I want people to find books "interesting" with a little creative touch.

—What inspired you to start working in a bookstore?

In college, I wanted to be an accountant and studied accounting. During that time, I often found myself reading books on campus.

When I tried to read in the campus cafeteria, it wasn't really a place for reading, so it was noisy. I wished there was a place where I could read quietly, have a light meal, and drink coffee.

Also, I don't necessarily think books are "better than anything else," but I felt that acquiring the enjoyment of books as one option could enrich life just a little. However, back then, few people around me read books.

The trigger for reading a book is often something very small, but for those who don't read, it's a high hurdle. I wanted people who don't usually read books to think, "This is surprisingly interesting" with some kind of creative touch.



At 24, after working there for two years, I decided, "I want to run my own shop." To save up the funds, I thought I'd try to become an accountant again and considered quitting my job at the bookstore. When I told Yoshitaka Haba of BACH, who was directing the book selection at TSUTAYA TOKYO ROPPONGI, he said, "We need someone who understands books on the ground," and offered me a position.Yoshitaka Haba (BACH)I started working in charge of the book corner at "CIBONE AOYAMA," an interior shop located in the basement of Aoyama Bell Commons, where he was also directing. In the end, I gave up on becoming an accountant and started my second career.

After working there for about a year, at age 25, Haba-san approached me again. This time, he asked me to be the store manager for the opening of "SHIBUYA PUBLISHING & BOOKSELLERS (SPBS)." I worked there for four years.

—These are all bookstores known for their curated selections. Is there anything from those experiences that connects to what you're doing now?

While working at SPBS, I received many offers like, "Would you like to participate in external events?" However, SPBS was a new bookstore... The markup on new books is high, so if you pay event participation fees from sales at external events, it's not financially viable. Therefore, it was difficult to accept those proposals.

But since I was being invited, I wanted to do something. That's when I started thinking that if I were to participate in such events, perhaps used books would be the right merchandise.



—With used books, you have more freedom with pricing.

Exactly. And it also gives you more freedom in sourcing.

Also, when I was little, a mobile library used to come near my house. As a child, that was a very happy event for me. Even though I didn't read much as a child, I was excited about it. I thought that if there were such triggers, people who aren't familiar with books might become a little interested.

So, I had a vague idea that I wanted to do something using a vehicle myself. However, with domestic cars, size limitations meant there were only so many things I could do. Around that time, I happened to find an imported truck online. I hadn't really solidified the specifics of the bookstore business, but I flew to Kumamoto to see the truck being sold.




Going to Where You're Needed
—All the way to Kumamoto! That was quite a distance.

Yes, it was. When I actually measured the truck, I realized that with this size, I could fit bookshelves inside and even people. I felt the potential and bought it. It's an '86 Chevrolet truck.

After purchasing it, I spent about a year preparing. Once everything was ready, I quit SPBS and started the mobile bookstore, "BOOK TRUCK."

—So, a mobile bookstore dealing in used books was a way to effectively combine what you wanted to do?

The books sold in a fixed store are heavily influenced by the location. For example, no matter how much you want to sell art books, if customers aren't looking for them, it's difficult to keep stocking them. I felt that frustration of not being able to sell what I wanted to sell.

So, if I want to sell art books, I can take them to places where there are many customers looking for art books. This way, I can satisfy my desire to sell what I want and also reach the customers who want them. That's why I decided to try operating a mobile bookstore first.

—That certainly makes sense. So, do the books you handle actually differ depending on the location of your events?

About 20 to 30 percent of the selection is tailored to the event location. The core selection remains largely the same. However, if the location is particularly unique, I adapt accordingly. For example, if it's an event with only children, I might fill it with picture books.



—I see. How does the process of setting up a BOOK TRUCK event work?

Most often, people I know, or those who have seen our Facebook page, reach out to us. I haven't really proactively approached places saying, "Please let us set up here."

—Are there any specific places where you'd like to set up BOOK TRUCK in the future?

The only place I've proactively approached is a university. Universities have cultures that you don't encounter elsewhere. So, I'd like to set up on campus.

—The influence of youth, especially during one's student years, is significant, isn't it?

It really is. Books prominently displayed in co-ops or libraries... even though there are other options, people might not notice them. It feels like a waste. It's not that I think those books are "better," but I believe having more choices is good.

We're in an era where people are told to "join a large company, join a stable company." But I think there are many people who are unsure about what other options exist besides joining a major corporation right after graduation. I believe it would be beneficial just to make them aware of the diverse ways of living. That's why I want to go to places like that.

The university staff I approached said, "We have a co-op and a library, so we're covered."

—So, it's surprisingly difficult?

It's quite difficult.

—Then, could you tell us why you decided to open a permanent store this time?

To effectively manage the inventory of BOOK TRUCK. Also, I often received questions like, "Where do you usually operate?" when I was out at events, so I was thinking about how to answer that.

As a development, I envisioned various forms of operation and came up with many plans. As a result, I thought, why not a simple, permanent store?




A Bookstore Operating in a Space Designed by a Famous Architect

—What were your thoughts behind setting up a store in a residential unit?

I was already familiar with this building. I happened to see a website advertising vacancies, and remarkably, it allowed commercial operations despite being a housing complex. Just like with the truck, I imagined what it would be like to have a store here.

Since it's a "residence," I thought it would be fun to arrange books suitable for a living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedroom. With this space, I can increase my inventory, and it's close to the station. The nearest station is on the Tokyu Toyoko Line, so customers can come from Shibuya or Yokohama without transferring. I thought it was a great fit and decided on this location.

Because it's a housing complex, I named the store "BOOK APART."



—Kazuyo Sejima of the architect unit "SANAA" designed this housing complex. The SPBS store was designed by Hiroshi Nakamura of "NAP." Was the architectural aspect a high priority?

Yes, it was. I do consider the quality of the space. The location itself could also be considered part of the architecture, perhaps.

The bookshelves in the store are handmade, just like for BOOK TRUCK, and the dining table I use for display is an old piece from my family home. This table looks like it could break any moment, but I want to cherish it. The furniture and books create a comfortable sense of everyday life, striking a good balance with the extraordinary atmosphere of this building. I think it's wonderful.



—What are your future plans for this store?

I want to gradually make this store an even more comfortable space. There's a large terrace on the 3rd floor that's very pleasant, so I'd like to create a coffee stand next to the entrance on the 1st floor and have people enjoy their coffee on the terrace. I want them to feel as relaxed as they would at home.

—A book cafe, in essence.

Yes. And perhaps food in the kitchen. Stationery that suits a study, or small tableware for the dining area. I'm also considering selling plants and greenery on the terrace. And I'd like to increase the selection of new books.



—Will you continue with BOOK TRUCK? Also, what other activities are you involved in?

BOOK TRUCK will be open on weekends. I now have staff besides myself, so we will continue to operate it in parallel with this store.

In terms of other work, I'm involved in book direction.

One is supporting the operation of Sony's e-book store, "Reader Store." Every week, as hundreds of content pieces are distributed, I help with organizing features, like "Let's create this kind of feature" or "This kind of feature doesn't sell well." It's basically the same as a bookstore – imagine arranging newly released books on the shelves.

Additionally, I handle book selection for "Izumai," a restaurant in Bakurocho.

—I'm very much looking forward to seeing how things develop. Thank you very much.

Shuhei Mita
After working at SHIBUYA PUBLISHING & BOOKSELLERS, he launched the mobile bookstore "BOOK TRUCK" in 2012. He currently supports the operation of Sony's e-book store "Reader Store" and handles book selection for the restaurant "Izumai" in Bakurocho.

BOOK APART
Address: Okurayama Housing Complex I, Room 3-5-11 Okurayama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
2-minute walk from Okurayama Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line
Business Hours: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Closed: Mondays
Opening Date: October 2013
Official Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/mybookapart

BOOK TRUCK
*Event information is announced on the official Facebook page.
Official Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Booktruck