🚂 The Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa 🍁
✨ Short Japanese translations are my favourite so this really hit the mark.

Trundling between Kyoto and Osaka, the Hankyu train doesn’t just carry passengers it carries lives in motion.
Each chapter is a stop into someone’s life:
📚 A man and woman reaching for the same library book.
👰 A defiant guest in white at a wedding.
🎓 A student leaving home for the first time.
💔 A woman walking away from harm.
🐾 A widow rediscovering herself with her granddaughter and a new dog.
There’s no grand drama or story here, just moments,ordinary and powerful,linked by the rhythm of a train journey and the seasons passing by.
If you loved Before the Coffee Gets Cold this is worth a read.

I loved The Travelling Cat Chronicles, so I was excited to read another book by Hiro Arikawa. I loved this one, too!

I was happy to find that this story had more of a down to earth feeling than I'd anticipated. The small moments of overlapping lives were reminiscent of my own commute, so it was interesting to get a glimpse into the personal life of each character. Each one was dealing with their own issues (some heavier than others) that were treated with sensitivity and kindness.

The plot itself was cleverly done. The domino effect of each interaction was natural and easy to follow, with flashbacks seamlessly embedded. The translation also captured the lively atmosphere of the train.

I loved The Traveling Cat Chronicles so I was excited to learn that another novel by Arikawa was getting an English translation. This is a beautiful and thought provoking slice-of-life novel that offers readers time to reflect and enjoy the numerous characters we meet on the trainline. The translation is wonderfully done and keeps the warmth of the original and translates well into English as well.
This is definitely a cosy read, that gives you time to reflect and learn to appreciate the connections we can make with those around us if we only try. I will definitely be getting a physical version of this one to add to my bookshelf.
As always thank you to Penguin for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

The Passengers on the Hankyu Line is a modest yet mighty slice-of-life book. It centralizes on the passengers on the train, each having their own story. Although their encounters are very brief, the characters inadvertently act as catalysts in each other's life and the author cleverly weaves their stories loosely together.

Their individual stories carry depth and emotion - some make pivotal decisions that leave a profound impact on their life.

Another lovely story from Japan. It follows certain passengers on the Hanku Line and shows a little insight into their lives. and how they interconnect.
There is the story of Masashi and Yuki, both avid readers, Shoko, a spurned woman, who learns to let go. Tokie and her granddaughter. Misa and katsuya, both shy college students, Etsuke, a high school student, Kei'ichi and Miho, both university students and Yasue a housewife.
I liked they way the stories circled around and the reader got to see a little of how things turned out.

The Passengers on the Hankyu Line is a cozy take on how simple interactions can change lives. The characters are adorable, relatable and interconnected in amazing ways. The writing is quirky, witty and engaging. I loved following them and seeing their resolutions. Even though the stories for each character are a mini story they come together and are so much greater than the sum of their parts. A beautiful book that feels magical. I loved the comforting feeling this book gave me and the focus on gratitude for life’s small moments. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

I loved this one. An ensemble/community novel of the kind I really like, but also set in Japan? Yes, please! We meet a set of different characters all on one train line through Japan, a commuter line but also linking schools and universities with homes and lodgings. Young people meet and bond, lonely people find friends, people in toxic friend groups reassess their choices, people give each other good advice, and a spurned bride jumps on the train after exacting a bitter revenge. Characters encounter one another in each other's chapters and then the best bit ... we do a return journey, but six months later (genius), catching up with what happened next. It's sweet and heartfelt and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's by the author of "The Travelling Cat Chronicles" which I know would upset me - this doesn't have difficult animal stuff!

Blog review published 7 June 2025: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/06/07/four-netgalley-reads-phillipa-ashley-hiro-arikawa-mo-fanning-jemimah-wei/

This was a beautiful and reflective read that had me truly absorbed into these characters' stories. I loved seeing how they interlinked and seeing how one another unknowingly helps them change and grow as individuals.

While this was a quick read, at just over 200 pages, it really was a cosy and incredibly charming read, despite some of its heavier topics. There is something so soothing and calming about Japanese fiction, and I absolutely love reading about Japanese culture.

The Passengers On The Hankyu Line is a wonderful read about connections and life in Japan. I absolutely recommend picking this one up, especially if you are a fan of translated fiction! I now need to pick up the authors' previously translated novels.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading a lot of, sadly, disappointing whimsical Japanese fiction recently this book was like a breath of fresh air with a collection of interwoven tales from the passengers taking a train and how their lives overlapped and touched each other.
I think that I am reaching saturation point for this type of book but I am pleased that I read this one as it was a delight

I really enjoyed this book.
It's such a comforting book, dipping into the lives of the people who take the Hankyu Line.
I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read this arc, because despite the formatting issues in my copy making it a little distracting to read, I still adored it.
I truly love this easy going, slice of life style of book.
Definitely one I'd read again in future.

This book is gentle and reflective in a way that leaves you appreciating life's little moment. It beautifully captures fleeting connections and personal growth.

Thank you to Hiro Arikawa, Random House UK and NetGalley for providing me with this arc!

The Passengers on the Hankyu Line reminded me why I love translated fiction and I was utterly absorbed in each of the characters stories from start to finish. I love how authors like Arikawa make the most mundane and ordinary subjects so magical and comforting and I enjoyed reading each characters story and how everyone ended up being interconnected in a small way:

It was a quick and easy read, definitely a perfect palate cleanser after a heavier read. I didn’t want it to end!

A series of interconnected short stories as characters join the Hankyu line at various stages, stay on the train for a stop or two, have some interactions with each other then get off the train. The first half of the book sees the train travelling in one direction then the second half is the return jounrey around 6 months later. Through these interactions and reflections, we see the characters make changes. Each chapter is quite short so our time with most characters is quite minimal. A light read, perfect for an afternoon on a sofa. With swearing and domestic abuse. I received an advance reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I expected delightful and that's what I got. As we traveled back and forth, down the Hankyu line we followed people and Snippets of their life's. While story in essence lighthearted and delightful, it masterfully navigated some really heavy topics and events in people's lives. I loved reading it.

Loved this book! It was such a cozy and sweet story following the passengers on the Hankyu Line. My favourite character was the Granny 🥰 It was a quick read, very entertaining and I loved travelling on the train with these characters. Some beautiful imagery and heartwarming lessons. Highly recommend!

‘The Passengers on the Hankyu Line’ tries to bring to life the game you play when you’re riding a train and you try and imagine the lives of all the other passengers based on the fleeting interactions you have with them. We end up meeting several characters and see just how impactful the short exchanges they have with other passengers can be but something fell a little flat. The characters don’t really feel fleshed out enough (aside from Shoko, she was easily the best character with the best story) and the overlap between the stories often feels quite forced. Slimming down the cast of characters and going deeper into the lives of a select few would have been a better approach and probably would have helped the overlaps feel more believable.

I was really looking forward to the next Hiro Arikawa translation as I adored the ‘Travelling Cat Chronicles’ and ‘The Goodbye Cat’ but this book really doesn’t have the same emotional depth and the story telling feels a lot simpler. It’s not a bad read- it was a quick and easy read, not boring but not particularly memorable either- but it didn’t pack the punch I was expecting based on Arikawa’s previous translations. Nor is it a particularly strong addition to the collection of cosy Japanese fiction translations- if you’re a fan of the ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ series you’ll probably enjoy this book too but it is weaker overall- and it does feel like it was translated purely to ride the hype train.

If you’re a fan of translated Japanese fiction and you want something simple and inoffensive, I’d say definitely give it a go- just lower your expectations if you’re expecting this to be on par with ‘Travelling Cat Chronicles’.

Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Doubleday and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. This review can be viewed on my Goodreads page at the following link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7603472429

I was really pleased to get an advanced copy of this as The Travelling Cat Chronicles is probably one of my favourite Japanese fiction books. Whilst this book doesn't quite have the same impact as "The Cat" (it was a relatable story due to the narrators loving his cat so much he drove all over the country to find someone to take care of him when he couldn't and those that know me know I would do ANYTHING to protect my cat) it was still a beautifully told story.

It is written from the viewpoint of several passengers who use the same trains, their stories interweaving as the book progresses. At 240 pages, it is an easy read, and I read most of it on a wet bank holiday in one sitting, The characters are mainly good people, their stories mostly sweet, without being too saccharine. It's a brilliant observation of people, their behaviours and how they interact with others. There is always something different about a Japanese story, I don;t know if it is the translation or just the style of writing, but they always have a quirky, cosy feel.

Thanks to Doubleday and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Making its way through the Japanese countryside, the burgundy carriages of the Hankyu line are a familiar sight to onlookers, as well as to the commuters who have been journeying on it for years.

Set over a 6 month period, this tale delivers to its readers the warm, human experiences of some of those travellers. From unexpected encounters over a library book to leaving abusive relationships, the characters' stories will have resonance for most book lovers, particularly those who like East Asian fiction.

An enjoyable read, and perfect for the fans of recent translated Japanese hits like The Full Moon Cafe, this gets 3.5 stars.

For someone who doesn't typically enjoy short stories, I really enjoyed this. There is always something nostalgic in the way Japanese slice of life stories are often told and this one is no different. It is literally a collection of snippets of people's lives but it feels very wholesome to read. I do think that these kinds of stories won't be for everyone, but it's a delightful little read for those who do.

Even though I call them short stories, they are interconnected in a most charming way. Each character has a different story to tell and it was interesting to see how they all crossed over from one to the other. Even more interesting was that the second half of the book showed us the same characters again half a year later and where their stories have led them. There were some stories I enjoyed more than others but my favourite was quite unexpectedly Shoko's. Given her starting point is as a rather vengeful wedding guest, I was surprised to see how her story captured me and had me thinking, good on you!

While by no means life altering, this is a lovely read that simply felt comfortable and wholesome in its attention to the little things. . Although I've never been on the Hankyu line myself, it felt reminiscent of other travels I've had and it's definitely put this area on my future travel list.

This was a cute read, dipping in and out of the lives of regular passengers on one of Japan's most scenic train lines, exploring how their lives intersect while weaving an overarching theme of community, friendship, and venturing outside of your comfort zone.

That being said, it's not particularly memorable. The characters were a little flat, and some of their interactions felt sometimes forced, or awkward. It's not something that I think will stick with me for longer than a couple of days, but honestly, I'm not super bothered about it; some novels exist to be a sweet respite to escape into for a few hours, and this is one of those.