13 Best Books by Japanese Authors to Read Before Your Japan Trip!

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I should start off by saying that while Japan is one of my favorite countries to visit in the world, I was interested in Japanese culture way before I even stepped foot in Japan. Mostly due to anime, but also from reading books by Japanese authors at a (relatively) young age.

There is more than one way to be exposed to other cultures that don’t require you getting on a plane to visit. You can go to a restaurant serving that culture’s cuisine, or attend festivals, watch movies – or my favorite, reading books by authors from that destination!

So today I’ve put together a short little roundup of my favorite books by Japanese authors that are also set in Japan! Whether you are headed to Japan for a physical trip, or just a mental escape, try picking up one (or all!) of these incredible books by Japanese authors to learn more about Japanese culture from some of the country’s greatest writers!

Where to Buy Books by Japanese Authors

I am a strong advocate for shopping small and shopping local. That said, not all these books by Japanese authors may be available at your local bookstore. Maybe one day – because they are fantastic and everyone should read them regardless if they are traveling to Japan or not!!

I also want to give a shoutout to libraries! PLEASE utilize your libraries if you can, and if these books by Japanese authors aren’t in stock, request them!! I have also been able to find most (if not all) these books by Japanese authors on the Libby app, a digital library that has both e-books and audiobooks. If you love reading, I highly recommend downloading Libby!

My Recommendations for Books by Japanese Authors

I tried to get a range of genres in this list of books by Japanese authors, but I do want to give you a heads up that Japanese literature loves crime and cats. You think I’m joking, but I’m not. Then the third most popular genre is probably character-driven general fiction that follows more of a slice-of-life approach.

There weren’t too many steamy romance smuts or epic fantasies that I found (and recommend), or at least not any that were translated into English.

So with that context presented, here are my favorite books by Japanese authors!

Tokyo Ueno Station

by Yu Miri

(Amazon)

I absolutely loved this book, and since I live in Portland, Oregon where the unhoused population is very noticeable, it was interesting to read a story about the same issue in Japan – a place where previously I did not think of homelessness as a huge issue in Japan (even though I had been before!).

The story follows the ghost of Kazu, which already peaked my interest because what do you mean the main character is already dead?!? The story is also SAD, which is kinda my preference not gonna lie, but just throwing it out there that this is not a jolly story. Kazu’s life is laid out in juxtaposition of the Emperor of Japan, who was born the same year but (obviously) had a very different life path.

The author, Yu Miri, is of Korean descent, and this list of books by Japanese authors wouldn’t be complete without also acknowledging that Japan is NOT as monoethnic as the world (or even Japan itself) thinks.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

(Amazon)

This is a short, but sweet read. The premise surrounds a mysterious (and yet not so mysterious) cafe that can transport visitors back in time. The catch…well, there’s a few rules. The story switches narratives between a few different characters and the reader learns about their lives, and what they are willing to do, as they venture into the unknown.

And yet…since it’s the past, it’s not very unknown, now is it?

At times, the writing felt a tad repetitive to me, but the story was so unique and original that I finished it in almost one sitting.

She and Her Cat: Stories

by Makoto Shinkai and Naruki Nagakawa

(Amazon)

As a (relatively) new cat pet owner, I really loved this story.

The book follows a bunch of cats (yes, the POVs are through the eyes of a cat) and their simple (yet deep) outlook on life, but moreover we see their human companions and/or aquaintances tackle heavy topics such as grief, love, family dynamics, and work slumps without the actual book feeling heavy to digest.

At the same time, it’s a heartwarming story that pairs one of the most loved domestic pets (even if cats don’t think they’re domesticated) with us mere humans dealing with our human issues. One of my favorites for sure!

Convenience Store Woman

by Sayaka Murata

(Amazon)

I read Convenience Store Woman a while ago…and by a while ago I mean literal YEARS. And I still remember it to this day!

As the title suggests, the main characters works a seemingly “mundane” job at a convenience store and -gasp- ENJOYS IT. She directly challenges a lot of Japan’s career expectations and society’s pressure to conform to what it deems “normal goals” to strive for. However, the main character still does toe the line of figuring out her own identity in a world that doesn’t seem to understand her aspirations – or “lack thereof” – so it’s definitely a relatable story.

While not confirmed by the author, many people read the main character as being on the spectrum. Really refreshing read all around!

Out

by Natsuo Kirino

(Amazon)

Whewww this book had me by the THROAT – well, until the end, but I’ll get to that. Out is based on a true story-ish (I believe) and focuses on the lives of four women working nightshift at a bento factory.

Seems all fine and dandy until one of them commits a VERY serious crime and the others have a few decisions to make lest the crime might somehow tie back to them. Each of the characters were extremely believable and well thought-out. I really enjoyed this book because it touched a lot on Japan’s gender inequality and also what extreme debt or “paycheck-to-paycheck” looks like for a lot of folks in Japan.

HOWEVERRR. I the last…1/4 or 1/5th of the book, there is a pretty graphic depiction of sexual assault that…was unnerving for me to read. It is a huge turn off for me in any kind of media (couldn’t get past the first episode of Game of Thrones woof). So just a heads up.

The Memory Police

by Yoko Ogawa

(Amazon)

Ooo The Memory Police is one that will stay with you for a while.

Starting off, the main character is unnamed, which is interesting for a few reasons (depending on how deeply you analyze novels), but also ties back into the main plot of the story. The book is set on an island with a government that can make its residents forget things. Anything.

Everything.

As things start/continue disappearing from the island, the main character tackles the physical (and philosophical) dilemma of reorganizing one’s life and identity based on what gets left behind, and how that impacts the human experience. Super interesting concept and explores very relevant themes today like censorship and government resistance.

Breasts and Eggs

by Mieko Kawakami

(Amazon)

If you like stories about familial dynamics, then this is going to be the one for you. The themes presented are femininity (within the societal constraints of Japanese culture), “womanhood,” and the idea of fulfillment. The book follows two adult sisters along with a daughter of one of the sisters.

This is definitely more character-driven than plot-driven so it felt a little slow at points, but the prose is beautiful. It also really made me curious about body enhancements (via plastic surgery) in Japan and how they are viewed/perceived by different subcultures and pockets around the country.

Strange Weather in Tokyo

by Hiromi Kawakami

(Amazon)

Strange Weather in Tokyo is…a strange book. Not in a bad way, but definitely…not expected. It’s another character-driven novel, which seems to be popular in Japanese literature. Personally, I like a good character-driven book, but just a heads up as you dive into books by Japanese authors.

The story starts with the main character (a young woman) reconnecting with her former high school teacher (older man) at a bar that conveniently sits in their neighborhood. Now, it’s a short book, and a slightly abstract book, but there is a lot of character development and relationship building as the two seemingly least-compatible companions learn more about each other.

If Cats Disappeared from the World

by Genki Kawamura

(Amazon)

Yanno, it was about here in my journey of reading books by Japanese authors where I learned cats are a very popular subject matter haha.

I absolutely loved this book, and it’s another short one, so win-win if you’re pressed for time! The premise is that the main character receives a terminal diagnosis and shortly after he is approached by the devil. Satan. Vaguely devious being.

Anyways.

The devil offers the man a compromise – for every extra day that he is granted life, one thing will disappear from the world. It seems simple, but the book expertly explores themes of mortality, grief, companionship, and regret without feeling heavy or overwhelmingly sad. In fact, the book is pretty witty and lighthearted considering the plot, haha.

Bullet Train

by Kotaro Isaka

(Amazon)

You might have heard of this book from the major motion picture adaptation of it (starring Sir Bad Bunny), but yes, it was a book first!

The story his an absurd (in the best way) blending of multiple story lines intersecting while the characters ride a bullet train. The author is so skilled with humor and wit that it’s a very silly and lighthearted story to read, even as the plot of the story involves death, torture, kidnapping, threats, and otherwise criminal activities.

Lots of action, lots of play-on-words, and lots of fun!

Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight

by Misaki Ichijo

(Amazon)

Omg not only was this one of my favorite books by Japanese authors, but I honestly think this book has cemented itself into being one of my all-time favorite books…of all time.

It is a very wholesome coming-of-age story about a young boy in high school who begins dating a girl in his class. But there’s a catch. He can’t fall in love with her. It sounds cliche, but it is literally anything but (I just don’t want to give away the spoiler reason why!) and the author did a great job of weaving a believable adolescent without it reading childish or young. Which is a feat in itself.

It is a character driven story but I read this in ONE SITTING I truly couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend for everyone.

Battle Royale

by Koushun Takami

(Amazon)

And finally, the book that started it all (or at least for most of us) Battle Royale. Battle Royale is the single most pivotal piece of work for 2000s-2010s American pop culture. It inspired works like Kill Bill and the Hunger Games (which then led to others like Divergent) and even current crazes like Fortnight and Squid Games. It is the (pop culture) birth of death tournament style competitions. No pun intended.

The story revolves around a high school classroom that gets chosen to participate in the annual Battle Royale, a tournament in which the students fight to the death until only one survives. I actually first read this story in its manga form in high school, before then finding the live action movie, THEN reading the book. But it’s amazing in all forms.

It’s graphic (with the manga being the most graphic) but I enjoyed all iterations of this fantastic book.

Children’s Books by Japanese Authors

So I don’t actually read too many children’s books, but I did want to give a shoutout to Tokyo Night Parade by J.P. Takahashi because it is such a breath of fresh air, even for adults!

It’s described as “Spirited Away” meets “Where the Wild Things Are” and focuses on yokai mythology, or the Japanese mythology of ghosts and spirits. It’s a really great picture book and is one of the newer children’s books by Japanese authors you should check out!

Conclusion: Books by Japanese Authors

And those are my top favorite books by Japanese authors! As I continue to read more I’ll definitely add to this list so please just ignore if the numbers don’t match up to the blog post title hahah.

If you’re on a reading kick and want a few more books set in Asian countries, I have a few more blog posts:

• Books by Korean Authors
• Books by Singaporean Authors

Also, yes I know Haruki Murakami is a super popular Japanese author, but….eh, his books just don’t hit for me personally. What are some of your favorite books by Japanese authors? Let me know in the comments below!

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