Sometimes love arrives quietly, unexpectedly and at exactly the wrong time.
Tsukiko is in her late thirties, living alone and accustomed to her independent life. One evening, she unexpectedly meets “Sensei,” her former high-school teacher, at a neighbourhood bar.
He is more than thirty years older than her, retired and reserved. Their meetings begin almost accidentally—over sake, food and quiet conversation. As the seasons pass, their encounters become more frequent, and an unusual friendship gradually develops into something deeper.
Set against the changing seasons of Tokyo, Strange Weather in Tokyo is a beautifully understated story about loneliness, companionship, age, intimacy and unexpected love. The novel was originally published in Japanese as Sensei no Kaban and won the Tanizaki Prize.
Key Features
- Japanese contemporary fiction
- Literary romance
- Slow-burn relationship
- Age-gap romance
- Themes of loneliness, companionship and love
- Food, sake and seasonal Japanese culture
- Set in modern Tokyo
- Translated by Allison Markin Powell
- Internationally acclaimed Japanese novel
- Winner of the Tanizaki Prize
Book Details
| Detail |
Information |
| Title |
Strange Weather in Tokyo |
| Author |
Hiromi Kawakami |
| Translator |
Allison Markin Powell |
| Original Title |
Sensei no Kaban |
| Genre |
Literary Fiction / Romance |
| Language |
English |
| Format |
Paperback |
About the Author
Hiromi Kawakami is one of Japan's most widely translated contemporary novelists. Her writing often explores everyday relationships, loneliness, desire and the strange beauty of ordinary life.
Her work has received major Japanese literary recognition, including the Akutagawa Prize and the Tanizaki Prize.
About the Translator
Allison Markin Powell is a literary translator and editor specializing in Japanese literature. She has translated several works by Japanese authors, including Kawakami's Strange Weather in Tokyo and The Ten Loves of Mr Nishino.
Who Should Read This Book?
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Japanese literature
- Slow-burn romance
- Quiet and emotional storytelling
- Age-gap relationships
- Literary fiction
- Stories about loneliness and companionship
- Food and seasonal Japanese settings
- The Ten Loves of Mr Nishino
- The Nakano Thrift Shop
- Contemporary translated fiction
