There are no bookstores in Naganuma Town. But there is a cafe lined with books. It is a pure white building called "Azarashi Shirokuma" that stands in the middle of a rural landscape. If you look closely, you will see a sign outside that says "Bookshelf Cafe." What kind of cafe is a Bookshelf Cafe?

Although it is called a cafe, there are no staff and everything is self-service. Customers pay 300 yen per person into the payment box. With that, you can spend as much time as you like.

The shelves in the store are lined with books, covering a wide range of genres, from paperbacks and essays to travel books and picture books. Finding a book that suits your taste is like a treasure hunt! Books can also be borrowed for periods of up to two weeks.

The reason why there are so many different books lined up is because this is a "shared bookshelf" where people can share and read books that their neighbors no longer read and have donated. Since the library is unmanned, when you donate something, you just place it gently in the wooden box provided.

It's a very unique space, filled with the kindness of the people. Why did this kind of bookshelf cafe come into being? We asked the owner, Mr. Yamauchi.

"I've always loved the sight of books lined up. So I thought it would be great if there was a place where people could come and encounter books, even in Naganuma Town, which doesn't have a bookstore. I would be happy if this could become a place where people can come and meet someone," she answered.

The origin of the impressive store name is that "when we first opened in 2018, we were actually a coffee shop that served lunch. The person who prepared the lunch looked like a polar bear, and I looked like a seal." Even now, you can enjoy freshly ground drip coffee (300 yen including tax) and other drinks. In addition, there are days when they also have pop-up sales of takoyaki, curry, and other items. If you're interested, check out their social media!

There is also a wonderful space at the back of the store. They are currently looking for ways to use it, and they said, "We're always looking for ideas!" There are many exciting possibilities for it, such as as an event space.

On the floor below the Bookshelf Cafe, there is also the "Kobayashi Farm Vegetable Shop," where you can purchase fresh vegetables grown by Yamauchi's parents. If you lived in Naganuma Town, you would probably visit the shop frequently because it's so cozy. "The Seal and the Polar Bear" will teach you that there are unexpected pleasures in unexpected places!

<Bookshelf Cafe Seals and Polar Bears> Location: 13 North, East 5 Line, Naganuma-cho, Yubari-gun, Hokkaido Business hours: 9:00-21:00 Closed: Open everyday Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azakuma3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azakuma3/

<Photo shoot> LaufenK