Library

There are 10 city libraries in Shibuya which permit on-site browsing and borrowing. They also offer reference services, providing assistance to people who are doing research, and document reservation services. Events such as film showings are held libraries.

GUIDE TO SHIBUYA CITY LIBRARIES（PDF 658KB）

City libraries

Chuo Library
Address: 1-4-1 Jingumae
Phone: 3403-2591
A 8-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station

Komorebi-Owada Library
Address: Cultural Center Owada 2F, 23-21 Sakuragaokacho
Phone: 3464-4780
A 5-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station

Nishihara Library
Address: 2-28-9 Nishihara
Phone: 3460-8535
A 4-minute walk from Hatagaya Station on the Keio-Shinsen Line

Shibuya Library
Address: 1-6-6 Higashi
Phone: 3407-7544
A 2-minute walk from Kokugakuin Daigakumae bus stop on the metropolitan bus running between Shibuya Station and Nisseki-Iryo Center

Tomigaya Library
Address: 1-46-2 Uehara
Phone: 3468-9020
A 3-minute walk from Yoyogi-Hachiman Station on the Odakyu Line

Sasazuka Library
Address: Merkmal Keio Sasazuka 4F, 1-47-1 Sasazuka
Phone: 3460-6784
A 1-minute walk from Sasazuka Station on the Keio Line

Honmachi Library
Address: 1-33-5 Honmachi
Phone: 5371-4833
A 7-minute walk from Hatsudai Station on the Keio-Shinsen Line

Rinsen Library
Address: 1-9-17 Hiroo
Phone: 5793-9500
A 12-minute walk from JR Ebisu Station

Yoyogi Library
Address: 3-51-8 Yoyogi
Phone: 3370-7566
A 7-minute walk from JR Yoyogi Station

Sasazuka Children’s Library
Address: 3-3-1 Sasazuka
Phone: 3378-1983
A 15-minute walk from Keio Line Sasazuka Station

Hours

Chuo Library

Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ; Mondays, Sundays and national holidays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Nishihara, Shibuya, Tomigaya, Honmachi and Rinsen Libraries

Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ; Mondays, Sundays and national holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sasazuka Library

Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. ; Sundays and national holidays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Komorebi-Owada Library

Monday through Satruday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays and national holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Yoyogi Library

Monday and Wednesday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ; Saturday, Sunday and national holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sasazuka Children’s Library

Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed

Chuo Library
1st Monday and 3rd Thursday of the month, the New Year Holidays and inventory periods

Nishihara, Shibuya and Tomigaya Libraries
1st and 3rd Monday of the month, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 2nd Thursday of the month, the New Year Holidays and inventory periods

Komorebi-Owada Library, Honmachi and Rinsen Libraries
2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 2nd Thursday of the month, the New Year Holidays and inventory periods

Sasazuka Library
Monday, 2nd Thursday of the month, the New Year Holidays and inventory periods

Yoyogi Library
Tuesday, 3rd Sunday, 2nd Thursday of the month, the New Year Holidays and inventory periods

Sasazuka Children’s Library
Mondays, 2nd Thursday of the month, the New Year Holidays and inventory periods

Borrowing books

Borrowing books

If you would like to borrow books you should bring your certificate of alien registration or another form of personal identification that provides your address and apply for a library card. Up to 10 books and three CDs or cassette tapes can be checked out for two weeks.

Returning items
Borrowed items should be returned at the counter (books can be returned to any library in Shibuya). If the library is closed simply drop the materials in the book slot at the front entrance. Note that CDs and cassettes must be returned directly to the library counter.

Book searches and orders

With “Kensakukun,” a search resource available in each library, you can use an online computer to search through and reserve materials housed in the Shibuya libraly system. You can also use a similar service from the Shibuya libraries home page. Additionally, a request service allows you to reserve materials that have been checked out, or books located in other libraries. Please note that each library features a useful reference service housing a wide variety of reference works.
Shibuya City libraries home page:
http://www.lib.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/
From mobile phones:
http://www.lib.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/ij

Materials at the libraries

Foreign Books Corner

The Chuo Library has a Foreign Books Corner, primarily with books in English, including novels, books on life and culture in Japan, and beautiful illustrated volumes.

CDs, Cassette tapes, Laser discs, DVDs

The Shibuya Library offer compact discs, and cassette tapes. The Honmachi Library also offers the enjoyment of films and music on laser discs and DVDs (which may not be taken out).

Children’s Books

Young children and elementary school students can also use the libraries' special children's sections which offer picture books, picture cards, and children's tales.