HONYAL NEWS 2026/04
Tohan announced the latest news for April 2026 regarding its small bookstore opening support service, 'HONYAL.' Diverse types of community-based bookstores are emerging, such as dental clinics and cram schools utilizing HONYAL to open bookstores.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 12:47 (1h 15m after Collected)
From Tohan Corporation, we bring you the latest news on 'HONYAL,' a service that supports the opening of small bookstores.
This issue features newly opened bookstores with HONYAL's support and topics related to HONYAL.
Please visit the official website for details on HONYAL's services.
Introducing new HONYAL-supported bookstores (April 2026)
Polan no Hiroba [OPEN 2026/4/1]
Owner: Hiroko Munakata (Dentist, Director of Munakata Dental Clinic)
Address: 2nd floor, Munakata Dental Clinic, 1-56 Tsuchiuri, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Business Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 12:00-16:00
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/porannohiroba2026/
Munakata Dental Clinic, a dental clinic cherished in Koriyama City since 1988, has renovated its second floor to open 'Polan no Hiroba' as a private library, new bookstore & cafe.
Dr. Hiroko Munakata, the director, has not only earned deep trust from local residents as a dentist since the clinic's opening but has also dedicated herself to providing opportunities for people to connect with books. She previously utilized a corner of the clinic as a paperback library and held storytelling events on closing days. When asked about the background of opening the bookstore, she shared that her experience during university, where she deeply felt the charm of children's culture such as picture books, children's literature, and puppet shows, while diligently studying as a dental student, is connected to her current endeavors.
The majority of the floor is dedicated to browsing and lending, primarily featuring picture books and children's books, with new books for sale also clearly displayed. The selection of new books starts with picture books and children's books, expanding to practical books on cooking and health, and general reading materials for adults. She also plans to increase the number of books unique to a dental clinic, such as oral care books.
The name 'Polan no Hiroba' is inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's work, embodying the owner's desire to create a 'utopian place where everyone can spend time happily and authentically.' They welcome visitors of all ages, not limited to clinic patients.
Yui Manabi no Kenkyushitsu Shosekibu (Yui Learning Lab Bookstore Division) [OPEN 2026/4/8]
Owner: Yui Shimabukuro
Address: 166 Umosa, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays 10:00-16:00 (Weekends by appointment)
Web: https://yuiken-nago.jimdofree.com/
SNS: https://x.com/yuimanabi
https://www.instagram.com/yuimanabi_books/
https://www.facebook.com/yuiken.nago
'Yui Manabi no Kenkyushitsu' is a cram school for junior high school students, celebrating its 9th year since opening this year. Yui Shimabukuro, the director, taught at public junior high schools in Okinawa Prefecture for 10 years before becoming independent and opening her private cram school.
Previously, 'Yui Manabi no Kenkyushitsu' had reference books and educational comics available as part of the cram school's library for students to read. This time, that corner has been renovated into a new bookstore, opening as 'Yui Manabi no Kenkyushitsu Shosekibu.'
Through the director's own selection, the store offers a rich collection of study reference books, various certification exam workbooks, and books on study methods written from a broader perspective. She aims to recommend books tailored to each student from an educator's professional viewpoint, choosing from the many reference books available. The sales floor also features stationery such as pens and notebooks, reflecting a thoughtful consideration to make studying as convenient as possible for students.
Additionally, the store provides books that both students and adults can pick up, such as non-fiction and literary works. Books on counseling and adolescent psychology reflect the owner's many years of experience working with parents.
The owner is not only a teacher but also a person who loves books and bookstores, and each book is carefully selected from the perspective of someone who understands the power of storytelling. She aims to select and propose books that allow individuals to have time to think for themselves and accompany them in that time, even in today's busy society where answers are often rushed.
Watage Shoten (Dandelion Books) [OPEN 2026/4/17]
Operator: General Incorporated Association Neduku
Address: Inside Machi no Gallery humi, 3-235-217 Kamishihoro Higashi, Kamishihoro Town, Kato District, Hokkaido
Business Hours: Please check SNS for business days
WEB: https://neduku.or.jp/
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/watage_books/
Kamishihoro Town, embraced by the magnificent nature characteristic of Hokkaido, was once counted among the municipalities at risk of disappearance due to a decline in its young population. However, through proactive town administration and private sector collaboration, it has overcome this challenge, and people
This issue features newly opened bookstores with HONYAL's support and topics related to HONYAL.
Please visit the official website for details on HONYAL's services.
Introducing new HONYAL-supported bookstores (April 2026)
Polan no Hiroba [OPEN 2026/4/1]
Owner: Hiroko Munakata (Dentist, Director of Munakata Dental Clinic)
Address: 2nd floor, Munakata Dental Clinic, 1-56 Tsuchiuri, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Business Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 12:00-16:00
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/porannohiroba2026/
Munakata Dental Clinic, a dental clinic cherished in Koriyama City since 1988, has renovated its second floor to open 'Polan no Hiroba' as a private library, new bookstore & cafe.
Dr. Hiroko Munakata, the director, has not only earned deep trust from local residents as a dentist since the clinic's opening but has also dedicated herself to providing opportunities for people to connect with books. She previously utilized a corner of the clinic as a paperback library and held storytelling events on closing days. When asked about the background of opening the bookstore, she shared that her experience during university, where she deeply felt the charm of children's culture such as picture books, children's literature, and puppet shows, while diligently studying as a dental student, is connected to her current endeavors.
The majority of the floor is dedicated to browsing and lending, primarily featuring picture books and children's books, with new books for sale also clearly displayed. The selection of new books starts with picture books and children's books, expanding to practical books on cooking and health, and general reading materials for adults. She also plans to increase the number of books unique to a dental clinic, such as oral care books.
The name 'Polan no Hiroba' is inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's work, embodying the owner's desire to create a 'utopian place where everyone can spend time happily and authentically.' They welcome visitors of all ages, not limited to clinic patients.
Yui Manabi no Kenkyushitsu Shosekibu (Yui Learning Lab Bookstore Division) [OPEN 2026/4/8]
Owner: Yui Shimabukuro
Address: 166 Umosa, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays 10:00-16:00 (Weekends by appointment)
Web: https://yuiken-nago.jimdofree.com/
SNS: https://x.com/yuimanabi
https://www.instagram.com/yuimanabi_books/
https://www.facebook.com/yuiken.nago
'Yui Manabi no Kenkyushitsu' is a cram school for junior high school students, celebrating its 9th year since opening this year. Yui Shimabukuro, the director, taught at public junior high schools in Okinawa Prefecture for 10 years before becoming independent and opening her private cram school.
Previously, 'Yui Manabi no Kenkyushitsu' had reference books and educational comics available as part of the cram school's library for students to read. This time, that corner has been renovated into a new bookstore, opening as 'Yui Manabi no Kenkyushitsu Shosekibu.'
Through the director's own selection, the store offers a rich collection of study reference books, various certification exam workbooks, and books on study methods written from a broader perspective. She aims to recommend books tailored to each student from an educator's professional viewpoint, choosing from the many reference books available. The sales floor also features stationery such as pens and notebooks, reflecting a thoughtful consideration to make studying as convenient as possible for students.
Additionally, the store provides books that both students and adults can pick up, such as non-fiction and literary works. Books on counseling and adolescent psychology reflect the owner's many years of experience working with parents.
The owner is not only a teacher but also a person who loves books and bookstores, and each book is carefully selected from the perspective of someone who understands the power of storytelling. She aims to select and propose books that allow individuals to have time to think for themselves and accompany them in that time, even in today's busy society where answers are often rushed.
Watage Shoten (Dandelion Books) [OPEN 2026/4/17]
Operator: General Incorporated Association Neduku
Address: Inside Machi no Gallery humi, 3-235-217 Kamishihoro Higashi, Kamishihoro Town, Kato District, Hokkaido
Business Hours: Please check SNS for business days
WEB: https://neduku.or.jp/
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/watage_books/
Kamishihoro Town, embraced by the magnificent nature characteristic of Hokkaido, was once counted among the municipalities at risk of disappearance due to a decline in its young population. However, through proactive town administration and private sector collaboration, it has overcome this challenge, and people