(Yicai Global) Dec. 25 -- Tsutaya Books, Japan's largest bookstore chain, has opened its first outlet in Shanghai, welcomed by locals.

Each of the pre-booked 1,200 slots to visit the store at a repurposed country club called Columbia Circle were taken during the opening day yesterday and there are no more free slots for the three following days, Yicai Global learned. In October, the Japanese retailer opened its first store in China's mainland in Hangzhou.

Tsutaya Books runs almost 1,200 stores globally. One of its Tokyo outlets, Daikanyama T-Site, was once selected as one of the world's most beautiful bookshops.



Here we display seven pictures:

Customers lined up to enter the Shanghai store on the opening day.

People were selecting books.

The Ferrari Book, which carries a price tag of CNY395,000 (USD60,435), is the most expensive book in the store.

Throne, a sculpture made by a Japanese artist, is on display.

The store has Japanese products such as kimono fabrics.

Readers can buy coffee on the first floor.

There is also a restaurant on the second floor.



Editor: Tang Shihua, Emmi Laine