Must Read Japanese Novels to Read in 2025

Today, we will be looking at some must read Japanese novels. From old classics to newer novels, this list has it all. So keep reading to find out what Japanese novels you must read!

Japanese novels are being translated at a higher rate and that has led to some amazing works of literature being discovered by millions of people around the world. 

Trying to summarize Japanese novels in a few sentences is impossible and the best way to do that is to dive into some of the popular works of Japanese literature that has been translated over the years. You can see the full list below!

Must Read Japanese Novels

• The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai (translated by Jesse Kirkwood)
• Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata
• Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa (translated by Stephen B. Snyder)
• I Am a Cat by Natsume Soseki
• Goodnight Tokyo By Atsuhiro Yoshida (translated by Haydn Trowell)
• First Love by Rio Shimamamoto (translated by Louise Heal Kawai)
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Geoffrey Trousselot (Translator)
• The Devotion of Suspect X Keigo Higashino, Alexander O. Smith (Translator), Elye J. Alexander (Translator)
• Cannibals by Shinya Tanaka (translated by Kalau Almony)
• Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri
• The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada (translated by Catriona Anderson)
• Before We Forget Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (translated by Geoffrey Trousselot)
• The Black Swan Mystery by Tetsuya Ayukawa (translated by Bryan Karetnyk)
• The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo
• Butter by Asako Yuzuki (translated by Polly Barton)

The Kamogawa Food Detectives

If you are a foodie, then you are in for a treat (no pun intended) with this novel and series. The Kamogawa Food Detectives is a love letter by Kashiwai to Japanese dishes and you will savor every dish while reading her description.

There are quite a few books about food in Japanese literature and it is fascinating to read books about food. This isn’t really a thing in most other countries and that might be because Japan has so many amazing dishes and they differ a lot by region. As someone who has visited Japan, I can honestly say it was the best food I’ve ever had and can understand why books about food are popular. 

Snow Country 

This popular novel is about a love affair between a man from Tokyo and a geisha that takes place in the town of Yuzawa. The writing in Snow Country is beautiful and the novel is very poetic and I love the scenery that Kawabata vividly describes and uses as devices to tell the story. 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold 

Just like the Kamogawa Food Detective series, this novel and series is also quite popular in Japan. In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, customers can visit a café in Tokyo called Funiculi Funicula and travel in time. There are certain rules they must follow which dissuades many people but some people are determined to travel back in time even if it won’t change the present. These short stories will move you and even make you cry. 

The Devotion of Suspect X 

If you haven’t read a Japanese mystery novel, then you are missing out. Japanese mystery novels have some of the best setups and plot twists that I have read. And there are various subgenres that have gained popularity in Japan. The Devotion of Suspect X might be my favorite because of the fun mystery and the plot twist that will make your jaw drop as you take a few minutes to realize you’ve been had.

Tokyo Ueno Station 

Lastly, a novel that I read and loved was Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri. This award-winning novel is a powerful short story that tells the story of a migrant laborer and his tragic life that includes actual events that happened in Japan. Words can’t do this novel justice and each word conveys so much emotion, it is no wonder that this novel won an award for its translation.

Conclusion

These are just some of the many must read Japanese books in 2025. With so many incredible Japanese novels still waiting to be translated, expect this list to keep growing in the coming years. Publishers have been more willing to translate Japanese works and it has led to a ton of amazing books being discovered by the rest of the world. Happy reading!

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