60-Year-Old Coffee Shop Opens British-Style "Phone Booth Library" in Kobe's Minatogawa. A Street Corner Library Free for Everyone Opens on May 12th

Kissa Apple House (Hyogo Ward, Kobe City / Third-generation owner: Ryoji Okabe), a coffee shop that has been operating in Kobe's Minatogawa Shopping Street since 1966, opened the "Minatogawa Apple Library," a British-style phone booth mini-library utilizing the former cigarette vending machine space at its storefront, today, May 12, 2026 (Tuesday). There is no need to use the coffee shop; anyone can borrow books for free by simply filling out a lending notebook, making it a street corner library based on the belief in human goodness.

▲ "Minatogawa Apple Library" opened on May 12 (Tuesday) (at the storefront of Kissa Apple House)

At its 60th Anniversary, the Storefront Becomes a "Community Bookshelf"

Kissa Apple House is a long-established coffee shop founded in 1966 in the Minatogawa Shopping Street. It has been loved by the local community for three generations, but with the end of the role of the cigarette vending machine that had been placed at the storefront for many years, the shop planned an initiative to transform the site into a "community bookshelf where anyone can stop by."

Minatogawa Shopping Street boasts "Minatogawa Market," Kobe's largest market with approximately 400 stores, supporting Kobe's food and daily life. In recent years, with new condominium constructions and plans for Minatogawa's redevelopment, creating connections with younger generations and families, in addition to long-time regulars, has become a challenge for the entire shopping street. Apple House is proceeding with interior renovations based on the philosophy of "becoming a shop that is loved by the community and contributes to its revitalization," and this phone booth library is part of that effort.

Three Features of "Minatogawa Apple Library"

【1】Anyone can use it for free, without registration

There is no need to use the coffee shop. No membership registration or ID is required; simply fill in your name, contact information, and book title in the lending notebook and take the book home. The return deadline is approximately two weeks, a simple operation based on the belief in human goodness.

【2】Approximately 250 books selected by the owner to "encounter the city"

In addition to general books such as novels, manga, and essays, the library features a collection selected by the owner, including books on the history of Minatogawa and Shinkaichi, urban development-related books, and ZINEs by creators associated with Kobe. It has a unique composition, different from both bookstores and community libraries, with a focus on "books that allow you to encounter the city."

【3】A community bookshelf "painted by everyone" – owner, employees, regulars, and children

From design selection to painting, the owner, employees, long-time regulars, and local children worked together to create it. Although the completed phone booth will be operated unmanned, the memory of everyone creating it together forms the basis of trust through books.

▲ Everyone painted the phone booth together ▲ Third-generation Ryoji Okabe (left) and former owner Masamine Okabe (right)

Comment from Third-generation Owner Ryoji Okabe

"For 60 years, since my grandparents' generation, we have walked with the town of Minatogawa in this place. By transforming the space where the cigarette vending machine used to be into a bookshelf, I hope that even those who don't enter the shop can take something home during their stroll through the shopping street. The painting was done on a holiday with employees, regulars, and neighborhood children. Seeing everyone hold a brush and layer colors, I realized anew that this is not just my library, but a community bookshelf."

[Owner photo here: ④ Third-generation Ryoji Okabe (left) and former owner Sumio Okabe (right)]

Facility Overview

Name: Minatogawa Apple Library

Location: Kissa Apple House storefront (1-16-8 Aratacho, Hyogo-ku, Kobe City)

Nearest Station: Kobe Electric Railway / Kobe Municipal Subway "Minatogawa" Station・"Minatogawa Koen" Station, 1 minute walk

Opening Date: May 12, 2026 (Tuesday)

Operating Hours: During coffee shop business hours (7:45〜17:45) / Open all year round

Usage Fee: Free (no membership registration required)

How to Use: Fill in your name, contact information, and book title in the lending notebook and take the book home / Return within approximately 2 weeks

Number of Books: Approximately 250 (at opening / expected to increase through contributions and donations)

Book Genres: General books such as novels, manga, essays / Books on the history of Minatogawa and Shinkaichi, urban development-related books / ZINEs by creators associated with Kobe, etc.

Donations Accepted: Accepted at any time

Kissa Apple House Overview

Location: 1-16-8 Aratacho, Hyogo-ku, Kobe City

Founded: 1966

Operating Hours: 7:45〜17:45 (Open all year round)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissa_applehouse_kobe/

Opening Commemoration Project / Lecture "History and Charm of Minatogawa and Shinkaichi"

To commemorate the opening, a lecture by third-generation owner Ryoji Okabe will be held in collaboration with Kobe's culture center "Entrance."

Date and Time: May 20, 2026 (Wednesday) 19:00〜20:30

Venue: Kissa Apple House

Lecturer: Ryoji Okabe (Third-generation owner of Kissa Apple House)

Co-hosted by: Culture Center "Entrance"

Participation Fee: Free

Capacity: 30 people

Application: https://en-trans.net/lecture/