Japanese literature has healing powers—here are six books perfect for a cosy read this winter

Raise your hand if Japanese culture fascinates you—count us in. While the booming anime industry and Studio Ghibli's surreal visuals have captured the world's attention, there's so much more to Japanese art and culture that it feels like we've barely scratched the surface. But it's not just anime—their food, their traditions, their music, and especially their literature. If you've ever picked up a book by Haruki Murakami, you know exactly what we mean. There's something so soothing and comforting about it even when the plot involves complex characters in layered narratives with rich inner lives, almost like that first sip of hot soup when you're sick or the warmth of a blanket on a cold, chilly night.

‘Healing literature’ is often associated with Japanese authors like Haruki Murakami, Yukio Mishima, Banana Yoshimoto, and Natsume Sōseki, whose words have the power to make people laugh, cry, love, and heal, all through the comforting escape of the imaginary worlds they create. For those nights when you feel like you're losing hope or could just use some comfort and the warmth of a goof book, we've found some reads that you'll want to hold onto—books that will definitely make you feel better.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Chances are, you’ve already heard about this series, but if you haven’t, then this is your sign to add it to your list right now. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, translated by Geoffrey Trousselot, is a beautiful anthology of converging stories set in a quirky Tokyo café that offers customers a chance to travel back in time. The catch? They can only visit the past for a brief moment, and they must return before their coffee gets cold. The stories follow four visitors, each with their own reasons for wanting to revisit the past: to confront a lost love, to receive a letter from a husband suffering from Alzheimer’s, to say goodbye to a lost family member, and to meet a daughter they never got to know. With the constraints of the café’s rules and the emotional weight of their journeys, the book explores the delicate intersection of regret, healing, and the bittersweet beauty of second chances.

Days at the Morisaki by Satoshi Yagisawa

This book is going to be high on relatability if you’ve been a reader for a long time, for the main character of this book, Takako, finds herself in a situation many book lovers can understand—stumbling into the comfort of books when life feels uncertain. Though she’s never had much interest in reading, after a painful breakup, Takako moves in above her uncle’s second-hand bookshop and unexpectedly discovers how deeply books can help heal and transform her. As she delves into the stories that fill the shelves, she begins to understand herself better, and in the process, forms a deeper connection with her eccentric uncle. It’s a gentle reminder of how literature has the power to guide us through life’s most challenging moments.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

When the myths and legends said that cats have supernatural abilities, they might have been onto something. In The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa, Rintaro Natsuki, a young man grieving the loss of his grandfather and their beloved second-hand bookshop, meets a talking tabby cat named Tiger who asks for his help. Together, they set off on a series of adventures to save books that have been mistreated or abandoned, learning along the way about the power of books and the importance of caring for others. This heartwarming tale reminds us of the quiet magic that books hold and how they can change our lives when we least expect it.

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

This is the story of a math professor you will absolutely love (believe us). In The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, a brilliant professor, who can only remember things for eighty minutes due to a past head injury, forms an unexpected bond with the young housekeeper hired to take care of him. Each day, they start over, but through their time together, the professor shares his love for math with the housekeeper and her son, using clever puzzles based on everyday things. As their relationship grows, it becomes clear that some connections are deeper than memory itself. Believe us, this is going to be one of your more moving reads.

What Are You Looking For in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

What Are You Looking for in the Library? by Michiko Aoyama follows a group of ordinary people—from young adults to retirees, each facing their own struggles—who find solace in a community library run by the enigmatic Sayuri Komachi. Sayuri’s uncanny ability to recommend life-changing books and her small felted gifts seem almost magical, but the true power lies in the books themselves. This heartwarming story shows how a simple push in the right direction can help us see life differently and find happiness. The characters aren’t heroes, but by the end, they’re more vulnerable, accepting, and connected. A comforting read you would want to hold onto during a chaotic day.

The Little House by Kyoko Nakajima

The Little House by Kyoko Nakajima is set in Japan during the years leading up to and including World War II. The story is told from the perspective of Taki, a maidservant who worked for the Hirai family in their modest European-style home on the outskirts of Tokyo. Now in her old age, Taki reflects on her time with the family, writing down her memories in a notebook. Through her eyes, we see the everyday life of the family, as well as the broader changes occurring in Japan during this tumultuous period. If you’re fascinated by Japanese culture, then this read is for you.

 

Lead image credits: Pexels

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