The Kinokuniya location in NYC(where I live) is pretty great and I am there often but even this small location in the Mitsuwa Marketplace, was better. The stationery selection and items other than books/DVDs was greater even though the NYC one is larger. I really enjoyed this location and hope to visit every time I come to Santa Monica!
Kalai C.
Tu valoración: 5 Los Angeles, CA
Really close to my work place so I visit here on occasion when I go to the food court in the Mitsuwa. Parking lot is kind of packed and this Kinokuniya is small but it has all the essentials that I need like stationary and English manga.
Stefanie O.
Tu valoración: 5 Encino, CA
This is my favorite Japanese stationary and gift store. They have a very large selection of pens/pencils/art supplies/paper imported from Japan. They are constantly changing their inventory to keep up with the latest trends in pop culture and cute stuff. I can always find great gifts for friends and family. Unique finds, mostly imports.
Derrick D.
Tu valoración: 4 Inglewood, CA
Love the new look. There’s a ton of stationary and knick knacks now which I don’t really care about. I come here for the magazines which, thankfully unlike the downtown L.A. store, they don’t plaster with giant price tags. One star down since they don’t open until 11 a.m. while the other Kinokuniyas open at 10. I know, minor gripe, but I hate having to battle the early lunch crowd for parking.
Sandee T.
Tu valoración: 5 Los Angeles, CA
Loved how they revamped this bookstore! Still located inside the Mitsuwa marketplace. * YES — Cleaner, neater, and an OCD’s-dream-come-true given the apropos sectioning * YES — Cashier is right by exit(makes more sense) * YES — Offers everything that’s fancy-stationary: notepads, paper, pens/markers, cards, stamps, etc. * YES — Comic books and Asian magazines section * YES — Offers gifts section: diningware, desktop figurines, housewares, socks, bags/totes, hair accessories, etc. * YES — Definitely a fun shop for kids(if you can get them to only pick out 1 item to buy).
Christina S.
Tu valoración: 5 Culver City, Los Angeles, CA
This is a stationery and pen lover’s heaven!!! I don’t read Japanese and I am not into manga so I am reviewing purely on the stationery selection. This place has a little bit of everything with cute/quirky gifts, craft/art supplies, Japanese & American stationery brands, and the most wonderful aisle of Japanese pens & pencils(my favorite aisle). They are pretty pricey but it is what you have to pay for the unique selection of items they carry such as wooden animal shaped washi tape dispensers, at $ 30 each they are expensive but oh so cute! Definitely give this place a shot if you are ever in Mitsuwa!
Liz O.
Tu valoración: 5 Los Angeles, CA
The Japanese bookstore chain, Kinokuniya remodeled the space and reopened it as «Kinokuniya Books & Stationery» in March 2015.(The previous store operator, «Books and Café» is completely unrelated to Kinokuniya). There’s a dedicated cashier for book, magazine, stationery and Japanese themed knick knacks, etc. For those of you who’re wondering, Hamada-Ya Bread Bar & Coffee is still adjacent, but the tables and chairs in the old«books & café» space were eliminated so more they could display more products for sale. The selection is much more extensive than the previous bookstore. Though not as large as the one in Little Tokyo, this Kinokuniya branch in the West LA/Mar Vista Mitsuwa Market Mall should meet most needs.