Open Books Challenge 2025: Books Set in Japan or by a Japanese Author

Updated December 31, 2024
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
The travelling cat chronicles
Arikawa, Hiro
Paper Book
A book that "speak[s] volumes about our need for connection--human, feline or otherwise" (The San Francisco Chronicle), The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a life-affirming anthem to kindness and self-sacrifice that shows how the smallest things can provide the...
The Decagon House murders
Ayatsuji, Yukito
Paper Book
A classic Japanese murder mystery inspired by the golden age of British crimewriting.
Shogun : a novel of Japan
Clavell, James.
Paper Book
For use in schools and libraries only. A narrative of conflicting cultures, loyalties, motivations, and traditions in early seventeenth-century Japan, involving the power-hungry Lord Toranaga, the Lady Mariko, and the ambitious Englishman, Blackthorne.
Tokyo ever after
Jean, Emiko
Paper Book
Emiko Jean's New York Times bestseller and Reese Book Club Pick Tokyo Ever After is the "refreshing, spot-on" (Booklist, starred review) story of an ordinary Japanese American girl who discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan! Izumi Tanaka...
Fifty words for rain : a novel
Lemmie, Asha
Paper Book
A Good Morning America Book Club Pick and New York Times Bestseller!   From debut author Asha Lemmie, "a lovely, heartrending story about love and loss, prejudice and pain, and the sometimes dangerous, always durable ties that link a family together." -...
The boy from the dragon palace : a folktale from Japan
MacDonald, Margaret Read
Paper Book
2012 Storytelling World Award Best Children's Books of the Year 2012, Bank Street College 2011 NYPL 100 Books for Reading and Sharing STARRED REVIEW! "The text is nicely repetitive and includes satisfyingly disgusting nose...
The tatami galaxy : a novel
Morimi, Tomihiko
Paper Book
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE PEN TRANSLATION PRIZE* An unfulfilled college student hurtles through four parallel realities to explore the what-might've-been and the what-should-never-be in this Groundhog Day meets The Midnight Library-esque novel from one of Japan's most popular authors. ...
The blossom and the firefly
Smith, Sherri L.
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of Flygirl comes this powerful WWII romance between two Japanese teens caught in the cogs of an unwinnable war, perfect for fans of Salt to the Sea, Lovely War, and Code Name Verity. Japan 1945. Taro is a talented...
The puzzle box : a novel
Trussoni, Danielle
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER . "A fun, DaVinci Code-style blend of puzzles, mysticism and high-octane action" (People, Best Books of the Month), from the author of The Puzzle Master "This rip-roaring adventure thriller is an escapist puzzle box of delights- a...
Moshi Moshi
Yoshimoto, Banana
Paper Book
"A beautiful translation . . . Yoshimoto deploys a magically Japanese light touch to emotionally and existentially tough subject matter: domestic disarray, loneliness, identity issues, lovesickness . . . [a] nimble narrative." ―ELLE In Moshi Moshi, Yoshie's...
Butter : a novel of food and murder
Yuzuki, Asako
Paper Book
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER The cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer, and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story There are two things that I simply cannot tolerate: feminists and...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.