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세상의 마지막 기차역
봄이 시작되는 3월, 급행열차 한 대가 탈선해 절벽 아래로 떨어졌다. 수많은 중상자를 낸 이 대형 사고 때문에 유가족은 순식간에 사랑하는 가족, 연인을 잃었다. 그렇게 두 달이 흘렀을까. 사람들 사이에서 이상한 소문이 돌기 시작하는데….
역에서 가장 가까운 역인 ‘니시유이가하마 역’에 가면 유령이 나타나 사고가 일어난 그날의 열차에 오르도록 도와준다는 것. 단 유령이 제시한 네 가지 규칙을 반드시 지켜야만 한다. 그렇지 않으면 자신도 죽게 된다. 이를 알고도 유가족은 한 치의 망설임도 없이 역으로 향한다. 과연 유령 열차가 완전히 하늘로 올라가 사라지기 전, 사람들은 무사히 열차에 올라 사랑하는 이의 마지막을 함께할 수 있을까.
틱톡에 소개되어 일본 독자들 사이에서 크게 입소문이 난 화제작. 현실과 판타지를 넘나들며 단숨에 독자를 이야기의 세계로 빠져들게 하는 무라세 다케시의 소설로, 작가의 여러 작품 중 한국에 처음 소개되는 작품이다. 작가가 쓴 작품 중 단연코 손꼽히는 판타지 휴머니즘 소설.
역에서 가장 가까운 역인 ‘니시유이가하마 역’에 가면 유령이 나타나 사고가 일어난 그날의 열차에 오르도록 도와준다는 것. 단 유령이 제시한 네 가지 규칙을 반드시 지켜야만 한다. 그렇지 않으면 자신도 죽게 된다. 이를 알고도 유가족은 한 치의 망설임도 없이 역으로 향한다. 과연 유령 열차가 완전히 하늘로 올라가 사라지기 전, 사람들은 무사히 열차에 올라 사랑하는 이의 마지막을 함께할 수 있을까.
틱톡에 소개되어 일본 독자들 사이에서 크게 입소문이 난 화제작. 현실과 판타지를 넘나들며 단숨에 독자를 이야기의 세계로 빠져들게 하는 무라세 다케시의 소설로, 작가의 여러 작품 중 한국에 처음 소개되는 작품이다. 작가가 쓴 작품 중 단연코 손꼽히는 판타지 휴머니즘 소설.
324 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 16, 2025
Invariably, it’s only after losing a loved one that people realize how beautiful those days had been— the days that would never return.
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station stirred something deep within my soul. It’s a tender, aching portrayal of life and loss. The various faces of grief are displayed through four interconnected stories— through four heartbroken individuals who lost those they love to an immeasurable tragedy.
A train running along the Kamakura line derails and careens off of a cliff and into a ravine, killing sixty-eight of its one hundred twenty-seven passengers.
A young woman loses her fiancé.
A son loses the father he was once ashamed of.
A junior high school student loses the childhood crush that saved his life.
And the wife of the train’s conductor— has lost the love of her life, too.
With every story, the heartache grew. Tears streamed down my face as I found a piece of myself in every character. But no matter how low some of these individuals felt, what internal battles and challenges they faced— there was someone who loved them deeply.
Now those people were gone, and so much was left to say.
If you could see someone you’ve lost one more time, what would you tell them?
In the world of Japanese magical realism, second chances are a token narrative. Books meant to make you cry, ponder, and reflect end up being the very same stories that make you smile and warm one’s heart.
In this story, the second chance is to board a ghost train in the dead of night. Only those emotionally tied to the train wreck can see the train and the spirit of a mysterious high school-aged girl who will give them a breakdown of rules before they see their loved ones for the final time.
Upon boarding the train and reuniting with their beloved individuals, nothing is left unsaid and no stone is left unturned. Emotions sit at an all-time high as our four main characters take their turns at finding closure— and making the absolute most out of their last ride.
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station was a thoughtful and poignant little book. It was often softhearted and gentle, but held the weight of reality and circumstance. Some of my favorite portions were when the author wrote about the characters’ internal battles, but continuously nuanced that there will always, always be someone willing to hold your hand.
You do not need to face life alone. Love will find its way to you in some form— some divine way. Hold on to it, and cherish it forever.
I’m so happy I chose to pluck this book off of my shelf. Japanese magical realism continues to check off all the boxes as one of my favorite subgenres. I’m not often one for paranormal stories— but add a heartfelt message to it and give the living a chance to smile, laugh, and connect with the dearly departed one last time… and you’ve got me.
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station is a wonderful, deserved ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star read for its tender approach and thought-provoking premise. While highly emotional, it was digestible and rewarding. Nestled inside were a few lovely plot twists that put a little smile on my face, and a resolution in regard to the deceased passengers that changed my entire perspective on the book by its end. If you are a fan of Before the Coffee Gets Cold or Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon and you’d like a little more depth or a heightened emotional experience— this is absolutely the book for you.
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station stirred something deep within my soul. It’s a tender, aching portrayal of life and loss. The various faces of grief are displayed through four interconnected stories— through four heartbroken individuals who lost those they love to an immeasurable tragedy.
A train running along the Kamakura line derails and careens off of a cliff and into a ravine, killing sixty-eight of its one hundred twenty-seven passengers.
A young woman loses her fiancé.
A son loses the father he was once ashamed of.
A junior high school student loses the childhood crush that saved his life.
And the wife of the train’s conductor— has lost the love of her life, too.
With every story, the heartache grew. Tears streamed down my face as I found a piece of myself in every character. But no matter how low some of these individuals felt, what internal battles and challenges they faced— there was someone who loved them deeply.
Now those people were gone, and so much was left to say.
If you could see someone you’ve lost one more time, what would you tell them?
In the world of Japanese magical realism, second chances are a token narrative. Books meant to make you cry, ponder, and reflect end up being the very same stories that make you smile and warm one’s heart.
In this story, the second chance is to board a ghost train in the dead of night. Only those emotionally tied to the train wreck can see the train and the spirit of a mysterious high school-aged girl who will give them a breakdown of rules before they see their loved ones for the final time.
Upon boarding the train and reuniting with their beloved individuals, nothing is left unsaid and no stone is left unturned. Emotions sit at an all-time high as our four main characters take their turns at finding closure— and making the absolute most out of their last ride.
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station was a thoughtful and poignant little book. It was often softhearted and gentle, but held the weight of reality and circumstance. Some of my favorite portions were when the author wrote about the characters’ internal battles, but continuously nuanced that there will always, always be someone willing to hold your hand.
You do not need to face life alone. Love will find its way to you in some form— some divine way. Hold on to it, and cherish it forever.
I’m so happy I chose to pluck this book off of my shelf. Japanese magical realism continues to check off all the boxes as one of my favorite subgenres. I’m not often one for paranormal stories— but add a heartfelt message to it and give the living a chance to smile, laugh, and connect with the dearly departed one last time… and you’ve got me.
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station is a wonderful, deserved ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star read for its tender approach and thought-provoking premise. While highly emotional, it was digestible and rewarding. Nestled inside were a few lovely plot twists that put a little smile on my face, and a resolution in regard to the deceased passengers that changed my entire perspective on the book by its end. If you are a fan of Before the Coffee Gets Cold or Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon and you’d like a little more depth or a heightened emotional experience— this is absolutely the book for you.
April 15, 2024
What would you do if you could see your loved one one last time? That's the question posed by this book, which could have been maudlin, but instead is a beautifully sad exploration of grief and what the dead want from those they left behind. Told in four interconnected stories, it can be predictable and never fully recaptures the power of its opening tale, but ultimately proves to be a book worth reading.
CW: suicide, suicide ideation
CW: suicide, suicide ideation
July 9, 2024
this book is so sad, i feel like maybe even sadder than “Before the Coffee Gets Cold”. similar vibes but just more gutwrenching
January 16, 2025
"فکر می کنم اگه به بقیه بگیم که احساساتشون رو می فهمیم، خیلی نسنجیدهست. بالاخره هرکسی تو شرایط متفاوتی زندگی می کنه."
August 9, 2024
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station is such a good book about saying goodbye to your departed loved ones. There are 4 stories inside and I cried for the 2 of them. There is so much feels that I cannot stop my eyes from crying for the second and last story.
Somehow, I kinda expected that they know. But still it was definitely a good read. I kinda wish the grandpa saw Yukiho too. 🥺
I also love the fact they got interconnected as you go along. Like how the daughter in law of the first story talked to the boy from the 3rd story. And that man from the 2nd story interacted from the wife of the 4th story. Also! The Nemoto family deserves all the love. I cried with their letter for the wife.😭
It definitely a good and heartwarming read.
Somehow, I kinda expected that they know. But still it was definitely a good read. I kinda wish the grandpa saw Yukiho too. 🥺
I also love the fact they got interconnected as you go along. Like how the daughter in law of the first story talked to the boy from the 3rd story. And that man from the 2nd story interacted from the wife of the 4th story. Also! The Nemoto family deserves all the love. I cried with their letter for the wife.😭
It definitely a good and heartwarming read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
avertissement: à ne pas lire en public! les larmes sortent toutes seules.🫢🌟
August 3, 2024
Final rating: 4.5
May 17, 2025
[In Depth Review – review is my opinion alone, review for readers not author, TL;DR at end]
TW in this book: death, suicide (and how died this way) and suicidal ideation, depression, mental health, blood, being in train during accident, bullying and workplace bullying, worry of losing or gaining weight
Brief about us so know where review coming from:
Severely depressed and dealt with suicidal ideation and such. We never lost anyone but deal with different kind of grief.
Found this book at barns & noble as one of my most favorite books ever is Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa and both had similarities at surface level (both about train full of the dead, grief and loss and getting through it.) We expected some Possible influence as Galactic Railroad is also japanese of origin and is considered a modern classic.
However, besides a train, grief, and dead people riding a train, their similarities end there and is nothing like Galactic Railroad for better or worse. This book is its own thing and doesn’t have surrealism nor is the god, train, and passengers “supernatural”, it’s very normal realistic thing. There is no dream-like imagery. It focuses on real and reality and doesn’t have a learning, metaphor, or wonder element Galactic Railroad has. It’s very easy to understand and what you see is what you get.
[not a knock at story, just a difference. Dont get book if expecting similar story or feeling to Night on the Galactic Railroad]
I’ve never read anything else from this author currently.
---
[Book and story construction]
Book sizing wise, its feels slightly taller and narrower compared to average book at 5 x 8¾in / 12.7 x 22.2cm, the text is also smaller but very much readable with nice font (idk Exact size, but it likely around 9pt font). It also sometimes uses different fonts for things like text messages and time, its charming. The margin is slightly narrow at about half an inch / 1.27cm, comfortable to read but may not be able write in. The cover jacket is Beautiful and has this nice buttery texture, normally I take off dust jackets, but I left this one on.
this book is 170 pages long, having 4 chapters that act as 4 mostly separate short stories.
Ch1: 45 pages, Ch2: 35 pages, Ch3: 43 pages, Ch4: 32 pages
Because of this, the book is quite digestible and easy to read. Its written in 1st person but feels natural,
the prose is simple however doesn’t feel special at all. I don’t know any japanese, but this novel Feels well translated as phrasings are done naturally that works in english. If names were in english, I wouldn’t realize that this is a translated work [positive]. However you may cringe a little if not enjoy long ellipses.
This book feels geared towards teens, young adults, and older, however anyone can read this (but do mind the warnings)
---
The Review
[1. Mental Health Treatment – its not good]
I wanted to like this book, however way it deals with mental health feels very surface level, one note, and at worse possibly harmful.
Ultimately, the messaging is “Smile more, smile because loved one wants you to. Loved one saved you so you should live. Loved one is part of you so you should live. Loved one wants you to live so you should live. Being sad is good because mean you cared about something.” If reading these messaging makes you frustrated, not heard, brushed off, uncomfortable, etc. Don’t pick up this book.
This sounds sweet, however its something you always hear all the time, and to those who already suffering from guilt and more extreme, this can feel very dismissive as if hear “smile because they want you, live because they want you” and not being able to that, youll feel more guilt and worse. Theres nothing here about living for yourself or living for something other than “they want you to”.
Whats worse and made us rate 2 stars is how “Kind Words = Immediate Remedy”. Every single time in this book a character is depressed or suicidal, someone comes up to them and say or do something nice, the depression and sadness immediately gone.
Several times in this book a character wants to commit suicide, someone tells them something nice, then feeling and depression all gone everything is immediately all better.
It was only different one time, but it still made better with, again, “tell kind word, all better”. It continues dismissal of having strong emotion and depression, and that “just think about others”.
This all Sound sweet, it Sounds good, however its all very surface level and feels more like “For outsiders who want to cry or feel better about themselves”, for me this left me feeling more frustrated, sick, and less heard than before read book. It’s telling these messaging as earth shattering and perfect answer every time.
Only alternative answer is “get a job you enjoy”, and that doesn’t feel like much of alternative even if good.
The main point of this story is grief and moving forward from it, if messaging falls flat then entire story falls flat, and to us it does.
--
It also not help that all the character’s grief and depression is expressed the exact same way. They are sad, they feel bad and wish couldve done more, they want die with loved one. But I cannot say whats different from all of them. Only one can think of is one became recluse and another worried about appearance or gaining weight, and becoming angry, however two of these happen Before losing the loved one. Their grief and depression are all solved the same way, the message works on all of them, it all feel same in end.
--
[2. Unusual focus on Romance & Bullying]
3/4 of these short stories has love or romance involved, even the one not directly about losing a romantic love still has minor mention of having a relationship. This story is about losing a loved one, but it focuses Way too heavily on Literal romantic loved one being lost, only one of them is about losing a family member.
Theres 4 short stories here, why not have them be all different? Theres so many kinds of relationships and love, could’ve done losing a friend, a mentor, person taking care of, but it doesn’t include these ideas.
For most these stories, the character practically only dies at the Very End, so majority of the story is taken up by showing character relationship or them being sad because of something else. The grief primarily just shows up at end of their stories which feel Should be main focus but not enough time put into it.
Not only that, All the stories here involve bullying in some way. More time is spent showing bullying or showing character stuff not about the grief.
Chances are you’re picking up/reading story to see characters go through grief as thats what synopsis and hook is about, only time mention romance is that character is fiance, wife, crush. So with that, feel too much is dedicated to everything other than grief and just show time directly after losing the person and nothing further. I know Should bond with character before lose, however the grief is practically resolved immediately / not much time spent on compared to rest.
--
[3. Train and God don’t feel special]
This can also be because we went into story expecting more focus on supernatural or having surrealism, or something grander or magical as the title says a god is involved. However, the ghost train is just a train and the god is just a ghost girl.
This couldve been done well, however the train feels like just a place to see the dead person and them to say things to make protag feel better, and the girl is just there to be charming and tell rules. Theres no fantastical imagery nor does this god have much presence or importance at all. The train is just a train and the girl is just a girl. (even though I do like this god character, she still very much not that important). I don’t mind the god character not being “godly” as japanese culture is different and she doesnt need be grand, however it doesn’t really help. Ending cool, but again doesnt help
The characters also only interact with loved one on ghost train, no other passengers. The ghost train parts are very short.
--
[4. Yikes stalking!]
One of the chapters was really uncomfortable,
He practically stalks her and even Directly mentions that he could be seen as a stalker. I know this supposed to be young kid with anxiety so does this, but if you imagine this character as an adult doing this, itd be alarming. I Understand having anxiety talking to someone so watch from afar instead, but how written takes it too far and shouldn’t be encouraging this behavior.
His stalking behavior is even rewarded in end. Its not good.
This was when we checked author’s gender and learned he’s a man, so hhh.
--
[5. Realistic to point of frustration, Trope filled to point of frustration]
Characters are realistic and easy bond with, however follow very clear archetypes you’ve seen before as well as story lines you’ve seen before. Through whole book we constantly went “of course that happens”
Theres many points in story that feel relatable and realistic, however not fun to read. These kinds of scenes drag on longer than they should (over 16 pages straight of workplace bullying and over 18 pages straight about pretty much stalking/longing, keep in mind these short stories are 30~ to 45~ pages long)
These characters don’t feel original and just feel meant to be “just a real person, relatable” which may not be fun to read. They may feel real, but they don’t stick with you after book is done. I more remember specific scenes, not the characters.
The tropes:
It feels strange read story with characters that feel real, but fit extremely neatly into characterization boxes.
Also cant help but feel the sadness and tear jerkers feel too clear or too forced. "all these bad / sad things happen so of course should feel this way". "of course this character is bullied a lot and had awful life, you should feel bad for them"
--
[6. The good!]
Though I have many gripes, there are parts of the story that made us feel things and had a lot of heart. There are great old people characters and young characters, and great parental figures. Most relationships are sweet and healthy. Theres infertile character who loved way is, theres variety of ages of protags and that pretty rare, they feel like characters have seen or meet irl. Also love that shows kids can be depressed too. The woman is written Decently well and the old lady is written well. Love familial relationship between the man and his father as really bond with.
The hook, end, and final chapter are Fantastic! The hook really grabs you and the end is wonderful send off. The story sticks the landing even if imo the path getting there couldve been better.
--
[7. The cool other book mentioned at start - optional detour]
btw this is Not a "go read Night on the Galactic Railroad instead" as that books is very different from this book. Just because like or didnt like this book not mean may or may not like that book. Its short story of about 60~80 pages. However if do enjoy idea of ghost trains and grief and also enjoyer of surrealism, learning, limital space, adventure, it may be cool check out. Theres also a great film adaptation by same name. Recommend give it watch first as on crunchyroll, amazon video, and possibly other places.
But to briefly compare them, we do feel Galactic Railroad handles idea of grief in more unique way thats more indirect, theres a "sadness but dont know why" and more so focuses on more different people and their different unique joys. The grief and lost is only clear at the very end. It doesnt give an answer to grief, but instead says "Help people even if it destroys you (not fully agree with this but it present in lot his works), to find your own joy and itll be different for everyone". Theres a strong kindness and happiness to it thats not present in lot of depressing grief media.
You may not like Galactic Railroad if not enjoy feeling lost, things that feel random, surrealism, not as clear or direct, it also has christian visuals. I however enjoy it a lot as every reread I always find something new, especially if learning about constellations. You can really chew into it, you won't really get that with Nishi-Yuigahama Station as what you see is what you get. (not bad, just different taste)
--
[8. Conclusion / TL;DR]
Anyways, reason why gave 2 stars is due to “Kind Words = Immediate Remedy” depression immediately gone after telling nice stuff, the only answer to grief here is “live because they want you to” (it can feel dismissive and its made to sound like “ultimate answer”) only alternative answer is “get a job you enjoy”. Another is that theres stalking behavior in this book thats rewarded.
Prob not great for those really suffering from depression, grief, and guilt, and not resonate with message. Probably better read if not facing those things and want a “cry and feel better” kind story.
Formatting of story is great, easy and readable, realistic and many parts are full of heart and sweet. I can see how can love this story a lot.
However, I cannot get past the messaging and how go about it not being good for those really suffering from the things in story. Its very low rating as its entire point of the story and feel its Supposed to be for those struggling, but instead feels like for someone else to feel better about themselves with a simple answer. In the end I felt more frustrated and less heard than before read the book.
Also no surrealism nor Feel supernatural, ghost and god just normal people, and train is just train. (not bad thing, was just expecting but turns out not there)
It feels like things already seen before, and unique part of train and god isn’t that important, ghost train Only exist for protag to feel better, characters realistic but not unique or that memorable in sea of similar tropes.
--
Hope this essay review helps :] (2.6k words srry 😔, if read so far congrats you read 4 whole pages of review 🐕ty for your time)
TW in this book: death, suicide (and how died this way) and suicidal ideation, depression, mental health, blood, being in train during accident, bullying and workplace bullying, worry of losing or gaining weight
Brief about us so know where review coming from:
Severely depressed and dealt with suicidal ideation and such. We never lost anyone but deal with different kind of grief.
Found this book at barns & noble as one of my most favorite books ever is Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa and both had similarities at surface level (both about train full of the dead, grief and loss and getting through it.) We expected some Possible influence as Galactic Railroad is also japanese of origin and is considered a modern classic.
However, besides a train, grief, and dead people riding a train, their similarities end there and is nothing like Galactic Railroad for better or worse. This book is its own thing and doesn’t have surrealism nor is the god, train, and passengers “supernatural”, it’s very normal realistic thing. There is no dream-like imagery. It focuses on real and reality and doesn’t have a learning, metaphor, or wonder element Galactic Railroad has. It’s very easy to understand and what you see is what you get.
[not a knock at story, just a difference. Dont get book if expecting similar story or feeling to Night on the Galactic Railroad]
I’ve never read anything else from this author currently.
---
[Book and story construction]
Book sizing wise, its feels slightly taller and narrower compared to average book at 5 x 8¾in / 12.7 x 22.2cm, the text is also smaller but very much readable with nice font (idk Exact size, but it likely around 9pt font). It also sometimes uses different fonts for things like text messages and time, its charming. The margin is slightly narrow at about half an inch / 1.27cm, comfortable to read but may not be able write in. The cover jacket is Beautiful and has this nice buttery texture, normally I take off dust jackets, but I left this one on.
this book is 170 pages long, having 4 chapters that act as 4 mostly separate short stories.
Ch1: 45 pages, Ch2: 35 pages, Ch3: 43 pages, Ch4: 32 pages
Because of this, the book is quite digestible and easy to read. Its written in 1st person but feels natural,
the prose is simple however doesn’t feel special at all. I don’t know any japanese, but this novel Feels well translated as phrasings are done naturally that works in english. If names were in english, I wouldn’t realize that this is a translated work [positive]. However you may cringe a little if not enjoy long ellipses.
This book feels geared towards teens, young adults, and older, however anyone can read this (but do mind the warnings)
---
The Review
[1. Mental Health Treatment – its not good]
I wanted to like this book, however way it deals with mental health feels very surface level, one note, and at worse possibly harmful.
Ultimately, the messaging is “Smile more, smile because loved one wants you to. Loved one saved you so you should live. Loved one is part of you so you should live. Loved one wants you to live so you should live. Being sad is good because mean you cared about something.” If reading these messaging makes you frustrated, not heard, brushed off, uncomfortable, etc. Don’t pick up this book.
This sounds sweet, however its something you always hear all the time, and to those who already suffering from guilt and more extreme, this can feel very dismissive as if hear “smile because they want you, live because they want you” and not being able to that, youll feel more guilt and worse. Theres nothing here about living for yourself or living for something other than “they want you to”.
Whats worse and made us rate 2 stars is how “Kind Words = Immediate Remedy”. Every single time in this book a character is depressed or suicidal, someone comes up to them and say or do something nice, the depression and sadness immediately gone.
Several times in this book a character wants to commit suicide, someone tells them something nice, then feeling and depression all gone everything is immediately all better.
It was only different one time, but it still made better with, again, “tell kind word, all better”. It continues dismissal of having strong emotion and depression, and that “just think about others”.
This all Sound sweet, it Sounds good, however its all very surface level and feels more like “For outsiders who want to cry or feel better about themselves”, for me this left me feeling more frustrated, sick, and less heard than before read book. It’s telling these messaging as earth shattering and perfect answer every time.
Only alternative answer is “get a job you enjoy”, and that doesn’t feel like much of alternative even if good.
The main point of this story is grief and moving forward from it, if messaging falls flat then entire story falls flat, and to us it does.
--
It also not help that all the character’s grief and depression is expressed the exact same way. They are sad, they feel bad and wish couldve done more, they want die with loved one. But I cannot say whats different from all of them. Only one can think of is one became recluse and another worried about appearance or gaining weight, and becoming angry, however two of these happen Before losing the loved one. Their grief and depression are all solved the same way, the message works on all of them, it all feel same in end.
--
[2. Unusual focus on Romance & Bullying]
3/4 of these short stories has love or romance involved, even the one not directly about losing a romantic love still has minor mention of having a relationship. This story is about losing a loved one, but it focuses Way too heavily on Literal romantic loved one being lost, only one of them is about losing a family member.
Theres 4 short stories here, why not have them be all different? Theres so many kinds of relationships and love, could’ve done losing a friend, a mentor, person taking care of, but it doesn’t include these ideas.
For most these stories, the character practically only dies at the Very End, so majority of the story is taken up by showing character relationship or them being sad because of something else. The grief primarily just shows up at end of their stories which feel Should be main focus but not enough time put into it.
Not only that, All the stories here involve bullying in some way. More time is spent showing bullying or showing character stuff not about the grief.
Chances are you’re picking up/reading story to see characters go through grief as thats what synopsis and hook is about, only time mention romance is that character is fiance, wife, crush. So with that, feel too much is dedicated to everything other than grief and just show time directly after losing the person and nothing further. I know Should bond with character before lose, however the grief is practically resolved immediately / not much time spent on compared to rest.
--
[3. Train and God don’t feel special]
This can also be because we went into story expecting more focus on supernatural or having surrealism, or something grander or magical as the title says a god is involved. However, the ghost train is just a train and the god is just a ghost girl.
This couldve been done well, however the train feels like just a place to see the dead person and them to say things to make protag feel better, and the girl is just there to be charming and tell rules. Theres no fantastical imagery nor does this god have much presence or importance at all. The train is just a train and the girl is just a girl. (even though I do like this god character, she still very much not that important). I don’t mind the god character not being “godly” as japanese culture is different and she doesnt need be grand, however it doesn’t really help. Ending cool, but again doesnt help
The characters also only interact with loved one on ghost train, no other passengers. The ghost train parts are very short.
--
[4. Yikes stalking!]
One of the chapters was really uncomfortable,
He practically stalks her and even Directly mentions that he could be seen as a stalker. I know this supposed to be young kid with anxiety so does this, but if you imagine this character as an adult doing this, itd be alarming. I Understand having anxiety talking to someone so watch from afar instead, but how written takes it too far and shouldn’t be encouraging this behavior.
His stalking behavior is even rewarded in end. Its not good.
This was when we checked author’s gender and learned he’s a man, so hhh.
--
[5. Realistic to point of frustration, Trope filled to point of frustration]
Characters are realistic and easy bond with, however follow very clear archetypes you’ve seen before as well as story lines you’ve seen before. Through whole book we constantly went “of course that happens”
Theres many points in story that feel relatable and realistic, however not fun to read. These kinds of scenes drag on longer than they should (over 16 pages straight of workplace bullying and over 18 pages straight about pretty much stalking/longing, keep in mind these short stories are 30~ to 45~ pages long)
These characters don’t feel original and just feel meant to be “just a real person, relatable” which may not be fun to read. They may feel real, but they don’t stick with you after book is done. I more remember specific scenes, not the characters.
The tropes:
It feels strange read story with characters that feel real, but fit extremely neatly into characterization boxes.
Also cant help but feel the sadness and tear jerkers feel too clear or too forced. "all these bad / sad things happen so of course should feel this way". "of course this character is bullied a lot and had awful life, you should feel bad for them"
--
[6. The good!]
Though I have many gripes, there are parts of the story that made us feel things and had a lot of heart. There are great old people characters and young characters, and great parental figures. Most relationships are sweet and healthy. Theres infertile character who loved way is, theres variety of ages of protags and that pretty rare, they feel like characters have seen or meet irl. Also love that shows kids can be depressed too. The woman is written Decently well and the old lady is written well. Love familial relationship between the man and his father as really bond with.
The hook, end, and final chapter are Fantastic! The hook really grabs you and the end is wonderful send off. The story sticks the landing even if imo the path getting there couldve been better.
--
[7. The cool other book mentioned at start - optional detour]
btw this is Not a "go read Night on the Galactic Railroad instead" as that books is very different from this book. Just because like or didnt like this book not mean may or may not like that book. Its short story of about 60~80 pages. However if do enjoy idea of ghost trains and grief and also enjoyer of surrealism, learning, limital space, adventure, it may be cool check out. Theres also a great film adaptation by same name. Recommend give it watch first as on crunchyroll, amazon video, and possibly other places.
But to briefly compare them, we do feel Galactic Railroad handles idea of grief in more unique way thats more indirect, theres a "sadness but dont know why" and more so focuses on more different people and their different unique joys. The grief and lost is only clear at the very end. It doesnt give an answer to grief, but instead says "Help people even if it destroys you (not fully agree with this but it present in lot his works), to find your own joy and itll be different for everyone". Theres a strong kindness and happiness to it thats not present in lot of depressing grief media.
You may not like Galactic Railroad if not enjoy feeling lost, things that feel random, surrealism, not as clear or direct, it also has christian visuals. I however enjoy it a lot as every reread I always find something new, especially if learning about constellations. You can really chew into it, you won't really get that with Nishi-Yuigahama Station as what you see is what you get. (not bad, just different taste)
--
[8. Conclusion / TL;DR]
Anyways, reason why gave 2 stars is due to “Kind Words = Immediate Remedy” depression immediately gone after telling nice stuff, the only answer to grief here is “live because they want you to” (it can feel dismissive and its made to sound like “ultimate answer”) only alternative answer is “get a job you enjoy”. Another is that theres stalking behavior in this book thats rewarded.
Prob not great for those really suffering from depression, grief, and guilt, and not resonate with message. Probably better read if not facing those things and want a “cry and feel better” kind story.
Formatting of story is great, easy and readable, realistic and many parts are full of heart and sweet. I can see how can love this story a lot.
However, I cannot get past the messaging and how go about it not being good for those really suffering from the things in story. Its very low rating as its entire point of the story and feel its Supposed to be for those struggling, but instead feels like for someone else to feel better about themselves with a simple answer. In the end I felt more frustrated and less heard than before read the book.
Also no surrealism nor Feel supernatural, ghost and god just normal people, and train is just train. (not bad thing, was just expecting but turns out not there)
It feels like things already seen before, and unique part of train and god isn’t that important, ghost train Only exist for protag to feel better, characters realistic but not unique or that memorable in sea of similar tropes.
--
Hope this essay review helps :] (2.6k words srry 😔, if read so far congrats you read 4 whole pages of review 🐕ty for your time)
April 2, 2025
خیلی کتاب خوشخوانی بود
روایت از دست دادن آدم های مهم زندگی ۴ کارکتر که توی هر فصل به یکیشون پرداخت بود.
فضای داستان غمگین بود
داستان میخواست بگه خیلی زود، دیر میشه و اگر حرفی دارید بزنید به آدمهای اطرافتون کاری دارید انجامش بدید.
روایت از دست دادن آدم های مهم زندگی ۴ کارکتر که توی هر فصل به یکیشون پرداخت بود.
فضای داستان غمگین بود
داستان میخواست بگه خیلی زود، دیر میشه و اگر حرفی دارید بزنید به آدمهای اطرافتون کاری دارید انجامش بدید.
November 18, 2022
읽으면서 울었음. 사랑하는 사람을 잃는 이야기들. 소설을 읽는게 이렇게 재미있었구나, 다시 책을 읽어야겠다고 생각하게 된 계기. 정말 오랜만에 읽는 한글책.
August 20, 2025
Quiet, Aching
Portrayal of grief, longing, second chances and regrets.
Offers varied perspective and magical realism.
Made me think of moments I wish I could relive.
Portrayal of grief, longing, second chances and regrets.
Offers varied perspective and magical realism.
Made me think of moments I wish I could relive.
July 17, 2024
Meron siyang rules same nung sa Before The Coffee Gets Cold. Gaya din nung sa BTCGC yung last rule ang favorite ko :
"Meeting the doomed rider will not change their fate. No matter what you do, those who died in the accident will not come back to life. If you attempt to get people off the train before it derails, you will be returned to the present day."
I like the translation of this book more than Before The Coffee Gets Cold.
First part is yung sa babae at sa fiancé niya na nadeds, it was cute na mabigat. Nakakalungkot yung start, ang cute nung nagreremininsce si Tomo nung mga bata pa sila - kung pano sila nagkakilala ni Nemoto. I like din yung part na mahal na mahal din siya ng in laws niya, yung anak na din ang turing nila kay Tomo. Yung sa train scene dun ako nagsimulang maiyak, yung tinanong niya si Nemoto what if pag namatay si Nemoto gusto din niya na sumunod sa kanya after, pati yung pagsuot niya ng singsing. Pero ang nagpaiyak talaga sakin eh yung "Once the reception's over, let's go and visit those woods together." This part revolves around the regret of not meeting up again sooner and staying together longer.
The second part is about a son and his father - a story of a son's regret by the way he treated his father, it started with Sakamoto playing air hockey with his mentor and business partners. It shows how fucked up corporate society was; if you don't suck up to higher ups, you won't be praised. Sabi nga, "I think once you're on the job, your academic background stops mattering." Alam kong masasaktan agad ako kase feeling ko magkakaregrets 'tong si Sakamoto sa pagtreat niya sa tatay niya. Nakaramdam din ako ng betrayal from Shiho and Tagano pero saglit lang gawa nung phonecall ng nanay ni Sakamoto. Nakakaiyak din yung part na nicomfort na nung tatay niya si Sakamoto yung may part na sinabihan siya ng "Whenever you fell down, you'd just keep getting back on your feet, time and again. You can do it. I know you can, because you're you. You can count on yourself."
Next part is about a boy and his crush, kaya pinangako ko talaga sa sarili ko na hindi ako mag aasawa ng hindi ko nakikita na makakasama ko pagtanda. Ayokong magkaroon ng anak na hindi kompleto ang pamilya, hindi lang naman parents ang nagsasacrifice pati bata nahihirapan. Nakakaawa siya, tapos nakakaiyak pa yung part na sinabihan siya ng "Hang in there." I think this story revolves around regret of not saying what you really feel to a person. Nakakatuwa din how interconnected one story is to another, like yung kay Nemoto. Nakausap ni Kazuyuki si Nemoto before the train derails, super shocking sa'kin na magkakasama pala sila nung nagderail yung train. May appearance din si Higuchi na buntis na. Maganda din yung ending though nakulangan ako, yung inaccept na niya yung birthmark niya yung nagkaroon na ulit siya ng will to live. Yung plot twist na kilala na pala siya ni Takako, niligtas siya ni Takako at gusto din siya ni Takako. Pero nagustuhan ko naman na ginawa niya kay Yuuta yung katulad nung ginawa sa kanya ni Takako, yung pagsundo, sabi niya siya na daw susundo kay Yuuta lagi.
The last part of the book was about the wife naman ng conductor nung train, grabe yung natanggap na backlash ni Mrs. Kitamura mula dun sa nangyari. Nakakaawa siya dun sa part na nagbabow siya sa mga naiwan ng mga victims nung derailment. Di na tumigil luha ko nung nakausap niya si Mrs.Ishida, yung sinabi niya na "Some time ago, Mr. Kitamura told me that if he were to be reborn, he'd want to be with you again. I think he loved you with all his heart." Unexpected din yung letter ng tatay ni Nemoto kay Mrs. Kitamura, pero nagbigay ng courage para mag move forward sa kanya. Isa pang plot twist apo pala ni Mr. Ujiki si Yukiho - yung ghost, nagsuicide pala siya that day na naderail yung train. Grabe 'to, alam pala nung mga passengers na patay na sila, so yung conversations nila with their loved ones, alam nila na last na yon. Sobrang naiiyak na ako dito kase naalala ko yung mga conversations nila. Yung salute at "Have a great day." 😭😭😭
FAVE LINES :
Invariably, it's only after losing a loved one that people realize how beautiful those days had been-the days that would never return.
* If you could see someone you've lost one more time, what would you tell them?
* I would have given anything to go back in time. Any moment in my life would be fine, really, as long as it wasn't this one.
* I think telling people you get how they feel is super irresponsible. Everybody's operating under different circumstances in life, after all.
* I couldn't even count the number of times I dreamed of the moment I'd be standing next to him wearing a pure white dress. And now it had come time to terminate that dream by my own hand.
* Your emotional scars are proof you're taking life seriously. People who just glide through life never get hurt. You genuinely love a fellow human being, and for that reason, your heart's feeling under the weather. Mental illness is rooted in the sufferer's sense of faith and integrity.
* The ones who are truly weak can never be vulnerable in front of other people.
* Life is marked by many slopes, some climb up and some a tumble down, but it's my conviction that life is nonetheless worth living.
* Forgetting people who gave you so many memories isn't that easy.
"Meeting the doomed rider will not change their fate. No matter what you do, those who died in the accident will not come back to life. If you attempt to get people off the train before it derails, you will be returned to the present day."
I like the translation of this book more than Before The Coffee Gets Cold.
First part is yung sa babae at sa fiancé niya na nadeds, it was cute na mabigat. Nakakalungkot yung start, ang cute nung nagreremininsce si Tomo nung mga bata pa sila - kung pano sila nagkakilala ni Nemoto. I like din yung part na mahal na mahal din siya ng in laws niya, yung anak na din ang turing nila kay Tomo. Yung sa train scene dun ako nagsimulang maiyak, yung tinanong niya si Nemoto what if pag namatay si Nemoto gusto din niya na sumunod sa kanya after, pati yung pagsuot niya ng singsing. Pero ang nagpaiyak talaga sakin eh yung "Once the reception's over, let's go and visit those woods together." This part revolves around the regret of not meeting up again sooner and staying together longer.
The second part is about a son and his father - a story of a son's regret by the way he treated his father, it started with Sakamoto playing air hockey with his mentor and business partners. It shows how fucked up corporate society was; if you don't suck up to higher ups, you won't be praised. Sabi nga, "I think once you're on the job, your academic background stops mattering." Alam kong masasaktan agad ako kase feeling ko magkakaregrets 'tong si Sakamoto sa pagtreat niya sa tatay niya. Nakaramdam din ako ng betrayal from Shiho and Tagano pero saglit lang gawa nung phonecall ng nanay ni Sakamoto. Nakakaiyak din yung part na nicomfort na nung tatay niya si Sakamoto yung may part na sinabihan siya ng "Whenever you fell down, you'd just keep getting back on your feet, time and again. You can do it. I know you can, because you're you. You can count on yourself."
Next part is about a boy and his crush, kaya pinangako ko talaga sa sarili ko na hindi ako mag aasawa ng hindi ko nakikita na makakasama ko pagtanda. Ayokong magkaroon ng anak na hindi kompleto ang pamilya, hindi lang naman parents ang nagsasacrifice pati bata nahihirapan. Nakakaawa siya, tapos nakakaiyak pa yung part na sinabihan siya ng "Hang in there." I think this story revolves around regret of not saying what you really feel to a person. Nakakatuwa din how interconnected one story is to another, like yung kay Nemoto. Nakausap ni Kazuyuki si Nemoto before the train derails, super shocking sa'kin na magkakasama pala sila nung nagderail yung train. May appearance din si Higuchi na buntis na. Maganda din yung ending though nakulangan ako, yung inaccept na niya yung birthmark niya yung nagkaroon na ulit siya ng will to live. Yung plot twist na kilala na pala siya ni Takako, niligtas siya ni Takako at gusto din siya ni Takako. Pero nagustuhan ko naman na ginawa niya kay Yuuta yung katulad nung ginawa sa kanya ni Takako, yung pagsundo, sabi niya siya na daw susundo kay Yuuta lagi.
The last part of the book was about the wife naman ng conductor nung train, grabe yung natanggap na backlash ni Mrs. Kitamura mula dun sa nangyari. Nakakaawa siya dun sa part na nagbabow siya sa mga naiwan ng mga victims nung derailment. Di na tumigil luha ko nung nakausap niya si Mrs.Ishida, yung sinabi niya na "Some time ago, Mr. Kitamura told me that if he were to be reborn, he'd want to be with you again. I think he loved you with all his heart." Unexpected din yung letter ng tatay ni Nemoto kay Mrs. Kitamura, pero nagbigay ng courage para mag move forward sa kanya. Isa pang plot twist apo pala ni Mr. Ujiki si Yukiho - yung ghost, nagsuicide pala siya that day na naderail yung train. Grabe 'to, alam pala nung mga passengers na patay na sila, so yung conversations nila with their loved ones, alam nila na last na yon. Sobrang naiiyak na ako dito kase naalala ko yung mga conversations nila. Yung salute at "Have a great day." 😭😭😭
FAVE LINES :
Invariably, it's only after losing a loved one that people realize how beautiful those days had been-the days that would never return.
* If you could see someone you've lost one more time, what would you tell them?
* I would have given anything to go back in time. Any moment in my life would be fine, really, as long as it wasn't this one.
* I think telling people you get how they feel is super irresponsible. Everybody's operating under different circumstances in life, after all.
* I couldn't even count the number of times I dreamed of the moment I'd be standing next to him wearing a pure white dress. And now it had come time to terminate that dream by my own hand.
* Your emotional scars are proof you're taking life seriously. People who just glide through life never get hurt. You genuinely love a fellow human being, and for that reason, your heart's feeling under the weather. Mental illness is rooted in the sufferer's sense of faith and integrity.
* The ones who are truly weak can never be vulnerable in front of other people.
* Life is marked by many slopes, some climb up and some a tumble down, but it's my conviction that life is nonetheless worth living.
* Forgetting people who gave you so many memories isn't that easy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2024
I need to stop reading books that make me cry like a little baby. It's a beautifully written book that while it made me sob it also warmed my heart. Each chapter opens your heart and makes you view the world differently. To me that's what makes a good book great.
January 5, 2025
신박하고 재밌는 힐링소설이다.
엔딩이 흥미로웠고 인상 깊었다.
묘하게 끌리는 책.
엔딩이 흥미로웠고 인상 깊었다.
묘하게 끌리는 책.
November 8, 2024
Tôi đọc mà nhớ bà tôi
February 16, 2025
This book has four rules and four stories, so the most obvious way to discuss it is to begin with the first story and move from there. Necessarily, the first gives us the exposition. On March 5, a train derails near Nishi-Yuigahama Station. Something around 120 people die, leaving many more to grieve. In this case, the bereaved are given an opportunity to talk to the people they lost on a ghost train that appears at night, bound by rules that amount to one central point: the past cannot be changed. So then each perspective character and the reader are left with an obvious question: what do you say? If there is a single answer, it must be some kind of formula and therefore impersonal. If there is no answer, that is because it is deeply personal, too rooted in past and personality to be encapsulated by any formula. Due to the structure of the story, we know what will happen in general terms in each case: the perspective character loses someone in the derailment and they meet them again on the train. The substance of the book is in the details, building up the relationships that we know are destroyed on March 5.
The first story features Tomoko and her fiance. We learn how they met and how their relationship blossomed. They are sweet and lovely. Happiness bears equal potential for sadness. As a tower gets higher, it has farther to fall when it collapses. Is that tragic or beautiful or both? You decide. The formula for this book so far and probably for the rest is to feed us sweets and turn them to bitter poison so that we feel the love and the devastation of each character. Though romance is not my genre of choice, I am not above enjoying a well done love story. I do think this one is well done. Higuchi as she is usually called and Nemoto are believable, vibrant and pleasant to read about. Their relationship has a distinct flavor of cheap food and love of dogs. Who would not like them? But of course it must come to an end, and we get the loss that accompanies possession, grief and a chance to move on through a last conversation. I can happily give this first story five stars.
The second story is more bitter than sweet, featuring a much-harassed salaryman spiraling into misery and his relationship with his parents, or lack thereof. This is a much different kind of story, focusing much more on one person without much going on that is pleasant until the end. Also, whereas Higuchi and Nemoto had a lot of flashbacks, Sakamoto is mostly in the relative present. I would give this one four stars.
The third follows a young depressed stalker. For most of his pages he accomplishes nothing, which feels more frustrating than literarily meaningful. Because he does nothing, there is no chemistry between him and Takako, so their last conversation feels contrived. Two stars.
The last is the only one more about the events after the derailment than before it. Misako, the conductor’s wife, is under intense scrutiny since her husband was at the controls when it happened. The title of this chapter is intentionally misleading: “To Dad, I Say.” There was a father chapter already. Got ‘em. Really got ‘em at the very end because I did not expect that and will not say more. Four stars on this chapter for a moving story and a pleasant already-established romance as contrasted with crushing on a girl from afar for at least two years and stalking her without talking to her.
The obvious comparison to make for this book is Before The Coffee Gets Cold. That one is very popular and TGONYS is very much not, if Goodreads stats mean anything. I think Nishi-Yuigahama is overall more compelling. Hot take. Also, yes, my prediction was wrong, but I am not editing. It wasn't all sweet-to-poison. Sometimes just doom and gloom with a tiny bit of positivity in there. There is enough difference between chapters to feel like different books entirely with only writing style and the ghost train to bring them together.
Overall, four stars is fair. Not perfect in every way but I like it.
The first story features Tomoko and her fiance. We learn how they met and how their relationship blossomed. They are sweet and lovely. Happiness bears equal potential for sadness. As a tower gets higher, it has farther to fall when it collapses. Is that tragic or beautiful or both? You decide. The formula for this book so far and probably for the rest is to feed us sweets and turn them to bitter poison so that we feel the love and the devastation of each character. Though romance is not my genre of choice, I am not above enjoying a well done love story. I do think this one is well done. Higuchi as she is usually called and Nemoto are believable, vibrant and pleasant to read about. Their relationship has a distinct flavor of cheap food and love of dogs. Who would not like them? But of course it must come to an end, and we get the loss that accompanies possession, grief and a chance to move on through a last conversation. I can happily give this first story five stars.
The second story is more bitter than sweet, featuring a much-harassed salaryman spiraling into misery and his relationship with his parents, or lack thereof. This is a much different kind of story, focusing much more on one person without much going on that is pleasant until the end. Also, whereas Higuchi and Nemoto had a lot of flashbacks, Sakamoto is mostly in the relative present. I would give this one four stars.
The third follows a young depressed stalker. For most of his pages he accomplishes nothing, which feels more frustrating than literarily meaningful. Because he does nothing, there is no chemistry between him and Takako, so their last conversation feels contrived. Two stars.
The last is the only one more about the events after the derailment than before it. Misako, the conductor’s wife, is under intense scrutiny since her husband was at the controls when it happened. The title of this chapter is intentionally misleading: “To Dad, I Say.” There was a father chapter already. Got ‘em. Really got ‘em at the very end because I did not expect that and will not say more. Four stars on this chapter for a moving story and a pleasant already-established romance as contrasted with crushing on a girl from afar for at least two years and stalking her without talking to her.
The obvious comparison to make for this book is Before The Coffee Gets Cold. That one is very popular and TGONYS is very much not, if Goodreads stats mean anything. I think Nishi-Yuigahama is overall more compelling. Hot take. Also, yes, my prediction was wrong, but I am not editing. It wasn't all sweet-to-poison. Sometimes just doom and gloom with a tiny bit of positivity in there. There is enough difference between chapters to feel like different books entirely with only writing style and the ghost train to bring them together.
Overall, four stars is fair. Not perfect in every way but I like it.
May 21, 2025
Rating 3.5 stars
Review - The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station by Takeshi Murase, translated from Japanese by Guiseppe Di Martino has a prologue that imparts a clear idea of what's in for the readers in the four chapters that follow and make up the novel.
A rapid service train running on Touhin's Kamakura line veers off the tracks at blistering speed, grazes past the gates of a shrine, tips over a cliff before falling into a ravine. The toll of the accident is heavy. In wake of the catastrophic crash, rumours float of a ghost train travelling down the now closed railway track for investigation in the dead of night. In the station closest to the crash site, the Nishi Yuigahama station, there is a young girl's spirit named Yuhiko who gifts the bereft family members of the deceased a chance to meet their loved ones for one last time. Yuhiko guides them on this last chance and lays down four rules that have to be abided by strictly.
A woman whose fiancee & a son whose father died, a junior high school student who lost his crush in the accident, the wife of the train driver who passed away too have stories to share about what their dear ones meant to them and how the accident robbed them off their happiness and sense of security of being with them. The characters board the ghost train and get to meet their loved ones one last time. What did they tell them and how did these conversations alter their own lives? Read the novel to know.
The first two chapters on a young woman and her fiance, a son and his father left a deep impression. The kindness, love, sense of regret - a whole gamut of emotions are dealt with beautifully, there is tenderness and sensitivity. There is a slight slack in third chapter on the high school crush before the last chapter gets things a bit back on track.
The effects of bullying, be it at one's school, college and even at workplace, is a main subjects dealt with here. A sense of loneliness that engulf one even as the whole world buzzes about in a cut throat competition is another topic well explored. The writing is simple and the translation smooth to read.
My qualms lie in - the choice of the title (why God and not Ghost), absence of a foreword by the author on what prompted him to write on this subject (I found on the Internet that a train hit an electric cable along the same line years back but there were no casualties) and the set of rules the living had to remember and follow upon boarding the ghost train repeated in every single chapter, even after specified in the prologue.
Overall an okay, paranormal fantasy work.
Review - The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station by Takeshi Murase, translated from Japanese by Guiseppe Di Martino has a prologue that imparts a clear idea of what's in for the readers in the four chapters that follow and make up the novel.
A rapid service train running on Touhin's Kamakura line veers off the tracks at blistering speed, grazes past the gates of a shrine, tips over a cliff before falling into a ravine. The toll of the accident is heavy. In wake of the catastrophic crash, rumours float of a ghost train travelling down the now closed railway track for investigation in the dead of night. In the station closest to the crash site, the Nishi Yuigahama station, there is a young girl's spirit named Yuhiko who gifts the bereft family members of the deceased a chance to meet their loved ones for one last time. Yuhiko guides them on this last chance and lays down four rules that have to be abided by strictly.
A woman whose fiancee & a son whose father died, a junior high school student who lost his crush in the accident, the wife of the train driver who passed away too have stories to share about what their dear ones meant to them and how the accident robbed them off their happiness and sense of security of being with them. The characters board the ghost train and get to meet their loved ones one last time. What did they tell them and how did these conversations alter their own lives? Read the novel to know.
The first two chapters on a young woman and her fiance, a son and his father left a deep impression. The kindness, love, sense of regret - a whole gamut of emotions are dealt with beautifully, there is tenderness and sensitivity. There is a slight slack in third chapter on the high school crush before the last chapter gets things a bit back on track.
The effects of bullying, be it at one's school, college and even at workplace, is a main subjects dealt with here. A sense of loneliness that engulf one even as the whole world buzzes about in a cut throat competition is another topic well explored. The writing is simple and the translation smooth to read.
My qualms lie in - the choice of the title (why God and not Ghost), absence of a foreword by the author on what prompted him to write on this subject (I found on the Internet that a train hit an electric cable along the same line years back but there were no casualties) and the set of rules the living had to remember and follow upon boarding the ghost train repeated in every single chapter, even after specified in the prologue.
Overall an okay, paranormal fantasy work.
July 31, 2024
I picked up this book as it seemed to have a similar theme as Toshikazu Kawaguchi's 'Before the coffee gets cold' (which I liked), i.e. a possibility to get back in time and better understand why your situation today is what it is. -- I also know and like Kamakura and Odawara, where the story unfolds, very well.
As you can read from the short description there are four stories about people who suffer after one of their beloved [boyfriend, father, crush or husband] passes away during a train crash. All four struggle with the loss, may well commit suicide as they feel hopeless, but get on with their life thanks to that conversation in the ghost train.
The ghost story is not very important. It is nothing more than a pretext to describe how the four protagonists reconcile themselves with the death of their beloved.
The four stories are touching universal and very human stories of people that like each other, are committed to each other, may have made some mistakes in their relationship, but finally understand they have to get on with their life after the disappearance of their beloved leaves a gaping hole in their life.
I gave it a three but it is really between 3 and 4. It is well-written (or well translated from Japanese into English). It isn't great literature, but it makes one reflect on the value of good relationships.
As you can read from the short description there are four stories about people who suffer after one of their beloved [boyfriend, father, crush or husband] passes away during a train crash. All four struggle with the loss, may well commit suicide as they feel hopeless, but get on with their life thanks to that conversation in the ghost train.
The ghost story is not very important. It is nothing more than a pretext to describe how the four protagonists reconcile themselves with the death of their beloved.
The four stories are touching universal and very human stories of people that like each other, are committed to each other, may have made some mistakes in their relationship, but finally understand they have to get on with their life after the disappearance of their beloved leaves a gaping hole in their life.
I gave it a three but it is really between 3 and 4. It is well-written (or well translated from Japanese into English). It isn't great literature, but it makes one reflect on the value of good relationships.
May 19, 2025
On the first day of spring, a train derails, claiming many lives. Two months later, rumors spread of a ghost appearing at Nishi-Yuigahama Station—one with the power to send people back in time to the day of the accident. A chance to return, to see loved ones one last time. But there are rules:
• You may board the train only from the station where the doomed rider first boarded.
• You must not tell them they are going to die.
• You must get off the train before or at Nishi-Yuigahama Station—otherwise, you will also die.
• No matter what you do, the accident cannot be prevented. If you try to interfere, you’ll be pulled back to the present.
The story follows the people who take this chance to say goodbye:
• A woman who lost her fiancé
• A man mourning his father
• A boy who lost his unrequited love
• The wife of the late conductor
The premise is very similar to Before the Coffee Gets Cold, but the individual stories are still moving, and I found myself enjoying it regardless. What did bother me was the translation. The use of “ya” instead of “you,” and informal language like “ain’t” that didn’t always suit the character.
If you’re in the mood for something emotional and reflective, this one’s worth picking up.
• You may board the train only from the station where the doomed rider first boarded.
• You must not tell them they are going to die.
• You must get off the train before or at Nishi-Yuigahama Station—otherwise, you will also die.
• No matter what you do, the accident cannot be prevented. If you try to interfere, you’ll be pulled back to the present.
The story follows the people who take this chance to say goodbye:
• A woman who lost her fiancé
• A man mourning his father
• A boy who lost his unrequited love
• The wife of the late conductor
The premise is very similar to Before the Coffee Gets Cold, but the individual stories are still moving, and I found myself enjoying it regardless. What did bother me was the translation. The use of “ya” instead of “you,” and informal language like “ain’t” that didn’t always suit the character.
If you’re in the mood for something emotional and reflective, this one’s worth picking up.
December 31, 2024
When I first read the synopsis of this book, I initially thought it was just some rip-off of 'Before the Coffee gets cold'. In a way, it is and in another way, it also isn't.
I think what the book has done well in is in broaching the topic of mental health, I think it did a good job in entailing the grief of how one feels when they lose someone so dear and how difficult it is to cope with the death of their loved ones. I also like how everyone in the story is connected to each other, that's something I love about Japanese Literature books, everyone is somehow connected to one another.
Yet, I think the book can do better too. I think the book does not really make sense and the plot seems a little hurried sometimes.
Despite the ending of the book being a beautiful one, it does not quite make up for the rest of the book itself and I have to say that it certainly does not compare to the 'Before the Coffee gets cold' series.
I think what the book has done well in is in broaching the topic of mental health, I think it did a good job in entailing the grief of how one feels when they lose someone so dear and how difficult it is to cope with the death of their loved ones. I also like how everyone in the story is connected to each other, that's something I love about Japanese Literature books, everyone is somehow connected to one another.
Yet, I think the book can do better too. I think the book does not really make sense and the plot seems a little hurried sometimes.
Despite the ending of the book being a beautiful one, it does not quite make up for the rest of the book itself and I have to say that it certainly does not compare to the 'Before the Coffee gets cold' series.
December 18, 2025
ATY Read Week 8. I absolutely loved The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station by Takeshi Murase—I could barely put it down! This linked collection of stories about grief, loss, and second chances after a tragic train derailment is profoundly emotional and beautifully crafted. The supernatural element with the “god” (a perfect translation capturing the Shinto nuances of kami tied to places like shrines and torii gates) adds such poignant layers, allowing characters to confront unspoken regrets and find closure. I teared up multiple times; it’s tender, heartfelt, and far more impactful than I expected from a light novel-style read. No need for a foreword—this stands powerfully on its own. Disappointed by the low-star reviews that miss the cultural depth or don’t explain their gripes; this one deserves all the praise. Highly recommend for anyone seeking an emotional, cathartic story!
July 18, 2024
Thoughts after reading The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station.
Iba talaga pag Japanese lit e. Napaka-raw ng mga emotions. Yung mga conversations simple pero makakarelate ka talaga. 4 short stories pero interconnected. May twist sa dulo na di ko inaasahan. Matatapos ko sana to in one sitting kaso di keri ng heart. I recently lost someone dear to me kaya siguro mas grabe din impact sakin. Somehow, reading this book gave me peace.
Fave line: It's only after losing a loved one that people realize how beautiful those days had been--the days that would never return.
5/5✨
Iba talaga pag Japanese lit e. Napaka-raw ng mga emotions. Yung mga conversations simple pero makakarelate ka talaga. 4 short stories pero interconnected. May twist sa dulo na di ko inaasahan. Matatapos ko sana to in one sitting kaso di keri ng heart. I recently lost someone dear to me kaya siguro mas grabe din impact sakin. Somehow, reading this book gave me peace.
Fave line: It's only after losing a loved one that people realize how beautiful those days had been--the days that would never return.
5/5✨
July 15, 2024
Takeshi Murase’s linked short story collection The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station is about four people who lost members of their family in a tragic train derailment. For a year after the accident, the ghost train still makes its fatal run at midnight, giving those who grieve its passengers an opportunity to speak to the loved ones they lost.
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station is meant to make the reader cry, and it does so primarily through its improbably melodramatic situations. This short book is relatively light reading, and the level of catharsis it allows you to experience will depend on your tolerance for sentimentality. Still, Murase’s stories are grounded in the social realities of contemporary Japan, and the characters are messy and complicated enough to be interesting.
The God of Nishi-Yuigahama Station is meant to make the reader cry, and it does so primarily through its improbably melodramatic situations. This short book is relatively light reading, and the level of catharsis it allows you to experience will depend on your tolerance for sentimentality. Still, Murase’s stories are grounded in the social realities of contemporary Japan, and the characters are messy and complicated enough to be interesting.
November 23, 2024
Four ordinary lives, lover, son, friend and wife, each wanting to talk with their loved ones one more time. Four separate lives only connected through that horrible derailment that lead to the death of many. Not the most original of subject, if you could see someone you've lost one more time, what would you tell them? It was well written though, made me choke up a bit at points. Not something I would read all the time, but certainly a good change of pace.
February 5, 2025
More of a supernatural than horror novella made up of four short stories that apparently ran on tick tock. Four people have one last meeting with their loved ones who were killed in a train crash. A major theme is bullying at the workplace, schools, in public that is considered acceptable in Japan. It's a bit melancholy but there's still hope. A decent read.
July 9, 2024
Good book with four interconnected characters going thru grief as they look at the chance to see their deceased once more. The book is a good mix of The Five People You Meet I'm Heaven and Before The Coffee Gets Cold.
October 17, 2024
idk if I was just depressed but this book made me cry like a baby. I swear you should read this book at night. though the book felt like a warm sunlight, this book should be read on a starry sky so you would feel the warm sun in the morning.
February 21, 2025
Love books like this where the author focuses on storytelling, instead of trying so hard on descriptive language.
The twist at the end where the ghosts knew that they are going to die was beautiful and heartwarming.
Had to read this book again knowing the twist.
The twist at the end where the ghosts knew that they are going to die was beautiful and heartwarming.
Had to read this book again knowing the twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2025
Written with so much sincerity and tenderness. One of the best of its genre that I have read that I truly loved. (The other one being “The Miracles of the Mamiya General Store”).
If I could rate this more than a five, I would!
If I could rate this more than a five, I would!
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