“Kyoto University Student Dives into Demachi! Kyoto Downtown Travelogue” – A long-awaited book version of a youthful essay by a current Kyoto University student, on sale October 21st! QuizKnock’s Takuya Kawamura also gives it his stamp of approval, marking the publishing debut of a major new author!
Kawade Shobo Shinsha Press release: October 21, 2025 To Members of the Press “Kyoto University Student Dives into Demachi! Kyoto Downtown Travelogue” – A long-awaited book of youthful essays by current Kyoto University students, on sale October 21st! QuizKnock’s Takuya Kawamura gives his stamp of approval to this publishing debut by a major new author! A talk event with a popular author from Kyoto University will be held in Kyoto and Tokyo!
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1034/12754-1034-3c40499bf38e60a3b148bb47223fd2be-1822×960.jpg “Kyoto University Student Dives into Demachi! Kyoto Shitamachi Travelogue” is a coming-of-age essay written by a current Kyoto University student, depicting the “real” image of Kyoto’s downtown through his interactions with the town and its people. Set in the Demachi Masugata Shopping Arcade, where bustle and tranquility coexist, this book is filled with laughter, tears, and sudden encounters and partings… Woven from a gentle, observant eye, these essays are as dramatic as a novel, yet as realistic as a documentary. With every turn of the page, you’ll feel as if you’re there, immersed in the nostalgic air and scents of Kyoto’s downtown. Author Aoki Yu’s fresh sensibility and sincere gaze capture “Kyoto at this very moment,” a story sure to bring a gentle breath of fresh air to the reader’s heart. This book won the runner-up prize at the “Publishing Koshien,” a competition in which university students from all over Japan compete for the grand prize. This is Yu Aoki’s publishing debut, and his talent was recognized by judges Takuya Kawamura of QuizKnock and Hideaki Tsuchie (Diamond Inc.), the head judge. ● “Kyoto University Students Dive into Demachi! Comments of support from celebrities and publishing professionals for “Kyoto Shitamachi Monogatari” I commended the author for his excellent sense of balance in depicting the niche area of Demachi while maintaining the purpose of serving as a local community, without coming across as preachy. 〉 QuizKnock’s Takuya Kawamura 〈It has the refreshing feel of a coming-of-age novel set in Kyoto, but also a layered feel that connects the past and present, something even locals are surprisingly unaware of. Even though it’s a story set right in the heart of where I was born and raised, it leaves you wondering, “Where is this story from?” An exquisite blend of “Demachi and the author’s writing skills” Mishima Kunihiro, CEO of Mishimasha (from Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City) 〈Although it’s nonfiction, I felt it had the appeal of a novel. Especially listening to the characters’ stories, I felt it had the potential to become a drama. > “Publishing Koshien” Head Judge, Tsuchie Hideaki (Diamond Inc.) Viva “Demachi Masugata Shopping Street”! Ah, here it is. A place that’s more Kyoto University-like than Kyoto University itself. I’ll never forget it, no matter how much time passes. This is true sanctuary. 〉 Takashi Yamashita, Shop Lune, Kyoto University Co-op 〈These stories are filled with powerful episodes and characters, like stories, that will make you say, “No way!?” I’m captivated not only by the mysterious power of the place called Demachi, but also by Aoki’s vitality, which draws these stories to her. This book will make you excited about undiscovered
communities, making you think that if you just muster up a little courage and step inside, a world like this could exist all around you. 〉 Publishing Koshien Executive Committee, Kanon Hisasa Kyoto University Student Dives into Demachi! Kyoto Downtown Travelogue, a coming-of-age essay written by current Kyoto University student and new author Yu Aoki over the course of four years at university, is now available for purchase!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1034/12754-1034-6632976f54d61bd4317d111482dafee7-1909×2700.jpg ●Author Haruka Aoki
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1034/12754-1034-87fd6a51b5be349dbfd151e9d46f6048-1795×2700.jpg Photography: Maa Horiuchi 【Publication Notice】 “As a university student, I come into contact with various academic fields every day, and sometimes I feel that there are facts that cannot be written in science, economics, or even literature. The town of Demachi is overflowing with such things. In this work, I have endeavored to capture as faithfully as possible those small, yet powerful and beautiful things. I hope that readers will be able to get a sense of the Demachi I saw over the course of four years at university. Of course, it’s also a very enjoyable book. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as a way to unwind from your daily routine! ” 【Brief Biography】 Born in Osaka in 2003. Graduated from the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies, Kyoto University. In 2022, he discovered and deepened his connection with Demachi Masugata Shopping Street in Kyoto City. After gaining experience as the shopping street’s official social media manager, he is now active in the community. This book marks his solo author debut.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1034/12754-1034-efcaac16b9a5feeb1865c86e0a839ee1-2061×1808.jpg ●This fall, talk events with special guests will be held at bookstores in Kyoto and at Waseda University! Yu Aoki “Kyoto University Students Dive into Demachi! “Kyoto Shitamachi Monogatari” Publication Commemorative Event Event Location: Ogaki Bookstore Takano Branch (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City) Interview: Shinji Ishii Date and time: November 14, 2025 (Friday) 19:00 start Details:
https://www.books-ogaki.co.jp/post/63784 “BOOK MEETS NEXT 2025” Talk Event Location: Waseda University Ono Memorial Hall (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) Interviewer: Manabu Makime Date and Time: Thursday, November 20, 2025, 6:00 PM Details: https://www.jpic.or.jp/bookmeetsnext/ *This event is sponsored by the “BOOK MEETS NEXT” secretariat.
book-meets-next https://book-meets-next.com/ ●Bibliographic
information
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1034/12754-1034-499008bed7cb693c2fc3967fd0739fc3-1620×2467.jpg Book title: Kyoto University students dive into Demachi! Kyoto Shitamachi Travelogue Author: Aoki Yu Design: Albireo Illustration: Ichiro Specifications: 46-size / Paperback / 236 pages Release date: October 21, 2025 Price including tax: ¥1,980 (¥1,800 base price) ISBN: 978-4-309-03232-0 URL: https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309032320/ *There are no plans to publish an e-book. ●What is Publishing Koshien?
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1034/12754-1034-b6fc4823e60df3e524125b155bb499ca-500×120.jpg (C) Publishing Koshien Founded in 2005, this Waseda
University-certified club runs “Shuppan Koshien,” Japan’s only publishing contest run by students for students. The Publishing Koshien Executive Committee (SPK) consists of approximately 90 university students from the Tokyo metropolitan area, primarily from the University of Tokyo and Waseda University. Every year, students from across the country submit book proposals. After three rounds of internal judging and a final competition in December, the grand prize winner is selected. Through the competition, participants approach publishers, with the ultimate goal of having their proposals commercially published. As of 2025, 44 books have been published. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the competition, and the finals are scheduled to be held on Sunday, December 14th at the Okuma Memorial Hall Small Auditorium at Waseda University. Co-hosted by: NPO Kikaku no Tamagoyasan Supported by: Japan Publishing Industry Promotion Foundation (JPIC) / National Federation of University Co-operative Associations Sponsored by: Mynavi Student Office Publishing Koshien Official Website: https://spk.picaso.jp/