Books Set in Japan?

[Hayley]

This is actually a question from my sister who asked me if I knew of any books set in Japan and I couldn't think of any!

 

Then I remembered I knew the perfect place to find recommendations for any kind of book

 

She particularly likes romance, historical fiction, fantasy and YA but all recommendations would be appreciated

 

(She has already read Memoirs of a Geisha)

[Karsa Orlong]

Shogun by James Clavell

[woolf woolf]

A book that combines romance, fantasy, young adult and Japan is Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami.

[Chrissy]

Shogun by James Clavell

 

That was the book I came in to recommend! 

[Athena]

Hmmm, the ones I can think of, aren't in those genres you mentioned I'm afraid. I've read quite a few books set in Japan, usually written by Japanese authors though not always. Battle Royale by Koushun Takami comes to mind. I guess that might be YA. I haven't read it yet, my boyfriend has. The other books I can think of, don't fit your genres (generally they are contemporary fiction or fiction with a paranormal element). Another one that's YA is Hiroshi Ishizaki - Chain Mail: Addicted To You. I liked that one (I gave it 8 / 10). Geek Girl 2: Model Misfit by Holly Smale partly takes place in Japan, I liked that book.

[Little Pixie]

I like the Sujata Massey books - her protagonist is Rei Shimura, a 20-something Japanese-American woman who gets caught up in mysteries which explore Japanese culture. 

 

I`ve also read the first 3 Tales of the Otori, but would only really recommend the first book - Across the Nightingale Floor. 

Edited November 8, 2015 by Little Pixie

[Raven]

Anything by Haruki Murakami, really.  I've not read a duff novel of his yet.

[Hayley]

These are brilliant, thank you everyone!

[markingkee]

This is actually a question from my sister who asked me if I knew of any books set in Japan and I couldn't think of any!

 

Then I remembered I knew the perfect place to find recommendations for any kind of book

 

She particularly likes romance, historical fiction, fantasy and YA but all recommendations would be appreciated

 

(She has already read Memoirs of a Geisha)

Tokaido by Lucia St. Claire Robson ,

[bobblybear]

One I read recently and loved: A Tale for the Time Being - Ruth Ozeki.

[Raven]

To add to this, I can also recommend Strange Weather in Tokyo and The Nakano Thrift Shop, both by Hiromi Kawakami.

 

Two good books, I've read both of them in the last year.

[Hayley]

These all sound really good, thank you 

[chesilbeach]

I like the Sujata Massey books - her protagonist is Rei Shimura, a 20-something Japanese-American woman who gets caught up in mysteries which explore Japanese culture. 

 

I like the sound of those - I'm going to go and have a look at them.

 

For some reason, Murakami doesn't appeal to me, even though I've never actually read any of his books, but I've picked them up in shops and read the first page but they never compel me to buy them.

[Little Pixie]

To add to this, I can also recommend Strange Weather in Tokyo and The Nakano Thrift Shop, both by Hiromi Kawakami.

 

Two good books, I've read both of them in the last year.

 

I loved Strange Weather in Tokyo ; I`m happy that the new one is good too. 

[Little Pixie]

 

I like the sound of those - I'm going to go and have a look at them.

 

 Hope you like them. Oh - I got a signed bookplate from her ( via her website ) . 

[chesilbeach]

 Hope you like them. Oh - I got a signed bookplate from her ( via her website ) .

 

Ooh, how lovely!  I've had a look and the first books in the series aren't on Kindle, so I'm going to see if the library have them, as I prefer to read a series in order.

[Little Pixie]

Ooh, how lovely!  I've had a look and the first books in the series aren't on Kindle, so I'm going to see if the library have them, as I prefer to read a series in order.

 

I got most of them as used books a few years ago, I think it was even before Kindle existed.