JOIN US ― Become a Hon no Machi member shop
Connecting books, people and the town.
Make your shop part of the story.
Hon no Machi is a monthly community magazine made together with the bookstores, coffee houses, restaurants and galleries of Kanda, Jimbocho and Ochanomizu. In print and on the web, we introduce your shop to readers who love books. (Membership inquiries are handled in Japanese; English is fine by email.)
Monthly
Always in season
3,000 copies
Printed every month
60+ spots
Pick-up points in Kanda and Jimbocho
40+ shops
Member shops so far
CONCEPT
The power of place,
the quality of encounters.
Books don’t sell, neighborhood bookstores are disappearing — precisely because people say such things, we believe in the value of real, physical shops.
Chance discoveries, conversations with owners, the smell of paper. To protect and nurture experiences that digital cannot replace, we created a place where shops are not isolated but connected as one “town.”
Won’t you add your shop’s character to the colors of Book Town?
MERIT
Four benefits of membership
Print and web together convey the appeal of shops rooted in the neighborhood.
01
Published monthly,
so you are never forgotten
While many local magazines now appear only every few months, Hon no Machi reaches readers every single month. That monthly rhythm roots your shop’s name in readers’ lives, and lets you share seasonal ideas and timely news at just the right moment.
02
Dense distribution
in a compact area
3,000 copies a month — about 40,000 a year — at more than 60 locations, densely distributed across the compact Kanda and Jimbocho area. We also focus on features about member shops and on posts via note, X and Facebook.
03
Meet discerning
book lovers
Our readers are mostly seniors with a keen eye, who value stories and craftsmanship. We bring your shop straight to them. The trust that “a shop recommended by book lovers must be good” builds long-lasting relationships with customers.
04
Be found
on the web too
We create a page for your shop on our website and list it on the area map and shop directory — in Japanese and English. Visitors can search by name or category, even on their phones while walking around town.
ON THE WEB
Introducing your shop
in print and online
Whether readers pick up the magazine or find us through search, our website guides them to your door.
- Shop pageAddress, hours, closing days and a map, all on one page.
- Area map & shop directoryColor-coded pins by category and search help people find shops nearby.
- Linked to our seriesArticles such as “Photographer ELLI’s Town Walks” can be read from your shop page.
PLAN
Plans and fees
Membership is a simple monthly fee. For advertisers who want space in the magazine, we also offer an advertising plan.
STANDARD
Standard membership
¥3,000/month (tax incl.)
Our basic plan, including listing in the magazine, the map and introductions on social media.
- Listing in the member shop list at the back of the magazine
- Your location on the member shop map (print and web)
- A page for your shop on our official website
- Introductions on our official social media
- 20 copies delivered every month (by mail outside the Jimbocho distribution area)
ADVERTISING
Advertising membership
Please inquire
A plan for advertisers who would like to place an ad in the magazine.
For availability, sizes and rates, please contact us using the inquiry form.
FLOW
How to join
From your first inquiry to publication, our editors guide you step by step.
Contact us via the form
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page. The editorial office will reply to your email address within a few business days.
A conversation by phone, online or in person
We confirm the details of your inquiry and learn more about your shop or business.
Your listing begins
Depending on timing, your listing in print, on the map and on the web — and an introduction on our social media — can start from the next issue.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can individuals join, not just businesses?
Yes. Many individual supporters already help us. We mail each month’s Hon no Machi to the address of your choice, up to 20 copies. Please note that only businesses are included in the magazine’s member shop list.
Who are your readers?
Mainly intellectually curious seniors who value a relaxed lifestyle. They care about “real value” — a book, a cup of coffee, a craftsman’s handiwork — and tend to stay loyal to shops they trust.
Can any kind of business join?
Any shop that loves culture and shares the spirit of Hon no Machi is welcome. Besides bookstores and antiquarian booksellers, our members include coffee houses, restaurants, specialty shops, galleries, clinics and real estate agents. See our current members in the shop directory.
Where is the magazine distributed?
At more than 60 locations, mainly member shops in Kanda, Jimbocho and Ochanomizu. See the shop directory and map. Past issues are available on our back issues page.
How long does it take from application to listing?
Depending on when you contact us, your listing can start from the next issue. We will tell you the start date during our conversation.
CONTACT
Application and inquiry form
Use this form to apply for membership, ask about advertising or send any other inquiry. The form is in Japanese; you may write in English.
If the form does not appear, open it here.