Things to Do in Johor Bahru for Book Lovers: Top Picks 2025

Not every trip needs to be packed with sightseeing. Sometimes, all you want is a good book, a quiet corner, and maybe a really beautiful bookstore. If that sounds like your ideal day, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Johor Bahru (JB) for book lovers. From peaceful cafés to scenic reading spots and gorgeous bookstores, this city invites you to slow down and savour the page.

This guide rounds up the best things to do in Johor Bahru for book lovers who enjoy slow travel and quiet spaces.

Also read: 12 Best Things to Do Near Johor Bahru (JB) for Nature Lovers

Best Bookstores to Get Lost In

BookXcess Sunway Big Box

Tucked inside Sunway Iskandar, BookXcess is the kind of bookstore that makes you stop in your tracks. Towering eight-metre shelves, over a million titles, and warm lighting make it feel like something out of a dream. Prices are often slashed because they sell remaindered books, so you might walk away with a stack of literary treasures for under RM50. There is even a small café inside where you can flip through your new finds before you leave the store.

Tsutaya Bookstore at AEON Tebrau City

This sleek Japanese bookstore chain opened its first JB outlet in late 2024 and has already become a favourite among locals and travellers alike. With soft wood interiors, curated lifestyle sections, and a minimalist café, Tsutaya Bookstore feels more like a sanctuary than a store. You will find everything from Japanese literature to beautiful stationery and art books. It is the kind of place where time slips away.

Also read: 5 More Unique Things to Do in Johor Bahru (JB) for Singaporeans

Where to Read in Peace

Silent Book Club JB

If you enjoy reading alongside others without the pressure to talk, this one is for you. The Silent Book Club JB hosts monthly meet-ups at local cafés and parks. People gather, read quietly for an hour, and may chat about books afterward. The vibe is warm, welcoming, and wonderfully low-pressure. Follow them on Instagram or Telegram to check for upcoming sessions.

Founders Café

Located near Taman Mount Austin, Founders Café blends industrial charm with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. With its wide tables, soft lighting, and strong coffee, it’s a popular spot for brunch-goers and book lovers alike. While it can get crowded in the afternoons, weekday mornings are quieter. If you want a better time to settle in with a good book and something to sip.

Also read: 7 Hipster Cafés in JB Worth Crossing the Border For

Scenic Spots for an Outdoor Read

Danga Bay

A waterfront area that is more laid-back than flashy, Danga Bay is a lovely place to bring a book and sit by the sea. Come in the late afternoon when the breeze picks up and the sun softens. You’ll see locals jogging, fishing, or simply relaxing. It is not a beach, but the view and pace make it an unexpectedly peaceful reading spot.

Hutan Bandar Recreational Park

If you prefer greenery, Hutan Bandar is a lush urban park near the city centre. With shaded paths and sheltered gazebos, it is ideal for reading in nature. Pack a novel, a picnic mat, and a flask of tea for a quiet afternoon outdoors.

Also read: Where to Bring Your Situationship for a Perfect “Date” in Johor Bahru (JB)

Literary and Cultural Stops

Johor Art Gallery

Once the official residence of Johor’s Chief Minister, the Johor Art Gallery now offers a thoughtful space where history and creativity meet. The building itself carries a sense of quiet heritage, and inside, you’ll find curated collections that trace Johor’s artistic journey from traditional works to contemporary pieces. It’s a peaceful spot for book lovers who enjoy lingering over visual storytelling, and a lovely way to explore the city’s cultural identity through art.

Johor Weaving Gallery

Located within the Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex, the Johor Weaving Gallery offers a closer look at the craft traditions that shaped the region’s cultural fabric (quite literally). This quiet space showcases age-old weaving techniques and gives visitors the chance to see how patterns, textures, and materials come together by hand. If you enjoy tactile storytelling and slow, detail-focused art forms, this gallery is a peaceful place to reflect and learn. Some sessions even offer a hands-on glimpse into the weaving process.

Also read: Johor Bahru (JB) Culture Tour: 5 Must-Visit Spots for Singaporeans

Sample Itinerary for a Bookish JB Day

BookXcess Sunway Big Box → Tsutaya Bookstore at AEON Tebrau → People & Places Café → Silent Book Club JB / Danga Bay / Hutan Bandar → Chinese Heritage Museum / Muzium Tokoh

Start your day browsing towering shelves and picking up affordable reads, then slow down at a Japanese-style bookstore with calm, minimalist design. After that, enjoy a quiet brunch with your book at a cosy local café before spending the afternoon reading in silence with others or unwinding at a peaceful park or waterfront. Wrap up your day with a reflective stroll through one of JB’s smaller museums.

This sample itinerary covers the main spots but still leaves room to wander, pause, or follow your own reading rhythm.

Also read: Johor Bahru (JB) Day Trip Itinerary That Singaporeans Love

Final Thoughts

 If you’re planning a short trip across the Causeway, you’ll find that many of the things to do in JB for book lovers are also budget-friendly and accessible by Grab.

You do not need to travel far to find a slower rhythm. In Johor Bahru, readers turn a solitary habit into a new way of experiencing the city. Whether you are flipping pages in a quiet café, wandering through a sunlit bookstore, or sitting by the sea with a paperback in hand, JB offers book lovers space to breathe. It is not just about the books you find, but the moments you create with them.