Houston will soon be able to delve into deep catalogs of Japanese-language books, manga, and more in the loop when legendary Japanese bookstore, Kinokuniya, opens in Rice Village.
Founded in Tokyo nearly a century ago, Kinokuniya runs over 100 stores in Japan and dozens more across 11 countries, including the US, Australia, and the UAE.
The bookstore is known for its art and design imports that rarely make it into standard bookstores. Beyond the shelves, the shops carry a massive selection of Japanese stationery, bringing in premium pens, paper goods, and Hobonichi planners.
“We’d been looking in the Rice Village area for a long time,” said NewQuest managing director and executive vice president Heather Nguyen. “We got this one before it could hit the market.”
“Kinokuniya will be a tremendous addition to the Village, given its proximity to Rice University and the neighborhood’s reputation as one of Houston’s most walkable and community-oriented destinations,” Nguyen said. “The bookstore aligns perfectly with the area’s culture of learning, discovery, and appreciation for literature.”
Beyond the retail shelves, the store runs a regular schedule of book signings, horror story hours, and anime meet-ups. A dedicated Makerspace also hosts hands-on workshops and interactive presentations.
Kinokuniya is bringing a second Houston-area location to Rice Village. Taking over the former Village Fitness space, the 5,600-square-foot shop lands right in the inner loop. Here, visitors can browse bookshop’s deep catalogue of books and manga, alongside a wide lineup of Japanese stationery, paper goods, and lifestyle items.
The original opening date was slated for fall 2026, but late reports suggest that construction at the Rice Village site is now expected to finish in early 2027, with the store opening soon after that.
Kinokuniya opened its first location in the Houston area at Katy Grand in October 2019.
