A Book to Discover with Your Kids in Kyoto: 8 Unique Picture Book Specialty Stores

Even if you want to pick out a children’s picture book in Kyoto, do you ever find yourself wondering which store to go to? Choosing a picture book is an important opportunity to nurture your child’s rich sensibilities. Since you’re making the effort, you’ll want to choose a book in a unique setting that both you and your child can enjoy together.

In this article, the KYOTREAT editorial team introduces eight picture book specialty stores and children’s bookstores in Kyoto that are a cut above your average bookstore.

Table of Contents

1. Kindaland Picture Book Store
2. Picture Book Café Mébaé (Mebae)
3. Merry-Go-Round Kyoto
4. Toy House Warabe
5. Keibunsha Ichijyoji Store
6. The Children in the Picture Books
7. Kids Iwaki · Pafu
8. Books & Café Wonderland

1.Picture book store Kindaarando

Founded in 1985, this store in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, specializes in picture books and children's books.

Located in a residential neighborhood just a short distance from Heian Jingu Shrine and the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art, the store features a carefully curated selection of picture books—primarily world-renowned classics—based on the concept of “picture books and reading materials enjoyed at home.”

On the third floor is “Acorn Plaza,” a space where parents and children can play freely, staffed by professional childcare workers with support from the City of Kyoto.

Events featuring picture book readings and finger plays are also held for infants through children around age 3 and their parents.

From the rooftop garden on the 4th floor, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Higashiyama area, and I’ve heard they also grow vegetables and blueberries there.

■Address: 2nd Floor, Kindaa Building, 351 Kabuto-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

■Business Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

■Closed: Wednesdays and holidays

■Directions: About an 8-minute walk from "Higashiyama" Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line / About a 5-minute walk from "Sanjo" Station on the Keihan Railway and Kyoto Municipal Subway

2. Picture Book Cafe Mébaé

A picture-book café located in a residential neighborhood near the Omiya Shopping District, around Daitoku-ji Temple.

The storefront, which is a renovated Kyoto-style townhouse, really catches the eye.

It is currently operated by "Futaba Shobo," a long-established bookstore in Kyoto, where you can freely browse approximately 600 picture books while enjoying a cup of coffee (some are for sale, others for browsing).

Light meals that let you enjoy the world of the picture book—such as dishes inspired by *The Very Hungry Caterpillar*—are also popular.

Staff members who are certified picture book specialists may also offer advice on selecting books.

■Address: 5-5 Murasakino Shimomonzen-cho, Kita Ward, Kyoto City

■Hours: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Last order at 3:30 p.m.)

■Closed: Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays

■Directions: About a 15-minute walk from Kitaoji Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line

3. Merry-Go-Round Kyoto

It opened in 2007 as the Kyoto branch of “Merry-Go-Round,” a long-established children’s book specialty store in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture.

With over 4,000 picture books and children's books packed tightly onto the shelves, there's always something new to discover, no matter how many times you visit.

In the adjacent gallery space, exhibitions of original artwork by various picture book artists and special exhibitions are held regularly, making it a great place to not only purchase art but also enjoy viewing it.

■Address: 5F Kotobuki Building, 251-2 Ichinomachi, Kawaramachi-dori, Shijo-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

■Hours: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

■Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays

■Directions: About a 5-minute walk from "Kyoto Kawaramachi" Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line

4. Toy House Children (Warabe)

A specialty store selling European wooden toys and picture books that opened near Kamigamo Shrine in 1985.

In addition to our selection of warm, wooden toys, we always carry about 200 different types of card and board games that adults can enjoy as well.

The store, where guests are asked to remove their shoes before entering, also features a play area where children can actually play with the toys.

You can take your time browsing through a selection of rare toys and picture books imported directly from Europe.

■Address: 4-5 Kamigamo Nakadōri-chō, Kita Ward, Kyoto City

■Business Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

■Business Days: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays only (Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays)

■Directions: About a 15-minute walk from Kitayama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line

5. Keibunsha Ichijoji Store

Founded in 1975, this bookstore is known nationwide as a pioneer among Kyoto’s independent bookstores.

In addition to books covering a wide range of genres—including literature, art, and architecture—we also carry an extensive selection of children's books and picture books.

In 2010, it was selected by The Guardian as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World.”

In addition to books, the facility features “Seikatsukan,” a store selling household goods; “Anfer,” a gallery that hosts exhibitions; and “Cottage,” an event space.

This is the perfect store for anyone looking for rare books.

■Address: 10 Ichijōji Hariden-chō, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto

■Business Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

■Regular Holidays: Open year-round (except New Year’s Day)

■Directions: About a 3-minute walk from Ichijōji Station on the Eizan Electric Railway

6.Picture book children

A specialty store for picture books that opened in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, in 2018.

The interior, which was renovated from an annex of a private home built over 70 years ago, features soft lighting and rows of bookshelves that exude the warmth of wood.

The store's name, "Kotachi," means "children," and it is said to convey a sense of respect for each individual child.

The ground floor also features a gallery space, where events such as exhibitions of original artwork and workshops are held from time to time.

■Address: 76 Yokooji Shimomisuji-dō-chō, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City

■Business Hours: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

■Closed: Irregular (We recommend checking our social media for the latest information before visiting.)

■Directions: About a 20-minute walk from Nakashima Station on the Keihan Main Line

7. Kids Iwaki Pafu

A specialty store for European wooden toys and picture books.

We offer a wide selection of products—such as pop-up books and board games—that allow children to play while interacting with people and nature.

It’s also reassuring to know that there are expert staff members who can recommend picture books based on a child’s age and preferences.

■Address: 31 Uji Myōraku, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture

■Directions: About a 4-minute walk from "Uji" Station on the JR Nara Line / About a 10-minute walk from "Uji" Station on the Keihan Uji Line

8.Books&Café Wonderland

A combined space featuring a specialty picture book store and a café in Muko City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Opened in 1995 under the concept of “We want children to see, touch, and experience wondrous things,” the museum celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025.

As one of the few specialty picture book stores in the Otokuni area, it attracts a steady stream of visitors not only from the local community but also from farther afield.

In addition to carrying a wide selection of children's books for readers ranging from infants to upper elementary school students, the store is known for its focus on themed picture books covering topics such as "life, animals, nature, the environment, war and peace, the Earth, and the universe."

At the café, you can enjoy Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee, stew and curry sets, and more; original artwork exhibitions and lectures are also held from time to time.

■Address: 8-2 Kukuso, Terado-cho, Muko City, Kyoto Prefecture

■Business Hours: Weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. / Saturdays and Holidays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

■Directions: About a 1-minute walk from "Mukō-chō" Station on the JR Tōkaidō Main Line / About a 5-minute walk from "Higashi-Mukō" Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line

summary

Kyoto is home to a wide variety of picture book specialty stores, ranging from hidden gem bookstores tucked away in residential neighborhoods to long-established bookstores known throughout the country.

Each store has its own unique charm and atmosphere, so why not explore them together as a family and see if you can find your favorite book?

*Business hours and days off are subject to change. We recommend checking each store's official website or social media for the latest information before visiting.