Self-Publishing Library “Kokogyo” Holds First Event
West Co., Ltd. Press Release: October 22, 2025 Self-publishing library “Kokogyo” holds first event The self-publishing library “Kokoukou” in Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, held its first event, “Self-Publishing Talk Session,” on Saturday, October 18th. The event was organized by the NPO Japan Self-Publishing Network.
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grandfathers’ international exchanges during the Meiji and Taisho periods. Each author spoke about the circumstances that led to their writing, promoting local culture through publishing, and the potential of self-publishing. Visitors commented, “I’m glad to have a place nearby where I can put my ideas into words,” and “I bought a book by an author whose writing background I found fascinating.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/73744/11/73744-11-4559b7c104e25696d63c1d62154469d0-3900×2925.jpg Talk session with self-publishers Kokogyo is a library specializing in self-published books established and operated by West Co., Ltd. on October 1, 2025, within the Vories Mirai Village (formerly Omi Kyodaisha Elementary School). It exhibits approximately 15,000 self-published books owned by the NPO Japan Self-Publishing Network.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/73744/11/73744-11-c8df93bc88b95a1d301766b90f5f5c06-1300×867.jpg Exhibiting self-published books not available in bookstores In the future, we plan to hold publishing consultation sessions and other events as a place where individuals, companies, and organizations considering self-publishing can easily seek advice. Through
Kokoukogyo, we hope to further expand exchanges about new publishing culture in the region.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/73744/11/73744-11-a7a8b353fea0544772197bd8cc847d97-3900×2600.jpg A library where you can expect “encounters you won’t find anywhere else”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/73744/11/73744-11-48eb5fd88cdbb5767ce8e8261e1a6a1c-3900×2600.jpg Some books can be purchased cashlessly. Admission to the Kokogyo is free, and the books are freely available for browsing within the library. Opening hours are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The opening days calendar is posted on Instagram, and admission applications are accepted.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/73744/11/73744-11-95fb3c7a02e495b3cbc7e75f09430340-2001×1500.jpg Vories Mirai Village (formerly Omi Kyodaisha Elementary School) ■Self-Published Library “Koukoukou” (Thinking and Cultivating) Address: 699 Asakoi-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, 523-0817 Inside Vories Mirai Village Official website here Instagram here ■Operating Company: West Co., Ltd. Address: 3-11 Takakaicho Minami 1-chome, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, 523-0898 TEL:
0748-43-0155 FAX: 0748-43-0156 Official website here About Waist Established in 1989. Planning and production of advertisements, posters, pamphlets, direct mail, company brochures, newsletters, etc.; website planning, production, operation, and management; video editing; DVD production; indoor and outdoor signs, neon signs, displays, acrylic processing, store interiors, etc.; event planning, hosting, and operation. Starting in 2022, we will rent part of “Vories Mirai Village” (formerly Omi Kyodaisha Elementary School) and operate “Tsunaga Room,” an event planning business for parents. In April 2025, we will launch “Honnara Children’s Bookstore Rental Shelves,” followed by “Koukogyo Self-Publishing Library” in October.