A sweet, charming and touching story of a hippo that helps people heal themselves emotionally. Each of the different characters we meet goes on a journey of self discovery and they end up reconnecting with the people around them.

I jumped at the chance of reading this book after reading and enjoying What you are looking for is in the library, by the same author last year.

The healing hippo of hinode park is a beautiful novel about the impact a children’s item of play equipment in a neighbourhood park can have on the lives of the people around it.

I found this to be a very endearing and comforting read, I loved how the different characters crisscrossed with one another and how each point of view was interesting and relatable.

I don’t think there is anything I would change about this book and that is why I have given it five stars. It was exactly what I needed to read and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys reading.

I can’t wait to read more from this author.

"Legend has it that if you touch it with the part if your body that needs healing, Kabahiko will make it better"

A beautiful book of sweetly connected stories written to remind us what's important in life and how important it is to keep an open mind and be willing to look at life in different ways.

There are many different types of people in this story, from preschoolers to the elderly, each going through their own troubles. They all pass by Hinode Park during their difficult time and meet The Healing Hippo, Kabahiko. Once they've had a little chat with him, each person starts to notice a change in their lives.

"If we kept shrinking back, worrying about how others saw us, trying not to show the uncool parts if ourselves or avoid being laughed at, we would probably lose sight of what those things even mean."

An absolutely wonderful story suitable for ages 13+, in my opinion, that really helps us evaluate what's important in life!

A huge thanks to Netgalley, Transworld Publishers/Penguin Random House and the wonderful Michiko Aoyama for this beautiful book in eARC form.

Thanks so much to Doubleday and the author for the eARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

I really struggled with this one, I liked the general premise and the concept of healing, a particular element that stood out to me was the commentary on anxiety, but in general I found this quite difficult to read, it didn’t capture my attention enough and at times found the pacing a little slow.

I don’t think this book was for me

This book had a charming premise but I feel like some things were lost in translation. It was very different to Michiko’s other book. I will reread it when the final copy hits the shelves

It feels like many Japanese contemporary writers have decided to dive into the genre that I would call "I can change my own life with a bit of magic". This book definitely falls into that category. It is an easy read that focuses on some of the typical traits of Japanese society like the extreme competition, the rigidity of societal expectations etc. When you look at the covers of these books, you know what you are going to get. This is not necessarily a bad thing. When the stories are well written and have interesting characters, it gives the reader the idea that everyone can take their life into their own hands. It is a sweet book and if you want a feel good read, this could be one of the ones to choose from.

An enchanting book. A 5 star read.

In a play area near the community of Advance Hill is an age-old hippo ride called Kabahiko. It is believed that if you touch the exact part of the hippo where you have an illness or ailment, you will see signs of recovery. It is called the ‘Healing Hippo’.

The book tells the tales of a number of individuals who visit hippo for help - each realises they must look at their lives differently and find a positive way forward.

A delightful tale of hope, friendship and community.

Very different to the books I usually read, but after reading the blurb I thought I’d give it a try.
Very quaint little story. Very Japanese. Polite and reserved. But it touches on some lovely points. Some of which really resonated with me.
Feel good stories, all concerning different people from one locale. All of whom visit the ‘healing hippo’
And their lives are changed for the better.
Lovely read.

This was such a cosy read! I read it on a rainy day tucked under a blanket. It did not disappoint m! Every bit as good as the previous book. A must read especially on a dreary day!!

imagine a magical hippo statue chilling in a random playground under a quiet apartment complex. now imagine a bunch of people going through mini emotional breakdowns and deciding, “yeah, lemme go rub my forehead on this hippo and see if that helps.”

that’s literally the book.

what i liked:
• the vibes were cozy. like, “rainy sunday with tea and a fuzzy blanket” cozy.
• i love a good interconnected storyline, and this one linked all the characters nicely. the dry cleaners, the apartment, the hippo — they all tied together in a cute lil bow.
• the stories told through the kids’ eyes? surprisingly deep. kids be saying real shit sometimes.

what had me side-eyeing tho:
• why was the conflict giving “just talk to someone” energy?? like bestie, you’re not cursed, you just need a nap and a conversation.
• every character kept saying “get it? kaba-hiko sounds like hippo!” like we didn’t get it the first four times. 😭 sir, we got it. please stop.
• the stakes were low. like, sleepy hippo in a chill park low. not a bad thing, just don’t go in expecting plot twists or life-shattering revelations. this ain’t that.

and the tone?
felt like it was trying to be adult lit but accidentally walked into a middle grade classroom. not that that’s always bad, but it did make everything feel a bit TOO soft and simple. kinda like eating soup with no salt. comforting, but… where’s the flavor?

final verdict:
this book is basically a group therapy session disguised as soft magical realism. if you’re in the mood for something short, sweet, and low-effort — go for it. but don’t expect to be emotionally devastated or spiritually reborn. it’s giving “aww cute” not “i need a moment to breathe.”

3/5 because i respect the hippo hustle but i need my emotional breakdowns with a bit more punch.

What You Are Looking For is in the Library is one of my favourite books from the wave of Japanese cosy books and I was very excited to be given advance access to this one and it was sadly a big disappointment.
I'm not sure if the translation was a bit creaky or if the jokes and word play just didn't translate to English idioms but I found the book very clunky to read. In addition to this there were so many stories about school children with just the odd adult tale that I wondered if this was just pitched wrong and that this would have made a good YA book

This is a short book with very low stakes that is a collection of short stories that are all linked by a hippo in the park that has "magical" healing powers. It's a story about friendship, love, family, and life lessons, told in a quite young voice. Some stories I think were better than others, mainly the ones that were told by a child's point of view rather than an adult's.

The translation was pretty good, but there were some jokes that didn't hit for me, particularly the "Get it? Kabahiko sounds like hippo!" Which was repeated every chapter and really didn't need to be. Other than this though, it was a very gentle and quick read, one definitely for a chill afternoon where you don't want to think too much.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park was a cute and heartwarming book told as a series of five tales, each with a different protagonist but all set in the save neighbourhood and all revolving around an eventual trip to the hippo statute in the park. There is no magical realism aspect to this book; all the characters are instead helped through self-awareness and assistance from other people they meet during the story. Yet, the hippo is still the focal point around which their worries and hopes are given voice. If you enjoy these cosy and sweet Japanese contemporary stories, then this is certainly a book you'll have fun reading. I am giving it four stars.

This book is like a cup of tea on a rainy day—warm, reassuring, and quietly joyful. It celebrates everyday kindness, small acts of courage, and the beauty of ordinary lives. Nothing flashy, just a lovely reminder of how meaningful simple human connection can be. It left me smiling long after the final page.

A heart-warming and cosy read that follows a similar structure to the author's first book - What You Are Looking For Is In the Library, providing a gentle, feel-good read with a touch of magic, The short stories weave together to create a plot that's all about healing, community, and the quiet power of everyday kindness. I found this second book a little less profound than the first but it was still an enjoyable read.

The stories follow five different people from the neighborhood and through their stories, you get this lovely picture of how people are all carrying their own struggles, but also how healing can come from unexpected places (like a pink playground hippo).

What I liked most is how down-to-earth and relatable the characters are. Nothing super dramatic happens—no big plot twists—but there’s something really comforting about the way their lives slowly shift for the better. It’s almost like a warm hug in book form.

If you enjoy stories about everyday people, with a little bit of whimsy and a lot of heart, give this one a try. It’s hopeful and charming.

The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park is a warm and gentle story about five people who find hope and healing in a small town park. In the park, there’s a ride shaped like a hippo called Kabahiko. There’s a local legend that if you touch the part of the hippo that matches where you hurt, you’ll start to feel better.

Each of the characters is going through something tough—whether it’s stress, sadness, or feeling lost—and they all visit the park. Through their small moments with the hippo and with each other, they begin to heal and grow.

The book is calm, heartwarming, and full of kindness. It reminds readers that even simple things—a kind word, a small ritual, or a gentle push—can help us move forward.

It’s a quiet and comforting read, perfect for when you need something uplifting.

Thank you, Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance.

'The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park' follows five overlapping lives seeking comfort from a magical hippo ride in their local park. According to urban legend, if you touch it with the area of your body that needs comfort, you will begin to recover. Whether that be your head to bring you confidence or your back to cure chronic pain, the healing hippo will be there to cure your ailments.

One thing I will say about this book is that it felt very 'Japanese literature'. By this, I mean it was a low stakes, wholesome read - none of the issues being had are life-threatening, meaning you feel relaxed reading about the problems and their solutions. It isn't an 'edge of your seat' read, but it's an enjoyable one.

Overall, I felt that although the writing was simplistic, and the characters only really focused on the problem at hand, this was a wholesome and enjoyable read, by an author that I would return to!

This is a short, gentle little book that is effectively a collection of short stories all linked by the hippo in the park. I really like the premise for the story, and the interweaving of the different stories works well. The hippo itself isn't magical, and I liked that the various different characters change their mindsets themselves really, the hippo just provides a focus for that impetus for change. I felt some of the stories worked better than others - or I liked and understood their characters more in some perhaps.
This would have been a higher rating for me except I felt that it was written in quite a juvenile style. It isn't a children's story, but at the start especially that was how it felt, and it was just a little too simplistic in style and slightly jolted - perhaps because of the translation. But it was enjoyable and sweet, and I will be on the lookout for any hippo rides in parks next time I visit Japan!

Family and friends stories revolving around a hippo in a playground.
The hippo is described as a healing tool/power to help what was lost inside themselves whether it be their brain, leg, ears, mouth and personal/working relationships.
The stories are also interconnected with a cleaning service - Sunrise Cleaning owned by a long-living resident in the area, and introduces the residents who enter the shop to Kabahiko, the healing hippo (who's supposed to be orange - not pink as show in the cover).
A couple of the stories are a bit emotional, so make sure to get a few tissues ready.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for letting me read this book!

The Healing Hippo at Hinode Park is Michiko Aoyama’s latest book to be published in English, after her runaway English debut, “What You are Looking For is in the Library”. Falling into the ever growing genre of “healing” literature, The Healing Hippo tells the stories of five different people, young and old, as they navigate life’s challenges, and ultimately look to Kabahiko the plastic healing hippo for peace.

Similar to other novels in the genre, it’s written in episodic form, with each chapter a short story following different characters with their own struggles, but have commonality through Hinode Park. This common thread allows you to explore different stories but feel as though they all tie in quite nicely. I really enjoyed the experience living through the lives of these different people.

That being said, I did find that in some of the cases, the chapters finished before they achieved a satisfying ending. They seemed to stop a few moments before, which almost felt harder to cope with than if they’d been completely unsatisfactory at all. In saying that, I appreciated that the character’s “healing” didn’t seem completely unrealistic, so perhaps they tie in together.

Overall, this book was a quick, easy read, that I enjoyed sitting on the couch after a long book. It was thoughtful and soothing, and had me reflecting on self limiting beliefs. It felt like a warm hug, and I appreciated that a lot.

Thank you to Michiko Aoyama, Random House UK and NetGalley for sharing an ARC with me to read early!