I recommend anyone who is interested in Japanese fiction to subscribe to Nippon.com. It’s a news and views online magazine, it’s free, its weekly, and they hardly ever mention Donald Trump. Their mission is to explain Japan to the world and encourage friendship and understanding. Very much like the Gokaido Reader’s Club. They often have reviews of new books, articles about new names and rising stars in fiction, lists of essential reading and so on. PLUS they usually have features about Japanese food often featuring whatever food is in season at the time of publication. Food for the belly as well as the mind.
Here below are a handful of links to whet your appetite.
Onto the World Stage: Japanese Literature 1951–89
https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/b09007/?cx_recs_click=true
Spicing Up the Seasons with Sensational Sanshō Cuisine
https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/c153260/spicing-up-the-seasons-with-sensational-sansho-cuisine.html
Following Murakami’s Path: Japanese Books as World Literature
https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00491/following-murakami%e2%80%99s-path-japanese-books-as-world-literature.html?cx_recs_click=true
Japan’s Prizewinning Books of 2025
https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/bg900576/?cx_recs_click=true
Sun Potter Café Nonbiriya: An Innovative Menu and Retro Home Comforts in Yanaka, Tokyo
https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/b11709/sun-potter-caf%C3%A9-nonbiriya-an-innovative-menu-and-retro-home-comforts-in-yanaka-tokyo.html
