Earlier this year, we discussed almost 30 new Japanese books coming out from January to June 2026. If you struggled to keep up, I get it, believe me! But time stops for no one, and the second half of 2026 promises to be even busier than the first. With over 30 new titles of Japanese…
Japanese Literature
The Passengers on the Hankyu Line: The Magic of Serendipitous Encounters
Very few of us would say that commuting is fun, special, or cathartic in any way. Most of us would probably declare without hesitation that we’re so exhaustedly used to commuting that we don’t even take that moment of the day into account anymore. Commuting is just a moment in which we exist as we’re…
New Japanese Books Out in 2026: Your Favourite Releases from Jan to June!
The new year arrives with a deluge of new Japanese books. From classics receiving first-ever translations to modern award-winning tales, 2026 promises to be a year full of Japanese literature to suit all tastes! With almost 30 works receiving a translation into English between January and June 2026, it seems the industry will continue to…
The Full Moon Coffee Shop Series: Tales of Stars, Cats & Self-Discovery
When I was a little girl, a family friend gave me a book as a present. It was a beautiful, colourful collection of folktales from all around the world and I quickly fell in love with it. I adored it so much that, after reading it all myself, I’d ask my mom to read us…
From July to December: 20+ Amazing Japanese Books Out in 2025!
Earlier this year, we talked about 10 wonderful Japanese books coming out from January to June 2025. But there are so many more wonderful stories coming up. Today, we’re exploring 20+ brand new Japanese books out in 2025โ with release dates from July to December 2025. Which ones are you most looking forward to reading?…
Studio Ghibli Turns 40: 18 Books from the Studio’s History
Studio Ghibli is turning 40! From My Neighbour Totoro to Spirited Away, it’s almost impossible to find someone who hasn’t heard of the legendary Studio Ghibli. Founded on June 15th, 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli has released dozens of unforgettable, unique, and universally resonant films that have changed the course…
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library Review: Books, Serendipity, and Outdated Ideas
I like books about books. We’ve talked about Satoshi Yagisawa’s Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Hwang Bo-reumโs Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, and Nanako Hanada’s The Bookshop Woman here before. So Michiko Aoyama’s What You Are Looking For Is in the Library was the next logical step. Butโฆ I must confess that I didn’t enjoy…
From January to June: Ten 2025 Japanese Books You Can’t Miss!
In the past few years, Japanese literature has slowly been taking over our bookshelves. And that trend shows no sign of slowing down: 2025 promises to be another year full of incredible Japanese literary releases. Next week promises the publication of Uketsu’s much-anticipated Strange Pictures (translated by Jim Rion), a mystery bestseller that allows the…
Year In Review: The 2024 Japanese Books, Films, and Dramas We Won’t Forget
A couple more weeks and it’s 2025. Can you believe it? I know that I can’t! But now it’s the perfect time for us to take a look back at 2024 and talk about the very best 2024 Japanese books, dramas and films. Can you recognise all these titles? As much as possible, I tried…
The Kamogawa Food Detectives: The Tales of The Restaurant of Lost Recipes
Is food just a means of nourishment? To Kamogawa Nagare, the protagonist of The Kamogawa Food Detectives series, it isn’t. At the Kamogawa Diner, food is about love, care, and nostalgia. It’s about who made it, where you were and who you were with when you savoured it. And so, a dish becomes part of…
