The book “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden tells the story of Sayuri, a young girl from a poor fishing village who is sold to a geisha house.
Her journey takes her from being a maid to becoming one of the most celebrated geishas in Kyoto before World War II changes everything. The story gives a glimpse into the secretive world of geishas, showing the sacrifices, rivalries, and ambition that shape their lives.
For those who like movies: this book was adapted into a film in 2005, directed by Rob Marshall and starring Zhang Ziyi, Ken Watanabe, and Michelle Yeoh. The film received six Academy Award nominations.
The book “Shōgun” by James Clavell tells the story of an English sailor, John Blackthorne, who is shipwrecked in Japan in the 1600s. He becomes entangled in the intricate power struggles of feudal lords and samurai.
The novel explores his survival in a culture that is completely different from his own and his complicated relationship with Mariko, a Japanese woman who serves as his interpreter.
It’s set during a time of political tension and provides vivid glimpses into the customs, traditions, and conflicts of Japan.
Yasunari Kawabata’s “Snow Country” tells the story of a man named Shimamura, a wealthy Tokyo aristocrat, who travels to a remote hot spring town in the mountains.
There, he meets Komako, a geisha living in the small town, and their relationship becomes marked by longing and melancholy. The novel captures the stark beauty of the snowbound landscape and explores the emotional distance between the characters.
“The Tale of Genji” by Murasaki Shikibu is often called the world’s first novel. It follows the life of Hikaru Genji, the son of an emperor, as he navigates love, politics, and court life in Heian-era Japan.
The story explores his relationships with many women while painting a vivid picture of the customs and culture of the time. Through Genji’s experiences, it captures moments of passion, heartbreak, and the fleeting nature of life.
The book “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami follows Toru Watanabe as he navigates the complexities of love, loss, and adulthood in 1960s Japan.
Toru reflects on his youth, where he was drawn to Naoko, a quiet and fragile woman connected to his past, and later met Midori, a lively and unpredictable presence in his life.
The story captures the mood of a generation grappling with change while exploring deep emotional connections and the way people cope with grief.
The book “Almost Transparent Blue” by Ryū Murakami explores the lives of a group of disillusioned young people in a gritty Japanese port town.
It portrays their nihilistic lifestyle, filled with drug use, casual relationships, and chaotic parties, offering a raw look at their struggles with emptiness. The story is vivid, with moments that shock and linger, showing a darker side of life.
The novel “Coin Locker Babies” by Ryū Murakami follows two boys abandoned as infants in coin lockers in Tokyo. Raised in an orphanage and later adopted, they grow up with pain and confusion shaping their lives.
The story explores their attempts to make sense of their past, while their paths diverge into dark and unexpected territories. The book dives into themes of abandonment, identity, and the scars left by early trauma.
“Convenience Store Woman” by Sayaka Murata tells the story of Keiko Furukura, a 36-year-old woman who has worked at the same convenience store for 18 years. Keiko struggles with societal expectations and finds comfort in the order and routine of her job.
When pressure to conform grows, she must decide whether to change her life or stay true to herself. The book explores individuality and the quiet rebellion of refusing to fit into a mold.
“Dance Dance Dance” by Haruki Murakami is about a freelance writer who returns to a hotel where he once stayed, searching for a sense of closure and connection. The hotel has changed, becoming more luxurious, but strange events begin to unfold.
The story weaves through encounters with a mysterious sheepman, a clairvoyant teenager, and a call girl who has vanished. It explores isolation, loss, and the bizarre links between people and places.
“Forbidden Colors” by Yukio Mishima explores the life of an older writer, Shunsuke, who becomes bitter after being betrayed by women. He forms a strange connection with a young, beautiful man named Yuichi, who is struggling with his own identity and desires.
Shunsuke uses Yuichi’s beauty to manipulate others, setting a plan in motion that weaves together themes of love, revenge, vanity, and cruelty. The story dives into complex relationships and the darker sides of human emotions, set against the backdrop of post-war Japan.
The book “I Am a Cat” by Natsume Sōseki is told from the perspective of a nameless stray cat who observes human lives around him. Set in Meiji-era Japan, the cat comments on the absurdities of the people he encounters.
Through the cat’s sharp and often humorous observations, the story offers a satirical glimpse into Japanese society at the time.
The novel “Kitchen” by Banana Yoshimoto tells the story of a young woman named Mikage, who is left feeling unanchored after losing her grandmother, her last living relative. She finds solace in kitchens, where she feels most at peace.
Invited to live with a young man named Yuichi and his transgender mother, Eriko, Mikage begins to navigate grief and the connections that bring meaning to life. The story beautifully explores themes of loss, healing, and unexpected bonds.
“Kokoro” by Sōseki Natsume explores the relationship between a young man and his mentor, whom he calls Sensei. The story dives into themes of loneliness, guilt, and the passage of time as the narrator uncovers Sensei’s tragic past.
Set in Japan during the Meiji era, the novel paints a vivid picture of societal change and personal struggles, leaving you with questions about trust and human connection.
The “The Makioka Sisters” by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki tells the story of four sisters from an old Osaka family in the years leading up to World War II. The novel follows their lives as they navigate family traditions, personal desires, and societal changes.
A key focus is on the search for a suitable husband for the third sister, while the eldest works to maintain the family’s fading status. Through their struggles and relationships, the book captures a world balancing the pull of a modern era and the weight of tradition.
“Musashi” by Eiji Yoshikawa is a story about the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi and his journey to master the way of the sword while seeking personal growth.
The novel follows Musashi as he battles powerful opponents, refines his skills, and struggles to understand the balance between strength and wisdom.
Along the way, he faces conflicts with rival samurai and navigates relationships with people he meets, all while shaping his philosophy on life and martial arts.
“No Longer Human” by Osamu Dazai follows the life of Yozo Oba, a man who feels disconnected from society and struggles to express his true self. Through a series of notebooks, he shares his experiences of shame, isolation, and self-destructive behavior.
The story dives into his relationships, his facade as a cheerful person, and his descent into despair as he tries to find meaning in a world where he feels he doesn’t belong.
“Silence” by Shūsaku Endō is set in 17th-century Japan, where two Portuguese Jesuit priests secretly enter the country to find their mentor, who is rumored to have renounced his faith.
As they witness the brutality faced by Japanese Christians under persecution, the story explores themes of faith, doubt, and suffering. The tension builds as one of the priests is forced to confront his beliefs in a deeply personal and morally wrenching way.
The book “The Sound of Waves” by Yukio Mishima takes place on a small Japanese island where a young fisherman named Shinji falls in love with Hatsue, the daughter of a wealthy family.
Their romance faces challenges from societal expectations and prejudice, but the story captures the natural beauty of the island and the innocence of first love.
Lian Hearn’s “Across the Nightingale Floor” is set in a world inspired by medieval Japan. It follows Takeo, a young man who discovers his hidden heritage and extraordinary abilities after his village is destroyed.
He is drawn into a world of samurai, lords, and assassins, navigating loyalty, love, and revenge. The story weaves together political intrigue and dark family secrets, with moments like Takeo learning to walk silently across a specially designed floor capturing the imagination.
Soseki Natsume wrote “Botchan,” a story about a young man from Tokyo who takes a teaching job in a small provincial town. The protagonist, who is straightforward and somewhat naive, struggles to adapt to the local customs and handle the scheming of his colleagues at the school.
His sense of justice and his quick temper often lead him into conflicts, creating a mix of humorous and thought-provoking moments.
Kenzaburō Ōe’s “Death by Water” follows an aging writer named Kogito Choko, who returns to his family home in search of inspiration for his last work. He hopes to uncover the truth about his father’s mysterious death during a stormy night decades earlier.
As Kogito revisits old memories and sifts through his late father’s belongings, he wrestles with loss, regret, and the passage of time. The novel blends family history and personal reflection, creating a layered story about memory and reconciliation.
Mieko Kawakami wrote “Heaven,” a novel about two teenagers who form a bond after being bullied at school. The story unfolds through the perspective of one of them, a boy with a lazy eye.
Their connection provides a space where they can share their pain and attempt to understand their world. Kawakami explores the nuances of cruelty and human connection, offering moments that leave a lasting impression.
The book “Kappa” by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa is a strange and satirical tale about a man who finds himself in a land of Kappas, which are mythological creatures from Japanese folklore. Through his encounters with these beings, the story explores society with sharp and dark humor.
The Kappas have their own unique habits and beliefs, which reflect and exaggerate human tendencies in thought-provoking ways.
“Nip the Buds, Shoot the Kids” by Kenzaburō Ōe follows a group of delinquent boys who are abandoned in a remote village during a plague. The villagers leave, hoping to save themselves, and the boys are left to fend for themselves in an empty, hostile environment.
They try to build their own sense of order, but their efforts clash with fear and betrayal when the adults return. The story captures their struggle against authority and the cruelty of survival.
“Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee spans generations of a Korean family living in Japan. It begins with a quiet romance that changes the life of a young woman named Sunja. From there, it unfolds into a story of survival, identity, and family bonds.
The book follows her descendants as they face discrimination, make sacrifices, and try to build better lives in a country that views them as outsiders.
The “The Samurai” by Shusaku Endo tells the story of a low-ranking samurai named Hasekura Rokuemon. Set in the early 17th century, the book follows his journey from Japan to Mexico and Europe as part of a diplomatic mission.
Through Hasekura’s experiences, the novel explores themes of faith, duty, and the clash of different cultures, revealing the struggles he faces as he grapples with loyalty to his nation and the spiritual questions that arise during his travels.
“The Setting Sun” by Osamu Dazai tells the story of Kazuko, a young woman from an aristocratic family in post-war Japan. As her family’s fortune collapses, she struggles with changing societal values while caring for her sickly mother and reflecting on her own choices.
Her relationship with a troubled writer adds layers of tension and emotion to the story. It’s a poignant look at a world in transition.
The novel “In the Miso Soup” by Ryu Murakami follows a Japanese nightlife guide, Kenji, who takes an American tourist, Frank, on a tour of Tokyo’s seedy underbelly.
As the night unfolds, Kenji grows more uneasy about Frank, suspecting he may be responsible for a series of gruesome murders. The story blends discomfort and tension, offering a dark exploration of fear and human nature in an urban setting.
“Out” by Natsuo Kirino is a gritty crime novel about four women working in a bento factory on the outskirts of Tokyo. Their mundane lives take a sharp turn when one of them kills her abusive husband.
The group bands together to cover up the crime, but their actions draw the attention of the police and dangerous criminals. The book dives into themes of desperation, dark choices, and the hidden struggles of ordinary people.
“Ring” by Koji Suzuki tells the story of journalist Kazuyuki Asakawa, who investigates a mysterious videotape that curses those who watch it to die within seven days.
As he races against time to uncover the truth, he discovers a dark connection to a woman named Sadako Yamamura and her tragic past.
The suspense builds as the origins of the curse gradually come to light, revealing a mix of horror and human desperation that keeps the story haunting.
The novel “A Tale for the Time Being” by Ruth Ozeki tells the story of a teenage girl named Nao in Japan who writes a diary intended for an unknown reader. The diary travels across the ocean, washing up on a Canadian shore, where it is discovered by a writer named Ruth.
Through Nao’s writings, the book explores her struggles with bullying, her connection to her Buddhist nun grandmother, and her reflections on life and time. The story moves back and forth between Nao’s life and Ruth’s efforts to uncover the truth behind the diary.
The novel “The Wild Geese” by Mori Ōgai tells the story of Otama, a young woman caught in difficult circumstances after agreeing to become the mistress of a moneylender. Her longing for freedom grows when she notices Okada, a student who often walks near her home.
The story unfolds with themes of unspoken emotions, societal pressures, and missed connections, set against the backdrop of Meiji-era Japan.
“Battle Royale” by Koushun Takami tells the story of a dystopian Japan where a totalitarian government forces a class of high school students to fight to the death on an isolated island.
Each student is given a weapon and tasked with eliminating their classmates until only one remains. The novel explores their alliances, betrayals, and desperate attempts to survive under the constant threat of violence.
The intensity of the situation keeps the characters—and the reader—on edge, as the students grapple with fear and moral choices in a chilling game of survival.
The book “Another” by Yukito Ayatsuji follows a boy named Koichi who transfers to a small town and finds himself in the middle of a chilling mystery at his new school.
A girl named Mei Misaki appears to be ignored by everyone, and Koichi discovers eerie events tied to a curse affecting the school’s third-year class.
As deaths start occurring, the story unravels the connection between the curse and the students, creating an atmosphere of unease and secrets.
The novel “The Aosawa Murders” by Riku Onda centers on a chilling mass poisoning at a family gathering in a coastal Japanese town. Seventeen people die after drinking poisoned sake, and suspicion falls on Hisako, the blind daughter of the family.
The story explores the lingering impact of the tragedy through fragmented narratives of witnesses and those connected to the case. It paints a haunting picture of memory, truth, and how people process loss.