15 Translated Japanese Fiction Books That Deserve A Spot On Your Shelf

I was recommended Kitchen a while ago and finally got around to reading it last month — and boy, am I glad I did. After hearing so much praise for Banana Yoshimoto, I can confidently say her Kitchen lives up to the hype. It follows Mikage Sakurai, a young woman grappling with the grief of losing her grandmother. As she deals with her loss, she forms a bond with Yuichi — her grandmother's friend — and his transgender mother, Eriko. The Kitchen, in many ways, becomes a symbol of comfort, a space where everyday rituals help anchor Mikage.

Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5

Number Of Pages: 160

Original Publishing Year: 1988

If you're someone who could live and breathe libraries, this book by Michiko Aoyama is a must-read. It takes you through five different stories — and chances are, you’ll find a bit of yourself in each one. Every character comes from a different walk of life and ends up at their local library, searching for something more. It’s one of those feel-good reads you can finish in one sitting, without ever feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained. 

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Number Of Pages: 256

Original Publishing Year: 2020

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Unlike most Japanese fiction, Lonely Castle in the Mirror comes with a puzzling, almost fairy-tale-like plot that instantly pulls you in. Just reading the summary is enough to get you hooked. It follows seven students who are avoiding school and mysteriously find themselves meeting in a castle accessed through the mirrors in their bedrooms. There’s a catch, though — if they don’t find the key and escape by a certain time, the castle keeper will devour them. Oh, and the one who does find the key will get a wish granted.

Goodreads Rating: 4.2/5

Number Of Pages: 354

Original Publishing Year: 2021

Butter is inspired by a real-life serial murder case in Japan. At its heart is Rika, a Tokyo journalist investigating a woman accused of killing wealthy men after luring them in with her cooking. But as Rika digs deeper, the story becomes more than just a crime report. She finds herself questioning her own beliefs about food, femininity, and the societal expectations placed on women in Japan.

Goodreads Rating: 3.5/5

Number Of Pages: 456

Original Publishing Year: 2017

I’m personally not the biggest fan of Norwegian Wood, but considering the cult status it’s gained (The Beatles might have something to do with it?), I couldn’t skip over it. The story is told from the first-person perspective of Toru Watanabe, who reflects on his college days as an unusually serious, introspective student. At its core, it’s a coming-of-age story, centred around his relationships with two very different women — the emotionally fragile Naoko and the outgoing, free-spirited Midori. 

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Number Of Pages: 400

Original Publishing Year: 1987

When I picked up Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, I had no idea what to expect. The title mentioned a bookshop, the cover was cute, and the book felt light — so I just went with it. And honestly? It’s not extraordinary. But it is the kind of book a friend might gift you when you’re going through a breakup or a major life change. It’s a gentle story about a woman who begins to rebuild her life while living above her uncle’s second-hand bookshop.

Goodreads Rating: 3.6/5

Number Of Pages: 160

Original Publishing Year: 2010

It’s not exactly easy to explain the plot of this novel — and yet, it kind of is. If that makes any sense? I read it years ago, and the story still lingers in my mind. At its core, it’s about time travel. In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, the customers of Café Funiculi Funicula can go back to any moment in time — but only under a few strict T&Cs. You have to sit in one specific seat. You can’t get up. And no matter what you say or do, the present won’t change. The book is divided into five parts, with four stories, each exploring love, loss, and regret.

Goodreads Rating: 3.7/5

Number Of Pages: 224

Original Publishing Year: 2015

The Memory Police is a dystopian novel set on an unnamed island where things and concepts mysteriously disappear, and the inhabitants eventually forget them. It’s Kafka-esque and also feels influenced by George Orwell’s 1984. The story follows a novelist on the island who is protecting her editor — one of the few who can still remember — while also struggling with the slowly disappearing world around her.

Goodreads Rating: 3.7/5

Number Of Pages: 274

Original Publishing Year: 2019

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Sweet Bean Paste is the kind of heartfelt story you didn’t know you needed — until you reach the end and find yourself sad it’s over. It follows Sentaro, a man with a surprising criminal record who dreams of becoming a writer but spends his days drinking and spending time in a dorayaki shop. Everything changes when he meets Tokue, a kind elderly woman who makes the best sweet bean paste he’s ever tasted — and who carries (dark) secrets of her own. Along the way, they’re joined by a young girl named Wakana. It’s a touching story that slowly turns bittersweet, lingering with you long after it ends.

Goodreads Rating: 4.1/5

Number Of Pages: 224

Original Publishing Year: 2017

If you want to reflect on how you’re living your life, pick up The Lantern of Lost Memories without a second thought. It’s set in a cosy photo studio in the mountains — a place where people arrive after they die. A kind attendant welcomes them with a warm drink and a stack of photos, each one capturing a moment from their life. Then, they’re asked to choose one photo from each year — the memories they’d want to relive again.

Goodreads Rating: 4.1/5

Number Of Pages: 224

Original Publishing Year: 2024

A delightful read that will likely leave you teary-eyed by the end, The Travelling Cat Chronicles is the story of a man named Satoru and his cat, Nana. Like many Japanese novels, it doesn’t just feature a cat on the cover — the entire story revolves around one. The two set off on a journey to visit Satoru’s longtime friends. If you’re someone who seeks out literature that truly makes you feel, this one delivers just the effect!

Goodreads Rating: 4.3/5

Number Of Pages: 272

Original Publishing Year: 2012

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The Devotion of Suspect X is one of Keigo Higashino’s most popular works — it even inspired the South Korean film Perfect Number. The story follows a divorced, single mother whose life takes a dark turn when her abusive ex-husband suddenly shows up, threatening both her and her teenage daughter. Things escalate quickly, violence erupts, and soon, the ex-husband ends up dead.

Goodreads Rating: 4.2/5

Number Of Pages: 448

Original Publishing Year: 2012

A heartwarming, lighthearted read that absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR, this one by Hisashi Kashiwai is all about a father-daughter duo. Together, they run a “Food Detectives” service, where they investigate and recreate dishes from their customers’ memories. The way the food is described will make you drool, no kidding. Each case takes about two weeks, and the end result is always something nostalgic — a dish that tastes exactly the way the customer remembers.

Goodreads Rating: 3.7/5

Number Of Pages: 208

Original Publishing Year: 2023

Breasts and Eggs dives deep into women’s relationships — with each other and with their own bodies. It sheds light on both the struggles and the joys of being a modern woman. The characters feel real — you’ll love them, hate them, pity them, and find yourself riding a rollercoaster of emotions as you read. I’d highly recommend not rushing through this one. Take it one chapter at a time and let it sit with you.

Goodreads Rating: 3.8/5

Number Of Pages: 432

Original Publishing Year: 2019

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Yet another feel-good read to keep close — in times of need or otherwise — The Convenience Store by the Sea is set in a small, convenience store called “Tenderness,” where the lights stay on 24 hours a day. The store’s handsome manager, Mitsuhiko Shiba, has built quite a fan base. The only person seemingly immune to his charm is Mitsuri Nakao, one of the employees. Warm and delightful, this one’s a perfect curl-up pick.

Goodreads Rating: 3.8/5

Number Of Pages: 320

Original Publishing Year: 2024