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You can get lost in a good book. They transport you to another place, another time, and even other realms. Well, a Japanese artist, Monde, has found his own way to take book-lovers to another world, it’s a whimsical art project called – bookshelf dioramas. The unique bookends are detailed replicas of the winding, narrow back alleys of Japan, brought right into your house as unusual room decor.

Image credits: monde55212068

The Japanese artist first introduced his bookcase dioramas at the international art event Design Festa and was met with overwhelming interest in his project.

Image credits: riku_ton

The wooden model is sized to fit snuggly between two paperback novels and even includes lights to add to the aesthetic of dimly lit back alley.

Image credits: monde55212068

These intricately designed bookends are not his first and only attempt at this design idea.

Image credits: monde55212068

Monde had the idea to create something to emulate the city that could fit on a book display shelf a couple years previous. “Two years ago, I worked on the theme of “Tokyo decorating on the shelf.” I thought that it would be interesting if I made a back side of the alley in the gap between bookshelves,” he told Buzzfeed Japan.

Image credits: riku_ton

Image credits: monde55212068

Image credits: monde55212068

After work with various materials, he finally curated the design you see today. “It was the first time that the work had echoed so far. I made a thing that I would like to make in a small way, not only in Japan, but also for people overseas such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada,” he told the outlet.

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Image credits: monde55212068

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Image credits: monde55212068

Shocked and heartened by the positive reception he is now taking customer orders for these “back alley bookshelves” via DM on Twitter.

Image credits: monde55212068

Unsurprisingly, people across the internet have loved the magical dioramas

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