafe). In September 2012, the wholesale department moved to a new 35-tsubo building at the main store's second parking lot. In November 2012, a 25-tsubo Momi & Toy Honjo store and crepe shop opened. In 2018, the Yume Town Onga store was renewed. In April 2020, the company launched a YouTube channel featuring readings of picture books and novels. In March 2021, it developed and began operating "Raku-Buy," a school sales service. In 2023, the bookstore celebrated its 100th anniversary. In 2026, it received the Reiwa 7 Kitakyushu DX Award Semi-Grand Prix.

• Founded as Kobundo Shira'ishi Bookstore in Higashi-Chiku Junior High School street, Kitakyushu

• Opened Orio Station front store, making it the main store; original location becomes textbook sales office

• Opened 'Student Store' specializing in study reference books

• Reorganized as Yugen-gaisha Shira'ishi Bookstore

• Opened shop at Industry Medical University

• New three-story main store built (170 tsubo)

• Opened Honjo store (100 tsubo) along National Route 199

• Opened S-PAL Onga store (150 tsubo)

• Opened Yume Town Onga store (70 tsubo)

• Opened S-PAL Wakamatsu store (200 tsubo)

• Began library nano-system for elementary and junior high school book supply

• Moved administrative and wholesale functions to Honjo store, making it the main store

• Café added to main store (now S-cafe)

• Wholesale department relocated to new building

• Opened Momi & Toy Honjo store and crepe shop

• Yume Town Onga store renewed

• Launched YouTube channel

• Developed and launched Raku-Buy school sales service

• Celebrated 100th anniversary

• Won Reiwa 7 Kitakyushu DX Award Semi-Grand Prix

A trusted, community-rooted bookstore specializing in medical books and textbooks, combining traditional retail with digital innovation and local events.

• Medical books

• Textbooks for elementary, junior high, and high schools

• General books and magazines

• CDs

• Raku-Buy school e-commerce service

• S-cafe

1. 1白石書店 公式ホームページs-hon.co.jp
2. 2白石書店についてs-hon.co.jp
3. 3白石書店 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
4. 4Shira'ishi Bookstore - Wikidatawikidata.org