Located in the central-western part of Okayama Prefecture, Takahashi City, Fukiya-cho.
The Fukiya area, situated at an elevation of about 550m in a plateau region, thrived from the Edo period as a site for copper mined at the nearby Yoshioka Copper Mine and for the production of bengara as a byproduct.
The copper mine closed in 1972, but the "Fukiya Furusato Village" located in the center of the area quietly tells the story of its past prosperity with its townscape of latticework painted in the bengara color known as Japan Red and Sekishu tiles.
In the heart of this beautiful townscape, adjacent to the nationally designated important cultural property "Former Katayama Residence," the bookstore "Shuchinsha" opened in 2025. It is a personal bookstore that shines with the owner's carefully selected books, perfect for a casual stop during your travels.
We interviewed the owner about their thoughts one year after opening.
About Shuchinsha
Shuchinsha is the only bookstore in the Fukiya area, which opened in April 2025.
The owner, Kawana Hirokazu, was drawn to the atmosphere of the Fukiya area during a trip and moved from Saitama to Fukiya in 2022.
After moving, he encountered the current property while working in security and opened the bookstore.
Renovated from an okonomiyaki restaurant
The warm store, which makes extensive use of wood, was once an okonomiyaki restaurant. After relocating to a larger space, the building that had become vacant was renovated.
Upon entering the store, the refreshing scent of new wood greets you, along with the built-in bookshelves that catch your eye.
Counter utilizing the former griddle
The register counter located at the back of the store.
This is actually a direct reuse of the griddle that was once used for cooking okonomiyaki. According to Kawana, "It was sturdy and difficult to dismantle," so during the renovation, it was combined with wood to create a stylish counter.
Around the counter, the wallpaper designed with plant specimens catches the eye. Kawana explained that this is inspired by the fact that many plant fossils are excavated in the Fukiya area.
A bookshelf full of care
The bookshelf is lined with books displayed neatly so that their covers are visible.
According to Kawana, he is particular about "displaying the books in a way that the covers are visible and easy to pick up, without cramming them in," ensuring that all books are at a height and position that makes them easy to reach.
Additionally, the wooden pillar built in the center of the store serves as a beautiful bookshelf that adds three-dimensionality to the space.
As we mark one year since opening, we spoke with owner Kawana about his feelings and thoughts on the bookstore business.
Shuchinsha Data
| Name | Shuchinsha |
|---|---|
| Address | 370-2 Fukiya-cho, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | DM on Instagram |
| Parking | None Use the parking lot at Fukiya Furusato Village |
| Business Hours | Business days and hours announced on Instagram |
| Regular Holidays | Irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Fukiya Bookstore Shuchinsha |
