Nowhere Bookstore, NL

11 Jul, 2026

Connecting with the Pan-Asian diaspora in the Netherlands.

In June, I spent one week in the Netherlands—mostly in The Hague—visiting my cousin and some friends. I wrote about that trip extensively on my personal blog, but wanted to highlight a place that pertains to this blog:

Nowhere Bookstore.

The shop is located on Piet Heinstraat in Den Haag.

Nowhere Bookstore was founded in Taipei and moved to the Netherlands in 2025. Their books cover topics pertaining to "the Sinosphere¹ world," mostly about social issues, gender, and identity. The Asian diaspora is one of their main focuses.

"Our English name, Nowhere, is a play on words: when we have nowhere to go, may we find a way to be now here—present, grounded, and together. In an age of displacement, we strive to rebuild our own home, and reconnect with each other." (Source)

The store features a wide collection of zines and self-published works, as well as wares created by Asian artists, such as postcards, calendars, and pottery. In addition, the book shop is a community space, hosting book presentations, film screenings, workshops, and panels.

A glimpse of what the shop has to offer.

My friend Han frequents the shop and often attends their film screenings. Unfortunately, there were no events when I visited as the shop was just returning from their summer break. I managed to stop by with my family on Sunday. I would have loved to visit with Han but our schedules didn't align, and the shop is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

I could have spent all afternoon there as there was so much to see, but we had places to be. But of course, I couldn't leave empty-handed. I love supporting small businesses, especially when they align with my values.

Adding "Ghost Town" by Kevin Chen and "Taiwan Travelogue" by Yang Shuang-zi to my reading list.

Parting thoughts

Nowhere is the type of shop I would patronize if I lived there. It makes me wonder if such a bookstore would exist in Switzerland? There are a lot of Asians living in the Netherlands, especially Taiwanese people, so I can see how a shop like this could thrive there.

I just did a quick search on Google Maps, and alas, there aren't any I can find in Zürich. (I know there are none in Lucerne.) Right now, Asian pop culture is having it's moment in Switzerland, from K-Pop and sandos to ube lattes and Japanese home goods.

While I enjoy it all, I long for the nuances of the culture—the parts that don't sell; the parts we don't say aloud and are merely understood through shared experiences.

I'm just glad that places like Nowhere exist. I will do my best to find more of them, especially in my neck of the woods. If you know of similar spaces like this, please drop me a line. :) I would love to visit someday.

#diaspora