More than 150 years in business. RINROKAKU BOOKSTORE is your one-stop shop for all your antiquarian book needs.
We are an antiquarian bookstore established in 1875 and located in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo.
Located adjacent to the University of Tokyo, we do business with universities, research institutes, libraries, prominent researchers, and authors throughout Japan.
We specialize in Japanese and Chinese classics, rubbings and seals, books from the Meiji and Taisho periods, academic books, Chinese books, and art books.
Access
7-2-4 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
1 minute walk from Hongo Sanchome Station [Exit 4] on Toei Subway Oedo Line
3 minute walk from Hongo Sanchome Station on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
15 minute walk from JR Ochanomizu Station and Okachimachi Station (bus service available)
Short walk from Hongo Sanchome Station on Toei Bus
*No parking available, please use coin parking in the area.
Inside the store
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Counter
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Old Western books
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Rare books
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Old Chinese books
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Old Japanese books
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Store-Exclusive Discount Books
Message from the President
Founded in 1875
is located next to the University of Tokyo in Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. We deal with universities, research institutes, libraries, famous researchers and writers from all over Japan.
We specialize in Japanese and Chinese classics, rubbings and seals, books from the Meiji and Taisho periods, academic books, Chinese books, art books, etc.
RINROKAKU BOOKSTORE
Representative Director Keiichi Saito
About Us
| Name | RINROKAKU BOOKSTORE |
|---|---|
| Representative | Keiichi Saito |
| Address | 7-2-4 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan |
| Telephone number | 03-3811-6555 |
| FAX | 03-3818-2803 |
| E-mail address | koshorinrokaku.co.jp |
| Qualified Invoicing Business Registration Number | T2010002006653 |
| Secondhand dealer license number | 305476200477/approved by Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission |
| Member Associations | Japan Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABAJ) Tokyo Antiquarian Booksellers Cooperative Association |
History
- Meiji 8 (1875)
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Founded by Kanezo Saito I in Awaji-cho, Kanda, Tokyo
The store was named after the storehouse that housed a large collection of Qing Dynasty Sung Yuan editions and rare books, and was named after Ichio Okubo, who served as governor of Tokyo Prefecture. 
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Then moved to Ikenohata (Nakamachi 11) in Ueno
Also moved to Ikenohata (former site of Nishikibukuro-en, Nakamachi 22) - Meiji 40 (1907)
- Kanezo I died at age 58.
- Meiji 42 (1909)
- Gitaro Iwasaki, a young boy at the time, succeeded to the name of Kanezo Saito II.
- Taisho 11, November 6 (1922)
- Moved from Ikenohata, Ueno to Motofuji-cho, Hongo (current location), the former site of the Maeda family of the Kaga Clan
- Taisho 12, September 1 (1923)
- Store and residence destroyed by fire in the Great Kanto Earthquake
- Showa 17, May 1 (1942)
- Yuji Iwasaki marries Kanezo’s second daughter, Shizu, and becomes his son-in-law.
- Showa 20, March 10 (1945)
- Store and residence destroyed by fire in Tokyo air raid
Moved to Morikawa-cho (in front of the main gate of the University of Tokyo) 
- Showa 31, May 1 (1956)
- Incorporation of RINROKAKU BOOKSTORE
- Showa 33, October 24 (1958)
- Kanezo II (Gitaro) died at the age of 75.
- Showa 33, November 10 (1958)
- Hideo, Kanezo’s son, becomes representative director
- Showa 33, December 17 (1958)
- Hideo succeeds to the name of Kanezo III.
- Showa 53, June 20 (1978)
- New office building completed in Hongo 7-chome (current location) and relocated
- December 1, 1992 (1992)
- Kanezo’s eldest son, Keiichi, joins the company.
- October 25, 2013 (2013)
- Keiichi was appointed Representative Director; Kanzo was appointed Chairman.
- March 2, 2017
- Kenzo III (Hideo) passed away at the age of 82.
- April 2, 2023
- Large-scale repairs begin due to the deterioration of the current building, and store operations are temporarily suspended.
- November 1, 2023
- Completion of major repairs