7 replies to this topic

[KidOrion]

… well, in Tokyo and Osaka, at least.

 

Going on a trip in mid-July, and plan to spend a day in bookstores. I’m looking for older astronomy and linguistics books, preferably in English, probably used, but there’s an embarrassment of choices in both cities. Anyone know any stores in particular that are good for used science books? (I’m really looking for dictionaries of obscure languages, as far as linguistics goes.)

[Mark Gingrich]

I can't recommend any book stores, but I commend you on your timing.   The current highly favorable dollar-yen exchange rate should allow you to purchase wheelbarrows filled with books, optics, and miscellaneous goodies.  Then the main problem becomes, How do you skirt the luggage weight limit on your return flight?

[OzViking]

I've used JapanPost to send overly large items home. Their rates are reasonable, and shipping times (to Oz) are a lot faster than any other postal service I've ever used.

 

There are also a multitude of shipping companies available for you, too. I can't remember the name right now, but one has a mother cat carrying a kitten as their logo.

 

V.

 

 

I can't recommend any book stores, but I commend you on your timing.   The current highly favorable dollar-yen exchange rate should allow you to purchase wheelbarrows filled with books, optics, and miscellaneous goodies.  Then the main problem becomes, How do you skirt the luggage weight limit on your return flight?

 

[lstjpn]

Any of the large Kinokuniya or Junkudo stores in Shinjuku or Shibuya will have some of what you want, but the selection of English astronomy books is going to be very slim.  Lots of good Japanese books and magazines about astronomy.  I live in Japan for over 20 years and have a library of Japanese astronomy books that I bought over the years.  Enjoy your trip though you are going to cook in July as Tokyo is like a sauna.

[OzViking]

Hi again,

 

There is an entire suburb in Tokyo, Jimbocho, that is packed with second-hand bookstores. It's been on my "must see" list but I haven't had the chance to visit yet. Maybe my next trip over there...

 

As for how many have a wide range of English books? I'd wager the odds are pretty slim.

 

Some reviews:

https://ikidane-nipp...features/a01145

https://tokyocheapo....ng-in-jimbocho/

 

Cheers,

V.

[Winston6079]

Any of the large Kinokuniya or Junkudo stores in Shinjuku or Shibuya will have some of what you want, but the selection of English astronomy books is going to be very slim.  Lots of good Japanese books and magazines about astronomy.  I live in Japan for over 20 years and have a library of Japanese astronomy books that I bought over the years.  Enjoy your trip though you are going to cook in July as Tokyo is like a sauna.

They have excellent writers as well as translators, it is almost as if they don’t need to learn English. They have the long history if translating almost everything into their own language.

 

BTW they recently are talking of an original deep sky guide. It is heard that the author had been scanning the sky with 50cm or so Dobsonian telescope which is considered by them monster.

 

星雲・星団・銀河ビジュアル図鑑 Nebula, Star cluster and Galaxy The night sky observer’s guide by 津村 光則

https://www.seibundo...stronomy/86802/

[KidOrion]

I can't recommend any book stores, but I commend you on your timing.   The current highly favorable dollar-yen exchange rate should allow you to purchase wheelbarrows filled with books, optics, and miscellaneous goodies.  Then the main problem becomes, How do you skirt the luggage weight limit on your return flight?

Well, the timing is OK as far as the exchange rate goes, but I’m in Osaka currently and it’s hotter than a camel’s scrotum and more humid than Satan’s 9th Circle Sauna.

[Winston6079]

Meanwhile in nearby counties they are either flooding or hot like hell. At least stargazers in Japan they are still able to take astrophotography whereas those living in China and Korea they become underwater photographers. Others (saying Taiwan) they become experts of identifying different kinds of clouds.