DAYS AT THE TORUNKA CAFE

𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞
𝐁𝐲  𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐘𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐰𝐚
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: 𝟐𝟐𝟎
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐅𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔






A gentle slice-of-life novel composed of three loosely interwoven narratives, Days at the Torunka Café unfolds with a quiet, life-affirming grace. Time spent within the café feels soothing, almost restorative, as though the space itself is listening to those who enter.
Set in a small café tucked away in a Tokyo alley, the story follows three individuals whose lives briefly and tenderly overlap. Each arrives carrying a measure of sadness and longing, and through simple moments—soft conversations, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee, the unspoken comfort of being seen—they rediscover fragments of themselves. The café extends warmth without judgment, becoming almost a living presence for those within its walls.

What stands out most is the author’s deep tenderness toward ordinary lives. Chinatsu, quietly leaving behind her napkin ballerinas; Hiroyuki, returning to the neighbourhood in search of the happiness he once relinquished; and Shizuku, learning how to live again after the loss of her sister. Their stories intersect gently, held together by small acts of kindness and shared silences. The prose is easy to read, yet profoundly emotive, leaving behind a lingering sense of calm and connection. The narration is particularly immersive—you don’t merely observe these lives; you feel quietly present within them. The pacing, appropriately measured for a slice-of-life narrative, allows emotions to settle and resonate rather than rush past. While the first story felt slightly slower toward the conclusion, the other two narratives were quite engaging. I feel we may eventually see a sequel, as Hiro (Hiroyuki) deserves a more complete resolution, and Shizuku and Kota’s story still feels open-ended.
There is something deeply comforting about novels like this—stories rooted in quiet simplicity and subtle emotional shifts. The plot does not seek drama or spectacle. Instead, it moves softly, anchored in human connection. Each character finds solace in memories, places, or people from the past, gradually learning to carry that warmth forward into their lives.

It is not a book for readers seeking fast-paced storytelling or high-stakes conflict. Days at the Torunka Café is about sitting with feelings, making small, meaningful choices, and finding significance in connection. If that sounds uneventful, this may not be the right fit for you. But for those seeking a story that feels like a warm blanket and a thoughtfully brewed cup of coffee—one that gently reminds you of the small graces that make life bearable—this novel offers just that.
Readers who enjoyed Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop will find a similar tenderness here, this time set within the comforting walls of a café. It will also resonate with fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, The Kamogawa Food Detectives, and anyone drawn to Japanese slice-of-life fiction that prioritises emotional healing over narrative intensity.

My Rating:

4/5

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