Firstly I want to thank the publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this excellent book.
It completely captivated me from the first page to the last. I must confess I had not previously heard of this author but now I will be sure to look out for any of their future work.

This was a very gentle, but reflective book to read. It reminds you to just be the best version of yourself that you can be. Nothing more, nothing less. A delightful read.

This book was such a gentle, thoughtful read. It’s short but says so much—about connection, grief, regret, and the unexpected ways our lives cross with others.

There’s something really comforting about stories like this. The characters felt real and their emotions, even in the quietest moments, hit hard. I loved how a simple train ride became a turning point for so many people. It reminded me how powerful small moments can be.

It’s the kind of book that makes you slow down and just feel. Subtle, moving, and quietly beautiful.

Another cosy Japanese translation. The Hankyu Lines runs from Takarazuka and Nishinomiya and is known for its burgundy livery. We follow the train in one direction in Springtime and then do the return journey six months later when Autumn is taking hold. And, on this outward journey we glimpse the passengers and we see them again on the return journey when we can see how life has changed for them. We see a young man who meets the young woman who always seems to get to the library book that he wants seconds before him. We see a wedding guest who wanted to seek revenge. We see a young woman who wants to leave an abusive partner, a housewife who has been sucked into a toxic women’s group and a widow spending time with her granddaughter. These people come across each other on the train, they meet up again in each other’s chapters and then six months later they come across each other again because in some small way each has been a catalyst in the lives of the others. This had a charm to it because we have all sat on trains and watched other passengers, glimpsing moments of their lives and wondering about their stories. The beauty of this is you see the passengers watching and wondering and then you get a close up of the real story. This is a book with no real plot, just encounters and we get love, friendship, acceptance, humour and romance. We get life. A lovely cosy read.

This is a truly charming book because it so cleverly weaves together the lives of different characters. The way the author connects everyone on the train is brilliant. You get little glimpses into their lives, and even tiny moments become meaningful. This creates a wonderfully comforting and easy-to-read experience. It’s perfect if you're looking for a heartwarming story that shows the beauty in everyday connections.

A truly captivating read that held my attention from.page 1 and didn't let it go until the final page. Brilliant craftsmanship and enchanting world building are two stand out features.

Another lovely translated fiction, I really enjoyed this one and liked seeing the mini stories connect to each other. I think travelling cat chronicles is still my favourite by this author but I’d definitely recommend to friends who enjoy the healing fiction reads.

this author style of writing is excellent. The story was based on characters travelling on a trainline in Japan. Different people travel at different times and the interaction between characters is excellent. The story become interwoven.
I enjoy the japanese style of writing.

🚂 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!