Kinokuniya USA Review

Big selection of manga and books. Great customer service, and friendly.

Very organized, great selection of figures, manga, and drawing/writing material. Felt like I was in Asian, walking around the grocery section. Buy some tasty baked goods!

Kinokuniya is located inside the Mitsuwa grocery store and has a gigantic selection of Manga and other Japanese books.

Great selection of books, and they always have the new stuff. The owner is really nice also.Nice and helpful staff

This is the best Japanese book store in Chicago and everything else in between.
They have 1000's of Books/Magazines/Anime(Manga)/Art Supplies/ Model kits , etc! I love the staff, all have been kind and very helpful since my Japanese isn't that great. I make a visit twice a month to see the new goodies from Japan. This is one of those hidden gems!

Great store with amazing selection and very nice and helpful staff.

Lots of manga and other neat trinkets and even figures

Located in Mitsuwa Marketplace, this is a great store with everything from stationary to gifts to manga (both English and Japanese, even back-issues of Jump!) to Gunpla and other models (Bandai and Kotobukiya) and even some mini statues. Well worth the drive!

I love this place and it has everything i could have imagine

Been going to this location for my Japanese book needs since 2002! Would recommend to anyone!

It's not a real bookstore like the Seattle and New York locations- it's really an overpriced gift shop. If you're looking for overpriced manga and anime toys it's fine. Look elsewhere for actual books.

It also smelled like B.O.

It s a great store, has lots of variety; all types of manga, magazines, anime discs, art supplies, interesting decorations, plushies, and much more. I loved the experience I had there, the staff were kind and patient, it s really organized too. I will say though, it s a little expensive (or at least for me it is) so just keep in mind you ll need to bring something over $25 if you re going to buy more than one thing :)

Really cool and unique store with large selection of products but a lot of the prices were really high.

A very lovely store... i spend an entire hour inside just being amazed with all the cute (often hard-to-find) items. A must-visit for a stationery lover. The only downside is that the items are expensive because most, if not all, are imported from Japan. Nonetheless, it's one of my favorite stores!

This is located inside Mitsuwa. If you can read Japanese or want to learn it, this is the place to go for all kinds of magazines and books. They also have a good selection of pens and English books about Japan. Their knickknack area doesn't have as much as other stores, but that's probably because it's primarily a book store.

The place was overwhelming since they had so many options for stationary! I wasn't a huge fan of the pricing for some of the items but I'm very happy with my purchase so far. I'd still go for fancy pencil land due to their location and pricing; overall it is a nice store.

Lots of folks out on the floor to help during a busy weekend. Very helpful and friendly.

It is an amazing book store! 100% Recommend for the people that like reading manga.

Amazing japanese bookstore with a wide selection of books in japanese on all topics, including manga, magazines, japanese language learning books, literature, children's books, etc. There was a lot of manga and japanese literature in English as well.
The store also has a wide selection of qomderful and high quality japanese starionary as well as some souvenirs, toys, incense. It is a little bit pricy in there, but definitely worth it.

If you're interesting in Manga whatsoever I can't think of a better place to go than here to get what you need. They have a massive selection of titles that most bookstores wont carry plus they also have a big selection of manga in the original japanese format if thats something that interests you.

Additionally they have a small selection of wall scrolls, posters, figures, and some anime on blu-ray and DVD. Plus the store is located inside a big market full of Japanese restaurants and stores so its an excellent place to go for a day trip if you dont live in the city.

Kunokuniya is always a treat to visit, with a massive inventory and with plenty of super hard to find items, it's a must go for hobbyists

I enjoyed my experience and while I didn't buy much this time I know in the future I will come back they had a great selection of Sakura jelly roll gel pens to choose from a good selection of coloring books

I come here when I need to find really cute stationery items. They have a wide selection of manga, magazines, Sanrio characters, anime/manga goods, and books on Japan. It's a nice little bookshop.

It's a cute store, lots of options but it is pricey. Some items can be found online cheaper and some are better to buy in the store because it's hard to find online.

Please double check receipt before leaving or they might overcharge. I didn't check mine until I came home and was charged an extra $7. I take accountability because I wasn't paying attention, but warning for others!

I enjoyed going to this store, my mom had to spend a lot to buy me stuff but it was all worth it! The mangas are awesome and there are so many kawaii things!

While I enjoy the establishment and mostly all the workers as well as services/products, one worker in particular should definitely not be in customer service if she can't demonstrate customer service. I was not rude to her, I wasn't talking to her, but she

1) Interrupts my conversation I am having with someone else and gives me unsolicited information that actually I already knew, but her interrupting me threw me off gaurd.

2) When I was spacing out and went on automode going through prompts on the card reader I did not hear her say to use a pen to click buttons on the screen, so when she repeated it she spoke to me V E R Y S L O W L Y with a disrespectful tone and attitude as if I was stupid and a child.

I know how to buy things little girl. When I work in customer service that handles over thousands of people I do NOT speak to them as if they are idiots or children.

I'll make it apparent next time I'm there and I see you.

Seriously a cool place to visit if you like awesome anime finds and Japanese stationery. Staff is also really nice

They have a very wide selection of Manga in both English and Japanese! It also has smaller items to get like Posca Pens, Pins! Very nice atmosphere and would recommend going here.

Amazing Japanese bookstore, nothing else like it here in the 'burbs! Tons of manga (both in original Japanese & translated into English), a wide selection of other books from YA novels to cookbooks, as well as anime merch & lots of Studio Ghibli stuff! There are also books to help learn Japanese, a kids book section, and about a third of the store is art, calligraphy & stationary supplies that are just gorgeous. There's also usually a small section for gifts that rotates through many things throughout the year, do check back often to see what new goodies they have. The staff are friendly & helpful and can order you most manga you don't see on the shelf. It can get busy but there is always room to move around & explore. Just a great place if you're into reading, especially reading manga!

This place is so wonderful and had exactly what we were looking for. I can't wait to go back!

Awesome asian bookstore! This retailer sells typical mainstream bookstore items. (i.e. all print-genres and print-media-formats plus fun stuff and fun/useful accessories)

Great books, magazines, manga, toys, puzzles, stationery. Like going to Disney for an otaku/ language learner. You can request subscriptions for magazines printed in Japan, order books from Japan.

Best place I have ever gotten japanese products from. I drove 2 hours to get to it and it was well worth the tolls! Place is clean and well-stocked. I was able to find everything I wanted and more! All their products (stationary, books, gifts, etc.) were in perfect condition. Be careful of going there during peak times though, since it can get quite cramped in the store. Overall, great place, great staff! They made a lifetime customer!

I go there for their Japanese gel pens and of course the manga.but staff were snobs and one rudely told us to get lost cause we were carrying food.he could have just said it nicely and we would understand.

They have squishys here but the price is a little high, but these squishys are good they have hello kitty squishys!!! They also have pom Pom Purin squishys, most of their squishys are from hammee

In 2 words, expensive & worth it. If you love Japanese culture, need to get your hands on Japanese reading material or legit Ghibli/Sanrio merch, this is the place to go. Great selection of magazines, books & gifts, though be prepared to heft over some cash.

This place is amazing! There are so many imported books I couldn't decide on just one so I bought several. The staff was very nice and helpful. I had to leave before I ended up buying everything in the store. If you like manga and art books, this is the place for you!

Awesome selection of books, toys, collectibles, stationery, and more!

Quality Japanese books in there. With lots of pen collections to choose from if you are a fancy collector. Highly recommend getting a yearly membership because it gives you %10-%20 additional discount on store-wide items. Yes, it stacks with holiday discounts. Also lots of anime fan items such as models, posters, keyboard mats, keychain, and etc

everything I could possibly want in a Japanese marketplace - so happy this exists now; I've been travelling to Illinois for years to go to Korean markets to buy things that I cannot buy in Minnesota (or can buy for cheaper). Adding this place to my repertoire whenever we visit now (annually usually). Spent way too much time in the food court and the book store; all the important Japanese goods are wonderful (in particular, all the art supplies are fantastic) - highly recommend for an authentic experience!

Love this book store. America's dont do book stores like this.

Especially when this book store takes you to Japan!

If if love anime and especially Hayao Mizayaki, you will love Kinokuniya, whe you can get the Totoro n Jiji cat soft toys.

Really nice Japanese bookstore for manga and other books. Surprised to find the Japanese text book which I used to use. Staff is super friendly and they know what manga you are looking for:) they can also help you to do special order for some specific magazines. Surprised to find some books which I didn t expect to see, say, furuya rei s tea time. I know this book is super hot in Japan due to the effect of film Zero the Enforcer, and I was really surprised that this book store has some copies, although not much.

I love this place. My wife and I visit every time we are in Chicago.

Absolutely phenomenal store! We live 2 hours away and still try to swing in at least once a month or so. Great selection of Japanese books, manga, and educational supplies. Plus lots of other things to look at.

Just as you enter the Mitsuwa Marketplace, the Kinokuniya Bookstore is full of interesting books on subject matter you don't often see elsewhere. There are plenty of other little trinkets and accessories for sale on the shelves. So even if you are not in the market for a book, but need a little gift, browsing in here is worthwhile.

I love it every time I go here. I only wish there was a location closer to downtown Chicago.

Great selection of Japanese comics and books. Also growing gunpla section

The store itself is very nice with books, movies and other gift items that you can get. I've been here multiple times and have found the staff to be less than helpful and a little on the unfriendly side. Maybe I was there on bad days. I still recommend going as it's a neat little shop.

Niche spot to get your Japanese accessories, trinkets, stationery, etc. Great place to find miscellaneous gifts for your otaku friends or spread the religion of your waifu.

One of my most favorite shopping destinations in the entire Chicago region. Incredible shop worth traveling miles to, and excellent place to buy unique, fun, and nicely made gifts, Japanese and other Asian cookbooks, (in English language), gorgeous hand sewn journals, cutesy Kawaii toys, plushies, models, keychains; women s awesome small zip pouches, art and stationary supplies, crafts including origami papers, furoshiki cloths, impressive fountain pens, school supplies, as well as a great book store of manga titles, Japanese language books (there is a separate section for dual language English books), high end fashion magazines, children s books, etc. I always spend a couple hours in the store, and it s my go to place to buy items I never find in any other Asian stores within a hundred mile radius in any direction of Chicago. Is it kinda expensive? Some items YES! Japanese items are always more expensive (as opposed to other Asian products) due to the importing. But the high quality is obvious in the products.

Renew your shopping exhaustion in the attached food court where several restaurants serve tasty Japanese meals from udon ramen soups to tempura to others. The food court only takes cash...not credit cards. There is also the Mitszua Marketplace for all Japanese and other Asian grocery shopping.

Basically the place I go to if I don t feel like ordering something online. Always have something i need to buy.

epic fun place. i follow them on Instagram too lmao

Cute bookstore and stationary shop inside Mitsuwa. It is on the more expensive side because the many of the items are imported. I always make a stop inside just to look around. The bookstore has the atmosphere of a bookstore you would come across in Asia such as the sealed books and magazines. I love buying the stationary, school and office supplies.

Cozy place they have nice books, nice market place to buy groceries

It was very loud in there I know there is a lot of people but they were all yelling but honestly I loved it went there for my birthday and had a awesome time I browsed the website so I knew what I was getting was only in there for about 15 minutes

My daughter absolutely loves this place. It has a large collection of anime novels and other pop culture items as well. It's inside a Japanese market that sells Mochi treats as well - try them! They are good!

My kids like going to this store because they have a wide variety of Japanese noodles to choose from. We also enjoy their baked goods at the bakery.

Neat shop with a wide variety of Japanese media products. Lots of cute gifts and fantastic stationary and pens.

Great selection of Japanese goods, but very pricey. Still enjoy going every time in the area.

Incredibly neat Japanese specialty bookstore. They had a wide selection of manga both in English and Japanese. Note the store is inside of a larger Japanese grocery store.

Excellent spread of manga in both English and Japanese as well as learning resources and stationery

One of the best places ever! They have so many different items of anime/manga and a bunch of other things. I Definitely recommend it!

Amazing 1st time experience will for sure be back again!!

I have a hard time not spending a zillion dollars here. Everything is adorable! Very cute gifts, collectibles, stationery, and bags. Items aren't cheap, but it's worthwhile to stop in for a visit... just not too often!

I love this place!! The atmosphere was great, was greeted as I walked in, and friendly service.

It was my husband & I's first time coming here and thought how awesome this place is. First of all, they had a hanko stamp with my name which is very rare however they did not have one under my husband's name which is okay since his name is so common. They have a lot of interesting things and a bonzai tree that the keep up with which is definitely a plus. However the floor staff was not very nice when I had asked him a question, seemed like I was a bother to him. They didn't have what I wanted and thanked him, he then just walked away! I was so shocked but it's okay I just let it be!

Very Authentic Oriental Store, Restaurants and merchandise that came from Japan. Highly recommended

Nice store. Great for graphic novels. Interesting variety of japanese arts materials, anime, etc. Not cheap, as has been mentioned, but not totally outrageous either.

Attached to a japanese/ Korean/ Asian market.

Wonderful Japanese bookstore located inside a really large Japanese grocery store mall with a great food court. Kinokuniya has tons of Japanese books, manga in both Japanese and English, tons of wonderful pens and all sorts of random anime/japanese merchandise. I would highly recommend coming here if you're looking for any Manga, Japanese book or even some Ghibli movies and merchandise. Staff are also very friendly.

Great selection of reading materials, from magazines to novels and everything in between.

The establishment is incredibly racist. I overheard the manager tell an employee to follow me and my friends around and watch us because we're African American.

After I caught him pointing me out he came and sat closest to me to observe what I was doing. To assure myself that I was imanging things i walked down a different aisle in which I was followed by a staff member. When I started down another aisle I was followed again.

Outraged I told my friends before they bought anything and we left. I Would never go back and would urge other people of color to avoid this establishment.

Excellent experience, very friend staff with amazing products

This place is truly amazing. The food court is varied and has good prices. The store has a lot of products and is very clean. And the bookstore is just mindboggling. 5 stars A+ 10/10

I love this place because of its excellent selection of Japanese books, stationery, and other little knock knacks. The staff is always incredibly friendly and helpful. They'll even go out of their way to demonstrate how to use some of the more obscure looking stationery. I just wish that I lived closer so that I could visit more often!

Loved visiting here. Wish one would open up in Minnesota. Great staff and great merch.