K-BOOK Festival 2026 in Japan will take place on November 21 and 22 at the Japan Publishers Club Building and Sanseido Bookstore’s Kanda Jimbocho flagship store in Tokyo.
One of Japan’s largest events celebrating Korean literature, the festival brings together writers, publishers and readers. This year’s theme is “Hibiku – 너를 알고 나를 알았네” (“Resonance – I Came to Know Myself Through Knowing You”), exploring how words connect people and shape their understanding of themselves and others. A special event will also be held in Ueno on November 20, ahead of the festival.
This year’s focus is Korean poetry. The festival’s book market will bring together 38 publishers from Japan and three from South Korea — Moonji Publishing, Munhakdongne and MUZE — offering a wide range of Korean literature and related titles.
Korean poets and writers including Kim Hyesoon, Lee Byung-ryul, Han Jung-won, Ko Seong-gyeong, Yoo Sun-ae, Song Hee-ji, Lim Joo-ah, Lee Jenny, Lim Sol-ah and Ha Mina will travel to Tokyo for talks and discussions at the Japan Publishers Club Building.
The program will also include a performance by Echoes in Pieces, a group featuring poets Kim So-yeon and Lim Sol-ah and musician Arle, blending poetry readings with live music.
Visitors can also look forward to book signings, a stamp rally and the festival’s original booklet CHECK+.
K-BOOK Festival 2026 in Japan
Dates: November 21–22, 2026 (Saturday–Sunday)
Venues: Japan Publishers Club Building / Sanseido Bookstore Kanda Jimbocho Main Store, Tokyo
Admission: Free
Organized by: K-BOOK Festival Executive Committee
Co-organized by: K-BOOK Promotion Association / Korea Foundation
The festival will go ahead in the event of rain but may be cancelled in severe weather.
Opening Event
November 20, 2026 (Friday)
Time: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Venues and Opening Hours
1. Japan Publishers Club Building (3F & 4F)
Address: 1-32 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051
Book Market & Stage Events:
- November 21 (Sat): 12 PM – 6 PM
- November 22 (Sun): 11 AM – 6 PM
2. Sanseido Bookstore Kanda Jimbocho Main Store (3F Event Space)
Address: 1-1 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051
Book Market:
- November 21 (Sat): 2 PM – 6 PM
- November 22 (Sun): 11 AM – 6 PM
Program Highlights
1. Book Market
A book market featuring 38 Japanese publishers and three Korean publishers, including Moonji Publishing, Munhakdongne and MUZE.
2. Author Talks, Book Signings and Performances
Talk sessions include:
- Kim Hyesoon in conversation with Kim Seung-bok (CUON): Where Does Poetry Begin?
- Poet Ryo Ishida in conversation with emerging poets Yoo Sun-ae, Ko Seong-gyeong, Lim Joo-ah and Song Hee-ji
- A talk with Han Jung-won about her daily life
- Moon Chung-hee and Park Jung-min: On Writing, Reading and Acting
- More to be announced
Performance: Echoes in Pieces (메아리조각)
3. Other Activities
At the venues:
- Book signings with authors
- Giveaways
- Stamp rally
Online:
- YouTube videos introducing recommended books from participating publishers
- Livestreams of festival events, with recordings available afterward
- Podcasts and social media content
Other:
K-BOOK fairs at bookstores across Japan
Sale of the festival’s original booklet CHECK+ at bookstores
