Tokyo Books And Music. Tokyo's best selection of foreign-language books and magazines is to be found in Shinjuku's new, seven-storey Kinokuniya bookstore behind Takeshimaya Times Square, though Tower Records, in Shibuya with branches in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, has cheaper prices for imported journals and newspapers. In Nihombashi, Maruzen stocks a wide range of imported and locally produced books, with a strong showing in art and design, while Ginza's Jena is distinguished by its helpful and knowledgeable staff as well as a decent section for Japanese-language students. Though small, Wise Owl Bookshop deserves a special mention for its select choice of titles; you'll find it on the fourth floor of Shin'eido bookstore just east of Ikebukuro Station. Book 1st, 33 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, near the Bunkamura, has a good selection of both English books and magazines. Finally, it's always worth popping into the luxury hotels, most of which run midget bookstores with an array of books on Japan.
Shibuya's Tower Records is currently the biggest music store in Tokyo, with six floors of CDs, records and related paraphernalia, including videos and games. Prices tend to be slightly lower and the selection better at HMV, which has signs spattered over central Tokyo, from the big store at 24 Udagawacho, opposite, the Loft and Seibu department stores, to AbAb department store in Ueno. Virgin, meanwhile, concentrates its energies in its large Shinjuku outlet (in the Marui Building), with a smaller outlet in Marui's Ikebukuro store. For secondhand records and CDs, Recofan and Disk Union are two names to look out for. Both have branches in Shibuya, Shinjuku and Shimo-Kitazawa , amongst other places.