I am going to Japan in February, doing research for a historical novel I am writing.
I want to pick up reference books while there, and am searching for a good bookstore.
I have very specific needs, and am looking for a bookstore like this:

-It must have a good selection and knowledge off English language books about traditional/historic architecture, historical farming, and arts & craft. Architecture is most important. If I can communicate with them (in english) beforehand, they don`t need to have all books on shelf, as long as they are able to reccomend books for and can order them in.
-Centrally placed in Kyoto or Osaka
-Preferable I should be able to communicate with them on e-mail, or they have a web-shop

I know this must be a tall order- any help would be greatly appreciated!

I suspect you won’t find this helpful, but what immediately comes to mind is why go to a non-English speaking country to look for books in English. Why not buy them or order them from your home? I’d imagine that any books you’d want are available to order anywhere. Bonus, save yourself the trouble of carrying them home.

Kinokuniya and Tsutaya are the big bookstore chains in Japan. But for the best source books, especially on architecture, you might want to get handy with a translator app so you can point your camera at the Japanese text, and see the translation in whichever language you read. I don't expect the more rigorously-researched, in-depth books would be translated into English. Rather, more popular, easily consumed books with color pictures might be on offer for an English reader. YOu'll find mostly manga/graphic novels or language study in the English Language section of the bookstores.

The other thing I might recommend is to hire a local tour guide to help you navigate a bookstore.

Have you looked at architecture foundations in Japan or in your local cities? Museum bookstores might have wonderful reference books.

Also, you might find some programming on NHK TV to provide lots of cultural color as to crafts, food, art, etc. JME TV is the Japanese language website on offer in the US.

Also, there are Kinokuniya in the US, too. This would give you a good idea of what they'll have on offer in English in Japan. https://usa.kinokuniya.com/stores-kinokuniya

IDK, but I would not expect or hope that a bookstore owner could recommend or find a book on any specific subject. That is, by historical farming do you mean Jomon period or Edo period / rice or soybeans or apples / Hokkaido or Kyushu. University professors or their books might be better sources. Or Japanese government agencies or business associations.

When Tom Clancy was writing his books, I don't think he got the technical details by asking at a bookshop.

Anyway, here is another source for Japanese books:
Amazon.co.jp : japanese architecture

The major bookstores in Japan obviously are primarily for the Japanese market. While the larger branches of Tsutaya, Maruzen, et.al have decent English sections, they tend to stock recent, popular and classic literature. I think it would be difficult to find the specific subjects you are seeking.

There are stores that specialize in rare and foreign books such as Kitazawa in Ochanomizu, near Meiji University, but that is in Tokyo. But they do exist so good luck in your research, hopefully you will find someplace where your books are available.

Thank you for replying! Sadly, the shipping and taxes for ordering books from abroad adds up to a lot. And I would like to get suggestions from a knowledgable person from Japan, so I thought a bookstore might be good.