Lots of books. There was a large amount of bilingual books although it was hard to find

After I was done with having lunch at The Galeries, I went upstairs to floor 2 to check this place out. They're a Japanese chain bookstore. I've been to their locations in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA. My goodness, they had quite the extensive manga selection! Of course all of the super popular ones were available. If I had one of these bookstores closer to where I live, I would be giving them a lot of my money! Everything was so well organized, so everything was very easy to locate. read more

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This was on my list of must-see locations in Sydney. Great selection, cool location. Prices were high.

This wonderful haven provides a little something for everyone. They have a vast array of books and periodicals, along with goodies for papercraft lovers. They also carry an amazing array of gift items. I can spend hours in here and never get bored. It is not an inexpensive place to shop, but books are much higher priced in Australia than in the U.S. I must admit I am spoiled by the prices at home. I always end up buying something despite the pricing because they have such a richly curated selection. The unusual items available make it too tempting to pass up. read more

Love to visit Kinokuniya for a large number of manga books in both Chinese and Japanese they have. The store also has a range of adorable stationery to scout for, although the price might be high for some people. read more

Kinokuniya has been my favourite bookstore since I was a teenager (in Singapore) and I have to say the one in Sydney did not disappoint ! Other yelpers have said it all. They have everything here - I doubt they do not have what you are looking for. Besides english books, they have a huge section of chinese books (from novels to business books to cook books). Of course, they also have a section for japanese books - magazines/ manga/ novels. I love how there is a japanese information counter in case you need to inquire about a japanese book Unfortunately, it can get be pretty crowded. read more

Kinokuniya - Huge manga selection! - Bookstores Near Me - Sydney, NSW

My cousins wanted to go find some books so we came here. We have a few in the US so it was nothing new to me, but I did like some of the books displayed here. There were some children books that looked very aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. It made me really want to buy them for the artwork. I've never seen such books back at home; so it was nice to see different authors from this side of the world. It's a large bookstore and I was looking for a novel or something to keep me occupied for my 17 hour flight back home. I was able to find so many things and it really inspired me to pick up a book again. read more

I'm no bookworm but when I stepped in here recently, I spent over an hour inside! Each time I head into Kinokuniya, my inner book nerd comes out and I don't realise how much I like it until I'm inside. I was browsing for a Christmas gift and came across so many great titles. They have every book under the sun and even a Ryan Gosling notebook where he talks to you! Extensive selection of all books. The back section has lots and lots of stationery and puzzle games, from rubbers in the shape of meat, heaps of great quality washi tape, pens in the shape of pink flamingos...I had a field day in here and wanted to buy so many novelty items! The only thing I wasn't a fan of were all those fad colouring in books!!! They're everywhere these days and the "mindfulness" aspect of them are gone and replaced by colouring in books that kids do. read more

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I needed to get a book for a birthday present. I thought, 'Where is the best place to buy a classy book, an interesting book and where can I go that will have the biggest range?' The answer was simple. Jupiter. I would fly to Jupiter. Wait, wrong. I went to Kinokuniya. The bookshop with the hardest name to spell. I took the escalator up to the top floor and walked into the expansive book shop. 'There must be literally millions of books in here.' I said to myself, 'How many trees and how many words is that? Lots!' I said in call and response to myself once more. (Editors Note: If you had a friend you wouldn't have to talk to yourself all the time.) (Seaton's Note: Will you be my friend?) (Editors Note: No.) I went to the gardening section and began to browse. There were so many books to choose from. Eventually I decided on one, went to the stationary section, chose some wrapping paper and then walked over to the checkout. There's a proverb that says that it's easy to get lost in a good book, that's true, but it's also true that it's easy to get lost in a good book shop. Not for lack of direction and cartography, but because there are so many books and the place is so large. But if there was a map, it would make life easier and if there was a compass, maybe it wouldn't make it easier but at least we'd know which way was north. read more

Kinokuniya - Bookstores Near Me - Sydney, NSW

Not the cheapest bookstore in the area, but honestly one of the coolest. If you are trying to find a book that is not easily accessible in other places, then come looking here. Especially if you are looking for graphic novels or manga - this should be your first stop. They also sell manga DVDs and merchandise. They have an extremely large non-fiction section. Their cookbook section is so large that it is indescribable. There is also a cafe in the store - however, the coffee here is a little below ordinary. I would not come here for the coffee or the cafe, but the books. Also, if you become a paid member, you'll get a discount of all the full-priced books that you buy. This is only worth it if you come here often. read more

Kinokuniya - Bookstores Near Me - Sydney, NSW

This is a beautiful bookstore, especially if you are looking for anime, manga, or anything in the "graphic novel" category. Obviously, they have an amazing selection of Japanese art books, craft books, etc. They also have an extensive travel section, which is a wonderful way to plan future adventures. If you are in the downtown area, this is a nice place to spend an afternoon. read more

As far as bookshops go, this one has to be amongst the best. I remember the first time I went into the store, I was so overwhelmed that I forgot all of the books I intended to purchase and came out with a stack if books I had never even heard about. I've not had too much to do with staff, however they seem lovely. If you have an enquiry, just check in with them, otherwise there are touch screen computer/tablet stations where you can look up authors, book titles and where to find them. Their selection is grand and categories vast. Anything from Manga to true crime, philosophy to YA, it's got it all. Also, the little cafe off to its side is great, but that's another review in itself. read more

Kinokuniya - The Sketch Depot, celebrating their love for art books - Bookstores Near Me - Sydney, NSW

Large bookstore downtown with helpful staff who great you on entrance. I went for the Lonely Planet event so there was wine and champagne as well which didn't hurt :) It's great that they have events like that where you can meet the author or editor of the book. read more

Kinokuniya - Lonely Planet - Bookstores Near Me - Sydney, NSW

Kinokuniya is my version of heaven, or at the very least my solace in the CBD. Ascending the escalators in The Galleries Victoria, I can already feel myself starting to relax. In mere moments I'll be enveloped by rows upon rows of shiny books - for this is a store big enough to forget your worries and just get lost. With Borders biting the dust here, Kinokuniya feels like the last bastion of a bygone era. We're all buying our books online these days, or eschewing paperbacks altogether in favour of e-readers, so there's something wonderfully bold about this vast bookstore. It even sports a cafe. Whether you're looking for a graphic novel, some Star Wars paraphernalia, super cute Japanese stationery or a beautifully glossy coffee table book, Kinokuniya has well and truly got you covered. Or perhaps you just want to roam shelves as I do, feeling a little nostalgic for the days when bookstores were beloved, and bigger than Ben Hur. read more

Kinokuniya - Bookstores Near Me - Sydney, NSW

Kinokuniya is a mega book store with levels and levels of books to browse from. Their website boasts having the largest collection (300,000) books in a number of languages, including English, Japanese, French and German. They also stock a large collection of Japanese Manga and graphic novels. The book store is comfortable to not only browse but to read in, and their helpful staff are quick to recommend favourites. They even signpost reviews of different books so you don't need to spend hours and hours reading the first page of each book. If you're after a particular title they have these little handy Kino search stations. Simply touch screen the title you're after and a range of relevant titles will pop up. Most of them are in stock, but you may need to have them ordered in. Since the store is so huge, you can even print off a miniature map to lead you to where your book can be found! Kinokuniya also launches a number of book signings and author talks that makes every other day there that much more fun. read more

Kinokuniya - Bookstores Near Me - Sydney, NSW

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The bottom of the receipt boldly states "NSW's Favourite Bookstore!" I can see why. They carry almost everything. Manga books fill at least a dozen bookcases here. There's lots of books suitable for gift-giving, too. And of course, the latest best sellers on stock. In addition to the English language books, they also carry Japanese and Chinese books. I didn't venture so far into those areas, but happily stopped in the stationery goods area. Here you can find many different types of letter sets (most goes for $10.00/$10.50 for a pack of 10 envelopes and 20-40 sheets of paper and a sticker sheet), memo pads, stickers, pens. I also see some 'authentic' Japanese papers and, of course, washi tape. I was in HEAVEN. Too bad I don't have the money to spend. Coincidentally, my husband and I were here during the post-Christmas shopping season. Unfortunately, except for a very tiny table in the stationery area, Kinokuniya does not seem to do sales (at least not while we were there). My husband sees the few stationery sets in my hand and says to me "Oh, Dymocks is having a sale and there's lots of stuff on sale, you know they have that stationery shop... blah blah blah..." Like a brat, I pouted and said "$10/$7/$3.50 are pretty good deals!" But agreed to hold off the purchase, hiding the selections in a cardboard box under a kiosk, and headed off to Dymocks. An hour later, we were back, and I happily picked up the hidden selections - then DH asks where I found them originally. Skipping back into the stationery area, he helped me pick out a couple different ones. Ah, supportive of my stationery addiction, this one. Anyhow, do make use of the self-service 'book finder' monitors and make note of the locations (check the map, too). I used it a few times locating a few books. Some were silly to find so I did approach the store's assistants and they were more than helpful in each instance. If you're a book and stationery lover like yours truly, it's easy to spend hours here thumbing through book covers. read more

"Like the internet, except in a shop!" This is how I gleefully describe Kinokuniya bookshop to my friends. If you have an interest and it's not illegal, there is a high likelihood that you will find a blooming and diverse section of bound paper tomes beckoning you to browse in here. The range of material is unbelievably thorough for a bookshop, and prices fluctuate from relatively expensive to quite the bargain, depending on the book. For a small fee one can purchase a Kinokuniya bookshop card, that entitles the bearer to a 10% discount for 12 months. I bought one and earned its keep in a single purchase! Staff are very friendly and eerily intuitive when recommending books to the seeker, they'll also happily remove a book from its packaging for you to examine. I've lost days of my life to this bookshop and I haven't got a single regret. read more

Don't tell anyone but sometimes I slink out of work on my lunch break and despite having some of the most wondrous harbour foreshore walks fantastic restaurants, café's and options in general for my lunch... I come here find a possie and read. What a fantastic selection and such an awesome vibe, I think the books are a little on the pricey side but I guess the rent on this place would be astronomical. Good for grabbing a comic book one of those little dalek stool things on wheels sit down in a quiet corner and drift away for 30 mins or so. read more

Only the best bookstore in THE WORLD. This is my favorite place in Sydney (even if I did spend my first few months in Sydney calling it 'Kiniyokan'.) One of the last of its kind. A bookstore/cafe where you can lose yourself in the aisles or spend hours drafting your novel at the cafe. The selection of books is vast yet easy to navigate.Plus there are regular events here in the evenings. Please - go here, and buy things, so that they don't go the way of other bookstores. read more

MIND = BLOWN. I've never been to a Kinokuniya before, are they all like this?!? This is the biggest and best bookstore I have ever seen. I was paralyzed with awe. If I lived in Sydney, this would have been the perfect place to lose an afternoon and build a really interesting book collection. Wheeee read more

This is such a delightful bookstore. You can just get lost in here for hours. They also have this brilliant craft and paper section of the store. It's my favourite spot to go for washi tape and cute card making supplies. They have a lot of imports from Japan. It's just a little taste of the elaborate stationary stores you find in Tokyo. Another cool part of this store is the little gallery space up front. They bring in exhibits and creative projects. They recently hosted part of the 52 Suburbs: Around the World exhibit by Sydney photographer Louise Hawson. read more

Love it, love it, love it! They have everything here. And I mean everything. Huge selections of all genres, from sci fi to literature to manga to whatever else you can imagine. I always spend a large amount of time in this place, whenever I am in Sydney, and it is one of the happiest places to spend a lot of time! A must visit for all book lovers! read more

A quick review for an outstanding bookstore. I initially visited in search of collected edition comics and was not left wanting. Their range is genuinely impressive. Shortly after I started purchasing physical books again, having switched my novel reading to digital a few years back. It has been wonderful to return to paper. Tips: 1. keep an eye out for book launches there, they can be incredibly fun 2. They now have an adult colouring book section! read more

Kinokuniya - Wide aisles and a great selection - Bookstores Near Me - Sydney, NSW

This bookstore is great to browse and buy random stuff in. They do a great job in showcasing their books, toys, stationery, etc and cater to all your random interests like travel, cookings, self help, fashion, art, comics, etc. The japanese stationery section is lots of fun to look through - with the millions of pens, and random journals and stamps and japanese office supplies you don't need but are fascinated with. If you shop there often, ensure you get a Kinokuniya card so you can get a discount - definitely worth it. read more

This place seems to have everything you could want! Especially if you like Manga. Great place to browse for all manner of books and stationery. Would be slightly improved if you could look at books whilst having a coffee at the cafe. read more

The best curated selection of books & stationery in Sydney CBD. Always find something interesting / unique. read more

My favourite book store! It's gigantic and I love their manga section (runs to it the moment I step into the shop every time!) They also have such an extensive range of Japanese magazines and books for the people that is into the Japanese culture. Their stationery section is very cute although the prices will make you jump at times ($12 for a pen?!) It's hard not to fall in love with this book store. read more

I could literally spend hours here, it's one of my favourite book store in the whole world (even the online world) The journey down George street, and into the Galleries Victoria shopping area is not complete without a visit, and a coffee while you're there. You walk into an experience, with some live readings, autograph sessions by famous authors, and some of the hard to find favourites ranging from fiction to historic designs from the Bauhaus movement, through to medical espionage and self help books for dealing with an indecisive hunger. If you have a topic in mind, they have a great book for it. Not to mentioned (not of obvious) this place is huge, gigantic, suffering from elephantiasis. Tell your friends where you're going, and to call the authorities if you don't come back, either you'll be helplessly lost, or in a book coma on the floor, thrusting back and forth, foaming from the mouth protecting your mountain of books like a possessed book merchant. read more

A good friend had told me about this bookstore a long time ago and yet it was only recently that I got to go. And I got to say, folks, it's not for everyone. The bookstore, as I understand it, first originated in Japan and multiplied in countries in the Asia-Pacific region to become the behemoth it is today. There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that this is a bookstore: there is a book ruminating on every topic that will probably have ever crossed your mind, both in English script, and Japanese - the latter at the far end of the store; there is an entire section devoted to comics and Manga; there are reference books, there is a whole section devoted to stationary and there's a cafe which seems to be the symbolic bookend to any new store that has opened in recent years. It's all great, I have no problem with any of it. But I don't love it either and here's why: I don't know where to start and I don't know where to end and as any human who's ever lived must know, it's hard to begin any project or excursion, let alone have fun with it, without having a clear starting point and an end. Maybe it's the layout which relegates everything to one level. Maybe it's better to be in-the-know in these kinds of stores. Maybe it's its reputation (best bookstore ever), which i was made aware of prior to my visit. Maybe it's for getting told off for having a drink in my hand. One thing I do know - it's not the security guard who stands stony-faced out front. Barnes and Noble at the Grove in LA, one of my favorite bookstores in the world, has a security guard out front and that has never fazed me. read more

I love love love this bookshop. They have a fantastic sci fi/fantasy section and don't get me started on the comics section! Actually let's be truthful here. They have a huge section on everything really. But those are the things that I usually look at. Oh and their travel section. And they have the toys. Toys are win. read more

I really want to give Kinokuniya five stars as it is easily the most extensive bookshop in Sydney, I would be quite content living in the art and design sections which are inspiring and mind blowing. Every section in Kinokuniya in fact is excellent with an enormous selection of books, they really leave every other bookshop for dead. But I still cannot give them five stars as recently I went on a month long Asian trip, and anyone who has been to China knows it is essential to have a guide book as due to the sheer size of the place and the language barrier it is difficult to get around otherwise. I purchased numerous Frommes travel guides for the various countries in my trip. Once I arrived in Shanghai and could not work out the train lines, I discovered the train maps in my book were out of date and my books for Shanghai and Beijing were both missing train lines on the maps as the books were over two years old and not the latest editions. Also several places I had used the books to try and visit were no longer there. A bookshop the size of Kinokuniya should really stock the latest editions of travel books for this reason. It was frustrating. Other than that I love the shop. read more

This bookshop is my happy place. It's the Wonderland of books. They have the most amazing selection of YA books, fashion books, textbooks... the selection is amazing. They also stock Copic markers, right up the back in the stationary department. It does take a few visits to get used to the flow of the place and the rather erratic layout. The big issue I have is with the floor staff in Comics and Children-YA. Painfully rude, very little knowledge or interest in the subject. And heaven-forbid you correct them or make them leave their desk. The books are pricey, but no more than any other book retailer in Australia; unfortunately we pay a premium for things in this country. And some of the more unusual books are actually cheaper than other stores. Kinokuniya is definitely an awesome place to find new things, to pick up the more unusual books or manga and to raid their special offers and sales. Definitely worth a visit every single time you are in Sydney XD read more

The Best Bookstore ever!!!, I've been a loyal customer since 2005,this bookstore has it all,It reminds me why I love going to bookstore, each new visit is an adventure and I find a book I missed the previous time, the best range you will ever find either, and If there's something they don't have. They will order it in for you. The Classics Literature section is incomparable, And the Graphic Novel section is perhaps the best of any shop,Bookstore or comic shop,great shop, cannot recommend it enough, go in, you'll be glad . read more

King of all bookstores - if it exists in print it is probably here. Only downside is it sometimes it can be much more expensive - however when you add the shipping and so forth from online shopping it can turn out to be the same. Easy and clear layout of a large store. read more

Kinokunya is hands down the best bookshop left in Sydney. As with Kinokunyas in other countries this location stocks a massive range of books, and a broad array of genres. It is easy to browse for hours :) read more

What a great business. First off: you could get lost in this place. Most sections are well looked after. If you like comics, this is the place for you. The comics section is filled with Western, Independent and manga style comics. If you like Marvel or DC, there's a good couple of shelves devoted in particular to graphic novels. Most of the releases here are less of the single "issue" type comics and more of the "collection" or "series" type. Darkhorse and other companies also have shelves. There are a couple of "new release" type bits which is a mix of everything from all publishers in a few key spots. Manga gets a lot of shelves- probably around 5-7 double sided shelves that are reasonable in length. Art books get a slot up the back for anime/manga and games type art books. These are a pain to import normally, so getting to look at them is quite good. There is a large design/arts section which i sometimes stop by at. Again, this section is actually quite big but it's mainly the "new release" or specials section you'd hit up most. If you're an avid stationary or art nut, you can get all sorts of stuff that is hard to get elsewhere such as brush pens and the refills for them. I was originally buying them off ebay because I couldn't find anyone locally. There's a good selection of art materials here, both the throwaway and the more refillable type. They also sell moleskin notebooks and that sort of thing. As for fiction/non fiction, these sections are HUGE and they're the main part of the store. You could pick a subject and they'd have a spot devoted to it. I couldn't get my dad out of the store once he found the 3rd spot that he liked. I think he was in there for 4 hours. Sometimes they also get authors in to speak too, I saw Reg Mombassa personally. These events are usually free, and sometimes you can get your books signed. There is a rather small but nice art gallery - usually populated with a current show. I've seen it empty maybe 3 times. Sometimes the line to get out is long but given how big the store is and how popular, who can blame them. I hope this place never shuts down. read more

Easy to get lost in the world of Kinonuniya with its intricate and unique pieces of mostly Japanese books and items. You will never fail to find the perfect gift or card here though if your wallet is a bit tight then this isn't the right place for you. You can find cheaper articles elsewhere but a gem if you don't mind splurging a bit on beautiful items. read more

Great book store! They have everything you need from comics and anime to novels and dictionaries. I just love it, they have everything you need; you can spend hours in this book store read more

Amazing. I wish I could live here. No matter what you are looking for, this bookshop has you covered. Comics! Collectables! Fan fiction! Fan art! Beware I went in to buy 1 book bought 5 and 3 comic books. I also entered a child's competition to win Harry Potter memorabilia, because lets be honest there is a child in all of us. And to be even more honest there is a potter fan in anyone who loves reading. Be prepared to be overwhelmed with variety, maxing out your credit card and potentially starting a new hobbie (comic books) when you enter this store. One little quip was a very unhelpful lady who was not only very openly judging my book preferences (autobiographies of strong female comics) but literally sat there on her phone telling me she couldn't help me, luckily the nice man who helped me with my comic collection stepped in and recommended some books. She essentially acted like Bernard Black, but not in a 'loveable drunk Irish charm' way, but an ' I'm a hipster, I spend a lot of money to look like my clothes are from an op shop and the customer is wrong' way. Not cool girl! read more

A fantastic bookstore - my new favourite. One of the biggest ones that I have experienced. A wealth of books and knowledge. Every time I walk by it, I always want to stop in, and have to tear myself away if I am in a rush. My only comment would be to make it like a book lounge, where you could sit to flip through your books, so it is not as rushed of a process. Love it! read more