The Library

図書室

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday: 10:00–20:00
Sunday: 12:00–18:00

Please note the Library is closed for general use when the Kumihimo workshops are running. See here for all times.

It is also closed on the following days:

15 May (11:00–18:00)
22 May (10:00–18:00)
23 May (10:00–12:00)

Rediscover the pleasures of reading at Japan House London's Library through our changing exhibitions and permanent collection.

The Library is accessible and free to visitors seven days a week during Japan House opening hours. Visitors are welcome to take a seat and become engrossed in an eclectic range of volumes on Japanese culture and innovation, that are often hard to find elsewhere in the UK.

There is no need to book your visit to the Library. Guests are welcome to work in the Library, and there is no limit on how long guests can stay.

Please note we do not lend books outside the Library.

Our Library exhibitions

The Library at Japan House London hosts changing book exhibitions throughout the year. Different types of books, including literature, art, and non-fiction, are brought together in fresh ways to explore a variety of themes, from LGBT+: diversity in manga to celebrate Pride London and Designing Murakami Haruki, to mingei ('folk arts' movement) and Japanese food. Both English and Japanese language texts are available for visitors to discover more.

Our current exhibition is Architecture in Japan: Tracing its DNA.

Curating these exhibitions is Haba Yoshitaka, a specialist in the emerging field of 'book curation' who offers fresh opportunities for readers to experience and appreciate books as cultural objects in their own right. Read more about Haba below.

Our permanent collection

Accompanying these rotating themed displays is Japan House London’s permanent library collection. This collection is built of rare titles that are otherwise difficult to find in the UK. Visit to learn more about a wide range of subjects in Japanese culture and innovation, ranging from architecture, gardening, and aesthetics, to ancient poetry and contemporary manga.

Haba Yoshitaka

Haba Yoshitaka is a Book Director and representative of BACH, as well as an associate lecturer at Waseda University and Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music. To create better access for people to discover books, Haba produces displays for shop floors, library displays and reading areas that connect bookstores and different industries. Helping to champion paper books in today's increasingly digitalized era, Haba has created specialized book areas in hospitals, nurseries and even zoos in Japan.

His recent works include Wacoal Study Hall Kyoto (a venue that comprises a school, library, gallery and co-working space), ISETAN The Japan Store Kuala Lumpur and Japan House São Paulo. Haba is a book connoisseur, his love of books goes beyond book curation to include writing and editing.

Haba Yoshitaka - 幅允孝 - Book Curator

The Library: a venue

The Library is free and accessible during Japan House London’s opening hours. From time to time, the space is closed for private events – please check any amended opening hours on this page or via our Visit page. New library exhibitions are announced in our What’s On pages of the website and in our eNewsletter. This space can also be hired for private events.