The Contemporary Japanese Novels You Should Be Reading

Books have been my favourite company since I was a kid. From long railway journeys to daily workplace commutes, they’ve offered the support I needed to face reality—and the escape I sometimes craved from it.

If there’s one writer who’s popular for offering this escape with magical realism, it’s the award-winning Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. The first Murakami I ever read, Sputnik Sweetheart, was on my editor’s suggestion. Since then, I’ve dived deep into not just Murakami’s literary works, but the broader world of Japanese literature.

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Most Japanese literature has a disarming quality to itself. It expertly balances surrealism with a frankness that lends a dreamlike quality to even the simplest of stories. And Murakami isn’t the only one who does this well.

Here are some novels that will go perfectly with solo coffee dates, long trips, park outings, or even that special reading nook in the house!

Days At The Morasaki Bookshop and More Days At The Morasaki Bookshop

By Satoshi Yagisawa

This two-novel set is perfect for readers who’ve lost their way to books, but miss the joy they once brought. These came to me at a time when constant doomscrolling left me with an attention span shorter than that of a goldfish. But Takako’s (protagonist) story embraced me like a long-lost friend.

The book takes on the journey of a girl in her mid-twenties, who navigates heartbreak by living at her eccentric uncle’s second-hand bookshop! Through her begrudging and gradual love for books, the novel dives into how books can shape individual identities and the culture of an entire neighborhood. The sequel (which also works as a standalone) carries her journey forward—this time focusing on family roots and relationships forged through books.

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She And Her Cat

By Makoto Shinkai

In these four vignettes, cats are the insightful narrators, or rather storytellers, who observe the lives of their adults… and cast a commentary on it. Imagine the feline counterpart of Pluto Mehra from Dil Dhadakne Do.

The novel makes for a heartwarming read. It pushes you to acknowledge realities women live with, but without turning it into a lesson or teaching moment. This one is for lovers of gentle, honest storytelling.

The Bookshop Woman

By Nanako Hanada

Hanada’s bestseller left me completely surprised— not just with its story, but also at the directness of its prose. Best-selling novelists, at least the ones I’ve read, often push their readers to decode their complex, perceptive musings. Not Hanada. She gives it to you straight as an arrow, with a pinch of humor that left me smiling hours after I kept down the book.

A pick-me-up if there ever was one, the novel examines the life of a book-seller who uses her love (and knowledge) for books to recommend novels to fellow strangers. And rediscovers herself along the journey. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind a friend—or a journey—like hers.

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Before The Coffee Gets Cold

By Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Instagram is infamous for popularizing mediocrity. Before the Coffee gets Cold is a glaring exception to the rule. The novel explores the experiences of a cafe’s patrons. Because these patrons can travel through time…but only if they follow a set of rules.

The quirky storytelling is fit for everyone, not just fans of sci-fi. And the thought-provoking experiences of the four patrons have a message for all readers.

The Cat Who Saved Books

By Sosuke Natsukawa

Okay, I admit there are far too many books here about other books. But aren’t these the best kind to read?

In Natsukawa’s novel, a grieving grandson accompanies a talking tabby cat on three different adventures. It’s a journey for justice. It may look like a tale fit for kids. But it’s actually a love letter to literature lovers, accurately capturing the transformative power of books.

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Strange Weather In Tokyo

By Hiromi Kawakami

The last book on the list is also one of the most devastating and brilliant novels I’ve read. A melancholic love story of a woman in her thirties, who falls in love with her former professor, the novel is tender, introspective, and a must-read for lovers of Murakami, romance, and second chances. In case you’ve never read Kawakami’s works before, then it’s also a perfect introduction to her writing style—it’s her most loved story for a reason!

The Japanese probably understand readers best. After all, there is a reason they gave a name to the practice of acquiring more books than you can read immediately - tsundoko. It’s for readers who embrace the joy of possibility, or rather, the comfort of having unread books.