Tsutaya bookstores to offer shared workspace

The Yomiuri Shimbun
A shared workspace in Daikanyama Tsutaya Books in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

Culture Convenience Club Co., the operator of Tsutaya bookstores, will start a shared workspace business in some of its stores to meet the needs of teleworkers.

The company plans to increase the number of such spaces to 100 over the next three years, mainly within the Tokyo metropolitan area.

The first workspace will open on Friday at the company’s flagship store Daikanyama Tsutaya Books in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, and will open from 7 a.m. offering light meals, smoothies and other health-oriented products. Users can rent a space for ¥1,650 (tax included) per hour and also enjoy alcoholic drinks for an additional charge.

The firm has been experimenting with shared office spaces in Japan and Taiwan, and believes that bookstores will serve as a good workspace after learning that many users read books during their break.

“We will make proposals in accordance with changes in lifestyle,” CCC HQ Tsutaya Books President and Executive Officer Tomohiro Umetani said.