Even though everybody and their grandmother seem to have a Kindle these days, good old print books refuse to die.
There’s something about the feel and smell of real paper that’s simply irreplaceable. It’s comforting, homely, nostalgic. What better way to escape the frenzy of modern life than by curling up by the fire with a nice hardback?
Here’s a list of seven bookstores across Asia that more than give the oldest — and most beloved — medium in the world their due. Ranging from glossy and state-of-the-art to low-key and bohemian, each of these uniquely beautiful spots is sure to excite your inner bookworm.
Zhongshuge Bookstore (multiple locations, China)
Yangzhou branch:
Chengdu branch:
Hangzhou branch:
Suzhou branch:
Shanghai branch:
Tsutaya Books (multiple locations, Japan)
Hirakata, Osaka branch:
Ginza Six, Tokyo branch:
Daikanyama, Tokyo branch:
Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa branch:
Candide Books and Cafe (Bangkok, Thailand)
Beijing Bookworm (Beijing, China)
BooksActually (Singapore)
Book and Bed Tokyo (multiple locations, Japan)
Kyoto branch:
Tokyo branch:
VVG Something (Taipei, Taiwan)
BONUS: Tianjin Binhai Library (Tianjin, China)
Although technically not a bookstore, we’d be remiss to not feature this marvel of architecture. Nicknamed “The Eye” for the massive luminous sphere in the middle of the atrium, this five-level library can hold a whopping 1.2 million books.
