Kinokuniya New York — Attraction in New York

I’ve been visiting Kinokuniya for years now, and the price increase over time has been disappointing. While they have a good selection of basically everything they carry, your money can be gone in an instant. I mostly come here for the anime related section as their stationary department tends to be incredibly overpriced therefore I avoid it when I visit here. For someone that looks for rare goods on the second floor, figures to acrylic stands and pins are for the most part either double in price if it’s a small item, or around 30% more expensive if it’s a bit larger. An example would be badges/buttons: on average they cost about $4 but at Kinokuniya they’re usually $8-$9. Acrylic stands also suffer from being about double in price. I don’t recommend coming here and buying a bunch of things at once. Nowadays, you can easily receive merch from Japan via proxies or other stores that ship items from Japan at lower prices. I usually buy one or two things that I can’t find online if I see it in stores, but I do not recommend getting figures, manga, or CDs here as you can easily get them discounted on Amazon or similar websites. However, they started doing discounts on items ranging from 20-50%. If you find something you like that’s discounted (and better than online prices), go for it. Their cafe is decent; they discount their items after a certain time (around an hour before closing) so you can get a deal. Some options are average, while some items are surprisingly good. Overall, if you just want to go out and buy merch not caring how much money you spend, I recommend Kinokuniya. If you want to save money or are on a budget, I recommend...

Times Square has never been a fun place for me. I go to the shopping district and I feel like nothing ever appeals to me (except for Nintendo World, the LINE store, and a few local cuisines here and there). The tourists that usually come here are either soccermom families, theatre kids, foreign tourists, and the trendsetter minds of today's youth. I belong into neither of the three groups, and even as a young 22 year old I feel left out. That is until I discovered Kinokuniya New York. The American East Coast branch of the synonymously named Japanese bookstore chain aims to bring Japanese culture to the anime fans and Japanophiles that happen to live in or around New York City. I walk inside the three floor store and I am greeted with a world of Japanese books and anime merchandise. The third floor is the crème filling of the store, as it houses a collection of manga, anime figures, artbooks, playing cards, and even a café. When you go to the store, you don't have to feel like you are committed to buy anything. You can just walk in, browse the selection, and even make some friends who like anime just as you, even niche things like Hololive or BanG Dream! if you are lucky. If you are ever dragged into a NYC trip and want to feel like you are in your zone, this is the place to do it. I went there last summer and it was the only part of Times Square where it felt like I had a sense of belonging. If you are an anime fan touring New York City and want something for you, then please give this place a visit. Times Square lacks in anime stores, and Kinokuniya New York can help turn your mood around whenever you go to...

Kinokuniya is a rare sanctuary in the heart of Midtown Manhattan—just across from Bryant Park—where books, design, and culture come together in quiet harmony. We visited on a Sunday evening, and found the store gently humming with calm energy, perfect for unhurried exploration.

The bookstore spans three thoughtfully organized levels. The ground floor features a beautifully curated selection of English-language literature, contemporary fiction, children’s books, and elegant gifts. The second floor is a wonderland for manga lovers, with both Japanese and translated volumes, as well as anime collectibles, Ghibli-themed treasures, and fan-favorite merch. A small Japanese café tucked into this level serves melonpan, onigiri, matcha lattes, and more—perfect for a reflective break. The basement houses a stunning array of Japanese stationery—fountain pens, washi tape, notebooks, and tools for those who treasure the handwritten word.

The space is warmly lit, spacious, and well-organized, inviting you to browse at your own pace. Though prices lean premium, every corner feels carefully curated, more akin to a cultural gallery than a typical retail store.

Closest Subway: Bryant Park (B/D/F/M), 5th Ave (7), or Times Square (1/2/3/N/Q/R/W/S)

Whether you’re seeking a rare art book, the latest manga, a quiet corner with tea, or the tactile joy of exquisite stationery, Kinokuniya offers an experience that nourishes the senses. A must-visit for readers, wanderers, and lovers of crafted beauty. It was easily one of the highlights of our visit to...