Secondhand Souvenir Shopping in Kyoto

Perhaps the most beloved sightseeing destination in Japan, Kyoto is known for its temples, shrines, historic streets, and matcha. But this time, instead of following the usual routes, the Japankuru team decided to take a little detour and try something new in Kyoto. We decided to go on a secondhand treasure hunt.

Kyoto is home to several BOOKOFFs, one of Japan’s most popular secondhand chains. Don’t let the name fool you, this is no simple used book store! In addition to books, many of their locations carry a wide range of items including media like manga, CDs, and video games, but also rare trading cards, anime merch, clothing, and designer goods, all at affordable prices. Japan is strict about used items, so each product is carefully inspected according to strict standards. Foreign visitors tend to be thoroughly impressed with how dependable the system is, and how pristine the products are, often found in excellent condition.

Check out three of our favorite BOOKOFF locations in Kyoto, what makes each one stand out, and how you might want to add it to your Kyoto itinerary! If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto, and you want to do some secondhand souvenir shopping while you’re in Japan, you can use this guide as a reference!

BOOKOFF Kyoto Sanjo Station Building Store

^{_{Heian Shrine / Kamo River}}

The area around Sanjo Station, in the heart of Kyoto, is a popular destination for sightseeing and aimless city strolls, thanks in part to the picturesque Kamo River flowing nearby. It’s not far from famous Kyoto attractions like Heian Shrine, but it still offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy Kyoto’s signature sense of tranquility within sight of the city’s lively atmosphere.

One out of the cluster of shops gathered around the Sanjo Station area is BOOKOFF Kyoto Sanjo Station Building Store, conveniently situated for a quick stop amidst your busy sightseeing schedule. It’s a great place to casually browse for secondhand treasures, and an excellent introduction for first-time BOOKOFF visitors.

Highlight ① A Treasure Hunt for Rare Finds

The store spans three levels, but starting from the bottom, the first floor is a paradise for anime fans, gamers, and collectors. From retro video games to rare and vintage merch and media, the kind difficult to find in ordinary stores, there’s an impressive selection waiting to be discovered.

One section that visiting travelers should definitely check out is the Souvenir Corner, which includes fun choices like a wide range of rare Pokémon cards, sure to catch the attention of any trading card enthusiast. You might even come across that elusive card you’ve been searching for, so take your time and enjoy the hunt.

Highlight ② Classic Records and Popular Manga

Up on the second floor, the first thing you’re likely to notice is the collection of records and cassette tapes spanning various eras. There’s a little something for everyone, and you might even rediscover an album you thought you’d never encounter again.

Beyond the music selection, the floor also features a substantial manga section, with all the recent smash hits, old cult favorites, and everything in between. Scan the shelves and you’ll come across popular series like Oshi no Ko, The Apothecary Diaries, and Tokyo Ghoul, among many others.

Highlight ③ Discover Japanese Culture Through Art Books

Compared to the lower floors, the third floor is a little calmer, and the shelves are entirely dedicated to books. If you need a breather, you can really take your time up here. While most of the books are in Japanese, BOOKOFF maintains an excellent selection of art books and photography collections, so even if you can’t read a word of Japanese, you’ll find plenty of visually stunning volumes to enjoy. These books offer a glimpse into Japanese aesthetics, design, and artistic sensibilities, so they make cool souvenirs, ready to serve as sources of inspiration—memorable keepsakes from your trip.

While wandering around the store, Japankuru’s Thai editor happened to come across a classic art book with such a beautiful cover design that she couldn’t resist picking it up. None of us had planned on browsing the art books at all, but she clearly found herself completely absorbed, turning page after page. These unexpected discoveries are one of the greatest pleasures of exploring BOOKOFF stores!

BOOK OFF Kyoto Sanjo Station Building Store
117 Ohashicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 10:00 – 23:00
Access: approx. 1 min from Sanjo Station (immediately outside Exit 9).

BOOKOFF PLUS Kawaramachi OPA Store

Next stop: Kawaramachi, one of Kyoto’s liveliest shopping districts. Located in the busiest part of the city (and an easy walk from Sanjo), Kawaramachi is a bustling neighborhood filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes, with a main street located just a few minutes on foot from the picturesque Pontocho Alley and Gion, the haunt of many maiko (geisha).

On the 8th floor of the Kawaramachi OPA malls, right in the center of this vibrant district, you’ll find the BOOKOFF PLUS Kawaramachi OPA Store. Since it’s right in the middle of things, it’s easy to squeeze a quick visit to the store into even the busiest sightseeing schedule, and you never know what hidden treasures you might come across.

Highlight ① What Makes BOOKOFF PLUS Special

One of the defining features of this store is that it’s not just a standard BOOKOFF, but a BOOKOFF PLUS, which is larger and stocked with much more than just your average used book store.

BOOKOFF PLUS stores, like this one, feature a dedicated fashion section. Travelers are often drawn first to the t-shirts featuring anime characters and other fun Japanese franchises, but the shop also deals in a wide variety of versatile casual clothing, so you can browse through Japanese fashion trends as well. There’s even a section dedicated to pre-owned designer fashion items, which BOOKOFF fans will tell you, often includes some pretty unique items.

Highlight ② Anime Figure Shopping (Both Boxed and Unboxed)

While the Japankuru team was especially excited about the clothing, the first thing that will catches your eye when you enter the store is undoubtedly the selection of anime figures and other cool character models. Nearly half of the store is taken up by the figures, packed onto shelves lining the store.

The selection includes figures from popular anime series and video game franchises, as well as Gunpla kits, the popular Gundam plastic models.

One particularly nice feature of this store is that figures are separated into two categories, figures sold “with box,” and those “without box.” Whether you’re looking for the best possible bargain you can display on your bookshelf at home, or you’re a serious collector who cares deeply about the condition of the packaging, the layout makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Highlight ③: Pokémon Cards, Anime Goods, and K-Pop Merchandise, All in the Souvenir Corner

If figures aren’t your thing, you can move right on over to the Souvenir Corner, where you’ll first see neat displays of popular manga titles, arranged to offer visitors an inviting space to browse whichever books catch their interest.

Many of the volumes are in such pristine condition that it’s hard to believe they’re pre-owned—they often look virtually brand new, with little to no visible signs of having been read. Being able to purchase manga in such great condition at lower-than-retail prices is a huge reason that many shoppers come back again and again, with travelers pushing their suitcases well past the weight limit.

Near the manga is the trading card section, where you can drool over the many rare cards on display. The Pokémon card selection is especially impressive—despite the cards being pre-owned, most are exceptionally well-maintained, carefully stored in protective sleeves. Even the most particular collectors are likely to be satisfied with the quality.

The store caters to all kinds of shoppers, and even has an extensive collection of K-pop merchandise alongside the Japanese manga and anime goods. K-pop stans can flip through a satisfying selection of Korean idol-related items, from photocards to official light sticks and albums. (Of course, fans of Japanese pop stars will also find plenty to enjoy!)

After combing through the whole store, and finally heading towards the exit, there’s one more section that might catch your eye: a display filled with charms and keychains featuring Japan’s cutest characters from franchises like Sanrio, Tamagotchi, and Chiikawa. It’s all so adorable, you might just find yourself getting right back into line at checkout.

BOOKOFF PLUS Kawaramachi OPA Store
8F Kawaramachi OPA, Kawaramachi-dori Shijo Agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 11:00 – 22:00
Access: Approx. 1 min from Shijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, or right next to the Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop served by Kyoto City Bus routes 4, 17, and 205

BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR No. 1 Kyoto Fushimi Store

Our first two Kyoto BOOKOFF choices were both stores in the parts of Kyoto that most travelers explore anyway, but the city’s largest locations (with the most impressive selections) are a little less centrally located. The Japankuru choice? That would be the BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR No. 1 Kyoto Fushimi Store, the largest BOOKOFF in Kyoto. If you visit after checking out the stores in the city center, you’ll definitely notice the difference in scale.

The BOOKOFF’s “SUPER BAZAAR” branches are generally the largest locations, with an almost warehouse-like atmosphere, packed full of secondhand goodies. If you want to feel like a pirate making off with a true treasure trove at the end of your shopping trip, this is the place to start digging.

The store is enormous, but products are neatly organized by category and clearly priced. It feels like a big box store, except just about everything is used, so it’s fun and easy enough to explore. You don’t need to have any particular item in mind when you arrive—no matter what, you’re likely to find yourself leaving with unexpected treasures.

Highlight ① Secondhand Treasure! Clothing, Anime Merch, and More

At a store this big, you might wonder where to begin, so we recommend starting in the fashion section, located to the left of the entrance.

Here, the store actually stocks a few brand-new items alongside the high-quality pre-owned pieces, and put together the selection of anime-themed apparel is especially impressive. Fans of popular series like Demon Slayer, ONE PIECE, Pokémon, and Dragon Ball will be pleased to find plenty of cool designs featuring their favorite franchises.

Of course, it’s not just t-shirts. This area is where you’ll find all kinds of anime merchandise, accessories, bags, hats, and other knick-knacks, so you can put together full-on anime-inspired looks as you browse.

Continue deeper into the store to find the toy and figure section, an area where (we find) many shoppers end up spending far more time than they originally planned. From anime figures of all your favorite characters to the cutest fluffy plush toys, there’s something for fans of every kind.

Highlight ② Pre-Owned Luxury Goods With Prices to Make You Double-Take

Like shopping for pieces that are a little more luxe? Designer and luxury brand enthusiasts will find plenty to explore at this BOOKOFF.

The store carries pre-owned designer bags from big brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermès, clearly displayed near the beautiful array of watches from Japanese brands such as SEIKO and CITIZEN—showcased inside glass cases that invite closer inspection. Of course, for foreign travelers, all of the items in the dedicated luxury section are available tax-free!

One reason why shoppers come back again and again to peruse the luxury and designer goods at BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR No. 1 Kyoto Fushimi Store is the consistency and excellent condition of so many of the items. BOOKOFF’s specialist staff carefully inspect and evaluate each item, using human expertise alongside an AI-assisted system to check every aspect before offering an item for sale. When you’re ready to shop, they make it easy to shop worry-free.

Highlight ③ Find Your Favorites in the Tableware Section

The BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR No. 1 Kyoto Fushimi Store has an especially impressive tableware section, with both Japanese-style and classic Western items. The selection ranges from intricately decorated dishes featuring traditional Japanese designs to minimalist items you’re more likely to find at a chic Shibuya cafe, as well as the kind of tableware that doubles as home decor. Some pieces are affordably priced at just a few hundred yen, but even the most unique one-of-a-kind designs are far from what you’d call “expensive.” Many people come to Japan to snap up suitcases full of ceramics, and we think one of the best ways to find some of the nicest, most unique pieces in Japan is to search the shelves at BOOKOFF.

If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to have access to the treasure trove of Aladdin’s cave, this might be close!

BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR No. 1 Kyoto Fushimi Store
1 Yokoodori Shibafu, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Hours: 10:00 – 20;00
Access: approx. 3 min from Kokudo Otesuji Bus Stop, serviced by Kyoto City Bus Route 19 bound for Yokooji Shako-mae

Rare Media, Secondhand Anime Merch, & More in Kyoto: Enjoy the Treasure Hunt!

Where should YOU go secondhand shopping in Kyoto? After exploring these three BOOKOFF locations, we found that each had its own specialties, and its own appeal. No two BOOKOFF stores are the same, so whether you’re searching for anime merch, browsing the pre-owned luxury goods, or simply hoping to enjoy the thrill of discovering hidden treasure, there’s probably a BOOKOFF store with what you, in particular, are looking for.

If you’d like to experience Japan’s unique thrifting culture on your next trip to Kyoto, add a BOOKOFF tour to your itinerary. The most exciting discovery of your trip just might be something you never planned to look for in the first place!

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