I want to cherish the once-in-a-lifetime encounter of "we met here. I want to cherish that.
Mr. Mita started BOOK TRUCK in 2012. This year marks the 13th year for the event, and he sets it up with a familiar hand.
Ever since I was a university student, I always wanted to open a bookstore. So I went to TSUTAYA TOKYO ROPPONGI, CIBONE Aoyama, and SHIBUYA PUBLISHING & BOOKSELLERS to learn more about bookstores. BOOKSELLERS" to learn about bookstores. Then, just before I turned 30, I thought, 'It's about time I started my own business,' and that's when I started BOOK TRUCK.
When he was thinking about setting up his own business, there were many stores that were both bookstores and cafes, or stores that boasted unique selections, and Mr. Mita wondered if there was anything else he could do in addition to these types of stores. At the time, there were an increasing number of outdoor events such as marché events, and he finally arrived at "BOOK TRUCK. TRUCK," Mita continues.
I was asked to open a store at SHIBUYA PUBLISHING & BOOKSELLERS, where I worked before becoming independent. BOOKSELLERS, where I worked before becoming independent, asked me to open a store, and that gave me an idea. However, it is quite difficult to carry a lot of books out of the store. You need a car, and you also need fixtures. Then, why not use the car as a fixture? That was the idea that came to me, and I decided to start BOOK TRUCK.
Kanguo is suited for such mobile bookstores," says Mita.
I was also very grateful for the ability to load the tarp on top of the books. The tarp gives the stall more of a store feel when it is open. It makes it easy to recognize that it is an open space, and it also avoids the blazing sun, so customers can open books while resting. It also prevents deterioration of books, which are sensitive to the sun.
The other thing is, if it's the size of a 'Kangoo,' you can set up a store directly connected to a tarp. This gives us a lot of flexibility in layout. With a truck, it would be too big and difficult. Some events don't accept large vehicles, so I think it's a really flexible size.
It has been more than 10 years since Mr. Mita started his mobile bookstore, and he has experienced many events at which he has opened a bookstore. I was a bit skeptical before I started, but once I got started, I found that a wide range of people, from children to the elderly, were pleased with the service.
I feel more strongly about the low threshold and familiarity of books now that I have started the mobile bookstore. If we change the selection of books, we can connect them to music events, food events, and many other directions. Although digital content is strong today, I believe that the physical appeal of books as objects to be cherished is still strong. I can sense this from the reaction of our customers.
BOOK TRUCK" has a wide range of activities, such as marché events, music events, and even stalls on university campuses. According to Mr. Mita, "We select books with the image of arranging the way we encounter books.
For example, popular novels are the same no matter where you buy them. In that sense, it's hard to find meaning in buying a book at your own store. Even if you see a hip-hop book like the one I brought today at a regular bookstore, the title may catch your eye, but the chance of picking it up is not that high. But when you bring it to a music event, the audience is very excited. Depending on the psychological state of the audience, the appeal of a book to them may increase or decrease. I would like to select books in such a way that the appeal of a book increases. In that sense, there is room for what "BOOK TRUCK" can do. In that sense, I think there is a lot of room for what "BOOK TRUCK" can do.
I want to cherish the once-in-a-lifetime encounter, the feeling of 'we met here. I want to cherish that feeling," says Mita, as he continues his story.
I think people who are interested in books, people who like books, have a thirst for knowledge. Books have open information, but you can't access it unless you encounter it. In an age when it has become easier to access a variety of information on the Internet, I think there are many people who feel the value of such encounters with books.
