Loved by people of all ages, from children to seniors, Hiroshige Bunko Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store (hereafter referred to as “Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store”) will celebrate its 29th anniversary in December 2025.
The anniversary festival is held every year in early December.
In 2025, it’s getting even bigger, with sweets from popular cake shops and confectioners around Soja City for sale, along with some unusual events.
We visited to find out what to expect at Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store’s anniversary festival, and why this bookstore continues to be loved by so many people.
The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in December 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About the Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store Anniversary Festival
Every year in early December, Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store holds an anniversary festival with events for everyone, from children to adults, including the Nokishita Marche and free oshiruko.
In 2025, it is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Nokishita Marche Vendors
Four popular shops from Soja City and Mabi will set up at the Nokishita Marche: Wall Warren, Petit Graine, Flamme Confectionery, and bonbon.
At last year’s (2024) marche, some vendors sold out by the morning, so they are preparing a larger quantity for this year.
Even so, all the shops have many fans, so if you want to be sure to get something, we recommend arriving early.
Highlights of the Second Day of the Anniversary Festival
At 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, Hirai Dojo will present children’s kagura. This will be the first time it has been performed at Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store, and the staff are looking forward to it.
In addition, around 11 a.m., Daikoku-sama is scheduled to toss lucky sweets to the crowd.
There will also be plenty of events for the whole family to enjoy, including a Japanese-made puzzle block workshop and free oshiruko.
The store will also have special offers, such as double points and free cookies for a limited number of customers.
Exciting Shopping Beyond Books
Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store was filled with items that pleasantly defy the usual image of a bookstore.
Alongside stationery, it stocks tableware, food, household goods, and clothing, making it as fun as visiting a general goods shop.
You can also buy items such as pouches and bags made from Kurashiki denim, as well as miso and fresh koji from Marumi Koji Honten, whose main store is in Minagi, Soja City. Apparently, the only places in Soja City where you can buy fresh koji are the main store and Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store.
You may come across something that makes you think, “I want this too,” even though you only came to look for a book.
If you’re planning to enjoy some shopping, the anniversary festival is a great time to visit, with double points on offer.
What Makes Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store Different from Other Stores
Before opening a bookstore, president Miyake Seiichi worked in the steel industry. Because he loved books, he took the plunge into bookstore management 29 years ago and opened Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store.
Miyawaki Bookstore is a chain with stores across Japan, but the Soja store has one major feature that sets it apart: it is a franchise store.
Since most stores are company-operated, they generally carry only books.
By contrast, as a franchise store, the Soja store can freely stock general goods and food, while listening to customers’ feedback. I felt that this flexibility is what gives the Soja store its distinctive selection and is the reason it has been loved for so long.
Care in Selecting Products
Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store doesn’t stock products simply because they’re trendy or seem likely to be in demand.
They take care to avoid overlapping too much with the selection at nearby general goods shops, and value “things you can discover because you came here.”
Also, since customers of all ages visit the bookstore, they make a point of stocking items that everyone from children to seniors can enjoy.
They choose products with the hope that even customers who came to look for books will find a little something fun that makes them want to pick it up.
Interview with Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store Staff
We spoke with Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store manager Hirokazu Miyake and Yuki Jikihara about the store’s features, what they care about, its events, and their hopes for the future.
When did Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store open?
Miyake (surname only)
It opened in December 1996. This year marks its 29th year.
Jikihara (surname only)
Some customers come every day, and we’re grateful for that.
What kinds of books do you carry?
Miyake
We mainly carry new releases and comics, but we also stock used books sourced from secondhand bookstores we have connections with.
Jikihara
Recently, we also started buying used books. We have a permanent used-book section and set up a special “Used Book Weather” section twice a year.
We have many book lovers, and they pick up anything that catches their interest, whether it’s new or secondhand.
What prompted you to start carrying general goods?
Jikihara
As book sales became more challenging, we wanted to offer something in addition to books. That’s what prompted us to start carrying general goods around 2017.
How did customers respond when you started carrying general goods?
Miyake
Since we started carrying general goods and food, we’ve been able to welcome a wider range of customers. Sometimes seniors wearing rubber boots come in and buy sweets from the general goods section.
Popular items change with the seasons, such as planners and clothing, and people look forward to them. We sometimes wonder what kind of shop we are, but we’re happy that people enjoy it.
Do you hold events often?
Jikihara
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we held various events, such as workshops with publishers, summer festivals, and used-book fairs.
Recently, the popular “Tenohira Marche” has featured items made by people at Type A and Type B continuous employment support facilities. It’s featured in the city newsletter, so many customers look forward to it.
What are your hopes for the future?
Jikihara
We want to create a store that people feel is fun just to visit. We hope to remain a beloved bookstore, including books and general goods, and a place where people in the community can gather.
Miyake
It would be great if events could return and we could make the experience even more fulfilling. We hope to continue providing our customers with a relaxing space.
From the Writer
Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store is a bookstore where you can pick up a book, while also enjoying the discovery of miscellaneous goods, food, and products unique to the region.
With the freedom of selection that comes with being a franchise store and through its events, it created a space where local people could naturally gather.
The reason it has remained beloved by the community for so many years is likely that, rather than simply selling products, it values being “a place that makes you want to drop in,” with books, miscellaneous goods, and events as the inspiration.
Visit sometime to discover a little everyday pleasure.
Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store Anniversary Festival Information
| Name | Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store Anniversary Festival |
|---|---|
| Dates | Dates: Saturday, December 6–Sunday, December 7, 2025 Hours: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. *Until supplies run out |
| Location | 1049-1 Ide, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Hiroshige Mae | The General Store at Miyawaki Bookstore Soja Store, Okayama Prefecture |
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