Library

There are eight city libraries in Shibuya. In addition to on-site browsing and borrowing, the libraries offer reference services providing assistance to people who are doing research, and document reservation services. Events such as film showings are held at libraries.

City libraries

Chuo Library
Address: 1-4-1 Jingumae
Phone 03-3403-2591
A 8-minute walk from Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line

Nishihara Library
Address: 2-28-9 Nishihara
Phone 03-3460-8535
A 4-minute walk from Hatagaya Station on the Keio-Shinsen Line

Shibuya Library
Address: 1-6-6 Higashi
Phone 03-3407-7544
A 2-minute walk from Kokugakuin Daigakumae bus stop on the metropolitan bus line running between Shibuya Station and Nisseki-Iryo Center

Tomigaya Library
Address: 1-46-2 Uehara
Phone 03-3468-9020
A 3-minute walk from Yoyogi-Hachiman Station on the Odakyu Line

Sasazuka Library
Address: 1-27-1 Sasazuka
Phone 03-3460-6784
A 3-minute walk from Sasazuka Station on the Keio Line

Honmachi Library
Address: 1-33-5 Honmachi
Phone 03-5371-4833
A 7-minute walk from Hatsudai Station on the Keio-Shinsen Line

Rinsen Library
Address: 1-9-17 Hiroo
Phone 03-5793-9500
A 12-minute walk from Ebisu Station on the JR Yamanote Line

Yoyogi Library
3-51-8 Yoyogi
Phone 03-3370-7566
A 7-minute walk from Yoyogi Station on the JR Yamanote Line

Hours

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

Nishihara, Shibuya, Tomigaya, Sasazuka, 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.

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

Days when libraries are closed

Chuo Library
1st Monday and 3rd Thursday of even-numbered months (February, April, etc.), New Year’s period, special closure periods for library reorganization

Nishihara, Shibuya and Tomigaya Libraries
1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month, 2nd Thursday of the month, New Year’s period, special closure periods for library reorganization

Sasazuka, Honmachi and Rinsen Libraries
2nd, 4th and 5th Monday of the month, 2nd Thursday of the month, New Year’s period, special closure periods for library reorganization

Yoyogi Library
Tuesday, 3th Sunday, 2nd Thursday of the month, New Year’s period, special closure periods for library reorganization

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 counter at the library from which they were borrowed.

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 library 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
(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, cassettes, laser discs, DVDs
The Nishihara, Sasazuka, and Shibuya libraries offer CDs 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.