Jakarta is home to a diverse range of independent bookstores catering to readers with differing tastes and preferences — from foreign language titles and best sellers to second-hand books and niche genres. The result is a contrasting literary scene where legendary bookstores have stood against the test of time to thrive alongside their emerging peers run by young booksellers brimming with creativity and fresh ideas. Together, they create a dynamic mix of exciting book-shopping and cultural experiences.
Jakarta holds a significant place in the history of Indonesia’s bookselling landscape as the cradle of its development. During the Dutch colonial period, when the city was known as Batavia, it served not only as the country’s administrative centre but also as the heart of its publishing and printing industry, which took root at the start of the 17th century. The earliest printed materials included administrative documents, religious texts, and instructional materials for missionaries.
As the birthplace of the Indonesian Publishers Association (IKAPI), the first organization of its kind, Jakarta has also made substantial contributions to the archipelago’s literary history. IKAPI was established on 17 May 1950 by prominent national figures Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana, M. Jusuf Ahmad, and Ahmad Notosoetardjo, and would go on to play a crucial role in fostering nationalism while contributing to education and social development. Even today, Jakarta remains the beating heart of Indonesia’s book industry, accounting for some 30% of the country’s total publishing activities.
Despite facing literacy challenges and obstacles in improving its literary ecosystem, Jakarta continues to be a vibrant hub for book lovers, offering various literary events, independent bookstores, and book fairs that attract thousands, such as the Jakarta International Book Fair and the Big Bad Wolf book sale. Each event underlines the city’s unwavering love of books.
Pasar Buku Kwitang in Central Jakarta has long been an essential destination for a wide range of reading material. For decades, it’s been known as the go-to place for rare, second-hand, and affordable books, attracting students, scholars, and literary enthusiasts alike. The pasar (market) radiates an irreplaceable charm: rows of book stalls lining the street, offering everything from classic Indonesian literature to academic textbooks and international bestsellers. Although the physical market has changed over time, with many booksellers relocating to areas such as Blok-M Square and JakBook Pasar Buku Kenari, and others utilising e-commerce platforms, Kwitang’s enduring legacy is a reminder of Jakarta’s deep reading culture and the timeless appeal of printed books.
A treasure trove of secondhand, vintage, and rare books also awaits at Galeri Buku Bengkel Deklamasi. Located within the grounds of Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Central Jakarta, it’s a haven for book enthusiasts interested in literature, society, culture, biographies, and politics. The galeri (gallery) was founded on 27 April 1996 by Jose Rizal Manua, a prominent theatre director and declamator. He had been inspired by the lively second-hand bookstores of Broadway, New York, which he used to frequent with poet legendary W.S Rendra and his theatre group Bengkel Teater Rendra when they were a part of the first New York Festival of the Arts in 1988.
Galeri Buku Bengkel Deklamasi carries thousands of literary collections by some of Indonesia’s most celebrated poets, such as W.S. Rendra, Taufik Ismail, Chairil Anwar, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, and Soe Hok Gie. It also stocks rare, imported books and specializes in tracking down first-edition books in their original language. With all this to offer and more, the store is known to attract local and international artists, poets, cultural figures, academics, and activists.Galeri Buku Bengkel Deklamasi stands as a testament of Jose’s commitment to Indonesian literacy. He continues to search various pockets of the globe and remote corners of Indonesia for quality second-hand books. His hard work is evident in the thousands of books that fill his store, offered at fair, affordable prices. Potential buyers are even welcome to bargain.
Over the decades, it has changed locations three times within TIM, facilitated by the Jakarta government as a show of appreciation for Jose’s dedication to preserving Indonesia’s literary treasures. Sarang Buku Bekas has long been a destination for readers who realise that used books can bring as much joy as new ones – if not more. Located on the ground floor of Plaza Festival in Kuningan, South Jakarta, the store offers everything from classic novels and children’s books to old editions of popular magazines from past decades. Even surrounded by bustling restaurants and a nearby sports centre, Sarang Buku Bekas provides a quiet space for readers to take their time finding the right book to take home. Another go-to destination for second-hand reads is Lorong Buku Batavia, a hallway in East Jakarta’s Pasar Gembrong Baru lined with 15 separate bookstores. Since 2020, these sellers have carried rare collections focused largely on history, politics, and biographies, curated in a vintage yet well-maintained setting that sets them apart from its counterparts.
Most had moved from the Kwitang and Senen book market and are standing members of the Lorong Buku Batavia Community, committed to reviving a culture of literacy in the digital era through classic books, offering regular workshops, book discussions, and book reviews.
The literacy movement owed its beginnings to Teddy W. Kusuma and Maesy Angelina, who established POST Bookshop in Pasar Santa, South Jakarta, in July 2014. Their goal was to provide readers with a physical bookstore where they can spend their weekends or free time. Since its founding, POST has become just that while also connecting independent authors with their audience.
Bibliophiles in search of new and second-hand English books, meanwhile, can look no further than Transit Bookstore. Founded by childhood friends Alien and Indra who sought to provide more varied and relevant reading materials, Transit initially opened at Pasar Santa in December 2018. It then moved to Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta, before finding a larger home in Bintaro on 9 February 2025. Most of their customers, Alien and Indra say, prefer to read English-language material whose authors and cultural or geographical settings were just as meaningful to them as the story.
(left) Transit Bookstore is a place to find English-language books. It always attracts young people with its book setting and fresh theme. Photo by Transit Bookstore. (right) A book lover keeps an eye on the interesting subjects from independent publishers at the POST Santa. Photo by Begies Imanda.
To add to their experience, Transit displays books based on themes that are relevant to current world issues. These themes would change every six months. For example, the store displayed books by Ukrainian and Palestinian authors under the theme “War and Peace” as the Russia-Ukraine and Palestinian conflicts raged on.
Other customers come to Transit looking for hard-to-find graphic novels or mixed-genre books such as The Roles We Play by Saba Khan and Solenoid by Mircea Cărtărescu, which is often called an “anti-novel” by literary critics. As an independent bookstore, Transit is also very open to visitors who want to discuss books with Alien and Indra.
In 2023, when the government declared Indonesia Covid-free, Jakarta welcomed the arrival of two new independent bookstores: Kedai Patjarmerah and B(l)ooks.
(left) Books from various publishers are well-displayed at B(l)ooks. The bookstore is more than just a place to find certain books but also an oasis for a literacy hub among circles. Photo by Begies Imanda. (right) Kedai Patjarmerah, a bookstore at the vibrant hangout place Pos Bloc that departs from the literacy movement through its Literacy Festival and Pasar Buku Keliling. Photo by Robert Speirs.
Kedai Patjarmerah opened in Pos Bloc, Central Jakarta, in May 2023 after successfully hosting its Literacy Festival and Pasar Buku Keliling (Mobile Book Market). With the full support of M Bloc Group, the bookstore curates a diverse selection of books from independent publishers, small presses, and lesser-known authors in a cosy space where book lovers can discover selected books that aren’t easily found in big retail bookstores. It also frequently hosts book discussions, author meet-and-greet events, and other cultural programs.
An exciting addition to Jakarta’s independent bookstore scene, blending literature, art, and culture in one space, B(l)ooks in Blok S, South Jakarta, was founded by Hikmat Darmawan, Steve Wirawan, and Kenya Sentana. It aims to be more than just a space to buy books, striving to be a cultural melting pot and a haven for independent publishers.
“The three of us love culture, humanities, literature, cultural studies, popular science, and new age. Those are the books in our bookstore as a reflection of our interests,” Hikmat explains, adding that B(l)ooks was created to be a space rooted in books, not just in profit.
Pasar Buku Kwitang, Jl. Kwitang Raya, Senen, Jakarta Pusat, Open 8am to 6pm.
Galeri Buku Bengkel Deklamasi, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl. Cikini Raya No. 73, Jakarta Pusat, Flexible opening hours, +62 811 833 161 (Jose Rizal Manua).
Sarang Buku Bekas, Plaza Festival, Jl HR Rasuna Said, GF 24, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan, Open 10am to 10pm, +62 8177 990 2615, @sarangbukubekas
Lorong Buku Batavia, Pasar Gembrong Baru Cipinang, Jl.Jenderal Basuki Rahmat, Jakarta Timur, Open 10am to 9pm, +62 896 4332 6491, @lorongbukubatavia
POST Bookshop, Pasar Santa, Upper Floor, Jl. Cipaku 1, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Open 2pm to 7pm (Weekdays) and 12pm to 7pm (Weekends), @post_santa
Transit Bookstore, Jl. Bintaro Tengah N2/35, 2nd Floor Bearrito, Jakarta Selatan, Open 3pm to 8pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) 2pm to 7pm (Saturday and Sunday), +62 811 8991 766, @transit_bookstore
Kedai Patjarmerah, Pos Bloc, Jl. Pos, Pasar Baru, Jakarta Pusat, Open 10am to 1pm (Monday to Sunday), @kedaipatjarmerah
B(l)ooks, Jl. Birah Raya No. 10, Blok S, Jakarta Selatan, Open 11.30am to 7.30pm (Thursday to Sunday), @blooks.store
