Soyodo is a place that feels deeply familiar and comforting to me. My parents used to come here often, so every visit carries a sense of nostalgia and connection to home. Since Chinese painting and calligraphy are among my favorite hobbies, Soyodo has always been a meaningful place to find traditional Chinese painting supplies and guidebooks esp for maobi, painting flowers, landscapes, and ancient figures. I really appreciate that they also carry crafting supplies and classic Chinese literature, not just generic art books. Everything here feels rooted in tradition and care. The store also offers novels, children's books, Chinese New Year decor, vases, and small toys, which makes it feel like a cultural space rather than just a bookstore. On top of that, the pricing is very reasonable. I've even found books for as little as $2-4, which makes browsing and discovering new reads even more special. The owners are an older Chinese couple who are quiet, reserved, and genuinely kind. One of the things I cherish most about Soyodo is how peaceful and calm the store is. It's the kind of place where you can slow down, browse without pressure, and feel grounded. Stores like this are rare and I truly hope Soyodo continues to thrive. If you value culture, tradition, and supporting a small family-owned business, this is absolutely a place worth visiting and supporting. read more

Soyodo - Bookstores Near Me - San Jose, California

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The store has a large selection of Chinese calligraphy brushes, tools, Chinese novels and translated Western -authored books. It also has herbal ai cao 艾草related products and other health tools , and other Chinese culture-related accessories. read more

It feels like walking into the history when you walk in this old Chinese bookstore. There are many books to choose, and also a lot of Eastern crafts. Overall the price is good. A very nice place to enjoy some quiet and peaceful time. read more

I'm amazed that a place like this exists in the Bay Area. There's moxibustion supplies, art/calligraphy supplies, as well as tons of Chinese books. Thanks for bringing the highlights of Chinese culture to the Bay Area. read more

I got to go to this store yesterday for the first time ever. It is a lot to take in (in a good way) and lots of items to look at. Every where you'd look there was something interesting. I ended up buying a few miscellaneous items such as notebooks or magazines that interested me. Would come again :) read more

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非常喜欢过去的书源，有人文气息。现在新老板娘非常不友好，不专业，没有笑容，对待客人一点商业意识都没有。在里面买东西想用洗手间，被不情愿地恩准了，告诉他们厕所里面没有手纸，是否可以放一些手纸进去，被他们教训了一番。真不敢相信在美国竟然有这样做生意的，可惜了一个书香之地。 I really liked the old Shuyuan (Soyodo), which had a humanistic atmosphere. Now the new boss and his wife are very unfriendly, unprofessional, no smile, and have no business sense when dealing with customers. I wanted to use the restroom after buying something, but was reluctantly allowed to use it. I told them that there was no toilet paper in the toilet, and asked if they could put some toilet paper in. They lectured me and refused. I can't believe that there are businesses like this in the United States. It's a pity for such a bookish place. read more

If you are looking for a Chinese book store in South Bay for adults and kids, this is the one that you need visit. They have both fictions and non-fictions, classic and recent best-sellers. They also have notebooks, teapot and brushes for Chinese caligraphy. Owner is very nice. I recommend this store! read more

Real Chinese bookstore, it's real. It's family style but it's a huge bookstore, you can so call it 五金行書店, it seems like they have everything there. If you want to learn Chinese or Chinese medicine, nutrition, they have a lot ancient medical Chinese books. They are difficult to find on Amazon. If you need something else about Taiwanese or Chinese tools, books, interesting stuff, please visit the store. By the way, it's cold in the store. Please wear your jacket read more

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Soyodo is located in Sunnyvale. This hidden gem is located in an industrial area in Sunnyvale, next to a FedEx. There aren't many bookstores around any more, much less Chinese bookstores. This one is just that plus DVDs/blue-rays/VCDs/CDs as well as trinkets at very inexpensive prices. The place is spacious, and there are lots of things to see. The staff is helpful (they speak Cantonese and Mandarin). I could literally spend hours here just looking at everything. Highly recommended. read more

I went to the book store for the first time today, the clerk was very friendly. I found the things I need to begin to practice my Chinese coligraphy. read more

The new location is a lot more cramped than the old location, but they really have everything you could possibly want and more. The prices are also insanely low. read more

This review is long over due! SOYODO has so many books! Cooking, literature, music, calligraphy supplies, children's books, and children's educational books!Everything is very reasonable priced and very affordable. The owner is very nice and excellent customer service! Highly recommend this bookstore especially for parents with young children learning mandarin. My daughters love the story books I have purchased here. read more

This would 100% be a 5 star review if the store was just slightly better organized. I was searching for a very specific novel, and spent over an hour combing through the store 3x to make sure I didn't miss it somewhere, but alas was not able to find it. The only employee there was helpful but somewhat new (he said he's only been here a month), and with customers moving books around, the book you're looking for may be placed anywhere (they lack the manpower to reorganize the store). If you have the time to spend, however, this is really a great treasure trove of a variety of books/art/learning materials/calligraphy, etc. on a variety of topics (in Chinese, of course). I did end up finding a few other novels that I may be interested in later, such as the full set of 庆余年 (Joy of Life), 鎮魂 (Guardian), 琅琊榜 (Nirvana in Fire). They also had the classics, and full sets of Jin Yong and other wuxia novels too. I just wish it was easier to find things. But I plan on being back in a couple weeks for another attempt at finding 錦衣之下! read more

Great Chinese bookstore with tons of options. Purchased Chinese ink and paper which I can't find anywhere else.

A hidden gem. We went to it for just a browse of Chinese books, turned out it could also be a complex for us, quiet and full of pleasant surprise. Cash only below 20 bucks. read more

I love this store! The owner or the man working behind the counter might not know everything available in the store because there are literally tons of stuff from books, toys, dvd, kitchen cookware, stationary, too many to list! You can brows the store an hour or two and find lots surprise. Last week I found they have lots book bundles and holiday decors for sale in a 'mystery box' style. Not sure what Is in the box but for just few dollars ($5 l think) you can buy a box and find lots goods inside! read more

I am looking for a Chinese brush for calligraphy. Soyodo provides me with what I want and a bottle of ink at reasonable prices. Caution for past patrons who visited the old store near Lawrence Express Way, it has moved to San Jose, near the Airport and Central Express Way, with smaller space. Book shelves are all the way up the ceiling, but I am sure its helpful proprietors will be able to help. read more

Reminds me of being in bookstores in Taiwan (other than the China flags). What a delightful store. So many little treasures for prices you cannot beat! There are so many Chinese calligraphy and painting books, papers, and accessories. Amazing amounts of books for kiddos and those learning Chinese with pingyin. Highly recommend this store!!! read more

So hard to find a Chinese Bookstore these days. This place is perfect. Has everything from books to movies to keep my in-laws entertained while visiting. Quite a large selection. Only drawback is the staff doesn't speak much English. read more

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Fun store with lots of books and painting supplies

We love coming here every couple of months. It can be like a treasure hunt because sometimes you can find real gems here at a great price. They have a huge selection of books, CD's, DVD's, artwork, and just general items. We have found some beautiful art here in the past that we have purchased for ourselves and as gifts. The store is clean and fairly easy to move through. Everything is well organized and the staff are very friendly and helpful. We are really happy that we have found this store and will continue to be patrons. As good as it gets! read more

What a place. Where shall I begin? A friend introduced Soyodo to us about a year ago. We were surprised by their price. It is not as reasonable as $1 store, but close. They have such a variety of items for sale. Some items you will not find at most places. You need to go and check it out for yourself. If you purchase a certain amount yearly, you can open an account and receive a discount each time. There is a minimum amount for credit card payment. read more

Horrific customer service period. Asked the questions and she said she doesn't know. Why do you work here then?

This is a much better Chinese bookstore than others which I have been to in the area. They have all kinds of books that people might be interested. I like that they not only sell some popular books for school/kids, but also have contemporary books that attract adult readers. It seems to be a real bookstore like the ones in China but only had less amount of books. This bookstore also sells some Chinese nicnacs if you have interest. I have been to the place a couple times and never came out empty-handed. read more

Found some stationary, Chinese caligraphy brushes, Chinese calligraphy/painting paper, Chinese ink and ink stone well, Chinese Herbal medicine books, acupuncture charts, music books, tour guide books, various Chinese books about Chinese culture, medicine, etc. They also sell Chinese classical music, and Chinese TV series DVDs. The store was mostly set up like a book store, but I kind of find it like a Chinese general store. You will be surprise on what your find there, sometimes, it was like a treasure hunt. This is a great place to shop especially if your kids go to Chinese school and need reading material, or you are homesick and need some Chinese reading etc. They have different types of books for you to buy, all imported from China and price is not bad, comparing to those you can buy from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan. However beware that they are all in simplified form of Chinese. read more