By ANNA USHER

Thirty years after arriving in Neutral Bay, Japan’s iconic Books Kinokuniya is returning to the north shore – and this time, it’s setting up shop at Westfield Chatswood.

It will be the first time the cult retailer has opened a new Australian location since that original 1996 store, and the grand opening event is set for Thursday, 9 April, with giveaways and special promotions for visitors.

Kinokuniya’s Australian story began right here in our neighbourhood. The chain opened on Young St in 1996 before relocating to its current flagship home at The Galleries in the Sydney CBD in 2002, where it has remained ever since.

The Chatswood store is the first new Australian location in nearly 30 years.

Kinokuniya is no ordinary bookshop. It is Japan’s largest bookstore chain, with more than 140 stores worldwide. For over a decade, its Singapore location held the title of the largest bookshop in South East Asia.

The Chatswood store will stock a broad range of local and international titles, along with a dedicated stationery section. True to the brand’s identity, it will also carry English and Japanese-language books and manga, plus Japanese TV, film and gaming-related merchandise – a nod to the surging popularity of Japanese popular culture.

Satoshi Yada, Managing Director of Kinokuniya Australia, told Mosman Collective the Chatswood location was a deliberate choice.

“Chatswood is a uniquely vibrant community, making it an ideal environment for a bookstore that celebrates creativity and curiosity. The new store aims to become a welcoming anchor point within this dynamic neighbourhood.”

Chatswood Store Manager Peri MacDonald said the team was buzzing.

“Starting the next chapter in Kinokuniya’s story is a feeling no words can adequately express – I know our Chatswood community will embrace us with a warm welcome and love our store just as much as our team!”

MacDonald added that the store would tailor its collection to the diverse reading community in the suburb. “The new store will offer the thoughtfully curated selection our customers have come to know of Kinokuniya while tailoring our collection to the broad range of bibliophiles of Chatswood, creating a welcoming space for discovery, inspiration and connection.”

The Kinokuniya Chatswood Grand Opening Event takes place on Thursday, 9 April, from 10am at Westfield Chatswood. Giveaways and special promotions will be available to visitors throughout the day.