Takeo City Library

Takeo City

A high-profile public library, where the aroma of coffee wafts through the air.

Takeo City Library might be the most-discussed public library in Japan at the moment. It used to be an ordinary municipal library used by around 250,000 people every year, but it was renovated significantly in 2013 and was reborn as a future vision of a library. The popular Tsutaya book chain was invited to manage the facility, and a bookshop and a Starbucks coffee store also share the same premises. Visitor numbers subsequently jumped to 800,000 in 2015! It has now become a popular spot to visit for people from all over Japan.

Open bookcases, relaxing space.

The attraction of Takeo City Library is the spacious atmosphere that libraries previously lacked. One reason for this is the 200,000 books that have been transferred from the back catalogs to open access bookshelves. Takeo City Library has also initiated a collection of books on the central first floor area organized under the three categories of Lifestyle, Leisure, and Living Well. Here visitors can enjoy an interesting selection of curated books. The library also has quiet music playing in the background, and new books and magazines selected by the Tsutaya bookstore are available for purchase at its cash register. This liberating space is very welcoming.

Spend some time reading with a Starbucks coffee.

When you find the book you want to read from the shelves, order a coffee at Starbucks. Then take a seat, with book and freshly brewed coffee in hand. Being able to spend such blissful time in the library may come as a surprise. Look around and you’ll see people enjoying reading, people studying hard: everyone doing it their own way. You can also bring your own drink if it is a bottle with lid. This “library & cafe” combination, which has never existed before, is definitely worth a visit.