Went to one of the two city-level libraries yesterday. Tokyo is subdivided into 23 wards and a number of semi-autonomous municipalities. Conventional wisdom is that the higher up the governmental food chain —where city is above ward is above municipality — the higher the level of service and greater the amenities. This holds for public schools (through the university level), gyms, and just about every public service I can think of. I can now add libraries to that list.
The Chûô library in Minami Azabu is spectacular. It has five floors, the fifth having a cell phone area, smoking area and a cafeteria. There are quiet and "group" reading rooms on floors three and four and the fourth floor room has tables designated for PC use... complete with outlets.
Like most libraries here, it started to get crowded when the schools let out, but it's a great place to study if you can carve out some space (or go during off-hours).
Two thumbs up.
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