Did you know that the world's first novel was written in Japan in the 11th Century? Welcome to the world of Literary Tourism where Japan is among the world's leading destinations. Today, Japan is a book lovers paradise and it is not just the metropolis Tokyo that is a wonderland for readers. It's true that Tokyo has more bookstores, libraries, book cafes, literary bars and even book and bed hotels, than almost any other city in the world, but if you love literature, you will want to see what the rest of the country has to offer too. The best way to experience this beautiful and unique country is using Japan's excellent rail system. You will find there is far more to Japanese literature than just Haruki Murakami and manga and you will have the chance to see it all using your JR Rail Pass for unlimited travel. From Nikko's Shogun Country to Kinosaki Literary Museum and Yamanakako Forest Park of Literature, many of Japan's must-see literary locations are those further afield and off the beaten path.
A Brief History of Japanese Literature
You don't produce the world's first novel without gaining a serious literary heritage. Japan's love affair with books and the written word goes back centuries and continues in the 21st Century. The Japanese word 'Otaku' was originally used to describe people whose passionate interests prevented them leaving the house and it is often applied to the country's many book lovers, especially manga. While Tokyo, in particular, has become a world-renowned destination for literary geeks, the rest of Japan has much to offer and many literary locations to visit, thanks to the country's long and proud literary heritage.
It is understood that writing was introduced to Japan via Korea in the 5th Century. Two historical records, the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, date back to the 8th Century and are believed to be the oldest surviving Japanese texts. The world's first novel, The Tale of Genji, was written in the 11th Century and we'll talk in more detail about that text, and how you can visit the town featured in the novel, below. In the modern era, Japanese literature has continued to go from strength to strength. In the Meiji Period (1868-1912), the influence of international books helped shape the direction of 20th Century Japanese writing. Key authors included Higuchi Ichiyo – one of Japan's first prominent female writers of the modern era, Natsume Soseki (Botchan) and Miyazawa Kenji (Night on the Galactic Railroad). More recently, writers such as Kawabata Yasunari and Oe Kenzaburo have both won the Nobel Prize for Literature, while Haruki Murakami became one of the world's most renowned and acclaimed authors following the worldwide success of his novel, Norwegian Wood, in 1987. For a closer look at the country's writers past and present, see our guide to Famous Japanese Writers.
The Tale of Genji
Written by a Japanese noblewoman, Murasaki Shikibu, and acclaimed as the world's first novel, The Tale of Genji dates back to the 11th Century. You can visit the town of Uji at the heart of the novel and visit The Tale of Genji Museum. Uji is a small city located in Kyoto prefecture, between Kyoto and Nara, and can be reached by train using your JR Pass. Uji features numerous statues and plaques throughout the city displaying the locations where the novel's events took place. One of the most famous is Uji Bridge, which was first constructed in 646. You will also find The Tale of Genji Museum close by. The museum brings this epic novel to life with exhibitions, murals, displays, infographics and more. It also features more than 3,000 different editions of the book itself. Uji Bridge is a 5-10 minute walk north of JR Uji Station and the museum is just east of Keihan Uji Station. Both stations are easily accessible from Kyoto or Nara. While in Uji, don't miss Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine, the oldest extant shrine in Japan. Uji is also famous for its green tea!
Visit Nikko and Shogun Country
Tokugawa Ieyasu was the 17th-century warlord who won the Battle of Sekigahara and founded the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years — and the real historical figure who inspired Lord Toranaga in James Clavell's novel Shogun. Although Ieyasu died in Sunpu (modern-day Shizuoka), his remains were later enshrined at Nikko, where his lavishly decorated mausoleum still stands today. The town is the entrance to Nikko National Park and home to Toshogu, Japan's most ornately decorated shrine, which serves as the final resting place of the shogun himself — making it a fitting pilgrimage for anyone captivated by the world of Shogun. To reach Nikko, use your Japan Rail Pass to take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen (from Tokyo or Ueno Station) to Utsunomiya Station and transfer to the JR Nikko Line.
Yukio Mishima’s The Temple of the Golden Pavilion
Located within the Yamanakako Forest Park of Literature, the Mishima Yukio Literary Museum is dedicated to the life of post-war writer Yukio Mishima, who committed suicide by seppuku in 1970 after a failed coup d'état attempt. Needless to say, as well as being a literary icon, he was an interesting character with a fascinating and ultimately tragic life. You can find out all about his story at the museum, which is surrounded by a stunningly beautiful forest and park. Mishima is most famous to western readers for The Temple of the Golden Pavilion and his other novels, plays and reviews, which include Confessions of a Mask, Modern Noh Plays and Madame De Sade. (The temple that inspired the novel, Kinkaku-ji, is in Kyoto, and can be visited there.) The museum features letters, writings, paintings, portraits, photographs and more, about Mishima's life and work. It has been described as a must-see for fans of Japanese literature. You can reach Yamanakako by train using either the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku station or the JR Tokaido Shinkansen-Kodama from Nagoya station. You will then need to get off at either Fujiyoshida station or Mishima station respectively and take a local bus to the museum.
The town of Kinosaki earned a place in Japan's literary history in 1911 when the writer Shiga Naoya travelled there to recover from an accident. He wrote a short story about his time there entitled At Kinosaki which was very famous at the time and put the town on the literary map. Kinosaki became known as a place for writers to escape from the pressures of day to day life and many authors followed in Shiga Naoya's footsteps over the years. As a result, Kinosaki had a cameo in many stories written by Japanese authors in this period. Today, this heritage can be remembered at the Kinosaki Literary Museum in Kinosaki. The museum features exhibitions about Japanese writers and also features a gallery dedicated to Naoya with scrolls, books, original documents and drafts of his essay about Kinosaki. While in the town, you can also visit the Mikaya Hotel where Naoya stayed.
If there's one essential stop for any Murakami fan, it opened only recently: the Haruki Murakami Library (officially the Waseda International House of Literature) on the Tokyo campus of Waseda University, Murakami's alma mater. Opened in October 2021 and designed by celebrated architect Kengo Kuma — who wrapped the building in a curving wooden "tunnel" inspired by Murakami's fiction — it holds around 3,000 of his books in some 50 languages, a replica of his study, an audio room playing records from his personal jazz collection, and a student-run café. Entry is free, though it's worth checking the library's website for current opening hours and any reservation requirements before you go. It sits a short walk from Waseda Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.
Beyond Tokyo, you could write an entire blog post just about Murakami-related locations across the rest of Japan. If Murakami literary locations are just one of your many stops and you're already planning on visiting the likes of Kinosaki, Nikko or Yamanakako, then here are a few lesser known and more far flung places connected to Murakami's award-winning novels for you to check out during your travels. In Murakami's books, characters often flee the big cities for Hokkaido in the north or Shikoku in the south. One smaller city that also features in his work is Kobe, which is about three hours from Tokyo by train. Murakami was born in Kyoto, but grew up in the Ashiya district near Kobe. His short story collection After the Quake focuses on the devastation caused by the earthquake in 1995. To the south you'll find Shikoku and the port town of Takamatsu, which was the setting for Murakami's novel Kafka on the Shore. Don't miss the town's speciality – sanuki udon noodles – as enjoyed by his character Nakata. From Takamatsu, you can carry on to the forests and temples of Kochi Prefecture, the setting for the mountain scenes that Kafka Tamura escapes to. Alternatively, for a Murakami experience in the north of Japan, try Asahikawa in Hokkaido, which appears in the author's work. You can reach Asahikawa by train using your Japan Rail Pass and transferring at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Sapporo.
Tokyo for Book Lovers
Of course, no Literary Guide to Japan would be complete without a special focus on Tokyo and its many bookshops, libraries, book-themed cafes, restaurants and bars, and even hotels where you can sleep between stacks of books! Remember if your travels are limited to Tokyo itself you'll need to purchase a prepaid travel card for the transport system. We're sure you will want to see the whole of Japan after reading our guide and the JRail Pass is the ideal way to do that, but Tokyo certainly has a lot to offer in one city. Here's a selection of literary highlights from across Tokyo:
Jimbocho – Known as Tokyo's book town, Jinbocho is home to more than 130 second-hand bookstores — around a third of all the used-book shops in Japan. Don't miss the area's landmark flagship, Sanseido, which reopened in March 2026 in a brand-new building after a multi-year rebuild. Also worth seeking out are Paper Press Cafe, the cat-themed Anegawa Bookstore (Nyankodo – a must for cat lovers) and the Kanda Used Book Festival, Tokyo's largest book fair, held each autumn.
Haruki Murakami Library (Waseda) – As above, the Kengo Kuma–designed home of the celebrated novelist's archive is one of Tokyo's most rewarding literary stops, and entry is free.
Infinity Books – This bookshop with wall to ceiling books is a book lovers dream. Featuring old wooden shelves, the smell of printed pages, and with rumours the premises are haunted you could hardly ask for more. Infinity Books is Tokyo's last shop specialising in second-hand English books. Komakata Heights Bldg. 1F, 1-2-4 Azumabashi, Sumida, Tokyo.
Lupin – A literary-themed cocktail bar in Ginza. Opened in 1928, it was historically frequented by celebrated writers such as Dazai Osamu, Yasunari Kawabata and Kafū Nagai, and portraits of its regular customers, including many writers and artists, still line the walls. B1F, 5-5-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
Bunkitsu – A unique private library that charges an entrance fee for a full day's worth of browsing plus unlimited coffee and green tea. More than 30,000 titles are displayed across rows of bookshelves. Roppongi Denki Building 1F, 6-1-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
Tsutaya Daikanyama – The unmissable Tsutaya Daikanyama was Japan's only bookstore on Flavorwire's 'The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World' which shows you just how special it is. If you're in Tokyo on a book trail, this is an essential destination. 17-5 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku Station, Daikanyama.
Tokyo English Book Exchange – A monthly opportunity to exchange English books and meet like-minded people. Who knows what books you might find or who you might meet? The meeting place changes each month and you need to register if you're planning to attend so make sure you check the Tokyo Book Exchange website.
Cow Books – The famous Cow Books in Tokyo is a concept bookstore dedicated to boutique books and counter-cultural texts from the post-war period. Its manifesto 'Everything for the Freedom' is displayed on the signage outside and on the scrolling LED sign in the store. 1-14-11-103 Aobadai, Meguro, Tokyo.
Book and Bed Shinjuku – There has been a book hotel boom in Japan over the last decade and there are now many different versions to choose from. Book and Bed was one of the first and unlike some of the others it's not just about sleeping alongside lots of books, but sleeping within the shelves as if you're a book yourself. The Shinjuku location also has a cafe. Kabukicho APM Bldg 8F, 1-27-5 Kabukicho Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Don’t forget
Love manga? Try Kyoto’s International Manga Museum. The ancient city of Kyoto is also easily accessible by train using your JR Pass
If folklore is your favourite kind literature, try visiting the village of Tono in Iwate Prefecture. The village’s legends of animals, spirits and supernatural creatures were celebrated in the 1910 book, The Legends of Tono. Use the JR Kamaishi Line between Hanamaki and Kamaishi and catch the train to Tono from Shin-Hanamaki Station.
Japan’s domestic rail system is the best way to get around the country. Use your Japan Rail Pass to visit the must-see literary locations. Buy PocketWifi to ensure you’re always connected to the Internet while on the move.
A fan of Nobel laureate Kawabata Yasunari? Try visiting the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls in the southeast of the Izu Peninsula where one of his short stories was set. You can reach this area by taking the train to Kawazu and Shuzenji stations and catching one of the regular buses to the waterfalls.
Read up on specific regions of Japan with our super useful guide. You can also buy specific regional train passes if you plan to visit just one or two regions.
Get your very own tour guide by arranging for a meet and greet at the airport when you arrive via JRPass
Remember to bring your favourite books to read on the train!
FAQs
1. What was the world's first novel?
The Tale of Genji, written in the early 11th century by the noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu, is widely regarded as the world's first novel. You can explore its world in Uji, near Kyoto, home to the Tale of Genji Museum and the historic Uji Bridge.
2. Where can you visit Haruki Murakami locations in Japan?
The essential stop is the Haruki Murakami Library (Waseda International House of Literature) in Tokyo. Beyond the capital, fans can visit Kobe and the Ashiya area where he grew up, and Takamatsu on Shikoku, the setting of Kafka on the Shore.
3. What is Jimbōchō?
Jimbōchō (or Jinbōchō) is Tokyo's historic "book town," home to more than 130 second-hand bookshops — roughly a third of all the used-book stores in Japan — along with publishers, cafés and the annual Kanda Used Book Festival.
4. Which Japanese authors have won the Nobel Prize in Literature?
Two Japanese writers have won the Nobel Prize in Literature: Yasunari Kawabata in 1968 and Kenzaburō Ōe in 1994. Both are widely translated, and literary travellers can visit places connected to their lives and works across Japan.
5. How do you get around Japan's literary sites?
Most of Japan's literary landmarks — from Uji and Kinosaki to Nikkō and Takamatsu — are easiest to reach by train. A Japan Rail Pass covers the shinkansen and JR lines that link them, making it simple to build a multi-stop literary tour.
Daniel-San, is a household name at JRPass.com. Daniel-san has shared his rich travel experience for nearly 10 years on the community forum. Ask him for anything related to travel in Japan!
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