#Japan #Tokyo #Urban Development #Tokyo Culture #Jimbocho

Reimagining Jimbocho: A Symposium on Urban Development

On May 30, 2026, the Tokyo Cultural Resource Conference, led by chairman Toshiyuki Yoshimi, will host a symposium titled "Reimagining Jimbocho: Creating a New Model of Urban Development." The event will take place at the Iwanami Jimbocho Building in Tokyo's Jimbocho area, renowned as the world's largest secondhand bookstore district.

Jimbocho has long been a hub of unique culture, maintaining its historical context while facing a transformative period that requires adaptation to diverse lifestyles and digitalization. The upcoming symposium aims to share initial findings from the Jimbocho Re-design Committee, composed of experts, and to engage in discussions on the future of Jimbocho, incorporating perspectives from administration, bookstore owners, and the media.

Background: Why Redesign Jimbocho Now?

The Jimbocho Re-design Committee, chaired by Masami Kobayashi, a professor emeritus at Meiji University, has explored sustainable urban development's dual aspects. They seek to integrate physical updates of buildings and the content-focused role of Jimbocho as a knowledge aggregation location. This event will delve into what aspects of Jimbocho should evolve and what should remain unchanged, incorporating insights from district updates and contributions from booksellers and next-generation creators who support the local culture.

Symposium Structure (Subject to Change)

Part 1: Reports on Administrative and Expert Perspectives

• - Opening Remarks: Toshiyuki Yoshimi (Chairman, Tokyo Cultural Resource Conference)
• - Keynote Report: "The Future of Jimbocho Urban Development in Chiyoda (Tentative Title)" by Shingo Sakakibara (Cultural Promotion Section Chief, Chiyoda Ward)
• - Report: "First Report from the Jimbocho Re-design Committee" by Masami Kobayashi (Professor Emeritus, Meiji University, and Chair of the Re-design Committee)

Part 2: Panel Discussion: What to Change and What to Preserve in Jimbocho

Various stakeholders will participate in a thorough discussion on Jimbocho’s potential and vision for the future.

Panelists (In Alphabetical Order):

• - Kotaro Okada (Chairman, Desairo)
• - Kuri Kokatetsu (Fourth-generation owner, Oya Shobo)
• - Daisuke Tebayashi (CEO, Shosen Co., Ltd.)
• - Akiko Higashiya (Vice President, Time Out Tokyo)
• - Noriko Mikami (Architect, & Legion)
• - Moderator: Shin Nakajima (Associate Professor, Tokyo City University)

Event Details

• - Date: May 30, 2026 (Saturday) from 14:00 to 16:00 (Doors open at 13:30)
• - Location: Iwanami Jimbocho Building, 10th Floor Hall, 2-1 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Google Maps

• - Access: Directly connected to Jimbocho Subway Station (Exit A6)
• - Capacity: 120 participants (first-come-first-served basis)
• - Participation Fee: Free (Registration required in advance)
• - Application Method: Register via Peatix here
• - Organizer: Tokyo Cultural Resource Conference
• - Support: Chiyoda Ward (Expected)

About the Tokyo Cultural Resource Conference

This conference aims to rediscover and leverage Tokyo's historical and cultural resources to envision the city's future. With initiatives such as the Jimbocho project and cultural resource utilization in areas like Ueno and Hongo, it aspires to create a new urban model. For more information, visit their official website.