On March 13th, "NONLECTURE books/arts powered by Goldwin," a multi-purpose space combining books and art, opened on Shibuya Spain Slope. It is located on the first basement floor of "Shibuya ZERO GATE," the same building where Komehyo's flagship store "KOMEHYO SHIBUYA" is located. This new hub, operated by Shibuya PARCO, aims to create a new point of contact for sensibilities within the city, crossing the boundaries of books, art, exhibitions, events, products, and drinks.

Instead of going to the "KOMEHYO SHIBUYA" side, take the entrance along Spanish坂 (Spanish Slope) and go down to the basement.

Descending a long staircase equivalent to the second basement level, you'll come across a hidden gem of a shop.

The shop was created by Tsuyoshi Mochida, who has been in charge of selecting, planning, and directing foreign books and art books at places like TOWER BOOKS, Daikanyama Tsutaya Bookstore, and BOOKMARC Harajuku. He leveraged his many years of experience working in the book and art world to launch this shop as his own personal space.

Tsuyoshi Mochida, who runs "NONLECTURE books/arts"

A free space where you can relax as if you were in a field.

The store has an area of approximately 120 square meters. The name "NONLECTURE" comes from the title of a book by American modernist poet E.E. Cummings, "i:six nonlectures." According to Mochida, Cummings did not teach poetry techniques in his series of lectures at Harvard University, but rather spoke about his own way of life. Inspired by these legendary lectures, he says, "I wanted to create a space that was neither a bookstore nor a gallery, but something more free."

The space, originally the site of a club or gym, has high ceilings despite being underground, giving it a spacious feel.

The design of the space is based on the ideas from architect Jun Aoki's book, "Open Fields and Amusement Parks." Commercial facilities generally tend to become "amusement park"-like places with predetermined rules for movement and how to enjoy them, but that's not interesting. This store aims to be a place like the "open field" from Doraemon, where visitors can spend time at their own pace and enjoy serendipitous encounters.

In addition to books, the space also features a DJ booth and can accommodate various events.

It's a multi-purpose cultural space that sells original and collaborative products, and also features art and design exhibitions.

The shop features bookshelves, gallery display walls, and sound equipment, and offers drinks such as wine, craft beer, and coffee. Visitors can enjoy drinks while viewing the exhibits, and future plans include talk events, DJ events, and mini-concerts. However, the owner emphasizes that they "might not hold overly commercial events," highlighting their commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Approximately 1500 foreign books and art books, catering to everyone from beginners to experts.

The books on display are mainly foreign books and art books spanning art, photography, fashion, film, and philosophy. The initial collection consisted of approximately 1,500 books, or around 700 to 800 titles.

Near the entrance, books that are easy for beginners to pick up are displayed, while the shelves also contain rare books and niche titles that Mochida himself has personally purchased, creating a collection that "can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to experts." The selection of books is based on publisher catalogs from around the world, reflecting the publishing trends of the time.

Despite being in the heart of Shibuya, the store takes a different approach from the current "easy-to-understand Shibuya culture" of anime and manga. Mochida has worked in Shibuya since her teens and has witnessed the changes in the city firsthand. While being mindful of the increasing number of foreign visitors in recent years, she says, "The reason we base our selection on foreign books is because we want inbound tourists to enjoy them."

The bookstore features a wide range of books on dance, fashion, music, and other cultural scenes, including "On the Dance Floor," a compilation of dance scenes both on and off screen; a collection of works by fashion editor Christian Stemler; a visual book by David Bowie; and "PUNK" by Spector.

The bookshelves are adorned with a diverse array of visual books, including Kyoichi Tsuzuki's "TOKYO STYLE" and "HAPPY VICTIMS," a scrapbook by Lithuanian filmmaker Jonas Mekas, and a photo collection of Patti Smith shot by Lynn Goldsmith.

On the other hand, he also says that he wants to distance himself from the anime, manga, and other pop culture content that is already abundant in Shibuya, and that he wants to "present more straightforward art."

A permanent space that resonates with Goldwyn's philosophy

Goldwyn's space features books on themes such as "nature." Also on display is the "Whole Earth Catalog," a catalog magazine founded by Stuart Brand in 1968, which is known to have been Steve Jobs' bible.

The store will also feature a permanent space for the outdoor sports apparel manufacturer Goldwin. Based on the company's purpose of "leading people to challenge themselves and expanding the possibilities of people and nature," the space will feature a selection of approximately 100 books spanning nature, materials, the body, and philosophy, as well as exhibits that convey the brand's philosophy. Mochida said that he had the impression that Goldwin was "a brand with a broad scope that extends to art and fashion while also encompassing the environment and nature," and revealed the circumstances that led him to propose the project himself.

Photographer Tetsuo Kashiwada's photo exhibition "Boundary"

As an opening event, Goldwin Room will begin a photo exhibition by photographer Tetsuo Kashiwada titled "Boundary" on the 13th. Through a series of works that re-examine "where the boundary between humans and nature lies," the exhibition will resonate with the philosophy of the permanent space (until May 10th).

Exhibition of illustrator Jerry Ukai's solo exhibition "Zen Hiker"

Meanwhile, the main space will host "Zen Hiker," a solo exhibition by illustrator Jerry Ukai, until April 5th. The exhibition will showcase works depicting the physical sensations of hiking in the mountains and the feeling of anxiety and worries melting away in nature. Furthermore, the pop-up space on the wall will feature an exhibition by "SOONER OR LATER," a specialty poster shop selling posters directly imported from overseas (until May 10th).

An exhibition by "SOONER OR LATER," a specialty poster shop that sells posters directly imported from overseas.

With a wide selection of wine and coffee, it's a place you can drop into with a casual, "standing bar" feel.

They are particular about their drinks as well. Natural wines and craft beers are selected by "wine&deli kokiliko," run by food stylist Makiko Yoneda, while mezcal and tequila are sourced from "Mangosteen," a standing bar in Shimokitazawa. The coffee beans are home-roasted by "Sniite," a coffee roaster in Shimouma. Mochida says, "We have types of alcohol and drinks that you can't easily find in a regular bar. We want people to feel free to drop by, just like at a standing bar."

This shop offers a selection of rare alcoholic beverages and drinks. You can enjoy browsing the shop while sipping wine or coffee, and discovering new books.

Since the 1970s, Shibuya has been a hub for diverse cultural innovations, including music, fashion, and art. As redevelopment progresses and the city's appearance changes dramatically, NONLECTURE aims to present an alternative way of staying in the area, one that goes beyond mere bustle and consumption. A place where adults can pick up a book, admire artwork, enjoy a drink, engage in conversation, and then return—such a relaxed space for adults to enjoy is poised to be added to Spain Hill.

Opening hours are from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Venue

Interviews and writing

Editorial Department: Takashi Fujii

Shibuya registrar. In addition to Shibuya of Culture information, seasonal news and topics, it will spell write that feel every day.