Midnight Jun Club
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Junkudo Bookstore’s founding, the all-night event “Midnight Jun Club” will be held simultaneously at three stores: Junkudo Bookstore Ikebukuro Main Store, Osaka Main Store, and Naha Store. As a special edition of the “Trying Living in Maruzen Junkudo Tour,” the event opens bookstores after closing—a setting where visitors normally cannot stay—for a slow, unhurried night of selecting books or reading until morning. In addition to the browsing time, the schedule includes book-related programs such as talks by authors and editors, bookstore clerk experiences, workshops, and reading groups.
Osaka Venue Programs (Examples)
21:00–21:40 / 50 Questions for Yukito Ayatsuji and Arisugawa Arisu
Authors Yukito Ayatsuji and Arisugawa Arisu will answer 50 questions covering books, mysteries, and the 50th anniversary of Junkudo Bookstore’s founding.
22:30–23:20 / Masahiko Kishi × Tomoka Shibasaki: “Osaka” Talk Show After 5 Years
Sociologist Masahiko Kishi and author Tomoka Shibasaki co-authored the book “Osaka” in 2021. A commemorative talk for the publication was planned at the time but could not be realized due to social conditions. Five years later, the two will finally hold that conversation: an “Osaka” talk that spans episodes from the writing process and their current thoughts on the city.
0:50–2:20 / Film Directors’ Late-Night Talk: Books and Movies Edition
At the invitation of Takashi Miura—who works as a bookstore clerk at Junkudo Bookstore Osaka Main Store while also active as a film director—film directors associated with Osaka will gather in one place. The lineup includes directors Teppei Isobe, Koji Nishio, Takuya Ohrikata, and Takashi Miura.
Three-Store Cross-Cutting Project: Silent Reading Group
A “Midnight Secret Reading Group” connecting the three cities of Ikebukuro, Osaka, and Naha will also be held. The format is a silent reading group, so conversation between participants is unnecessary. The common reading is Paul Auster’s masterpiece “City of Glass,” and the night setting gives participants a chance to share a special reading experience by empathizing with the protagonist, who wanders through a labyrinthine city after receiving a midnight phone call.
Event Information
- Participating Stores: Junkudo Bookstore Ikebukuro Main Store, Osaka Main Store, and Naha Store
- Holding Period: Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, 2026
- Holding Time: From 21:00 on the 22nd (Sat) to 6:00 on the 23rd (Sun)
- Holding Location (Osaka): Junkudo Bookstore Osaka Main Store (Dojima Avanza 2nd–3rd Floor, 1-6-20 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
Tickets
Standard Tickets
- Admission Ticket: 3,500 yen
- Admission Ticket + Digital Gift Voucher (worth 2,000 yen): 5,000 yen
Junkudo Bookstore Support Supporter Tickets
- Admission Ticket: 3,150 yen
- Admission Ticket + Digital Gift Voucher (worth 2,000 yen): 4,700 yen
Admission Ticket + Chapters Matching
- Admission Ticket + Lottery-based Paid Ticket (Chapters Matching Event 3,000 yen): 6,500 yen
Lottery Schedule
Admission Tickets / Paid Project Tickets
- Lottery Application Start: Monday, June 15, 2026, 12:00
- Lottery Application End: Sunday, June 28, 2026, 23:59
- Lottery Results Announcement: Around Thursday, July 2, 2026, 18:00
Free Project Tickets
- Lottery Application Start: Monday, July 6, 2026, 12:00
- Lottery Application End: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 23:59
This event will be held during the night/early morning (planned from 21:00 to 6:00 the next morning). At the time of purchase, it is mandatory to check “being 18 years of age or older” and “agreeing to participate in the night event.” Please note that minors cannot participate.
Website: junkudo.co.jp/midnight
The Osaka venue lineup is here
X Account / Instagram Account
Junkudo is a Japanese bookstore chain with large, multi-floor locations that stock a broad range of titles, including bestsellers, academic works, manga, magazines, and imported books. The stores are organized for extended browsing, with reading areas and clear categorization. The chain has operated for decades and has expanded across Japan.
Its flagship stores—for example, in Ikebukuro, Osaka’s Umeda district, and Naha in Okinawa—differ in layout and atmosphere but share the same basic approach: wide inventory and practical shelving. The Ikebukuro location is one of the largest bookstores in the country, with several floors of new and used books. The Umeda store focuses on a dense urban shopping environment, while the Naha store serves a regional audience with a mix of local and national titles.
Junkudo also handles special orders for out-of-print or niche publications, and its staff are trained to help locate specific editions. The chain’s business model relies on volume and turnover rather than curated boutique selection. This makes it a reliable place for readers who want to browse a wide range of genres without a specific purchase in mind. The stores are also used for events, including readings and community gatherings, as they have space and infrastructure for such activities. One example is Midnight Jun Club, an overnight event that combines reading sessions, discussions, and practical workshops. The event is open to all ages and is designed to encourage sustained reading in a group setting. While Junkudo is not unique in hosting such events, its scale and floor space make it a practical venue for them.
