A market-style event for enjoying ZINEs and crafts. It will be held at Mito Civic Hall on July 19, 2027, from 11:00 to 16:00. Admission: ¥500. Approximately 100 exhibitors are expected. Information for exhibitors will cover booth sizes, assembly time, fee plans, notes on operational cooperation and photos to be published, and regulations concerning ZINEs that are not permitted for sale.

Until now, event pages were split into two types: single-day events and multi-day/period events (such as exhibitions or fairs), with separate pages for each. That structure has been in place since the Zindies release, but we've finally been able to unify them. Period events are displayed for the entire duration, so they have more presence than single-day events, which can make single-day events less noticeable. Also, unlike single-day events, ZINE creators are often not present at period events, so I thought it might be better to keep them separate as a type of information. However, because period events were not shown by default (they were toggled via a link), they tended to go unnoticed, and since there aren't many of them at the moment, we decided to display them together. Even so, single-day events are shown higher in the listing. Period events can be created by anyone who is registered as a shop on the site, so if you run that kind of event, please give it a try.

With a terrible cough and runny nose — feeling as sick as I ever have in my life — I went to visit a grave. I rented a car at Hiroshima Station and drove for about an hour. On the way back I dropped my family off at the hotel and returned the rental car by myself. After that I went to the new Hiroshima City Central Library. I felt so awful that I only did a quick walk-around, but it's even more wonderful than I imagined! To have a library like that right in front of the station — young people in Hiroshima are lucky. I went back to Hiroshima Station, took the city tram to the hotel, and had no appetite, so I slept until morning. I took some medicine, so my cough and runny nose have calmed down for now, but I want to get back to Nagoya and sleep.

Under the theme "Sweet Me," this exhibition presents illustrations that depict small moments of happiness in daily life and the feeling of cherishing oneself. The gentle, warm artworks express the comfort of everyday moments and the joy of being surrounded by the things you love.

Earlier I announced asking creators and shop owners to try entering the romanized readings of their names and other details. The great thing about the internet is that it can instantly overcome geographic limitations. On Zindies, registered information is automatically translated into multiple languages, so there’s a good chance people on the other side of that divide will see it. Calling it "overseas expansion" sounds grand, but it’s simple as long as you’re not actually getting on a plane. I’d love for this to become a catalyst that helps ZINE connections form around the world. That’s the feeling I have as I spend my days fixing bugs.

Work day. First, I stocked a ZINE artbook by sumi-e (ink-wash) artist and Buddhist monk Yu Hasegawa — https://www.instagram.com/kannonji81/?hl=ja Apparently they once aimed to be a manga artist and even worked as an assistant. Their drawing skills are incredible; the ink paintings of warriors and horses are especially powerful. Yu is the deputy head priest at Kannonji in Tsushima and is very active with live painting and solo shows around Tsushima and Ama City. Please do take a look at the ZINE. Mr. Ueno, the creator of the Shakespeare karuta "Saō Hyakunin-ikku" (an original karuta collecting 100 memorable lines spoken by characters from Shakespeare's works), stopped by with additional copies plus a delivery note and invoice. It's great for lovers of world literature and for board game fans as well! There was no sample copy in the shop, so he agreed to bring a sample that shows the contents next time. This afternoon I went to the shop again. At 2:00 pm the ZINE creators Saki and Shiori — together known as "SakiShiori" — visited, and they even had a ten-month-old baby with them! I read a picture book to the baby right away. I had asked them for additional ZINEs, but one of the three items sold after I asked, so we couldn't secure a replacement for that one — my apologies. They will bring it next time. Their visit today was to discuss holding a reading-event at our shop. It looks like it will be a somewhat unusual book-club-style event. Once their plan is finalized, we'll announce it. Stay tuned! I've had terrible rhinitis since this morning, basically a flood of a runny nose. I need to go back to my hometown of Hiroshima and Kure for a memorial service starting tomorrow, so I decided to leave early to visit the ENT clinic today. Yesterday I went to get blood-pressure medication; today I'll pick up medicine for the rhinitis. It's nothing serious, so please don't worry.

Today was a workday, but I had to go out for a hospital visit from around 3:00 PM until about 6:00 PM. I arrived at the shop at 1:00 PM as usual. Then I noticed a few ZINEs stacked on the register counter (40 cm wide). Maybe a customer left them? I decided to leave them as they were. For the first time in a while we had three packages: one from Nippan, one from Transview, and one letter pack. I started by opening them. From Nippan came 20 copies of the book for the September 5 event. I was glad they arrived safely. But since the number of participants had already reached 20, I worried it might not be enough and hurriedly called the publisher to order more. I'm not sure they'll arrive in time for the event. From Transview came a new essay collection by Mr. Tsujiyama of the bookstore "Title." The moment I opened it I was surprised—the binding was so beautiful I hesitated to touch it with bare hands. It looked as if it could be a new poetry collection from Tanka Kenkyusha. I quickly wrapped each copy in plastic and displayed them face-up. I didn't even want to make a display copy; they were all wrapped. I'm sorry, but I want them to be bought in pristine condition. The letter pack contained the latest issue of Tanka Kenkyu from Tanka Kenkyusha. Even a small shop like ours is grateful to receive it every issue. The books on the counter had been chosen by a pair of young people from Osaka. They were in Nagoya for work, I think, and found our shop while looking for bookstores on Google Maps. I'm very grateful they spotted us. When I returned from the hospital in the evening, a friend from a university hospital in Tokyo came to the shop. It's been years — we're connected through hospital library work. We talked about the public lectures they offer at their current university hospital. When I asked which lectures are popular, they said topics like dementia, sleep, and hearing loss are very popular. But that doesn't necessarily translate into an immediate increase in outpatient visits. Their hospital is famous for cochlear implants, and they even hold concerts by an ensemble made up of musicians who are cochlear implant users. They told me lots of fascinating stories. After closing, I went to a drinking party with Professor Noguchi from Aoyama Gakuin University and others near the west side of the station. We've decided to hold a school library talk event at our shop next February! Details to come. Please look forward to it.

A ZINE festival held on the rooftop of Kichijoji PARCO. Date and time: November 7, 2026, 12:00–17:00 (postponed to the 8th in case of rain). Around 120 booths are planned with a theme of books and zines. Information for exhibitors such as booth regulations, exhibitor fee plans, and meeting times will be provided. Admission: ¥300 (cash only).

The shop was open today, but I had the day off. In the evening I attended a talk event by Komone at Nagoya University. Today's talk featured two people: the owner of 心音ブックス in Motoyama and the president of BOOK STORE Lbio in Kita Ward. Both of them come from industries other than bookstores. Both shops rely mainly on so‑called shared shelves. 心音ブックス's shared shelf has over 100 entries, and Lbio recently expanded their shelving to just under 60. There is a shelf owner for each shelf, so it seems necessary to raise their satisfaction and keep them engaged. The diversity of shelf owners enriches the selection on the shared shelves and makes it more likely that visiting customers (some of whom may also be other shelf owners) will pick things up. To increase shelf owners' satisfaction, I think it's important to hold various exchange meetings for them and provide opportunities for new encounters. What about actual book sales? In both shops the shelf owner communities seem active, so customer numbers are likely rising accordingly. When I asked the two speakers what draws shelf owners together, they said it was the shop owners' personalities. That may be true at first, but later the personalities of the gathered shelf owners themselves help create a good atmosphere. Books and goods created by enthusiastic shelf owners will probably sell well to customers. It was a very informative talk event.

This month is already in its last week, so I checked this month's purchases. I photographed the invoices and had Chappie do the calculations. Compared with daily sales, the amount for direct purchases (ZINEs and others) is high. Overall, it looks like we're within budget. There was one group of customers buying books. One register transaction. I might forget how to use the register. We're holding a talk event on November 28. We'll invite Megumi Tsuji, the author of Akita Shoten's comic "のこりものにはメシがある". It's a coming-of-age story about young repatriates from Manchuria set in postwar Nagoya's black market era. The scenery of the station's west side(?) is depicted. I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of black-market food will appear. The author recently visited the station west area for research, so we'll formally invite her to speak. We'll also have Professor Hayashi, author of "Nagoya Station West Time Trip" (Fubai-sha), as a guest. In the afternoon, Kotobuki from the Tokai Pleasure-District History Research Group will hold a lecture, so Kotobuki should be able to join us after it ends. I got information from Jizo, a member of Zindies: there seems to be a group in American libraries working on ZINE archives (ZINE librarians). https://www.zinelibraries.info/ There are even photos showing the Zine Librarians unConference (ZLuC) held in New York in 2024! Amazing — that's so American libraries. I'd love to participate someday. A message from Akira Yoshikai, who works on simplified Japanese. He'll be coming to Nagoya in December and asked if we could hold a talk event! He seems to be free in the afternoon, so maybe a library in the afternoon and our shop in the evening — we'll quickly look into venues. We should be able to manage an evening event at our shop. Three additional ZINEs by illustrator Keita Mizutani arrived. Lately it seems he's getting more work with publishers, which makes me happy. Near closing time a young customer came in and bought three ZINEs! They were today's second customer, so I ended up talking with them a lot. They said Osu Kannon is within their activity area, so I introduced them to Kuroroku lakeside and Bookshelf Detective. Sales were low again today, but it was another good day.

Set in the black markets of Nagoya after the end of the Pacific War, the manga 'Leftovers Make a Meal' portrays young people growing through food. We welcome the manga artist Megumi Tsuji to talk about Nagoya's black-market cuisine of that era and the behind-the-scenes of creating the manga. We will also invite Koichiro Hayashi, editor/compiler of 'Nagoya Station West Time Trip' and Associate Professor at Nagoya City University, to join Tsuji in discussing the west side of Nagoya Station during the black-market period.

A market event for ZINEs and craft works. Held on May 23, 2027, 11:00–16:00 at Toki Messe, Medium Conference Rooms 301 & 302. Admission: 500 yen. Approximately 100 exhibitors are expected. Information for exhibitors including booth plans, meeting time, and notes is provided (possible photography/publication, ZINEs with erotic or gory content or with specific political/other claims are not allowed, consignment sales not allowed, no refunds, etc.). Organizer: BOOK CULTURE CLUB.

I updated Zindies' store listings page. Like the events list, stores can now be displayed by region. There are still relatively few listings, and I feel bad that we haven't been able to introduce the creators who have registered yet, but I added a banner on each page asking shops to share their information. The banner is placed at the end of the store list and is more prominent in areas with fewer listings. I'd be grateful if anyone who sees this could provide information. Please do. 🙏

Apabook Market 2026 is a book fair held at Yokohama Apartment in Yokohama. The theme is 'Unearthing Words'. It will take place on September 20 from 11:00 to 16:30. The director is Ayumu Yuzuhara, a tanka poet and owner of a bookstore shelf. Several vendors, talks, and exhibitions are planned.

Today is Monday and I'm off. In the afternoon I had a meeting with Miko about a ZINE event in Mie. I'm an advisor. We've already reserved a venue in Kuwana for the end of February next year, so this was kind of a kickoff meeting for that. But it was just the two of us. 　Miko was originally part of a duo, but one person dropped out and she was feeling down, so part of the meeting was to cheer her up. From now on she'll basically have to run things on her own, so we need to make a proper plan early. Today we decided things like the event name and the number of vendor booths. It feels like it's gradually taking shape.

Do those roads still exist, and where do they lead? We walk using land connection maps as our guide. Centered on Kameda Nakanomachi and Akagawacho, north of Hakodate City, we explore the mountains. In the columns, we present a follow-up to “The Best Moments of Town Walking” and a study of the origins of Hakodate place names. Old roads revealed by historical maps — Touring the old roads of Kameda Nakanomachi guided by the "land connection maps" [Appendix] Index to the Akagawa Village Land Connection Maps — A handy index for using the "Akagawa Village land connection maps" [Column] Is that that "moment" still there? — In front of Aomori Station — "The Best Moments of Town Walking" collected photographs that captured those "best moments" from across the country, but when revisiting the sites the situation has changed...? [Column] Hakodate Place-Name Study — "Kaji" and "Mihara" — We investigate curious Hakodate place names. In this issue we consider "Kaji" and "Mihara".

Today I went to Shidami Library for the first time in a while to observe “みんなのがん教室” (Everyone's Cancer Class). The lecturer had recently been featured in the Chunichi Shimbun, so the event was full; I ended up standing. The lecturer was a university student. When they were in elementary school their mother had cancer, and to understand cancer they interviewed many people — healthcare professionals, people living with cancer, and their family members — and compiled the interviews into a booklet. I couldn't see the booklet itself, but it seemed very well put together, so I thought it could be published as a ZINE as is. I restrained myself from making suggestions or being pushy at the venue. If another opportunity arises I'll try proposing it. Come to think of it, I was surprised to see picture-book author みなみゆかこさん participating! She does support activities for children with pediatric cancer, and I had recommended the cancer class to her. After Shidami Library I took the Yutorito Line back to Kanaya and walked to Apita. I visited Kusasou Books Shin-Moriyama on the second floor and saw the “Summer Festival” held yesterday and today. About ten creators of ZINEs and crafts were selling on a rotating daily schedule. I think this was Kusasou's first event like this. I went because 染よだかさん, who has also exhibited at our events, was participating and I wanted to buy their new work. Unfortunately the new work wasn't ready. I was also able to meet the two staff members in charge at Kusasou Books and talk about various things. We've had a relationship with Kusasou Books since the Shidami Library days, and there's still a corner for librarian-recommended books. When they created a ZINE corner they came to our shop for consultation and we talked about many things. I greeted the vendors at this event and made a few proposals for sourcing ZINEs. According to the person in charge at Kusasou Books, to commemorate the store's 10th anniversary when it opens in February next year they want to hold a large market gathering ZINE and craft creators. I'm looking forward to it!

I went to Kyoto to attend a study meeting. With some time to spare, I visited Saibundō. To get to the shop you get off at a subway stop called Kitaōji, and from there it's almost a straight shot, but it was unbelievably hot. I wore sunglasses, carried a parasol, and had a tenugui around my neck — I thought I had taken care to protect myself, but I ended up pretty exhausted. I had let my guard down because mornings and evenings in Kyoto are cooler than in Tokyo. I was moved by the coolness when I entered the shop, and I could feel myself recovering just by taking a sip of iced coffee. They told me the rain forecast had been wrong for the past few days. I wondered if the heat from the road surface hadn't been washed away and had built up. After resting a bit I revived, and while exchanging information about ZINEs I checked and fixed the Zindies card that they said wasn't working well. There's not enough documentation, so I need to prepare that properly. While they were showing me the ZINE corner, the title "DISTANCE.zine 01〈WE〉の時代のテクノロジー" and the name Audrey Tang caught my eye. I don't read WIRED much anymore, but I thought this looked like WIRED in ZINE form, so I grabbed it. (I did buy it, honestly.) Apart from that, I showed them the WHOLE ZINE CATALOG (prototype) and received some feedback. For now it contains all the works and creators registered on Zindies, and I plan to use it when I visit shops to explain things, but even with cover photos and descriptions it still can't beat the real thing, so I'm not sure how useful it will be as a catalog — I should think about that a bit more. It was hot, but I'm glad I went. I wonder when I'll be able to go again.