The Passengers On the Hankyu Line

Welcome aboard the Hankyu Train!

Come along on a heartwarming, funny, and perfectly cozy journey with a cast of charming and relatable passengers—including one dashing dachshund—whose lives intersect and influence each other on one of Japan’s most romantic railway lines, from international bestselling author Hiro Arikawa.

Between the beautiful towns of Takarazuka and Nishinomiya, nestled in a stunning mountainous area of Japan, runs the Hankyu Train. Passengers step on and off, lost in thought, contemplating the small knots of their lives. On the outward journey, we meet five characters each facing an emotional crossroads. Six months later, on the return trip, we discover how their stories unfold.

A young man keeps missing out on a library book borrowed by the same mysterious woman; a bride in a white dress boards the train, looking inexplicably sad; a university student leaves his hometown for the first time; a young woman prepares to leave her abusive boyfriend; and an elderly woman discusses adopting a dog with her granddaughter.

These beautifully woven stories crisscross like railway lines, creating a rich and tender tapestry of human connection. As always with Arikawa’s writing, the characters are vivid and full of life, their struggles and hopes echoing universal emotions. Her signature warmth shines through, along with clever humor, a love for trains, and plenty of delightful detail about the beauty and traditions of the Japan we travel through with these unforgettable passengers.