Best Japanese Books

Follow Keiko Furukura, a Tokyo convenience store worker, as she struggles to fit in with society's expectations of what a "normal person" should be. For 18 years, Keiko has found peace and purpose in her store's well-defined rules and routines. But pressure from family and friends to find a husband and career push her to take drastic measures. Sayaka Murata's award-winning novel delves into the pressures of modern work culture and offers a delightful portrait of a unique and endearing heroine.

An unlikely connection forms between a thirty-eight-year-old office worker and her former high school teacher, thirty years her senior. As their relationship blossoms through the changing seasons, readers witness the power of both companionship and loneliness. From sake to cherry blossoms, Hiromi Kawakami's gentle hints at the passage of time make for an emotional read.

A college student in Tokyo navigates the complexities of love and loss after the tragic death of his best friend. As he adapts to campus life and faces isolation, he finds himself drawn to a fiercely independent woman. Norwegian Wood captures the essence of 1960s ethos through a touching coming-of-age story.

This novel is a powerful exploration of womanhood, family, and identity in modern-day Japan. It follows the stories of three women - an unmarried narrator, her older sister obsessed with breast enhancement surgery, and her young daughter paralyzed with fear of puberty. As they navigate their own struggles, the novel tackles broader issues like the repression of women, poverty, domestic violence, and reproductive ethics. With a mix of comedy and realism, this epic journey invites readers to find inner strength and peace.

This classic masterpiece of Japanese literature is a must-read for fans of early novels. Written by Lady Shikibu Murasaki in the 11th century, The Tale of Genji follows the life and loves of the prince known as "the shining Genji." But this novel is far more than just a romance - it presents finely drawn characters in realistic situations, set against a richly embroidered tapestry of court life. Vibrant in poetry and subtle in social and psychological observations, this work is an exquisite portrayal of a decaying aristocracy. Fans of Don Quixote and Remembrance of Things Past won't want to miss out.

This classic Japanese novel follows the witty observations of a stray kitten as he comments on the foolishness of upper-middle-class society during the Meiji era. With timeless satire and a sardonic perspective, I Am a Cat is one of Soseki's best-known books and a significant work in modern Japanese literature.

Discover a heart-warming and profound story about love, tragedy, and the power of the kitchen in contemporary Japan. In this enchanting novel, two young women navigate life's ups and downs while finding comfort in the kitchen and their own improvised family. Written by an acclaimed Japanese author, this touching tale will leave you feeling deeply affected and longing for the warmth of a home-cooked meal.

This haunting novel tells the story of Kazu, a man whose life is intertwined with Japan's Imperial family and a park near Tokyo's Ueno Station, where his spirit now haunts after his death. From his days as a laborer during the 1964 Olympics to his final years living in the park's homeless "villages" traumatized by the 2011 tsunami, Yū Miri, an Akutagawa-award-winning author, gives readers a powerful rebuke to the Imperial system and a moving portrayal of Japan's most vulnerable people that is both sensitive and deeply felt.

This intense and thrilling novel exposes the daily struggles of women in suburban Tokyo who are trapped in slavish work conditions and stale marriages, yearning for a way out. When one woman is beaten by her husband, her coworkers band together to help her dispose of his body. Author Natsuo Kirino presents a disturbing yet compelling vision of the human mind's quest for freedom and dignity, surpassing the boundaries of typical crime novels. Out is a must-read for anyone seeking a profound and riveting take on the complexities of the human experience.

A math Professor with only 80 minutes of short-term memory forms a beautiful relationship with his astute Housekeeper, who cares for him daily. Despite his condition, the Professor's mind is still alive with elegant equations from the past, revealing a poetic universe to the Housekeeper and her son. This enchanting story explores the power of living in the present and the unique connections that can form a family.