#209 Free Talk: Bungaku Furima Tokyo 42

We knew about it for a long time, but just couldn't make it.

Often held during the Golden Week holidays, the event frequently clashed with our travel plans or other commitments, causing us to miss out time and again. We were surprised to see how much the scale of the event has expanded compared to the past and how much the atmosphere of the venue has changed. We share the joy of finally making our first visit, comparing it to our past impressions by saying, "It used to be much more compact, didn't it?"

We ended up talking about what exactly Bungaku Furima is.

We dive into the definition of Bungaku Furima and what kind of works are displayed there. It is a free space where exhibitors sell what they believe to be "literature," covering an astonishing variety of genres ranging from novels and essays to haiku and criticism. In the middle of the episode, we discuss a realization we had upon seeing a certain work, noting, "This is something only possible at Bungaku Furima."

A 12 PM start time feels a bit late, doesn't it?

We also touch upon the event hours, sharing our frank impression that a 12 PM start might be a bit late compared to other events. Including our journey to the venue and the post-event debriefing, our conversation—which tends to go off on tangents—shows no sign of stopping. What is the unexpected charm of Bungaku Furima that we discussed at the very end after stepping into this literary festival? The conversation goes even deeper, so please be sure to listen to the full episode.