City Guide
Tara's Favourite Bookshops In Australia & Beyond
28 May, 2025
Kinokuniya, Sydney
It would be hard not to put this on the list as whenever I am feeling a little down, I love spending a lot of time here. Not only is it the only place I can find my Japanese magazines (Casa Brutus, Popeye etc) in Australia, it’s also got an amazing architecture section. There’s even a lot of back issues of GA magazine.
Fullers, Hobart
I always know when I visit here, I will leave with something. Whether it’s a cookbook, a gardening guide or a staff’s non-fiction recommendation, I have never walked away without something. They have an epic loyalty program too.
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Fullers Bookshop, Hobart.Terrian, Melbourne
The fit out here is very cool and the titles they sell all revolve around ecological and “more-than-human” literature. Their carefully curated collection features publications in the fields of ecology, technology and culture.
Mary Ryan’s Books, Brisbane
I have a special spot for this bookstore. When I was stuck in QLD looking after my terminally ill mum, I would pop by here every other day. I found so many good coffee table books, novels and Japanese titles here.
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T Site, Tokyo.03
Terrian, Melbourne.T-site, Tokyo
I have mentioned this place in every Japanese guide I have written but I just love it so much. You could literally leave me here all day.
Books & Things, Kyoto
This tiny little tatami floored store has a great collection of old books from Hysteric Magazines to European architecture + a few vintage posters.
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T-Site.05
Books & thingsOFR Bookshop, Paris
OFR is in La Marais and filled with piles of magazines on the floor, art books and artworks.
Daunt Books, London
One should visit here just for the building alone. Something about this place reminds me of Harry Potter.
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Pro QM.07
OFR Bookshop, Paris.Louisiana, Copenhagen
While this is a gallery (and my favourite one at that), the gift shop has an extensive collection of books and is incredibly inspiring.
Pro QM, Berlin
I visited this bookshop many years ago and it’s still saved in my pics. With pink ladders you can climb up to reach ceiling high shelves, the store is filled with urban development, politics, pop culture, economic critique, architecture, arts and design.