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純喫茶トルンカ #1
Days at the Torunka Café
From the internationally bestselling author of the Morisaki Bookshop novels comes a charming and poignant story set at a quiet Tokyo café where customers find unexpected connection and experience everyday miracles.
Tucked away on a narrow side street in Tokyo is the Torunka Café, a neighborhood nook where the passersby are as likely to be local cats as tourists. Its regulars include Chinatsu Yukimura, a mysterious young woman who always leaves behind a napkin folded into the shape of a ballerina; Hiroyuki Yumata, a middle-aged man who’s returned to the neighborhood searching for the happy life he once gave up; and Shizuku, the café owner’s teenage daughter, who is still coming to terms with her sister’s death as she falls in love for the first time.
While Café Torunka serves up a perfect cup of coffee, it provides these sundry souls with nourishment far more lasting. Satoshi Yagisawa brilliantly illuminates the periods in our lives where we feel lost—and how we find our way again.
Tucked away on a narrow side street in Tokyo is the Torunka Café, a neighborhood nook where the passersby are as likely to be local cats as tourists. Its regulars include Chinatsu Yukimura, a mysterious young woman who always leaves behind a napkin folded into the shape of a ballerina; Hiroyuki Yumata, a middle-aged man who’s returned to the neighborhood searching for the happy life he once gave up; and Shizuku, the café owner’s teenage daughter, who is still coming to terms with her sister’s death as she falls in love for the first time.
While Café Torunka serves up a perfect cup of coffee, it provides these sundry souls with nourishment far more lasting. Satoshi Yagisawa brilliantly illuminates the periods in our lives where we feel lost—and how we find our way again.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2013
417 people are currently reading
14440 people want to read
About the author
Satoshi Yagisawa
6 books1,871 followers八木沢 里志 (Satoshi Yagisawa) was born in Chiba, Japan, in 1977. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, his debut novel, was originally published in 2009 and won the Chiyoda Literature Prize.
千葉県生まれ。日本大学芸術学部を卒業する。2008年、『森崎書店の日々』で東京都千代田区が主催する第3回ちよだ文学賞を受賞し、デビュー。2010年、同作が菊池亜希子主演で映画化される。神田伯剌西爾によく訪れ、コーヒーを嗜む。趣味はギター。
千葉県生まれ。日本大学芸術学部を卒業する。2008年、『森崎書店の日々』で東京都千代田区が主催する第3回ちよだ文学賞を受賞し、デビュー。2010年、同作が菊池亜希子主演で映画化される。神田伯剌西爾によく訪れ、コーヒーを嗜む。趣味はギター。
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 377 reviews
September 30, 2025
I loved reading the author’s Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop series. 😍
Now I’ve started the Days at the Torunka Café series.
The book is set in a cozy, quiet Tokyo café called Torunka, which serves as the heart of the story. ☕
It follows three interconnected, character-driven stories about patrons and staff, focusing on their personal struggles with love, memory, and loss.
The appeal lies in its gentle, introspective, and heartwarming tone.
It reminds you to appreciate the small, simple moments in life—like a good cup of coffee or a quiet conversation.
It highlights the importance of community spaces and the quiet strength found in listening and being present for others.
The stories show that while you can’t change the past, you can still find peace and understanding to move forward.
I especially loved this quote: “In life, reunions are the closest thing we get to miracles.” 🤩
Now I’ve started the Days at the Torunka Café series.
The book is set in a cozy, quiet Tokyo café called Torunka, which serves as the heart of the story. ☕
It follows three interconnected, character-driven stories about patrons and staff, focusing on their personal struggles with love, memory, and loss.
The appeal lies in its gentle, introspective, and heartwarming tone.
It reminds you to appreciate the small, simple moments in life—like a good cup of coffee or a quiet conversation.
It highlights the importance of community spaces and the quiet strength found in listening and being present for others.
The stories show that while you can’t change the past, you can still find peace and understanding to move forward.
I especially loved this quote: “In life, reunions are the closest thing we get to miracles.” 🤩
October 26, 2025
Pulling off an earnest and sentimental story without feeling cliche or cheesy can be difficult, but Satoshi Yagisawa continues to do so (with the excellent assistance of translator Eric Ozawa) in his cozy novels set in Japan. This time, rather than the Morisaki Bookshop, we follow the lives of characters connected to a coffee shop tucked away in the Yanaka district of Tokyo.
This novel is made of up of 3 parts - each telling the story of a different character who works or frequents the titular Torunka Cafe. We have Chinatsu, a young woman coming to Tokyo seeking a reunion with someone from her past; Hiro, an older man living with some regrets from a former love gone sour; and Shizuku, the cafe owner's daughter who, at 17, is finding a sense of self and still mourning the loss of her older sister six years before.
While the stories overlap in setting and with some characters, each tale stands on its own in a way that creates a beautiful tapestry highlighting the need for community, which they all find in some way at the cafe.
I loved spending my time with these characters, and if Yagisawa continues to write in this world, I'd gladly pick up whatever he puts out next. He has an ability to craft simple, but profound stories that remind the reader of the beauty of something as simple as a well made cup of coffee.
[Thanks to the publisher for an early review copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
This novel is made of up of 3 parts - each telling the story of a different character who works or frequents the titular Torunka Cafe. We have Chinatsu, a young woman coming to Tokyo seeking a reunion with someone from her past; Hiro, an older man living with some regrets from a former love gone sour; and Shizuku, the cafe owner's daughter who, at 17, is finding a sense of self and still mourning the loss of her older sister six years before.
While the stories overlap in setting and with some characters, each tale stands on its own in a way that creates a beautiful tapestry highlighting the need for community, which they all find in some way at the cafe.
I loved spending my time with these characters, and if Yagisawa continues to write in this world, I'd gladly pick up whatever he puts out next. He has an ability to craft simple, but profound stories that remind the reader of the beauty of something as simple as a well made cup of coffee.
[Thanks to the publisher for an early review copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
September 28, 2025
Although I enjoyed reading Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, this one fell flat for me. The pacing was very slow, and the content was incredibly heavy, with a lot of themes featuring death, suicide, grief, and depression. I thought this was going to be a cozy, charming read, but it was anything but. Not sure if something got lost in translation, but it was boring and disjointed. I barely finished it.
July 20, 2025
Reading Days at the Torunka Café felt like stepping into a warm, sunny corner of Tokyo where time slows down and emotions are gently stirred . Yagisawa has a gift for crafting spaces that feel like sanctuaries, and the Torunka Café is no exception. It’s not just a setting—it’s a character, quietly observing the lives that pass through its doors. What struck me was the quiet strength of the characters. While each one is dealing with loss, regret, longing or searching for a meaning the author offers small moments of connection.
The pacing slow, but for me it was a reminder that healing often happens in the in between spaces of life. This book has the most warm & comforting feel. It isn’t a story that shouts, rather it listens and sometimes that is all we need as human beings.
The pacing slow, but for me it was a reminder that healing often happens in the in between spaces of life. This book has the most warm & comforting feel. It isn’t a story that shouts, rather it listens and sometimes that is all we need as human beings.
November 13, 2025
A very cozy read! I enjoyed this so much!
October 27, 2025
3.5⭐ | This was a little disappointing.
I’ve read Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by the same author, and I enjoyed both. So, I was pretty excited going into this book—but it kind of went downhill with each chapter/story!
This book was divided into three chapters—all set in the Torunka Café. Each chapter is narrated by a different character from the book, and I like this type of narration. Basically, every Japanese book I’ve read so far is written this way!
When I read the first story, it was about Shuichi and Chinatsu—and I loved it. It was my favorite. It was amazing. I loved it so much. It made me emotional, and I wanted to cry, but I was at a park, so I held it in as much as I could! It’s definitely my favorite. If I were to rate this story alone, I’d give it 4.5 stars.
The second story was about a middle-aged man named Hiro. I didn’t like this one as much in the beginning, but toward the middle and the end, it really grew on me—and by the end, I loved it. It also made me a bit emotional. I really liked it by the end; it was so good. Buy itself, I would probably give it 3.75 to 4 stars.
The third and final story was about Shizuko, the daughter of the café’s owner, and this one completely ruined the whole book for me. I didn’t like it at all, and I didn’t like Shizuko either. She was so annoying, and the choices she made were just infuriating. If I were to give this story a rating on its own, it would be two stars—maybe even one!
If you noticed, I didn’t go into too much detail explaining each chapter, because I feel it would be a spoiler, so that’s all you’re gonna get. The only thing I’ll say is that I wish the last story didn’t exist in the book—because it literally ruined the whole thing for me!
I’ve read Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by the same author, and I enjoyed both. So, I was pretty excited going into this book—but it kind of went downhill with each chapter/story!
This book was divided into three chapters—all set in the Torunka Café. Each chapter is narrated by a different character from the book, and I like this type of narration. Basically, every Japanese book I’ve read so far is written this way!
When I read the first story, it was about Shuichi and Chinatsu—and I loved it. It was my favorite. It was amazing. I loved it so much. It made me emotional, and I wanted to cry, but I was at a park, so I held it in as much as I could! It’s definitely my favorite. If I were to rate this story alone, I’d give it 4.5 stars.
The second story was about a middle-aged man named Hiro. I didn’t like this one as much in the beginning, but toward the middle and the end, it really grew on me—and by the end, I loved it. It also made me a bit emotional. I really liked it by the end; it was so good. Buy itself, I would probably give it 3.75 to 4 stars.
The third and final story was about Shizuko, the daughter of the café’s owner, and this one completely ruined the whole book for me. I didn’t like it at all, and I didn’t like Shizuko either. She was so annoying, and the choices she made were just infuriating. If I were to give this story a rating on its own, it would be two stars—maybe even one!
If you noticed, I didn’t go into too much detail explaining each chapter, because I feel it would be a spoiler, so that’s all you’re gonna get. The only thing I’ll say is that I wish the last story didn’t exist in the book—because it literally ruined the whole thing for me!
2025
October 3, 2025Japanuary TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial
April 3, 2025
Yanaka es mi barrio favorito de Tokio. Así que sabía que una novela ambientada en esa zona me iba a gustar sí o sí. Describe muy bien el ambiente del barrio, que conserva el encanto del antiguo Tokio, con pequeñas tiendas y cafeterías, vecinos que pasean o van en bici, templos en cada esquina y un cementerio que es también un gran parque. Conocer las vidas de sus habitantes me ha emocionado hasta las lágrimas en varios momentos del libro.
November 20, 2025
2/5 STARS
Days at the Torunka Café consists of three short stories revolving around the Torunka Café showcasing the tenderness in relationships above anything else. Located at the end of a tiny alley, this cozy café is run by Isao Tachibana alongside his daughter Shizuku and a part-timer worker Shuichi.
In the first story, Shuichi meets a mystery woman Chinatsu who comes into the café. We see the theme of self-identity. It’s about how pain from old incidents can still cause people to judge their self-worth, how it can feel like you’re a burden and incapable of love. It was about opening our hearts to new people, new possibilities and most of all change.
In the second story, a middle-aged man Hiroyuki Numata meets Ayako, the daughter of a woman he dated 30 years ago. We see the theme of regrets. While a little long, it had a tender bitter-sweetness to it. It was about trying to find a piece of the past long-gone which made you happy and how that can be at times a glimmer of hope, but at other times just a last chance to be reminded of the person and time that brought a lot of happiness.
In the third story, Shizuku meets Ojino, her dead sister’s ex-boyfriend. We see the theme of grief. After six years of her sister’s passing, we see how she is still coping with a life without her. It showed how grief can make you do things you wouldn’t usually do. It’s about how grief forces you to do desperate acts just so you can feel somewhat closer to the person you’ve lost.
All the interconnected stories had heavy themes of death, grief, regrets, self-identity which revolved around finding and staying in those memories of happiness. While the connections to those long-forgotten memories brought the characters a lot of solace, they also painfully reminded them that it was in the past. So, we see them cling to those memories in self-destructive patterns, but at the end of it, they move on with the help of the community built around the Torunka café.
While all of this sounds charming and healing set in an aesthetic setting, this book did not work for me. It was a mix of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The Lantern of Lost Memories, both books which I loved. Firstly, the theme flowed well across the three stories, almost too rigidly. What I love most about healing fiction is the absence of social commentary, which is not seen, but felt. This book had it all spelled out, leaving very little to imagination and personal interpretations.
Secondly, the interwoven relationships between the characters. Now this is where I like it spelled out. Two kids who treated each other as brother-sister grow up to fall in love. Two people with a 25ish age gap going on walks, eating together and hanging out. What is their relationship? Simply platonic friends or she was the daughter he never had or something unbecoming? A girl falling in love with her dead sister’s ex-boyfriend? Nope. I would have liked it to be entirely platonic or a mix of love story and friendships, but the nonchalance of their relationships left me guessing and had my focus diverted from the real focus on emotions. The dialogues as much as the affection between characters felt devoid of emotion, which was another major upset. If you read a lot of healing fiction books, you expect a standard from them, which I thought was very low in this one. I have rated Days at the Torunka Café by Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa at 2/5 stars!
Full Review: Mindscape in Words
Days at the Torunka Café consists of three short stories revolving around the Torunka Café showcasing the tenderness in relationships above anything else. Located at the end of a tiny alley, this cozy café is run by Isao Tachibana alongside his daughter Shizuku and a part-timer worker Shuichi.
In the first story, Shuichi meets a mystery woman Chinatsu who comes into the café. We see the theme of self-identity. It’s about how pain from old incidents can still cause people to judge their self-worth, how it can feel like you’re a burden and incapable of love. It was about opening our hearts to new people, new possibilities and most of all change.
In the second story, a middle-aged man Hiroyuki Numata meets Ayako, the daughter of a woman he dated 30 years ago. We see the theme of regrets. While a little long, it had a tender bitter-sweetness to it. It was about trying to find a piece of the past long-gone which made you happy and how that can be at times a glimmer of hope, but at other times just a last chance to be reminded of the person and time that brought a lot of happiness.
In the third story, Shizuku meets Ojino, her dead sister’s ex-boyfriend. We see the theme of grief. After six years of her sister’s passing, we see how she is still coping with a life without her. It showed how grief can make you do things you wouldn’t usually do. It’s about how grief forces you to do desperate acts just so you can feel somewhat closer to the person you’ve lost.
All the interconnected stories had heavy themes of death, grief, regrets, self-identity which revolved around finding and staying in those memories of happiness. While the connections to those long-forgotten memories brought the characters a lot of solace, they also painfully reminded them that it was in the past. So, we see them cling to those memories in self-destructive patterns, but at the end of it, they move on with the help of the community built around the Torunka café.
While all of this sounds charming and healing set in an aesthetic setting, this book did not work for me. It was a mix of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The Lantern of Lost Memories, both books which I loved. Firstly, the theme flowed well across the three stories, almost too rigidly. What I love most about healing fiction is the absence of social commentary, which is not seen, but felt. This book had it all spelled out, leaving very little to imagination and personal interpretations.
Secondly, the interwoven relationships between the characters. Now this is where I like it spelled out. Two kids who treated each other as brother-sister grow up to fall in love. Two people with a 25ish age gap going on walks, eating together and hanging out. What is their relationship? Simply platonic friends or she was the daughter he never had or something unbecoming? A girl falling in love with her dead sister’s ex-boyfriend? Nope. I would have liked it to be entirely platonic or a mix of love story and friendships, but the nonchalance of their relationships left me guessing and had my focus diverted from the real focus on emotions. The dialogues as much as the affection between characters felt devoid of emotion, which was another major upset. If you read a lot of healing fiction books, you expect a standard from them, which I thought was very low in this one. I have rated Days at the Torunka Café by Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa at 2/5 stars!
Full Review: Mindscape in Words
September 3, 2025
This is a quiet story about loss, simple pleasures, and community and friendship, told very simply and methodically. It’s wrapped in the aromatic culture of coffee and mostly set in one cozy cafe in the hidden alleys of Tokyo.
One part of the story felt a bit less complete to me but perhaps that’s just my need for a more concrete approach.
This book will be embraced by the current popularity of Japan, by coffee lovers, by those seeking the simple connections of daily life.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
One part of the story felt a bit less complete to me but perhaps that’s just my need for a more concrete approach.
This book will be embraced by the current popularity of Japan, by coffee lovers, by those seeking the simple connections of daily life.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
did-not-finish
November 6, 2025~ dnf at 20% ~
I promised myself I wouldn’t force myself to read books just to read them, I want to actually enjoy them and unfortunately this wasn’t it.
I was very excited to read this since I LOVED Days At The Morisaki Bookstore. Unfortunately this book gives a completely different vibe, which is totally okay but it’s just not to my liking.
I promised myself I wouldn’t force myself to read books just to read them, I want to actually enjoy them and unfortunately this wasn’t it.
I was very excited to read this since I LOVED Days At The Morisaki Bookstore. Unfortunately this book gives a completely different vibe, which is totally okay but it’s just not to my liking.
September 29, 2025
Thank you Bonnier Books UK for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Yagisawa's Morisaki duet so I was really excited to see more works of his being translated. I was even more excited to receive the ARC and, upon reading, to realise it was once again set in a familiar backdrop; Yanaka Ginza. On a more personal level, it is always a special experience to read books set in places I have visited myself - albeit the residents of the neighbourhood in this book had more luck encountering cats than I did when I was there.
As for the plot itself, it is written in a familiar tone often associated with Japanese fiction; quiet, sometimes thoughtful, pleasure in the small things, nostalgic and, in this case, also a little strange. Days at the Torunka Café, like it's Morisaki counterpart, doesn't dip into magic realism, and yet I want to argue that this one would have been better had it done so. Divided into three overarching stories, all focused on patrons of the Torunka café, they all felt a little less relatable - be it wild stories of past lives or extraordinarily vivid dreams that drove the characters forward. I feel as though these stories had felt a little more tangible had these aspects either been toned down or actually had some truth to them. As it was, it just didn't quite click with me.
Although I didn't love the stories as much as I have done with other similar books, I did appreciate the pacing and atmosphere. The little café sounds like a most charming place and I especially liked the owner - he was clearly passionate about making quality coffee, had an interesting backstory and was a pleasant character. Of the stories, I probably enjoyed the first most and then they kind of felt less interesting as they came.
If you enjoy Japanese fiction, especially along the lines of slice of life or overarching short stories - this might not have been my personal favourite but it is still a lovely little book and worth picking up.
November 12, 2025
If you are expecting the same kind of cozy, comforting vibe like Days at Morisaki bookshop, I will say don't put too high hopes on this. This book, with all of honesty, its average at best. Not as memorable and good as the beloved Days at Morisaki bookshop which is my personal favourite book and the entire story fell flat for me from start to beginning.
I knew the author's most popular book get mixed reviews with some really love it and some found it dull but I enjoyed the book a lot. So hoping to get the same kind of reading experience as that led me to feeling underwhelmed by this newest translated stories. While there are moments shared between the characters that felt genuine & interesting, most of the characters are too underdeveloped for me to feel any attachment to them. There are 3 stories in here with the setting in Torunka Cafe, a small cafe tucked in the back alley served good coffee with a charming vibe manned by a father and daughter duo. A cafe where customers came to relax, have a chat, basking in their own time of doing mundane stuff. A lot of the stories focused on the relationship between these characters from first love, blossoming romance, past endeavours and the present day ties, old time connection between an ex lover and the family. Some of the relationships are complex mixed with trauma & hurtful pasts but the new connections formed to resolve and renew their bond.
The book dealt more with some really dark topics like depression, grief, loss, affairs, abandonment and death while tying these people to seek comfort and newfound ways to move forward. As much as I want to like the book, the pacing was slow for me and I find that some of the stories dull.
Thank you to Definitely Books for the review copy
I knew the author's most popular book get mixed reviews with some really love it and some found it dull but I enjoyed the book a lot. So hoping to get the same kind of reading experience as that led me to feeling underwhelmed by this newest translated stories. While there are moments shared between the characters that felt genuine & interesting, most of the characters are too underdeveloped for me to feel any attachment to them. There are 3 stories in here with the setting in Torunka Cafe, a small cafe tucked in the back alley served good coffee with a charming vibe manned by a father and daughter duo. A cafe where customers came to relax, have a chat, basking in their own time of doing mundane stuff. A lot of the stories focused on the relationship between these characters from first love, blossoming romance, past endeavours and the present day ties, old time connection between an ex lover and the family. Some of the relationships are complex mixed with trauma & hurtful pasts but the new connections formed to resolve and renew their bond.
The book dealt more with some really dark topics like depression, grief, loss, affairs, abandonment and death while tying these people to seek comfort and newfound ways to move forward. As much as I want to like the book, the pacing was slow for me and I find that some of the stories dull.
Thank you to Definitely Books for the review copy
September 29, 2025
It’s fast paced for a cosy read!
I appreciate the good translation and the writing. I appreciate how genuine the characters are.
However, I am a bit sceptical about their relationship development as the main characters seem like they did not know what they wanted out of their relationships. Yes, I know we in real like are like this as well but when it comes to romantic relationship, all the significant characters seem to be in a delusional world. It’s okay but it didn’t work for me.
There isn’t much about the bookshop or the coffee vibe as much as the author wanted to instil in between the chapters. However, I appreciate how the author writes about the instability and the insecurities of the characters as per their ages.
A good one sitting read I say!
Perfect for weekends, flights, after work time chill reading.
I appreciate the good translation and the writing. I appreciate how genuine the characters are.
However, I am a bit sceptical about their relationship development as the main characters seem like they did not know what they wanted out of their relationships. Yes, I know we in real like are like this as well but when it comes to romantic relationship, all the significant characters seem to be in a delusional world. It’s okay but it didn’t work for me.
There isn’t much about the bookshop or the coffee vibe as much as the author wanted to instil in between the chapters. However, I appreciate how the author writes about the instability and the insecurities of the characters as per their ages.
A good one sitting read I say!
Perfect for weekends, flights, after work time chill reading.
Read
November 7, 2025❛𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿.❜
A cozy evening with a book and a cup of coffee (or tea, for me) is the perfect mood! And what if there’s a place where you can enjoy the best coffee and find peace? Ahh, now that’s the ultimate vibe!
Alright then, let’s dive into a place just like that.
Lesgoooo....
Plot:
In the heart of Tokyo, there’s a quaint little café — perhaps a hidden gem — called ❛Torunka Café❜. It’s a place where people, especially the elderly, often come to sip their coffee and share the stories of their lives.
The café is owned by Isao Tachibana, a man in his forties, who runs it alongside his daughter Shizuku. Shizuku, a cheerful teenage girl who proudly calls herself the ❛poster girl❜ of the café, adds a touch of warmth and charm to the place.
There’s also Shūichi Okuyama, who works part-time at the café — and this is where the story truly begins.
❛𝚆𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝.❜
That was the first thing the girl said to Shūichi — but why?
Chinatsu Yukimura visited Torunka Café for the first time and left quite a strange impression. She spoke of an unbelievable story — a tale of a past life shared with Shūichi. Her words caught Shizuku’s curiosity instantly. But what was the real reason behind that awkward story?
Meanwhile, Shūichi was still struggling with the pain of a recent breakup. How would he handle this unexpected twist with Chinatsu?
She began visiting the café every Sunday, always leaving behind a delicate napkin ballerina. Then, suddenly — she stopped coming.
Now what?
Shizuku misses Chinatsu’s warm presence… but what about Shūichi?
Hiroyuki Numata comes back to this place after thirty years, but it’s not the same anymore. The café that was once called ❛Nomura Coffee❜, run by an old woman in her eighties, is now Torunka Café.
He feels a deep sense of nostalgia mixed with pain. The mistakes he made in his younger days still weigh on his heart. Will he ever see Sanae again?
Ayako, a cheerful woman in her twenties, brings a lively energy to the place. Hiroyuki tries to talk to her, but it only makes him feel sadder — because every time he looks at Ayako, he sees Sanae.
His story is one that will make you feel both sad and angry at the same time.
Shizuku, the self-proclaimed poster girl of Torunka Café, has been feeling different lately. Even though her father owns a café, she actually hates coffee. The last time she drank it was when she was seven — and for the past ten years, she hasn’t touched it.
But why?
She’s caught in a confusing phase of her life. Memories of her older sister keep haunting her, filling her heart with sadness. And soon, she’s about to do something she never thought she would.
After everything, Shizuku decides to drink coffee again — no matter if it tastes like poison or brings back nightmares.
Then there’s Kōta, Shizuku’s bestie — a childish boy, yet surprisingly dependable when it really matters. That’s what makes him not just a good friend, but one with real responsibility.
The regulars at Torunka Café come here, sip their coffee, and somehow end up finding solutions to their life problems — almost like magic.
Does this café hold some hidden power? Or is it the freshly brewed coffee made by Isao that works its magic?
Or maybe… it’s the people themselves?
Review:
Every time I read a book about a café (and in Bangla when there’s a scene about drinking tea), I start craving coffee (tea). That craving can’t be compared to anything!
Satoshi Yagisawa returns with another slice-of-life novel, ❝Days at the Torunka Café❞.
The story is set in a café on a quiet, narrow street in Tokyo. The café often goes unnoticed, but locals say a stray cat leads the way to it.
Satoshi Yagisawa has a remarkable talent for telling gentle, heartfelt stories. In this novel, he continues to give readers a warm, cherished feeling that lingers long after the last page.
The novel is divided into three parts, each telling an individual yet interconnected story about three different people. Each part has its own title:
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞 – 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐰𝐨 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 – 𝐀 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
Of the three, I loved the first part the most. It begins with an incredibly sweet — almost unbelievable — story, but it ends leaving you with a heartwarming feeling. I really fell for the character Chinatsu; she’s simply unforgettable.
Hiro’s story was really touching, though it kinda felt like it didn’t fully finish. I loved Ayako’s quotes — the way she sees life was so refreshing. I won’t lie, there were times I found Hiro a bit frustrating, but that’s life, right? Full of ups and downs. His grief made him easy to relate to, even likeable in the end. Still… it leaves you with a little sense that something’s missing.
The last part of the book kinda disturbed me. Maybe love is just like that — it comes out of nowhere. Shizuku was a teenager, so her behavior was understandable, but I didn’t really like that part. On the other hand, Kōta totally stole the show with his simple gestures. He was childish and funny, but he showed what a true friend really is — someone who supports you, even if you don’t fully get it yourself. The ending of that part felt really satisfying.
Isao, the café owner, was such a genuinely nice person. I seriously found myself craving the coffee he made for his customers! The way he blended it, the aroma, and even how he talked about it — I was completely hooked.
Honestly, I probably drank 3–5 cups of coffee while reading the book. Especially whenever the story talked about coffee, I had to pause, make a cup, and then dive back in. The little background bits about coffee and the ❛Devil’s Drink❜ part were super fun too.
In this crazy, hectic life, we all need a place, a person (or sometimes a few close people), and a cup of coffee (tea for me) where we can find ourselves again — a place to share anything and feel inspired to keep going. Somewhere on a market street in Tokyo, there’s a café where people quietly enjoy their slice of life.
This book actually has a second part, but unfortunately, it’s not available in English yet.
❛𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚛𝚎𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚜.❜
A cozy evening with a book and a cup of coffee (or tea, for me) is the perfect mood! And what if there’s a place where you can enjoy the best coffee and find peace? Ahh, now that’s the ultimate vibe!
Alright then, let’s dive into a place just like that.
Lesgoooo....
Plot:
In the heart of Tokyo, there’s a quaint little café — perhaps a hidden gem — called ❛Torunka Café❜. It’s a place where people, especially the elderly, often come to sip their coffee and share the stories of their lives.
The café is owned by Isao Tachibana, a man in his forties, who runs it alongside his daughter Shizuku. Shizuku, a cheerful teenage girl who proudly calls herself the ❛poster girl❜ of the café, adds a touch of warmth and charm to the place.
There’s also Shūichi Okuyama, who works part-time at the café — and this is where the story truly begins.
❛𝚆𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝.❜
That was the first thing the girl said to Shūichi — but why?
Chinatsu Yukimura visited Torunka Café for the first time and left quite a strange impression. She spoke of an unbelievable story — a tale of a past life shared with Shūichi. Her words caught Shizuku’s curiosity instantly. But what was the real reason behind that awkward story?
Meanwhile, Shūichi was still struggling with the pain of a recent breakup. How would he handle this unexpected twist with Chinatsu?
She began visiting the café every Sunday, always leaving behind a delicate napkin ballerina. Then, suddenly — she stopped coming.
Now what?
Shizuku misses Chinatsu’s warm presence… but what about Shūichi?
Hiroyuki Numata comes back to this place after thirty years, but it’s not the same anymore. The café that was once called ❛Nomura Coffee❜, run by an old woman in her eighties, is now Torunka Café.
He feels a deep sense of nostalgia mixed with pain. The mistakes he made in his younger days still weigh on his heart. Will he ever see Sanae again?
Ayako, a cheerful woman in her twenties, brings a lively energy to the place. Hiroyuki tries to talk to her, but it only makes him feel sadder — because every time he looks at Ayako, he sees Sanae.
His story is one that will make you feel both sad and angry at the same time.
Shizuku, the self-proclaimed poster girl of Torunka Café, has been feeling different lately. Even though her father owns a café, she actually hates coffee. The last time she drank it was when she was seven — and for the past ten years, she hasn’t touched it.
But why?
She’s caught in a confusing phase of her life. Memories of her older sister keep haunting her, filling her heart with sadness. And soon, she’s about to do something she never thought she would.
After everything, Shizuku decides to drink coffee again — no matter if it tastes like poison or brings back nightmares.
Then there’s Kōta, Shizuku’s bestie — a childish boy, yet surprisingly dependable when it really matters. That’s what makes him not just a good friend, but one with real responsibility.
The regulars at Torunka Café come here, sip their coffee, and somehow end up finding solutions to their life problems — almost like magic.
Does this café hold some hidden power? Or is it the freshly brewed coffee made by Isao that works its magic?
Or maybe… it’s the people themselves?
Review:
Every time I read a book about a café (and in Bangla when there’s a scene about drinking tea), I start craving coffee (tea). That craving can’t be compared to anything!
Satoshi Yagisawa returns with another slice-of-life novel, ❝Days at the Torunka Café❞.
The story is set in a café on a quiet, narrow street in Tokyo. The café often goes unnoticed, but locals say a stray cat leads the way to it.
Satoshi Yagisawa has a remarkable talent for telling gentle, heartfelt stories. In this novel, he continues to give readers a warm, cherished feeling that lingers long after the last page.
The novel is divided into three parts, each telling an individual yet interconnected story about three different people. Each part has its own title:
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞 – 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐰𝐨 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 – 𝐀 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
Of the three, I loved the first part the most. It begins with an incredibly sweet — almost unbelievable — story, but it ends leaving you with a heartwarming feeling. I really fell for the character Chinatsu; she’s simply unforgettable.
Hiro’s story was really touching, though it kinda felt like it didn’t fully finish. I loved Ayako’s quotes — the way she sees life was so refreshing. I won’t lie, there were times I found Hiro a bit frustrating, but that’s life, right? Full of ups and downs. His grief made him easy to relate to, even likeable in the end. Still… it leaves you with a little sense that something’s missing.
The last part of the book kinda disturbed me. Maybe love is just like that — it comes out of nowhere. Shizuku was a teenager, so her behavior was understandable, but I didn’t really like that part. On the other hand, Kōta totally stole the show with his simple gestures. He was childish and funny, but he showed what a true friend really is — someone who supports you, even if you don’t fully get it yourself. The ending of that part felt really satisfying.
Isao, the café owner, was such a genuinely nice person. I seriously found myself craving the coffee he made for his customers! The way he blended it, the aroma, and even how he talked about it — I was completely hooked.
Honestly, I probably drank 3–5 cups of coffee while reading the book. Especially whenever the story talked about coffee, I had to pause, make a cup, and then dive back in. The little background bits about coffee and the ❛Devil’s Drink❜ part were super fun too.
In this crazy, hectic life, we all need a place, a person (or sometimes a few close people), and a cup of coffee (tea for me) where we can find ourselves again — a place to share anything and feel inspired to keep going. Somewhere on a market street in Tokyo, there’s a café where people quietly enjoy their slice of life.
This book actually has a second part, but unfortunately, it’s not available in English yet.
❛𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚛𝚎𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚜.❜
October 5, 2025
As the previous books from this author, this is another warm, cozy, lovely book.
There are 3 stories in which there's a mix of friendship, love and grief. My favourite was the second. All the characters are connected and somehow one can get close to them (there's no one to dislike!).
"In this life, reunions are the closest thing we get to miracles".
There are 3 stories in which there's a mix of friendship, love and grief. My favourite was the second. All the characters are connected and somehow one can get close to them (there's no one to dislike!).
"In this life, reunions are the closest thing we get to miracles".
September 22, 2025
(2'5/5) El que vaig dir: un llibre per no pensar. Trobo que ja ens estem passant eh, podríem començar a parlar d'altres coses que no siguin dies i carrers perduts a Tokio.
September 2, 2025
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the ARC!
I loved this continuation of the series!
We get three stories about people who either work or visit the cafe. The stories are a mix of friendship, love and grief.
My favorite story was the second one. It was nice to see someone face their mistakes in the past and try to move forward after arguably continually making wrong decisions for themselves. It was cute seeing him become friends with the daughter and finding companionship without any weirdness or attraction being a thing. Sometimes people just need a friend, or a constant in their life to keep them going.
I hope the author continues to publish cozy short stories like this!
I loved this continuation of the series!
We get three stories about people who either work or visit the cafe. The stories are a mix of friendship, love and grief.
My favorite story was the second one. It was nice to see someone face their mistakes in the past and try to move forward after arguably continually making wrong decisions for themselves. It was cute seeing him become friends with the daughter and finding companionship without any weirdness or attraction being a thing. Sometimes people just need a friend, or a constant in their life to keep them going.
I hope the author continues to publish cozy short stories like this!
April 1, 2025
El senyor Yagisawa es pensa que el lector és retrassadet i se li han de donar les coses tant mastegades que només se les ha d'empassar. Que realment el llibre m'ha agradat mínimament, però em sento insultada.
December 2, 2025
I really love reading comfy books like “Days at the Torunka Café.” Taking a break from your own life and reading about those fictional characters who may or may not share a similar experience with you is something that all we need sometimes.
The book is like 200 pages long, and I honestly thought that I’d finish it quickly, but I’m glad that I didn’t rush it. Every time I picked it up, it felt like taking a break from…well, everything.
”Let’s keep going with zero accidents.”
After meeting Chinatsu, Shūichi changed so much. He became more mature even though he only met her a few months ago and would only see her once a week. It showed how much a person can mean to you in such a short time, and have a huge impact in your life for the better. But it’s also the truth that Shūichi decided to become better for her.
”In life, reunions are the closest thing we get to miracles.”
Then we met Ayako and Hiro.
Hiro was a man who had practically given up on life, but after meeting his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, Ayako, he slowly began to realize that life isn’t that bad after all. And Ayako, a girl who made a sense of the world around her by quoting one writer after the other to cope with the loss of her mother.
Ayako was the redemption Hiro was seeking, and Hiro became the father figure Ayako needed.
”I’m sure there’s a lot on your mind. But you don’t need to rush things. Working on yourself takes an incredible amount of time.”
And lastly, the story of Shizuku, Ogino, and Kōta.
Even after so many years, Shizuku was still mourning the death of her sister whom he adored dearly. Then she met her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Ogino on a random day. She started falling for him quickly, a) because Ogino was the last thing that made her feel closer to her sister and b) because he’d listen and understand her the way she wanted. Her short story with him reminded me of the Cdrama called “Hidden Love.” Shizuku started losing a sight of herself soon after, but because of Kōta, her childhood best friend, she was able to snap out of it.
I’d say that all the characters in the book were mature and self-aware in some way, so reading about them wasn’t frustrating at all. There were times that I could relate to all of them, so that kept me interested too.
The book is like 200 pages long, and I honestly thought that I’d finish it quickly, but I’m glad that I didn’t rush it. Every time I picked it up, it felt like taking a break from…well, everything.
”Let’s keep going with zero accidents.”
After meeting Chinatsu, Shūichi changed so much. He became more mature even though he only met her a few months ago and would only see her once a week. It showed how much a person can mean to you in such a short time, and have a huge impact in your life for the better. But it’s also the truth that Shūichi decided to become better for her.
”In life, reunions are the closest thing we get to miracles.”
Then we met Ayako and Hiro.
Hiro was a man who had practically given up on life, but after meeting his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, Ayako, he slowly began to realize that life isn’t that bad after all. And Ayako, a girl who made a sense of the world around her by quoting one writer after the other to cope with the loss of her mother.
Ayako was the redemption Hiro was seeking, and Hiro became the father figure Ayako needed.
”I’m sure there’s a lot on your mind. But you don’t need to rush things. Working on yourself takes an incredible amount of time.”
And lastly, the story of Shizuku, Ogino, and Kōta.
Even after so many years, Shizuku was still mourning the death of her sister whom he adored dearly. Then she met her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Ogino on a random day. She started falling for him quickly, a) because Ogino was the last thing that made her feel closer to her sister and b) because he’d listen and understand her the way she wanted. Her short story with him reminded me of the Cdrama called “Hidden Love.” Shizuku started losing a sight of herself soon after, but because of Kōta, her childhood best friend, she was able to snap out of it.
I’d say that all the characters in the book were mature and self-aware in some way, so reading about them wasn’t frustrating at all. There were times that I could relate to all of them, so that kept me interested too.
November 13, 2025
Days at the Torunka Cafe snuggles safely inside whatever genre encompasses Before the Coffee Gets Cold, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, The Heartbeat Library, and other books which I have loved lately. There is a sadness and sweetness to these stories. They are cozy and yet there is an emotional rawness. They share an essential spark with a Miyazaki film - there is something joyful about them even though they squarely confront pain and suffering. Days at the Torunka Cafe explores themes of family and grief. There are a few descriptions, particularly of women, which rankled but I am not sure if it is a matter of translation or cultural difference. It was an interesting choice to have the book narrated by someone with a heavy accent. Or at least using a heavy accent to narrate the book. Perhaps it added an authentic feel to the experience? Personally, I found it annoying. Not annoying enough to keep me from reading the book, which I genuinely enjoyed. I remain enamored with this current crop of Japanese literature in translation and look forward to more from this author! Thank you to everyone involved and NetGalley for the audioARC.
October 26, 2025
3.5/5✨
Good stories, good mix of emotions and funny anecdotes.
Good stories, good mix of emotions and funny anecdotes.
September 2, 2025
Big Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
'Days at the Torunka Cafe' by Satoshi Yagisawa is a slice-of-life book with three stories centered around the Torunka Cafe.
The Cafe was like the restaurant where the characters of 'Days at the Morisaki Bookshop', but, unlike the Morisaki Bookshop, this one lacked the heart and warmth that it had.
Nevertheless, the stories were different from one another, but interesting, though they were awkwardly paced.
The writing was enjoyable as well and the characters endearing.
'Days at the Torunka Cafe' by Satoshi Yagisawa is a slice-of-life book with three stories centered around the Torunka Cafe.
The Cafe was like the restaurant where the characters of 'Days at the Morisaki Bookshop', but, unlike the Morisaki Bookshop, this one lacked the heart and warmth that it had.
Nevertheless, the stories were different from one another, but interesting, though they were awkwardly paced.
The writing was enjoyable as well and the characters endearing.
October 25, 2025
Existen lugares donde la magia cotidiana consigue que la gente conecte. No es magia real, puede que sean solo coincidencias o casualidades, pero es cierto que hay entornos que invitan a crear comunidad y no suelen ser especialmente concurridos. Tal vez el hecho de que sean poco concurridos, casi secretos, acogedores y especiales, lugares donde el tiempo se permite ir más despacio sea lo que propicie esa magia. Uno de esos lugares está, al menos para este libro, en una de las muchas pequeñas callejuelas de Tokio donde parece que al fondo esconden un tesoro. El café Torunka está en una callejuela de Ginza, pero no es un lugar lujoso, o tal vez sí. Porque permite el lujo de saborear cafés y ser testigo silencioso de los cambios en las vidas de sus clientes y trabajadores.
“Días en el café Torunka” se compone de tres historias que llegan al alma. Tal vez sea que el señor Tachibana protege a sus amigos y parroquianos como a su café, que prepara desde que muele el grano. Aquí encontraremos cómo el universitario que tiene contratado por las tardes encuentra a alguien de su pasado, una fascinante mujer que acude cada domingo a tomarse un café y siempre deja, al marcharse, una bailarina hecha con una de las servilletas de papel disponibles para los clientes.
Un caballero de mediana edad también se encuentra a si mismo despues de varias décadas perdido. Fue un habitual del café antes de que el señor Tachibana lo comprara y lo renovara. El caballero nota los cambios en el exterior y en el barrio, pero no en el interior, pues Tachibana ha conseguido conservar el alma que le influyó la anterior propietario. El caballero tuvo una novia, hace mucho tiempo, a la que no pudo olvidar. Sus recuerdos y su vida son la segunda historia.
En cuanto a la tercera historia, nuestra protagonista es la hija menor del señor Tachibana, una adolescente que, al terminar las clases, acude al lado de su padre y entra en comunidad con la gente del local. Shizuku es el espíritu del café Torunka, padre e hija se tienen el uno al otro y eso es lo que mantiene el Torunka en pie. A pesar de que el señor Tachibana le dio un nombre a su hija relacionado con el café y que nació y creció en la cafetería, a Shizuku no le gusta el café, pero aun así, todos los clientes están de acuerdo en que ella es el café Torunka. Por eso la visión que tiene de su padre, del local, de la gente que ha estado yendo y viniendo a través de los años, es en realidad, la visión del propio café Torunka si sus paredes pudieran hablar. En este tercer relato Shizuku se enamora por primera vez y también tiene su primer desengaño amoroso, pero lo que realmente nos está contando es la historia de su familia, tanto la real, como la encontrada en el café Torunka.
Este libro es anterior a los dos que nos invitaban a la librería Morisaki. Es anterior a esta especie de moda de los libros esperanzadores japoneses y coreanos que estan llegando también a occidente. Por eso no encaja del todo con esos libros, porque te cuenta cosas bonitas, pero tambien otras que no lo son tanto. Es en las cosas que no son tan bonitas donde verdaderamente brilla la esperanza.
Tanto este como los libros de la Morisaki, también de Satoshi Yagisawa, contienen un texto al final que siempre encuentro muy entrañable y evocador y va firmado por Eric Ozawa, el traductor al inglés de estos libros. Ozawa y Yagisawa para mi se complementan bastante y espero que sigan sacando más libros juntos.
“Días en el café Torunka” se compone de tres historias que llegan al alma. Tal vez sea que el señor Tachibana protege a sus amigos y parroquianos como a su café, que prepara desde que muele el grano. Aquí encontraremos cómo el universitario que tiene contratado por las tardes encuentra a alguien de su pasado, una fascinante mujer que acude cada domingo a tomarse un café y siempre deja, al marcharse, una bailarina hecha con una de las servilletas de papel disponibles para los clientes.
Un caballero de mediana edad también se encuentra a si mismo despues de varias décadas perdido. Fue un habitual del café antes de que el señor Tachibana lo comprara y lo renovara. El caballero nota los cambios en el exterior y en el barrio, pero no en el interior, pues Tachibana ha conseguido conservar el alma que le influyó la anterior propietario. El caballero tuvo una novia, hace mucho tiempo, a la que no pudo olvidar. Sus recuerdos y su vida son la segunda historia.
En cuanto a la tercera historia, nuestra protagonista es la hija menor del señor Tachibana, una adolescente que, al terminar las clases, acude al lado de su padre y entra en comunidad con la gente del local. Shizuku es el espíritu del café Torunka, padre e hija se tienen el uno al otro y eso es lo que mantiene el Torunka en pie. A pesar de que el señor Tachibana le dio un nombre a su hija relacionado con el café y que nació y creció en la cafetería, a Shizuku no le gusta el café, pero aun así, todos los clientes están de acuerdo en que ella es el café Torunka. Por eso la visión que tiene de su padre, del local, de la gente que ha estado yendo y viniendo a través de los años, es en realidad, la visión del propio café Torunka si sus paredes pudieran hablar. En este tercer relato Shizuku se enamora por primera vez y también tiene su primer desengaño amoroso, pero lo que realmente nos está contando es la historia de su familia, tanto la real, como la encontrada en el café Torunka.
Este libro es anterior a los dos que nos invitaban a la librería Morisaki. Es anterior a esta especie de moda de los libros esperanzadores japoneses y coreanos que estan llegando también a occidente. Por eso no encaja del todo con esos libros, porque te cuenta cosas bonitas, pero tambien otras que no lo son tanto. Es en las cosas que no son tan bonitas donde verdaderamente brilla la esperanza.
Tanto este como los libros de la Morisaki, también de Satoshi Yagisawa, contienen un texto al final que siempre encuentro muy entrañable y evocador y va firmado por Eric Ozawa, el traductor al inglés de estos libros. Ozawa y Yagisawa para mi se complementan bastante y espero que sigan sacando más libros juntos.
November 5, 2025
Audiobook/Book Review 📖 🎧☕️🐈
thank you so much partner @harperperennial @librofm for the gifted copy and audiobook!
Days at the Torunka Cafe
by Satoshi Yagisawa
Translated by Eric Ozawa
Narrated by Sadao Udea
About the book 👇🏽
Tucked away on a narrow side street in Tokyo is the Torunka Café, a neighborhood nook where the passersby are as likely to be local cats as tourists. Its regulars include Chinatsu Yukimura, a mysterious young woman who always leaves behind a napkin folded into the shape of a ballerina; Hiroyuki Numata, a middle-aged man who’s returned to the neighborhood searching for the happy life he once gave up; and Shizuku, the café owner’s teenage daughter, who is still coming to terms with her sister’s death as she falls in love for the first time.
While Café Torunka serves up a perfect cup of coffee, it provides these sundry souls with nourishment far more lasting. Satoshi Yagisawa brilliantly illuminates the periods in our lives where we feel lost—and how we find our way again.
☕️ My thoughts:
“But I won't forget that I was in love, however briefly it lasted. Deeply in love. And it's something I'll treasure. Even if the pain returns, it won't be so bad. Someday, I know, I'll fall in love again.”
This is the kind of book you read or listen to on a slow morning. Not exactly fast paced but it’s not meant to be. It’s meant to be enjoyed while sipping your morning coffee or tea when the world is quiet and you can reflect. I felt like the narrator was a great choice and held my attention greatly. The biggest stand out for me was the setting because it truly is a comfort of its own all while the storytelling is gentle. If you’re looking for a sentimental story that you can read or listen to in a sitting, pick this one up! Days at the Torunka Café is out now!
Happy reading 📖 ☕️🎧🐈
thank you so much partner @harperperennial @librofm for the gifted copy and audiobook!
Days at the Torunka Cafe
by Satoshi Yagisawa
Translated by Eric Ozawa
Narrated by Sadao Udea
About the book 👇🏽
Tucked away on a narrow side street in Tokyo is the Torunka Café, a neighborhood nook where the passersby are as likely to be local cats as tourists. Its regulars include Chinatsu Yukimura, a mysterious young woman who always leaves behind a napkin folded into the shape of a ballerina; Hiroyuki Numata, a middle-aged man who’s returned to the neighborhood searching for the happy life he once gave up; and Shizuku, the café owner’s teenage daughter, who is still coming to terms with her sister’s death as she falls in love for the first time.
While Café Torunka serves up a perfect cup of coffee, it provides these sundry souls with nourishment far more lasting. Satoshi Yagisawa brilliantly illuminates the periods in our lives where we feel lost—and how we find our way again.
☕️ My thoughts:
“But I won't forget that I was in love, however briefly it lasted. Deeply in love. And it's something I'll treasure. Even if the pain returns, it won't be so bad. Someday, I know, I'll fall in love again.”
This is the kind of book you read or listen to on a slow morning. Not exactly fast paced but it’s not meant to be. It’s meant to be enjoyed while sipping your morning coffee or tea when the world is quiet and you can reflect. I felt like the narrator was a great choice and held my attention greatly. The biggest stand out for me was the setting because it truly is a comfort of its own all while the storytelling is gentle. If you’re looking for a sentimental story that you can read or listen to in a sitting, pick this one up! Days at the Torunka Café is out now!
Happy reading 📖 ☕️🎧🐈
November 16, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Satoshi Yagisawa, Eric Ozawa - Translator, Sadao Udea - Narrator, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks/Harper Perennial, and HarperAudio Adult/Harper Perennial for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2025
there’s something about japanese cozy fiction that always feels like a deep breath after a long day. days at the torunka café felt exactly like that.. slow, gentle, and healing. it’s a story that sits beside you, hands you a cup of coffee, and reminds you that life doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful.
this book follows three people whose lives gently overlap inside a small café tucked away in a tokyo alley, a place that almost feels alive, like it’s listening. everyone who walks in carries a bit of sadness, a bit of longing, and somehow finds a piece of themselves again in the smell of roasted beans and quiet conversations.
the writing is delicate and tender, full of warmth in the smallest details. i loved how the author writes about ordinary moments and makes them feel special. the way someone folds a napkin, or shares a memory, or dares to love again, all of it feels like tiny miracles. it reminded me that sometimes healing isn’t about fixing things, it’s about noticing the beauty in between.
⭐ rating: 4/5
📚 genre: literary fiction, translated fiction
☕ read if you love: before the coffee gets cold, days at the morisaki bookshop, or just slow afternoons filled with quiet magic.
this book follows three people whose lives gently overlap inside a small café tucked away in a tokyo alley, a place that almost feels alive, like it’s listening. everyone who walks in carries a bit of sadness, a bit of longing, and somehow finds a piece of themselves again in the smell of roasted beans and quiet conversations.
the writing is delicate and tender, full of warmth in the smallest details. i loved how the author writes about ordinary moments and makes them feel special. the way someone folds a napkin, or shares a memory, or dares to love again, all of it feels like tiny miracles. it reminded me that sometimes healing isn’t about fixing things, it’s about noticing the beauty in between.
⭐ rating: 4/5
📚 genre: literary fiction, translated fiction
☕ read if you love: before the coffee gets cold, days at the morisaki bookshop, or just slow afternoons filled with quiet magic.
November 2, 2025
Die Tage im Café Torunka begleitet die Geschichten von drei Personen, die dem Café auf verschiedene Arten verbunden sind. Wir als Leser:innen begleiten die Figuren in je einem kurzen Abschnitt, in dem sie etwas über sich selbst lernen und an bestimmten Herausforderungen wachsen. Satoshi Yagisawas Schreibstil ist sehr klar und ruhig, mMn typisch für japanische Literatur dieser Art. Ich fand das Buch sehr schön und mochte auch die einzelnen Geschichten, aber ihre Länge war zwischendurch irritierend für mich - sie waren für meinen Geschmack entweder zu lang oder zu kurz; bei der Länge, die sie hatten, hatte ich jedes Mal das Gefühl, ich werde aus der letzten Geschichte gerissen und finde mich deswegen nicht gut in die neue ein. Wäre der Fokus nur auf einer Person gewesen, wäre das natürlich nicht passiert, ebenso, wenn die Geschichten kürzer gewesen wären, sodass ich nicht ganz so an der Figur aus der aktuellen hing. Dass sie schwer loszulassen waren, zeugt aber auch davon, wie gut der Autor ee schafft, sie nachvollziehbar und liebenswert zu machen, auch mit ihren Fehlern. Alles in allem habe ich etwas länger gebraucht, um das Buch zu lesen, weil es keinen großen Spannungsbogen gab, habe meine Zeit im Café Torunka aber genossen und werde bestimmt noch einmal ein Buch von Satoshi Yagisawa lesen.
November 17, 2025
☁️ — “𝙸 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍. 𝙽𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚕𝚢.”
This cute little book is about three interconnected characters and their stories dealing with love, memories;guilt, and loss. Each story centered in this cute, cozy, hidden cafe in Japan.
☁️ — “𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛”
Although sometimes the past and the present can be difficult; it doesn’t have to be that way forever. This books gives the comfort and the peace of understanding that we are all able to move forward and move on to a better tomorrow. New day. New opportunities. New memories.
☁️ — “𝙸𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚛𝚎𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚜.”
These stories were so heartwarming and I can’t recommend this book more! He has more stories and if they are 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 like this one I am running not walking!
The second story had my heart BREAKING! I can’t recommend a book more!
Happy Reading 💌
This cute little book is about three interconnected characters and their stories dealing with love, memories;guilt, and loss. Each story centered in this cute, cozy, hidden cafe in Japan.
☁️ — “𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛”
Although sometimes the past and the present can be difficult; it doesn’t have to be that way forever. This books gives the comfort and the peace of understanding that we are all able to move forward and move on to a better tomorrow. New day. New opportunities. New memories.
☁️ — “𝙸𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚛𝚎𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚜.”
These stories were so heartwarming and I can’t recommend this book more! He has more stories and if they are 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 like this one I am running not walking!
The second story had my heart BREAKING! I can’t recommend a book more!
Happy Reading 💌
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