The contents of each traveller's heart is a mystery known only to themselves

Trundling through the scenic countryside of Kyoto and Osaka is the Hankyu line, a burgundy-coloured electric train that has been carrying its commuters to their destinations for decades.

Over the course of a single journey in springtime, and the return journey six months later just as the leaves begin to fall:

- a young man meets the woman who happens to take out the last copy of the library book he was about to borrow;
- an angry wedding guest dresses in a white gown to upstage the bride;
- a university student leaves home for the first time;
- a twenty-something finally grows the courage to walk away from an abusive partner
- a widow learns independence, as she and her granddaughter discuss their new dog.

As the seasons and the landscapes change, passengers jostle and connect, as this timeless train carries each one forward towards the person they intend to become.

Welcome aboard the Hankyu Line train!

Come along on a heartwarming, funny, and perfectly cozy voyage with the charming and relatable passengers—including one dashing dachshund—whose lives intersect and affect each other on one of Japan’s most romantic railway lines from international bestselling author Hiro Arikawa.

Between the two beautiful towns of Takarazuka and Nishinomiya, in a stunning mountainous area of Japan, rattles the Hankyu Line train. Passengers step on and off, lost in thought, contemplating the tiny knots of their existence. On the outward journey, we are introduced to the emotional dilemmas of five characters, and on the return journey six months later, we watch them find resolutions.

A young man meets the young woman who always happens to borrow a library book just before he can check it out himself, a woman in a white bridal dress boards looking inexplicably sad, a university student heads home after class, a girl prepares to leave her abusive boyfriend, and an old lady discusses adopting a dog with her granddaughter.

With stories that crisscross like the railway lines, the Hankyu train trundles on, propelling the lives and loves of its passengers ever forward.

Seven uplifting tales of warm, wise and sarcastic cats set in modern Japan through the changing seasons.

Against changing seasons in Japan, seven cats weave their way through their owners' lives.

A needy kitten rescued from the recycling bin teaches a new father how to parent his own human baby. An elderly cat hatches a plan to pass into the next world as a spirit so that he and his owner may be together for ever. A colony of wild cats on a holiday island shows a young boy not to stand in nature's way. A family is perplexed by their cat's devotion to their charismatic but uncaring father. A woman curses how her cat constantly visits her at night.

Bursting with empathy and love, THE GOODBYE CAT explores the unstoppable cycle of life as we see how the steadiness and devotion of a well-loved cat never lets us down.

A huge bestseller in Japan, every page is a joyous celebration of cats and how we cannot resist sharing our lives with them.

THE PERFECT CURL-UP READ FOR CAT LOVERS 'Bewitching... as self-possessed and comforting as - well, a cat' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'A book about kindness and love, and how the smallest things can provide happiness' STYLIST ___ It's not the journey that counts, but who's at your side. Nana is on a road trip, but he is not sure where he is going. All that matters is that he can sit beside his beloved owner Satoru in the front seat of his silver van. Satoru is keen to visit three old friends from his youth, though Nana doesn't know why and Satoru won't say. Set against the backdrop of Japan's changing seasons and narrated with a rare gentleness and humour, Nana's story 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. At the heart of this book is a powerful message about the importance of kindness. It shows, above all, how acts of love, both great and small, can transform our lives. ___ What readers are saying: 'Delightful, insightful, full of warmth with plenty of humour.' 'Uplifting and heart wrenching in equal measure.' 'It had me in floods of tears but filled me with hope too.'

STUNNING HARDBACK GIFTING EDITION, INCLUDES A RIBBON and SIX LINE DRAWINGS RECOMMENDED BY THOUSANDS OF READERS - the uplifting story of a journey around Japan with a cat by your side. 'Bewitching... as self-possessed and comforting as - well, a cat' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH _____________ It's not the journey that counts, but who's at your side. Nana is on a road trip, but he is not sure where he is going. All that matters is that he can sit beside his beloved owner Satoru in the front seat of his silver van. Satoru is keen to visit three old friends from his youth, though Nana doesn't know why and Satoru won't say. Set against the backdrop of Japan's changing seasons and narrated with a rare gentleness and humour, Nana's story 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. TRAVELLING CAT has already demonstrated its power to move thousands of readers with a message of kindness and truth. It shows, above all, how acts of love, both great and small, can transform our lives. 'Arikawa has a lightness of touch that elevates her story to a tale about loyalty and friendship ... while speaking to our basic human need for companionship' JOHN BOYNE, Irish Times 'Anyone who has ever unashamedly loved an animal will read this book with gratitude, for its understanding of an emotion that ennobles us as human beings, whether we value it or not' LYNNE TRUSS, Guardian 'It has the warmth, painterly touch, and tenderness of a Studio Ghibli film - and it is a delight to read' FINANCIAL TIMES WHAT READERS ARE SAYING: 'I devoured this in just four days. Read it and weep'***** 'What an astounding book'***** 'Totally enchanting and delightful' ***** 'Full of hope. Just as good for non-cat-owners as well'***** 'Absolutely amazing. I read it in a couple of days'***** 'One of the best little books I have ever read'*****