“I Love Baths,” “My Dress,” “Suho’s White Horse,” and “Guri and Gura.”
Picture books I loved as a child and read over and over. Stories I eventually forgot.
Tsuzuki no Ehonya is a picture-book shop where you can rediscover those forgotten treasures.
With its warm interior surrounded by picture books and delicious tea, Tsuzuki no Ehonya is filled with quiet, gentle moments.
“Picture books are there for everyone, from age zero to 100.”
As you chat with the owner, Tsuzuki, you’re sure to find a special book that’s just right for you.
The information presented was current when this article was published in October 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
“Tsuzuki no Ehonya,” designed as a picture-book shop
“Tsuzuki no Ehonya” opened in April 2016.
The Tsuzuki family used to move frequently for work. They searched for a place to open a picture-book shop and finally found their destiny in Kurashiki.
This building, tucked away in a residential neighborhood, is, according to Tsuzuki, “a shop and home designed specifically for a picture-book shop.”
Through the large glass windows, you can see the many picture books inside.
The covers facing outward are delightful, and I ended up walking all the way around the shop.
A charming bright-red sign, designed by picture-book author Hata Koshiro.
Inside the shop, you can enjoy homemade treats with tea.
The “baked treat of the day” when we visited was a “chocolate and walnut happy scone.” It sounds delicious!
Around 2,000 picture books line the shop. You might find an old favorite
Inside the shop is truly a sea of picture books! Around 2,000 books are on display at all times.
From the angle of the bookshelves to the smallest details, everything reflects Tsuzuki’s care—this really is the ideal picture-book shop.
The books lined up along the pillar are adorable picture books for babies.
The books are also arranged by category, including new releases, books for adults, seasonal picture books, and long sellers.
This is the seasonal picture-book corner. In June, when we visited, the selection included books about rain, umbrellas, fathers, and teeth.
Those picture books we were read at nursery school or school, and others like them. I was reminded that we experienced the seasons through picture books, too.
The long-seller corner features nostalgic titles such as “Curious George” and “The Goldfish Got Away.” Merchandise is also available.
There is also masking tape featuring picture-book artists. I couldn’t resist buying tape by my favorite, Yamawaki Yuriko.
Original artwork by picture-book artists is displayed in the shop’s gallery.
Picture-book originals, which we rarely get to see, are all striking and full of life.
Alongside new releases published each month, Tsuzuki no Ehonya brings together picture books from a wide range of genres.
The deciding factor, Tsuzuki says, is whether she thinks, “I want to put this book into someone’s hands!”
The books on the shelves are ones that moved her as she read them to the end and thought, “This is fun” or “This is a wonderful book.”
Special tea and treats prepared by a tea instructor
Tsuzuki is also a tea instructor.
Enjoy a relaxing moment with carefully selected tea and freshly baked treats.
When we visited, we had a pineapple tea squash and a scone.
The pineapple tea is apparently made by steeping tea in carbonated water overnight.
It has the fresh fragrance of pineapple and a hint of sweetness. And the color is beautiful.
As the weather gets warmer, this is a refreshing tea you’ll want to drink again and again.
Chocolate and walnut scones, served fresh from the oven.
The homemade baked treats are crisp and comforting, with a gentle flavor. They’re so delicious you’ll want to try the other treats, too.
A set of Darjeeling tea and a scone. The rich Darjeeling pairs perfectly with the scone.
The selection changes with the seasons, but other teas on the menu include:
- Darjeeling
- Assam
- Earl Grey
- Dimbula
- Kandy
- Premium Ruhuna
- Japanese black tea
- Blended tea
Picture books for adults, too—books that speak to each person
“Quite a few people come to Tsuzuki no Ehonya on their own as adults,” Tsuzuki told us.
In fact, many people find themselves wanting to read picture books once they become adults.
When they’re tired, or feeling a little lonely. Apparently, many people suddenly feel like picking up a picture book.
She listens to each customer and helps them choose a picture book.
Like a picture-book concierge, she stays by their side as she helps them find just the right book.
“Picture books have an ultimate simplicity,” says Tsuzuki.
The pictures and words retain only what truly needs to be kept, while leaving the rest to the reader—that’s how open-hearted they are.
“Picture books have room for interpretation. Everyone feels and reads them differently. You can see yourself in any part of them; there’s no one right answer.”
We asked her to choose picture books based on the somewhat forceful theme, “If you were taking them to a deserted island.”
After some hesitation—“Let’s see…”—she chose these three books.
- Taguchiru Taguchiru
- The First Question
- Akari
Visit the shop to find out what these picture books are like.
She read a little of Taguchiru Taguchiru aloud for us.
Listening to Tsuzuki’s clear, beautiful voice, I was reminded after a long time of the comfort of being read to and the joy of having someone read to me.
Take your time with picture books and enjoy a moment of indulgence
I’ve loved picture books for as long as I can remember, so when I walked into Tsuzuki no Ehonya, I was delighted by what a wonderful shop it was.
As I looked at the picture-book covers, the faces of children, the parents who had read to them, and the fondly remembered faces of teachers from long ago somehow came to mind.
Along with the stories in the books, memories of being read to and reading aloud to others seemed to come back to me.
Choosing a picture book for someone else, and for yourself. At Tsuzuki no Ehonya, you can spend a truly indulgent and happy moment.
Enjoy delicious tea, homemade sweets, and pleasant conversation as you find a book to treasure.
Tsuzuki no Ehonya details
| Name | Tsuzuki no Ehonya |
|---|---|
| Address | 694-7 Kawairi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-476-0415 |
| Parking | Available 4 spaces |
| Hours | 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Wednesday and Thursday Closed on the 21st of each month |
| Payment methods |
|
| Website | Tsuzuki no Ehonya |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
