As I am writing these reviews at the end of February, I am finding it difficult to remember the details. These were all the novels I finished in Japan in January.

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami with Philip Gabriel (Translator)

This was my third Murakami novel and fourth of his books as I also read his reading memoir. I am still not sure about my overall opinion of his writing. A lot of strange and disturbing things happened in this book as usual for Murakami. It was over 500 pages and my Kobo said it took me 6.2 hours but it felt much longer. I read it over the course of two weeks in Japan. Let’s start with the bad things: the way he writes women is annoying. They are often used as objects of the male characters desires. There is a lot of uncomfortable themes and relationships so check the content warnings. Some the scenes were gross and not enjoyable to read. Having said that, he is a good writer and his moments are so memorable. He captures the surrealism and ephemerality so well. There were a couple likable characters. I never feel like I regret reading his novels either. I will keep reading even for the strangeness.

Started this novel at the Waseda International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library) in Tokyo. Recommended if you are a Murakami fan and it’s a lovely library with a cafe as well.

Read Dec 16-Jan 2, 2026 on Kobo Clara BW.

Goodnight Tokyo by Atsuhiro Yoshida with Haydn Trowell (Translator)

I really liked this collection of interconnected stories of Tokyo night workers and residents. Most of the Japanese novels that I read are in this format and this was probably one of the better ones. I needed it after Kafka on the Shore. It was all vibes and rather easy to get into as I could map out the relationships from each story. Good translation job too since I did not find myself too disconnected from any of the characters.

I read it while having a solo lunch at a Tenya in Tokyo.

Read Jan 3-6, 2026 on Kobo Clara BW.

The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi with Jesse Kirkwood (Translator)

A collection of people who pass away and are allowed to relive a moment in their lives. This was alright. Some nice slice of life characters. Gentle, a bit sad, and generally wholesome. I found it a bit too prosaic and a bit too florid compared to the other Japanese stories. It was only okay.

The Tawianese cafe in Shinijuku where I went to start this was really nice though.

Read Jan 6-9, 2026 on Kobo Clara BW.

Days at the Torunka Café by Satoshi Yagisawa with Eric Ozawa (Translator)

I really liked the Days at the Morisaki Bookshop duology. I only found out about this while browsing Kinokuniya in Tokyo. This novel was set at a cafe and had more stories about the owner and his family. I was able to go to some interesting and nice cafes in Tokyo so the setting worked for me. The author wrote about grief in the Morisaki Bookshop books and grief is a theme in one of the stories in this novel as well. I am not sure if I will pick up the next book in this series, but it was a nice read. I had a lovely time finishing it at an onsen in Hakone.

Read Jan 10-12, 2026 on Kobo Clara BW.

The Passengers on the Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa with Allison Markin Powell (Translator)

This was a nice collection of stories which was set in the Kansai region. There were characters of all ages and most were entered around women. I liked the changing perspectives and stories as the characters took the train over the course of months. Another easy going, slice of life Japanese novel.

Read Jan 13-18, 2026 on Kobo Clara BW.