Japan just operates on a different plane than the rest of the world, as I’m sure you know. Visiting a Japanese bookstore will help uncover some of the things that make Japanese people tick.

Some Japanese have such a fervent interest in their horoscope that 2025 astrology and similar books are placed prominently near the entrance. What’s your luck forecast next year?

You will find it hard-pressed to source for CDs and DVDs in other countries since most people are used to streaming services these days. But not in Japan. There are some die-hard enthusiasts who swear by the superior sound quality of these older music formats.

Likewise, the publishing industry elsewhere in the world is a dying breed. But it seems that many magazine publishers are still fighting the good fight here. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the wide spread of magazines. Japanese people are not usually known for their commendable command of English, but it is really not due to a lack of interest. Look at all these magazines exhorting you to brush up your English.

Some fashion magazines entice their female fans with tote bags and the like. It makes people think that they are getting an extra bang for their bucks, doesn’t it?

Basically, the magazines cover every topic under the sun, including erotic ones.

Apart from a fetish for scantily-clad bikini models, Japan is on the whole a serious-minded society. From young, there are plenty of drill books parents can use to hot-house their children to fulfill their academic potential.

The academic race doesn’t end upon graduation from college. These are the books aspiring civil servants use to mug during preparation for their exams.

You may think people can opt out of studying if they don’t pursue formal certifications. This manual for manga artists will shatter this myth.

I hope you enjoyed this tour of a Japanese bookstore as much as I have enjoyed preparing it for you!