Do you know that the number of “independent” bookstores is now increasing?
People come to visit this kind of bookstore to experience a town’s culture or get information. Also, these stores are so cozy, it is just like visiting a café!
The next bookstore we are introducing after “Nata-sho” in Kagawa is “READAN DEAT” located very close to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

“READAN DEAT” will become a destination on your trip.

“READAN DEAT” is located in the area recognized as the cultural center of Hiroshima.
It is about a 7-minute walk from the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
The center of Hiroshima City has various shopping malls and is just 3 stations away by tram from the bookstore.

This representative “independent” bookstore in Hiroshima is located here, and national newspapers have often written about this bookstore.

The bookstore is on the second floor of a building along the street.
The shopkeeper, Mr. Seimasa, decided to open his own bookstore when he was 30, after he both experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake and also his favorite bookstore in Hiroshima went out business.
He worked at a bookstore in Tokyo for 2 years to gain experience, and finally opened “READAN DEAT” in Hiroshima, which is his hometown.

There are various genres of books.

You will find various genres of books at this bookstore, such as books on art, food, lifestyles, photo-books, cultural magazines and so on.
But there is no so-called “best-sellers” section.
All books are selected by Seimasa, and none of them have a “best-before date.”

The book in the picture above is “The Flower of Life, The Song of Hope” (Publisher: Nanaroku-sha), a collection of poetry with pictures written and drawn by 2 brothers.
This is a beautiful work, and it made me cry.
The only reason why I happened to find this great book is because it was selected by Seimasa, who acts as a certain “filter” by seeing and choosing books for the store.

Also, many zines, published on an individual basis by their creators, are on display.
These are published in small numbers, so it is a kind of miracle that you can find these paper-based zines in the era of internet.
That is why visiting this bookstore will be a real pleasure during your trip.

Tableware displayed with books

Mr. Seimasa has loved tableware for a long time, so he decided to sell tableware along with books here when he opened the bookstore.
Works by potters and artists are displayed on the shelves.

These are woodworks by the artist Yoshiaki Tadaki.
The cutlery is minutely carved with high-sensitivity, and each one is very thin and shiny.
They are so fascinating with their noble appearance.

The gallery space inside exhibits this kind of tableware, along with photos and illustrations.
Moreover, various events, including public-talks by artists, have been held here. Many people come and visit for these events even from outside of Hiroshima.
(Check the event on official website ←リンクhttp://readan-deat.com or Facebook page ←リンクhttps://www.facebook.com/READAN-DEAT-799360460095115/.)

You might have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter!

This bookstore, with its French antique furniture and its location in a retro building built more than 60 years ago, might make you think you have stepped into a bookstore somewhere in Europe.
The books you find at this extraordinary space will make for a good memory of your trip.
So, I would like to recommend that you plan a cultural trip which includes as destination like this splendid bookstore.

Photographs and text by Akiko Isonaga