Welcome to Honnomushi Cat Bookshop: A Journey Through Asian Literature and Beyond

Hello , I’m Anna, the owner of Honnomushi Cat Bookshop, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to our blog! If you’ve found your way here, chances are you share my deep love for books and stories that transport us to new places, cultures, and experiences.

Honnomushi Cat Bookshop was born out of a lifelong passion for literature, especially the vibrant and rich worlds found in Japanese and South Korean novels, manga, and other Asian literary works. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to the art of storytelling, particularly how writers from Asia weave together deep cultural histories with personal and universal emotions.

I can still vividly remember the two books that first got me hooked on Japanese literature during my teenage years: Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami and Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. These two novels are worlds apart in tone and style—one being a surreal and philosophical exploration, and the other an intense, dystopian thriller—but both left a profound impact on me. They opened my eyes to the diversity and depth of Japanese literature, and I was amazed by how different yet equally captivating these stories could be. Since then, I’ve been exploring more works from Japan and beyond, and it’s a passion that has only grown stronger with time.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to visit both Japan and South Korea, and those journeys were nothing short of amazing. The culture, the people, and of course, the literature all left lasting impressions on me. I plan to share more about my travels in future blog posts, where I’ll dive deeper into my experiences and what I learned while exploring these incredible countries. In fact, one of my future plans is to return to Japan and South Korea to search for rare and unique art books to add to Honnomushi Cat Bookshop’s collection. I can’t wait to share those stories and discoveries with you all!

But why open a bookshop? It’s a question I’ve asked myself a lot as I’ve worked to build this space. The answer is simple: I wanted to create a place where others who love Asian literature can find a home. In recent years, it’s become easier to find some Asian novels in mainstream bookshops, but I often found myself searching for rare or lesser-known titles, and many were hard to come by. I also wanted a place where people who are just discovering these genres could find new recommendations and learn more about the stories that make them special.

At the heart of Honnomushi Cat Bookshop is the idea of community. I believe that books have the power to bring people together, especially when they introduce us to new perspectives and cultures. Through this blog, I hope to share not only new books and authors with you but also my own thoughts on the works that inspire me. Whether you’re already a fan of Asian literature or just starting to explore it, there’s something for everyone here.

At Honnomushi Cat Bookshop, we also have a special love for pre-loved books. These treasures not only give a second life to stories that have already been enjoyed, but they’re also more affordable than new books and better for the planet. By offering second-hand options, we hope to make reading more accessible while contributing to a more sustainable world.

Opening this bookshop has been a dream come true, and I’m excited to embark on this journey with you all. Stay tuned for book reviews, author spotlights, and plenty of recommendations to keep your reading list full. Thank you for being a part of the Honnomushi Cat Bookshop community, and I look forward to sharing this literary adventure with you!