Public Libraries in Japan: Cards, Borrowing and Quiet Study Spaces

Find out how to get a municipal library card in Japan, what borrowing rules look like, and how reference libraries such as the National Diet Library work.

Published October 20, 2026 at 11:22 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Many Japanese municipal libraries issue a free card to people who live, work or study in the city, usually on showing ID with a current address. Cards allow a set number of books for a set period, often two weeks. Reference libraries, such as the National Diet Library and the Tokyo Metropolitan Library, work differently: materials are read on site and not taken home.

Two kinds of library

Japan has two broad kinds of library that visitors and residents often meet. Municipal libraries, run by cities, wards and towns, lend books, magazines and audiovisual items to local users, and they usually have reading areas and children's sections. Reference libraries, such as the National Diet Library and the Tokyo Metropolitan Library, focus on research and keep materials on the premises.

The difference matters for planning. A resident who wants a novel for the weekend belongs at a municipal branch, while a researcher who needs a rare periodical or an official publication will head for a reference collection. Registration may be needed for some services, especially at reference libraries, so it is worth reading the visitor information before a first trip.

Rules, hours and services are set library by library, and they can change. The official page of each library is the dependable guide, and many of them offer an English or machine-translated version of their site, which helps newcomers find the basics.

Getting a municipal library card

Eligibility is set by each local government, but a common pattern is to allow anyone who lives, works or studies in the area. Sapporo's English guide for its city libraries, for example, says the card is free and issued immediately to people who live, work or study in Sapporo.

Identification is normally required. In Sapporo's case, applicants bring one item that shows their current name and address, such as a residence card or a piece of mail addressed to them, and children under 12 do not need to bring ID. Other cities may ask for slightly different documents, so check the library page for the exact list.

Newcomers to Japan can start with the city or ward office page for the neighborhood they live in. Many libraries also offer online registration, and some run a web account where users can search the catalog, place requests and view their loans. Details vary, so the local library website is the place to confirm the process.

Borrowing limits, loan periods and renewals

Borrowing rules differ from city to city. As one example, Sapporo's municipal libraries allow 10 books or magazines for 14 days and 2 CDs or DVDs for 14 days, with one renewal. Items marked for use inside the library, such as newspapers, reference books and maps, cannot be taken out. Items that other users have requested, or that are overdue, cannot be renewed, and renewals in that system are made at the circulation desk rather than by phone.

Other cities set their own numbers, so a figure from one library does not apply to another. Two weeks is a familiar loan period, but that is a general pattern, not a rule. Before borrowing, it helps to note the due date on the receipt or in the online account, and to ask at the counter if any item is marked for in-library use only.

Requests are another feature. Sapporo's system lets users request up to 10 books or magazines and 2 discs, either online with a password from the circulation desk or in person. Other libraries have their own request systems and limits, so the usage guide on the library website is the right place to look.

Returning books and the book drop

Returning items is simple in most places. Sapporo's guide notes that items can be returned to any of its municipal libraries, and that books can go into the bookdrop, a slot or box at the building. CDs and DVDs must be handed to the circulation desk.

A book drop is handy when the desk is not staffed, though the exact arrangements differ by library, so check the website for how and when returns are accepted. Because the rules are set locally, it is also worth reading the section on overdue items, which explains how late returns are handled and whether renewals are possible. Setting a reminder on a phone for the due date is a practical habit that avoids the question altogether.

Reading rooms and quiet study spaces

Many municipal libraries have reading areas where visitors can sit with a book, and some have study desks. Availability, opening hours and any time limits differ by branch, so the individual library page is the place to confirm before making a trip just to study.

Reference libraries are built around reading rooms. The National Diet Library in Tokyo lists separate rooms for parliamentary documents and official publications, business and science, humanities, newspapers, maps, modern political history, rare books, and music and audiovisual materials. The Tokyo Metropolitan Library says individual users cannot take materials out, so everything is used on site.

Quiet is the rule almost everywhere. Phones are kept on silent, conversation is low, and calls are made only in designated areas. Many libraries have rules about food and drink near library materials, so look for signs on arrival.

Foreign-language books and children's sections

Many municipal libraries keep a shelf of foreign-language books, and larger libraries may hold a bigger collection. Sapporo's English guide describes a foreign-language collection on the second floor with about 20,000 books, along with foreign newspapers and magazines. The Tokyo Metropolitan Library says about 10 percent of its collection is in foreign languages. Collections vary widely, so a catalog search before a visit saves time.

Children's sections are a familiar feature of local libraries, and they commonly hold picture books for young readers. The International Library of Children's Literature, a branch of the National Diet Library in Ueno, Tokyo, opened in 2002 in the former Imperial Library building and holds roughly 400,000 items. Its own website lists hours, holidays and access.

Parents who read in English can ask at the counter whether foreign-language picture books are available, or search the online catalog for a language filter if one is offered. Library websites and counters are the best way to learn what a particular branch holds.

The National Diet Library and library etiquette

The National Diet Library (NDL) opened in 1948 and is Japan's national library. Its Tokyo Main Library is in Nagatacho, near the Diet building, and the Kansai-kan opened in 2002 in Kansai Science City. As the national library, it collects copies of publications issued in Japan. The Tokyo Main Library and the Kansai-kan are open to visitors aged 18 or older, according to the Wikipedia article on the library.

Registration matters. Most holdings are in closed stacks and require official user registration, which can be started online. For first-time registration, identification documents are required, so bring some with you. Opaque bags larger than B5 size are not allowed inside and go into lockers. After a request is submitted, the library's page suggests checking the request status after about 20 to 30 minutes, and no library materials may leave the building.

Good manners are the same in any library: keep voices low, follow the staff instructions, handle materials carefully and return them on time. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreign residents get a public library card in Japan?

Usually yes. Many cities issue a free card to people who live, work or study there, and a residence card or mail showing a current address often serves as proof. Rules differ by city, so confirm the documents on the local library page or at the counter.

How many books can be borrowed from a Japanese public library?

It depends on the city. As one example, Sapporo's municipal libraries allow 10 books or magazines for 14 days, plus 2 CDs or DVDs, with one renewal. Other libraries set different numbers, so check the usage guide of the library you plan to use.

Can tourists use the National Diet Library?

Visitors aged 18 or older may use the Tokyo Main Library. Unregistered users may enter for one day only and cannot request materials from the closed stacks, while registered users can. Items are read on site and cannot be taken out. Check the library's visitor information for current hours and requirements.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Building a Life in Japan is available on Amazon.

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