Kastori, the Only Bookshop Specialising in Literature on Japan’s Red Light Districts

Watanabe-san, owner of Kastori, used to work in IT. Fascinated by the culture of red light districts, the existence of which dates back to the Azuchi-Momoyama era (16th century), he founded Kastori Publishing, a publishing house dedicated to literature that specialises in the history of red light districts.

At the heart of erotic art

A few years later, in 2016, Watanabe-san opened the doors of his small bookshop, also named Kastori. Located in Yoshiwara, a former red light district that was one of the and largest in the capital, his shop is unique in Japan and the only one to sell these books.

Inside the shop, visitors will find many books telling stories that take place in the sex industry and that deal primarily with the theme of ‘vintage eroticism’. There is also a room that can be hired out by customers to use for reading, and a gallery where several exhibitions – centred mainly on erotic art – are held.

More information about Kastori can be found on the bookshop’s website.