Mizuki Tsujimura's novel "Lonely Castle in the Mirror" is set in Japan. The plot revolves around a group of six teenagers who become trapped in a mysterious and magical castle after entering it through a mirror. The castle is filled with various rooms and puzzles, and the teenagers must solve them all in order to escape.

The teenagers confront their deepest fears and insecurities as they work together to escape, and they begin to understand the interconnectedness of their lives. The novel delves into themes such as friendship, self-discovery, and the power of the imagination. Kokoro, a shy and introverted girl who suffers from loneliness and isolation, is the protagonist of the story. Kokoro learns to open up and connect with others as a result of her experiences in the castle, and she discovers the strength and resilience within herself.

Overall, "Lonely Castle in the Mirror" is an engrossing and thought-provoking novel with a distinct blend of fantasy and realism. It's a story about the transformative power of confronting one's fears and the value of human connection in finding meaning and purpose in life.

Author: Mizuki Tsujimura
Publication date: 2017
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5 (15,290 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/lRr1K4

Kafka on the Shore is a novel by Japanese author Haruki Murakami that was first published in 2002. The novel is a surreal and dreamlike work in which two parallel narratives eventually converge. The first story follows Kafka Tamura, a fifteen-year-old boy who flees his home in Tokyo in search of a lost memory and his long-lost mother and sister. The second story follows Nakata, an elderly man who is unable to read or write but has a supernatural ability to communicate with cats. Nakata sets out on a quest to find a lost cat and meets Kafka along the way.

The novel is well-known for its magical realism and examination of themes such as identity, memory, and the nature of reality. The novel also includes surreal and otherworldly elements such as talking cats, a forest full of talking spirits, and a mysterious library that exists outside of time and space. Readers and critics alike praised Kafka on the Shore, which won several awards, including the World Fantasy Award. The novel is widely regarded as one of Murakami's most popular and influential works, having been translated into numerous languages.

Author: Haruki Murakami
Publication date: 2002
Genre: Magical realism
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5 (‎430,757 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/XZYqrH

Norwegian Wood (Noruwei no Mori) is a novel by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, published in 1987. The novel is a nostalgic tale of loss and sexual awakening. It is told in the first person by Toru Watanabe, who reflects on his days as a college student in Tokyo. Through his reminiscences, readers see Watanabe develop relationships with two very different women: the beautiful but emotionally troubled Naoko and the outgoing, lively Midori.

This novel is set in late 1960s Tokyo, at a time when Japanese students, like those in many other countries, were protesting the established order. While it serves as the backdrop for the novel's events, Murakami portrays the student movement as largely weak-willed and hypocritical (through the eyes of Watanabe and Midori) Murakami adapted the novel's first section from an earlier short story, "Firefly." The story was later collected in the anthology Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. Norwegian Wood was a huge hit with Japanese teenagers, propelling Murakami to stardom in his homeland (apparently much to his dismay at the time).

Author: Haruki Murakami
Publication date: 1987
Genre: Literary fiction, romance novel
Goodreads rating: 4/5 (542,358 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/PfNA3X

No Longer Human is a novel by Japanese author Osamu Dazai that was first published in 1948. The novel is a semi-autobiographical work that explores the life of a troubled young man named Yozo, who struggles with feelings of alienation and despair and is unable to find a sense of belonging in society.

The novel is divided into three sections, each depicting a different stage in Yozo's life. In the first part, Yozo reflects on his childhood and adolescence, as well as his difficulties connecting with others. The second part is set during Yozo's time as a student in Tokyo, where he engages in a series of self-destructive behaviors and develops unstable relationships with various women. In the third part, Yozo has become a wandering vagrant, and he reflects on his past and his place in society.

No Longer Human is widely regarded as a modern Japanese literary masterpiece for its raw and unflinching portrayal of mental illness and social alienation. The novel has received critical acclaim for its lyrical prose and vivid depictions of the human condition, as well as its exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in life.

Author: Osamu Dazai

Publication date: 1948

Genres: Novel, Literary fiction

Goodreads rating: 4/5 (116,140 votes)

Buy here: https://bom.so/B1aVf0

Kokoro is a novel by Japanese author Soseki Natsume that was first published in 1914. The title "Kokoro" is a Japanese word that can mean "heart," "mind," or "spirit," and the novel delves into the characters' complex emotional and psychological lives.

The book is divided into three sections. The first part is set in Meiji-era Tokyo (1868–1922) and introduces the narrator, a young university student who develops a close relationship with an older man he refers to as "Sensei." The second part is set several years later, after the narrator has graduated and relocated to Tokyo to work. In this section, the narrator learns more about Sensei's past and struggles to comprehend the causes of his friend's depression and sense of alienation.

The novel's third section is set in a remote village, where the narrator goes to escape the stresses of city life. There, he meets and falls in love with a young woman named Ojosan. The narrator is forced to confront difficult truths about his own past and his relationships with Sensei and Ojosan as the novel progresses. Kokoro is regarded as a modern Japanese literature classic, with themes such as identity, isolation, and the tension between traditional Japanese values and modern Western influences explored.

Author: Sōseki Natsume

Publication date: 1914

Genres: Novel, Fiction

Goodreads rating: 4/5 (27.961 votes)

Buy here: https://bom.so/eKGwFa

Rashomon is a short story written by Ryunosuke Akutagawa that was first published in 1915. The plot revolves around a woodcutter, a priest, and a commoner as they discuss a recent incident in which a samurai was killed and his wife was raped. The story is notable for its distinct narrative structure, which includes multiple perspectives and contradictory accounts of the same events. The woodcutter, the priest, and the commoner each tell their side of the story, and the reader is left to piece together the truth from these disparate viewpoints.

Rashomon is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern Japanese literature and has been adapted into a number of other forms, including a film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The plot delves into issues such as the nature of truth, the dependability of human perception, and the complexities of human morality. The title "Rashomon" alludes to the same-named gate in Kyoto, which was said to be haunted by ghosts of the dead. The story has become a cultural touchstone in Japan, and scholars from all over the world have studied and analyzed it extensively.

Author: Rynosuke Akutagawa
Publication date: 1915
Genres: Short Story, Fiction
Goodreads rating: 4/5 (7,858 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/IDrxdM

Shion Miura's novel "The Easy Life in Kamusari" is written in Japanese. The story follows Tsukiko, a young woman who returns to her hometown of Kamusari after many years away. Tsukiko re-encounters her childhood friend, a man named Sasamoto, and the two begin to spend time together in the local bar, drinking and reminiscing about old times.

Tsukiko and Sasamoto develop a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and respect as they spend more time together. They enjoy the simple pleasures of life in Kamusari, such as eating local cuisine and watching the seasons change.

This sweet coming-of-age story was released on November 2nd. The inventive novel is a love letter to the art of forestry and the majesty of trees, and it is a perfect, easy read: sweet, cheery, and humorous, yet full of adventure. Overall, the novel is a gentle and introspective examination of the pleasures and difficulties of living a simple life in a small town. It serves as a moving reminder of the value of friendship, connection, and finding happiness in the smallest of things.

Author: Shion Miura
Publication date: 2009
Genre: Bildungsroman
Goodreads rating: 4/5 (4,357 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/OfnMwQ

Kitchen is a novel by Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto that was first published in 1988. The novel is a coming-of-age story about Mikage, a young woman who has lost both of her parents and is trying to find her place in the world. The novel is known for its spare and poetic prose as well as its exploration of themes like love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. The novel is set in modern Japan and features a diverse cast of characters, all looking for their own sense of purpose and belonging.

Kitchen's emphasis on food and cooking is one of its most distinguishing features. The novel celebrates the joy of cooking as well as the comfort of sharing a meal with loved ones. The novel also delves into the role of food in bringing people together and healing emotional wounds.

Kitchen has received a great deal of praise for its emotional depth and ability to capture the complexities of the human experience. The novel has been translated into numerous languages and has become a worldwide best-seller in Japan and elsewhere. Kitchen has also been adapted into a film and a stage play and is widely regarded as one of Banana Yoshimoto's most well-known and influential works.

Author: Banana Yoshimoto
Publication date: 1988
Genres: Novel, Fiction
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5 (83,312 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/FcLS90

Night on the Galactic Railroad is a 1927 novel written by Japanese author Kenji Miyazawa. The novel follows Giovanni and Campanella, two young boys who board a train that travels through the galaxy, stopping at various planets along the way. The novel is well-known for its imaginative and philosophical themes, as well as its poetic language and allegorical imagery. As the boys travel through space, they meet various characters who represent various aspects of humanity and ponder the nature of life, death, and the universe.

Night on the Galactic Railroad is a one-of-a-kind work of fiction that combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, and philosophy. The novel is set in a dreamlike world where the lines between reality and fantasy are blurred and the characters are on a physical and spiritual journey through the galaxy. The novel is famous for its poetic language and vivid descriptions of the universe and planets visited by the characters. It also delves into profound themes like the meaning of life, the nature of suffering, and the search for transcendence.

Author: Kenji Miyazawa
Publication date: October 1934
Genre: Children's literature, fantasy, philosophical novel
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5 (2,293 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/As78lx

The novel The Sound of Waves, written by Japanese author Yukio Mishima, was first published in 1954. The novel is set on a small island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea and tells the story of Shinji, a young fisherman who falls in love with Hatsue, a beautiful pearl diver. The novel is well-known for its straightforward and lyrical prose, as well as its exploration of themes such as love, tradition, and the conflict between modernity and tradition. Shinji navigates the challenges of young love and learns to become a man in his community in the novel, which is often regarded as a coming-of-age story.

The Sound of Waves is also notable for its depiction of Japanese culture and traditional fishing village life. The novel celebrates nature's beauty as well as the value of community and family in Japanese society. The novel has received a lot of praise for its beauty, simplicity, and emotional depth. It has been translated into numerous languages and has become a modern Japanese literary classic. The Sound of Waves has been adapted into a film and a stage play, and it is still read and studied all over the world.

Author: Yukio Mishima
Publication date: 1954
Genres: Novel, Fiction, Romance, Novella
Goodreads rating: 3.8/5 (17,427 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/g8GL3X

I Am a Cat is a novel by Japanese author Soseki Natsume that was first published in 1905–1906. The novel is a satirical work that follows the exploits of an unnamed cat and the various members of its owner's household. The novel is well-known for its biting wit and exploration of human behavior through the eyes of a cat. The cat observes the human world objectively, and its commentary on the foibles and pretensions of its owners and their acquaintances is frequently incisive and satirical.

I Am a Cat is also known for its inventive use of language and vivid depictions of daily life in early twentieth-century Japan. The novel is divided into three volumes, each of which contains a series of short stories that are interconnected. The stories cover a wide range of topics, including social class, politics, and Japan's changing cultural landscape at the time. I Am a Cat has received widespread acclaim for its wit, insight into human behavior, and satirical commentary on Japanese culture. The novel has been translated into numerous languages and has become a Japanese literary classic.

Author: Natsume Sōseki
Publication date: 1905–1906
Genre: Satirical novel
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5 (‎12,458 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/W4iWeF

Snow Country is a novel by Japanese author Yasunari Kawabata that was first published in 1935. The novel is set in a hot springs town in northern Japan's snowy mountains, and it follows the relationship between a wealthy Tokyo businessman named Shimamura and a young geisha named Komako. The novel is known for its spare and poetic prose as well as its exploration of themes such as love, loneliness, and life's transience. The novel is often regarded as a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life, with the snowy landscape serving as a metaphor for the characters' emotional states.

Snow Country has received widespread acclaim for its lyrical language and ability to elicit a sense of place and atmosphere. The novel was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1968, making Kawabata the first Japanese author to do so. The novel has been translated into numerous languages and has become a modern Japanese literary classic.

Author: Yasunari Kawabata
Publication date: 1935
Genre: Novel
Goodreads rating: 3.6/5 (‎29,658 votes)
Buy here: https://bom.so/Hlm8pH