Tokyo Vintage Motoring Bookstore: Francis Lombardi 「ロンバルディ」
Yesterday, I decided to start writing about the places I stumble upon by accident while travelling. I realised how overwhelming it had become, trying to cram in as many cool spots in Japan as possible—scrolling through Instagram, saving lists, mapping out must-sees. So I stopped. Instead, I decided to surrender to serendipity and let the city guide me.
Today, that’s exactly what happened. On our way back from a soba noodle shop that had been recommended to me, my partner and I stumbled across a rather cool motoring bookshop called Francis Lombardi. But if you try Googling the name, you won’t spot it straightaway. I had to drag the little Google Maps man onto the street just to find it, where it’s written as ロンバルディ。
Stepping inside, the bookshop feels cosy, packed with an impressive collection of motoring books. We honestly felt like we’d stumbled upon a hidden gem. The store clerk wasn’t the friendliest, but at least he left us to browse at our own pace—which, in its own way, was a small luxury.
