This one’s for the girls (and guys) who watched Beauty and the Beast as a kid and wished they could visit that gorgeous library. Check out this compilation of the 15 libraries to visit before you die according to Trip Advisor Japan.
15 – Kyoto International Manga Museum (Kyoto, Japan)
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is housed in a decommissioned elementary school and features Japanese works ranging from the postwar period to modern day. The collection also includes manga works from all over the world. You can even enjoy reading your favorite book or comic out on the museum’s lawn.
14 – Oxford University Bodleian Library (Oxford, UK)
The Oxford University Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and contains a copy of every single book published in the United Kingdom. It is also famous for being featured in the Harry Potter series of movies.
13 – Ambrosian Library & Art Gallery (Milan, Italy)
The Biblioteca Ambrosiana contains twelve manuscripts of Leonardo da Vinci, including the Codex Atlanticus, and over 30,000 manuscripts written in several different languages. The art gallery contains works of art from da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael.
12 – British Library (London, UK)
Functioning as the national library of the United Kingdom, the British Library contains over 150 million items, including the Magna Carta. The library also houses Mozart’s Thematic Catalogue, compositions by Handel, and handwritten music manuscripts by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
11 – State Library of Victoria (Melbourne, Australia)
Patrons of the State Library of Victoria are treated to natural lighting while browsing the archives thanks to an atrium ceiling reaching three stories high. The La Trobe Reading Room with long tables radiating from the center of the room and Cowen Gallery are not to be missed.
10 – French National Library (Paris, France)
The National Library of France is the repository of all articles published in France. The archives contain over 10 million books and 350,000 manuscripts, as well as maps, coins, woodblock prints, and LP records.
9 – Trinity College Library (Dublin, Ireland)
The Trinity College Library is the largest library in Ireland and home to the Book of Kells, said to be the most beautiful book in the world. The Long Room of the Trinity College Library resembles the Jedi archives of the Jedi Temple in Star Wars Episode II.
8 – Royal Portuguese Reading Room (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Built in the late period gothic architectural style, the Royal Portuguese Reading Room looks more like a church. Resting on the floor-to-ceiling shelves are over 45,000 antique Portuguese works, perfuming the air with the scent of well-read books.
7 – Seattle Public Library (Seattle, USA)
The newest feature of the Seattle Public Library is an automatic check-out service utilizing wireless tags attached to each book. The library also has 400 public computers for patrons to use and free wireless Internet. They even have a substantial collection of manga.
6 – Machi Tosho Terrasow (Nagano, Japan)
This library is located in the smallest municipality within Nagano prefecture and is a major contributor to the revitalization of the local community. The library not only acts as a place to borrow and read books; workshops and events are also held for local residents.
5 – Salt Lake City Public Library (Salt Lake City, USA)
This beautiful glass-sided library is located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City and features four floors of spiraling fireplaces that resemble a column of fire and three glass elevators.
4 – Royal Danish Library (Copenhagen, Denmark)
The exterior wall of the Black Diamond building at the Royal Danish Library is made of South African black granite; its glittering walls are not to be missed. This library is the largest in the Northern Europe and is famous for containing manuscripts of Hans Christian Andersen.
3 – Yale University Library (New Haven, USA)
The second-largest academic library in North America, the Yale University Library possesses one of the largest collections of rare and historical books and manuscripts.
2 – Strahov Theological Library (Prague, Czech Republic)
Located in one of the oldest Premonstratensian monasteries in the world, the Strahov Theological Library contains over 200,000 works. Beautiful fresco paintings depicting the profession of the librarian are painted on the ceiling of this Baroque-style library.
1 – Jose Vasconcelos Library (Mexico City, Mexico)
Designed by architect Alberto Kalach, the books in this Mexico City library hang from the ceiling in true science fiction style. The collection is said to contain nearly one million books.
My bookshelf suddenly looks so small.
Source: Trip Advisor Japan

Japan travel bucket list: top places to visit in each prefecture before you die【Part II】
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
As rumors swirl of 7-Eleven shorting customers on rice ball fillings, we check on their sujiko
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Number of foreigners living in Japan has grown 50 percent in four years, hits historic high
Man in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
Starbucks Japan unveils New Year’s collection for 2024, with daruma, dragons and Mt Fuji for luck
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says