Interview with owner Kawabe
We spoke with Kawabe, owner of Sleeve-Pocket Books, about how they feel now that the shop has been open for a year and their thoughts on the bookselling business.
How the shop opened and the origin of its name
What led you to move to Fukiya and open a bookstore?
Kawabe (honorific omitted)
I visited Fukiya on a trip during a break between jobs and was captivated by the warmth of its people and its peaceful atmosphere. The thought, “What kind of life would I have if I lived here?” inspired me to move.
I moved there in the fall of 2022 and first took a job with a local security company to establish a foundation for daily life.
After moving, I learned that an old house near my home (now the shop) was up for sale. I wondered if I could do something with it. Since books had long been a passion of mine, I decided to open a bookstore: it was something I could devote myself to, and books are products that do not spoil.
I had never worked in a bookstore, so to prepare for opening, I visited independent bookstores around the country, talked with their owners about running a bookstore, and read books about opening one.
I waited until a trusted carpenter was available, then renovated the property. About a year and a half after purchasing it, the shop opened in April 2025 as the only bookstore in the Fukiya district. This spring marks one year since it opened.
Could you tell us how you chose the name “Sleeve-Pocket Books”?
Kawabe
The name “Sleeve-Pocket Books” comes from shuchinbon, books made during the Edo period.
Shuchinbon were small Japanese-bound books that could be carried in the sleeve or breast pocket of a kimono. They are the equivalent of today’s paperback books.
I chose the name because I wanted it to evoke a Japanese aesthetic rather than the image of historic Fukiya.
The name also expresses my hope that people will take the books they discover here with them as they visit different places.
About the book selection
Could you tell us about the characteristics of your book selection?
Kawabe
I stock a relatively large number of pocket-sized books, the modern equivalent of the shuchinbon that inspired the shop’s name. This is because they are easy for visitors to Fukiya to pick up and take home, and convenient to read on the train home.
The books cover a wide range of genres, including Fukiya’s history, travel, plants and animals, and food. I choose books that suit Fukiya, a historic town rich in nature.
When arranging the books, I try not to cram them in, and display them so that as many covers as possible can be seen and their appeal comes across.
All the books we carry are new. This reflects my desire to display books I have selected myself and curate the entire atmosphere of the shop.
You also have a large selection of books connected to Okayama Prefecture.
Kawabe
Along with books by famous authors from Okayama Prefecture, such as Ogawa Yoko, Shigematsu Kiyoshi, and Asano Atsuko, we also carry books about local luminaries, including sculptor Hirakushi Denchu and former professional baseball player Hoshino Senichi.
I have a particularly large selection of Ogawa Yoko’s books, since I read them often myself.
Reflections after one year in business
How do you feel now that you have been in business for a year?
Kawabe
Having gone through all four seasons, I feel that I am beginning to get a sense of the rhythm of running the shop.
My goal, unchanged since opening, is to keep running a bookstore here in Fukiya for a long time. The other day, I saw a nearby liquor store celebrating its 200th anniversary, which made me feel all the more that my first year is only the beginning.
I hope to become a place that people returning to Fukiya can think of as, “That bookstore is still here this year.”
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
Kawabe
I think the joy of looking for books at a local bookstore lies in unexpectedly discovering a book.
Online shopping has become commonplace, and I imagine many people don’t often visit local bookstores these days. Still, I’d be delighted if you could find a book you love in Fukiya, where time flows quietly and at an unhurried pace.
The books on the shelves may change with the times, but I hope to continue upholding our commitment to letting customers enjoy taking their time and browsing at leisure.
From the Writer
As mentioned in the interview, online shopping has become the main way to buy books in recent years, and opportunities to browse books in person have decreased compared with the past.
At the same time, independent bookstores that reflect their owners’ personalities have been opening in many places in recent years.
When you visit Fukiya, why not enjoy the unexpected discovery of a book you could only find in this place in this space, where the town’s history and the owner’s personal touch come together?
Sleeve-Pocket Books data
| Name | Sleeve-Pocket Books |
|---|---|
| Address | 370-2 Fukiya, Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | Via Instagram DM |
| Parking | None Use the Fukiya Furusato Village parking lot |
| Hours | Business days and hours announced on Instagram |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Payment methods |
|
| Website | Fukiya Bookstore Sleeve-Pocket Books |
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