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The Travelling Cat Chronicles and The Goodbye Cat
Discover the fabulous new double volume hardback gifting edition of The Travelling Cat Chronicles and The Goodbye Cat.
Includes extra sparkle and elegance, with a brand new front-cover illustration.
Set against the backdrop of Japan’s changing seasons and narrated with a rare gentleness and humour, The Travelling Cat Chronicles explores the wonder and thrill of life's unexpected detours. It is about the value of friendship and solitude, and knowing when to give and when to take.
In The Goodbye Cat, seven cats weave their way through their owners' lives. Bursting with empathy and love, it explores the unstoppable cycle of life as we see how the steadiness and devotion of a well-loved cat never lets us down.
Both huge bestsellers in Japan, at the heart of these books is a powerful message about the importance of kindness. Every page is a joyous celebration of cats and how we cannot resist sharing our lives with them.
Includes extra sparkle and elegance, with a brand new front-cover illustration.
Set against the backdrop of Japan’s changing seasons and narrated with a rare gentleness and humour, The Travelling Cat Chronicles explores the wonder and thrill of life's unexpected detours. It is about the value of friendship and solitude, and knowing when to give and when to take.
In The Goodbye Cat, seven cats weave their way through their owners' lives. Bursting with empathy and love, it explores the unstoppable cycle of life as we see how the steadiness and devotion of a well-loved cat never lets us down.
Both huge bestsellers in Japan, at the heart of these books is a powerful message about the importance of kindness. Every page is a joyous celebration of cats and how we cannot resist sharing our lives with them.
512 pages, Hardcover
Published November 6, 2025
About the author
Hiro Arikawa
74 books1,705 followersHiro Arikawa won the tenth annual Dengeki Novel Prize for new writers for Shio no Machi: Wish on My Precious in 2003, and the book was published the following year. It was praised for its love story between a heroine and hero divided by age and social status, and for its depiction of military structures. Although she is a light novelist, her books from her second work onwards have been published as hardbacks alongside more literary works with Arikawa receiving special treatment in this respect from her publisher, MediaWorks. Shio no Machi was also later published in hardback. Her 2006 light novel Toshokan Sensō (The Library War) was named as Hon no Zasshi's number one for entertainment for the first half of 2006, and came fifth in the Honya Taishō for that year, competing against ordinary novels.
She often writes about the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and her first three novels concerning its three branches are known as the Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy); she also wrote about the fictional Library Forces in the Toshokan Sensō series. Raintree no Kuni, which first appeared as a book within a book in Toshokan Nairan was later published by Arikawa as a spin-off with another publisher. It was adapted into a film titled World of Delight released on November 21, 2015.[2][3]Her novel Shokubutsu Zukan (ja) will be adapted into a film titled Shokubutsu Zukan: Unmei no Koi, Hiroimashita and scheduled for release on June 4, 2016.
She often writes about the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and her first three novels concerning its three branches are known as the Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy); she also wrote about the fictional Library Forces in the Toshokan Sensō series. Raintree no Kuni, which first appeared as a book within a book in Toshokan Nairan was later published by Arikawa as a spin-off with another publisher. It was adapted into a film titled World of Delight released on November 21, 2015.[2][3]Her novel Shokubutsu Zukan (ja) will be adapted into a film titled Shokubutsu Zukan: Unmei no Koi, Hiroimashita and scheduled for release on June 4, 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 14, 2026
This was such a unique experience. A lot of the time you are reading from the cats perspective and it was so different and new, really something I needed to get out of my reading slump. I also have never cried this hard over a book. This book was amazing!! The first part was definitely the better half and deserves 6 stars in my opinion.
July 7, 2026
One of the few books that made me experience heartbreak and laughter at the same time
May 23, 2026
Japanese authors have an amazing talent for weaving cats into their tales. This story moves gently along an important journey, communicating the relationship between people & animals. I enjoyed exploring the world through the eyes of the cat. And the end is a wonderful reminder for us to perhaps enjoy the simple wonders around us.
September 25, 2026
A very easy read. The bond between Nana and Saturo perfectly describes the love between every owner and their cat. The narratives from Nana were the funniest parts of the book and exactly how I would imagine cats to think and feel. The ending was bittersweet but was that was to be expected as the storyline was building up to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2026
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
This story is both feel good and sad at the same time and perfect to curl up with on the sofa during these darker nights, or in my case on a train.
The story follows a stray cat who after an unfortunate event finds a home with Satoru and gets named Nana. From Nana's perspective we find out about the events leading up to the 'adoption', how to adjust from a stray cat into a domestic cat, and a little about his new 'owner' Satoru. The traveling starts as Satoru is looking for a new home for Nana, for reasons that are initially not clear, and on these journeys we meet the people that have played an important role Satoru's life and through these interactions we learn about events that have shaped his life. Each of these friends are in one or another tied to a pet, and we meet some interesting characters along the way. We also learn more about the cat that is responsible for Nana's name.
This story is about the importance of the relationships, friendship, family, and pets, in our lives and how they can shape your life and, if you let them, help you navigate life's ups and down.
This story is both feel good and sad at the same time and perfect to curl up with on the sofa during these darker nights, or in my case on a train.
The story follows a stray cat who after an unfortunate event finds a home with Satoru and gets named Nana. From Nana's perspective we find out about the events leading up to the 'adoption', how to adjust from a stray cat into a domestic cat, and a little about his new 'owner' Satoru. The traveling starts as Satoru is looking for a new home for Nana, for reasons that are initially not clear, and on these journeys we meet the people that have played an important role Satoru's life and through these interactions we learn about events that have shaped his life. Each of these friends are in one or another tied to a pet, and we meet some interesting characters along the way. We also learn more about the cat that is responsible for Nana's name.
This story is about the importance of the relationships, friendship, family, and pets, in our lives and how they can shape your life and, if you let them, help you navigate life's ups and down.
November 11, 2026
This book had me giggling one moment and crying the next. Arikawa’s writing beautifully captures the world through a cat’s eyes, immersing you in their thoughts and little quirks in such a special way. I especially loved how Nana was written with so much personality. A cat full of sass, cleverness and affection yet always carrying that unmistakable feline pride. The dialogue was wonderfully written, bringing out his character in a way that made him all the more endearing.
The last chapter had me absolutely bawling my eyes out. It certainly didn’t help that Nana is the spitting image of my very own cat, Churri Bun.
A book I’ll undoubtedly return to whenever I need a little warmth for the heart. One I’d wholeheartedly recommend to every animal lover. ❤
The last chapter had me absolutely bawling my eyes out. It certainly didn’t help that Nana is the spitting image of my very own cat, Churri Bun.
A book I’ll undoubtedly return to whenever I need a little warmth for the heart. One I’d wholeheartedly recommend to every animal lover. ❤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2026
I’m settling on 4 stars as an overall but this is definitely a story that I would like to reread in future.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles was a 5 star read for me. I cried far more than I expected because I was so attached to the characters and the story. This is notable for me because I don’t tend to cry often when reading.
Even though I guessed the direction the story was going in, it was such a good read for me. It kept me hooked and considering I knew nothing about this book and picked it up solely on a whim, it was a complete surprise.
The Goodbye Cat was a collection of short stories so understandably there were some I enjoyed more than others. I would rate this as a 3.5 star read for me because I enjoyed most but it was hard to get attached to the characters in each different story. The Goodbye Cat story was 100% my favourite though.
Overall, I’m glad I picked this up and read it because it was a very pleasant surprise and I would recommend!
The Travelling Cat Chronicles was a 5 star read for me. I cried far more than I expected because I was so attached to the characters and the story. This is notable for me because I don’t tend to cry often when reading.
Even though I guessed the direction the story was going in, it was such a good read for me. It kept me hooked and considering I knew nothing about this book and picked it up solely on a whim, it was a complete surprise.
The Goodbye Cat was a collection of short stories so understandably there were some I enjoyed more than others. I would rate this as a 3.5 star read for me because I enjoyed most but it was hard to get attached to the characters in each different story. The Goodbye Cat story was 100% my favourite though.
Overall, I’m glad I picked this up and read it because it was a very pleasant surprise and I would recommend!
July 11, 2026
the travelling cat chronicles: 4/5
the goodbye cat: 3/5
hiro arikawa has a very easing way of writing. combine this with the soothing subject of cats in japan and you get the relaxing reading experience one is looking for. the excess of cat POV's is actually quite the refreshment and leads to nice and original stories :)
the goodbye cat: 3/5
hiro arikawa has a very easing way of writing. combine this with the soothing subject of cats in japan and you get the relaxing reading experience one is looking for. the excess of cat POV's is actually quite the refreshment and leads to nice and original stories :)
October 23, 2026
Stunning. The way Arikawa immerses you into the head of a cat and tells the stories about his humans is so touching and funny.
It's been a while since I've read a book in less than 48 hours. And what a delightful one it was.
It's been a while since I've read a book in less than 48 hours. And what a delightful one it was.
February 12, 2026
made me cry
April 14, 2026
Perfect for you if you love cats
Made my cry when Satoru died, even if I could guess from the beginning, it still made me cry.
Made my cry when Satoru died, even if I could guess from the beginning, it still made me cry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2026
A comfort book ☺️ I’d pick it up and read it again because it’s a simple piece about life and love
October 18, 2026
Métaphorique ; us et coutumes japonaises vus par un chat ! Original et finalement tous les amis vus sous prétexte de refiler le chat en raison d’un secret bien gardé
April 11, 2026
took a bit long to read this one but why did it make me so emotional at times
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews