I can’t explain why, but for some reason there is a pretty big overlap between people who love Japan and people who love cats!
Yes, I include myself in that number 😻
Luckily for us, there’s a huge amount of Japanese books about cats available in English translation right now.
Cats have long been a feature in Japanese literature, and, before that, folklore. They symbolise protection, wisdom and good fortune in Japanese culture. And they fit right into the “cosy fiction” trend that everyone is loving at the moment!
If you love Japan, cats, or simply books that make you feel all warm and cosy, this list is for you. From modern bestsellers to literary classics, each of these stories explores how cats can heal, guide, and even challenge the humans in their lives.
If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura
In If Cats Disappeared from the World a young postman, told he only has months to live, makes a strange deal with the devil: for every thing he makes disappear, he gains one more day of life.
As he weighs what truly matters, his bond with his beloved cat, Cabbage, becomes the heart of the story.
This is a moving reflection on loss, love, mortality, and what makes life meaningful.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
This story follows Nana the cat and his devoted owner, Satoru, as the pair as drive across Japan to visit some of Satoru’s old friends. Their van travels through changing seasons and landscapes, and at each stop Nana learns a little more about his owner’s life.
The story is told through the eyes of Nana, which makes for some humorous observations. It’s a warm and gently funny book about friendship and connections. Be warned: the end is a tear-jerker!
I Am a Cat by Soseki Natsume
You might think that Japanese books about cats are a recent trend, but this novel from 1905 proves that cats have long had a place in Japanese literature!
This Japanese literary classic is told entirely from the viewpoint of a sardonic stray cat who spends his days observing the humans around him. With wit and sharp humour, he pokes fun at the absurdities of upper-middle-class society in the early 1900s.
It’s a clever, entertaining window into Meiji-era Japan and the quirks of human nature, seen through the unimpressed eyes of one very opinionated cat.
She and Her Cat: Stories by Makoto Shinkai and Naruki Nagakawa
A collection of four interwoven short stories that explore love, loneliness, and connection through the lives of four different women and their cats.
Co-written by the renowed anime director Makoto Shinkai (creator of Your Name), these stories alternate between feline and human perspectives. Although many of the stories are sad, the book as a whole is uplifting.
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
At the mysterious Kokoro Clinic for the Soul in Kyoto, the treatment for sadness isn’t medicine – it’s a cat. Patients who find the clinic are each given a feline companion, and through their new relationships, they begin to heal.
This heartwarming novel celebrates the power of animals to provide emotional connection and healing, which any pet owner can testify to!
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
When a talking cat appears in a secondhand bookshop, a shy teenager is swept into an adventure that’s equal parts fantasy and philosophy. Together, they set out to rescue mistreated books and remind the world why stories matter.
This imaginative tale is a love letter to both books and cats – perfect for anyone who finds comfort in a good story and a feline companion!
The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu
The Blanket Cats reminds me of We’ll Prescribe You a Cat in a way, in that it’s all about the magical power of cats to heal and change lives.
In a mysterious pet shop in Tokyo, customers seeking help or change can take home a special cat for just three days. The cats must be taken home wrapped in a special blanket provided by the shop, and they must eat certain food.
In return for following the rules, the temporary owners are hoping the cats will help them overcome their specific problems. But they find the help they get is not always the solution they were expecting.
A sweet and moving book that will definitely appeal to fans of the ‘healing fiction’ genre!
The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi
Chibineko Kitchen is a tiny restaurant on the beach in a remote seaside town, patrolled by a resident kitten, Chibi. For those who find their way to the restaurant, the nourishing meals provide a magical way to see their departed loved ones.
A cosy novel in the magical realism genre, this book reminds me of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, which I featured in my last post on Japanese books to read. So if you’ve read that and enjoyed it, you’ll probably enjoy this one too!
Content warning for readers who have lost someone, as this book does dive deeply into the topics of grief and loss. Still, it somehow manages to be heartwarming over all.
Mornings With My Cat Mii by Mayumi Inaba
Unlike the other fictional books on our list, Mornings With My Cat Mii is a memoir about the twenty-year relationship between the prizewinning author and poet Mayumi Inaba and her cat.
Inaba first rescued Mii as an abandoned kitten, and the pair stayed together though all the ups and downs of life: divorce, house moves, and the development of Inaba’s career. Inaba chronicles her own struggles in life and how her cat remained her one constant companion.
It’s considered a modern classic in Japan, where Inaba is a very well-known writer. As well as striking a chord with cat owners, this book is also an interesting insight into life in Japan in the 1970s-90s.
Warning that some readers may find this book distressing towards the end, where it talks about Mii’s illness and death.
Have you read any Japanese books about cats?
Whether you’re drawn to uplifting tales, magical adventures, or classic novels, these Japanese books about cats are sure to warm your heart!
Each story reminds us that cats are more than pets: they’re companions, teachers, and guides throughout our lives.
Any of these would make a perfect read for a quiet afternoon curled up in your favourite cosy spot (with a cat on your lap optional). They’d also make a thoughtful gift for a fellow cat lover!
Do you have any more Japanese book recommendations? Drop them in the comments! 😺
Related posts
- 10 Japanese Books To Read That Will Transport You To Japan
- How to Say Cat in Japanese (+ More Cute Japanese Cat Words!)
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Rebecca is the founder of Team Japanese. She spent two years teaching English in Ehime, Japan. Now back in the UK, she spends her time blogging, self-studying Japanese and wrangling a very genki toddler.