Here are some of Japan's best children's books translated into English for your little ones to enjoy. Let your imagination roam free!
Feb 24, 2025 • Subscribe
More like this
Japanese Children’s Literature in English Translation
RJL’s booklists don’t include children’s literature, so here’s a list for your reference. Support RJL by buying through our links. Check out our Bookshop.org page. Middle Gr…
Books: Japan’s Carnival War
By Jonathan Clements. Many readers of this blog will be familiar with the boggling weirdness of Momotaro, Sacred Sailors, that animated oddity in which the child-hero from Japanese…
The Best Books
Buying books, especially old books, is a fascination and my biggest weakness. I love the old wear and tear on antiques, and sitting and pondering where the scraped…
Best And Worst Books Of 2024
Here are some of the best and worst books I read last year!
5 Ways to Sustainably Source English Books in Tokyo
Trying to be sustainable with your book purchases? Read on for the best recommendations on how to find English books in Tokyo while still living that eco-friendly lifestyle.
The Best English Bookstores in Tokyo
Are you looking for English bookstores in Tokyo? Here are some of the very best where you can find bestsellers to rare classics.
10 Japanese Books in Translation to Read in 2025
Let’s think about less brain rot and more brain growth! Here are 10 Japanese books in translation for 2025 to add to your reading list.
Shopping for Children’s Clothes in Japan
Shopping in Japan for all ages is great fun once you know your way around the different sizing and cultural expectations. Read on for a guide based on…
Oh! Great is one of Japan’s BEST Mangaka
During the 2000s, no other artists shifted the aesthetic of anime and manga more than Oh! Great and Tite Kubo. Anime drip? You owe that to Bleach. Sexy,…
Top 10 Anime I Watched in English
You all heard of the subbed vs dubbed debate, whether you got into anime during the pandemic or not. There are some that say “All subbed anime are…
Top 10 Anime I Watched in English
You all heard of the subbed vs dubbed debate, whether you got into anime during the pandemic or not. There are some that say “All subbed anime are…
The Best 7 Destinations In Japan’s Least Popular Prefectures
Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are too crowded. Show these quieter prefectures some much deserved love too!
Happy children’s day!
So to keep it simple, the anime listed here mainly cover a cast of preteens from various genres but each story carries the spirit of youth transforming into…
386 – Guest Gaiden 10 – Children’s Manga with Matt Haasch
This week’s Matt Haasch is back to talk about upcoming releases from Star Fruit Books and his love of children’s manga! We discuss and compare Super Mario Manga…
Review: Tower of God Episode 10 Best in Show
Quick Summary In Tower of God episode 10, “Beyond the Sadness,” Rak Wraithraiser almost walks over top of Han Sung Yu. Unfortunately for Rak, he elected not to…
Ranking Japan’s Best Cities for Immigrants
Eric Margolis decided to use hard data to investigate which Japanese cities are best for immigrants and expats alike. And Tokyo isn't #1.
Hiroshima, Japan’s Best Cafes and Restaurants
Favorite restaurants and cafes in Hiroshima, Japan. Hiroshima cuisine features oysters, soupless tantan-men, and Hiroshima style okonomiyaki.
10 Best Train Apps In Japan
Need to get somewhere by train? Want to know information about stations or delays? We’ve got you covered with the best train apps in Japan.
10 Best Fall Foods In Japan
Here are fall foods in Japan that will keep you coming back for more as the hot summer weather finally dwindles away.
Books: Speaking in Subtitles
By Jonathan Clements. The sub-versus-dub debate was first truly ignited in August 1960, when Bosley Crowther in the New York Times issued a broadside against having to read…
The Orbital Children’s Rejection of Ecofascist Ideas
The Orbital Children rejects the ecofascist idea that humans need to be controlled and culled in the name of someone’s idea of “humanity” and demands we imagine a…
Transcript of Episode 27: Japanese Children’s Literature
Find out more about Episode 27 of the Read Literature podcast on the episode page. Link to listen Notes and sources Ways to support the podcast This is…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 10 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 10, “Dueling Factions,” Kotoko Iwanaga launched the second phase of her attack. While Kurou Sakuragawa fought Steel Lady Nanase to keep her occupied…
Here Are The Best Cities To Live In Japan’s Six Regions
Looking to settle down in Japan? According to a new survey, here are the best places to live in each of Japan's major regions.
Call of the Night Episode 10 Review – Best In Show
Call of the Night Episode 10: Midori recruits Nazuna to help at the maid cafe. Kou went along. Then they found there was a peeping Tom afoot!
Land of the Lustrous Episode 10 Review – Best In Show
Land of the Lustrous Episode 10: Bort sees new potential in Phos and takes them on patrol. Neither were prepared for what they found.
Ep.56: The Best Books (for New Readers) of Season One
This week, the Mangasplaining crew pick the Best Manga For New Readers from Season One of their podcast! Which 11 titles make the cut?
Japan’s Love Hotels: 10 In Tokyo To Suit Every Taste
Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran ‘rabuho’ guest, Japan's love hotels in Tokyo are a must-visit! Here are 10 of our favorites!
Halloween hijinks: Japan’s best Alien knock-offs
Hey, it’s Halloween season, so that means it’s once again time to look at some weirdly specific horror subgenre through the Japanese pop cultural lens! I wasn’t sure…
10 Best Things: Tower of God
It’s been forever since I’ve done a “10 Best Things” post, and I’m not exactly writing one now because Tower of God was more outstanding than anything else I’ve…
Kanon In English?!
Holy shit!! It was just announced today that Keys first visual novel, Kanon, is FINALLY getting an official English release in the US via Steam, nearly 25 years…
Review: Listeners Episode 10 Best in Show
Quick Summary In Listeners episode 10, “Cross Road Blues,” Echo came to full consciousness in a dilapidated dairy barn. Janis cheerfully informed him that she’d found him unconsci…
Review: Campione! Episode 10 Best in Show
Quick Summary In Campione! episode 10, “The Turbulent Demon King, The Sun Hero,” Perseus pressed his attack against Godou Kusanagi. Godou put up a valiant fight, but without…
The 10 Best Summer Activities in Hokkaido
Explore the best summer activities in Hokkaido this season, from camping, paragliding, hot air balloons and so much more.
Books: World of Ghibli
By Zoe Crombie. A gorgeously illustrated guide to stories, characters, and cultures of the films of the beloved studio, An Unofficial Guide to the World of Studio Ghibli…
Books: Holmes of Kyoto
By Jeannette Ng. Now also an anime, as the title aptly implies, Holmes of Kyoto by Mai Mochizuki began a light novel series about a pair of amateur…
10 Japanese to English MANGA Professionals – Women in Translation Month
Check out these 10 manga professionals for Women in Translation Month 2020! Including not just translators but editors and letterers.
Books: One Month in Tohoku
By Jonathan Clements. Caroline Pover did not spend one month in Tohoku. Well, she did, but then she went back again, and again and again. Over the last…
Day 10 of Weebsmas: Best Anime to Cosplay in the Winter
Hello and welcome back to 12 Days of Weebsmas! Today we’re going to keep it short and sweet with little to no exposition. Today we’re going to be…
The Dawn of the Witch Episode 10 Review – Best In Show
The Dawn of the Witch Episode 10: The assassin having failed, Coudeau and Holt attempt to rehabilitate him. But the church has other plans.
High School of the Dead Episode 10 Review – Best In Show
High School of the Dead Episode 10: Takashi, Saya, Kouta, Saeko, and the rest are safe for now. But human trouble is brewing amid the peace.
Kotatsu: Japan’s Way of Staying Warm in Winter
It's kept Japan warm for over 500 years. So why is it disappearing from Japanese homes? A short history of the kotatsu (and how to buy one).
Japan’s Best-Paying Hourly Jobs? Costco and IKEA
Real wages in Japan have remained pathetically low for several decades. Unless, that is, you work at Costco or IKEA.
Check Out Japan’s Five Best-Hidden Travel Cities
Want to avoid the crowds on your Japan trip? One travel company recommends these five cities based on its data.
The 10 Best Anime Songs of 2019
Click to ReadThe 10 Best Anime Songs of 2019
The 10 Best Anime Songs of 2020
Despite all its problems, 2020 had a ton of rocking anime music. Throughout the year, however, there were 10 songs that were so good, they just stuck in…
The 10 Best Anime Songs of 2021
As we reach the end of 2021, it's time to look back on the best things anime had to offer. First up? The music.
Top 10 Best Fights of Summer 2024
Let's look at the Top 10 Best Fights of Summer 2024. If you like the video please like and share. This list is just my opinion, so…
Digimon Appmon Chapter 10 English Scanlation
Please do not upload these raws anywhere else. If I get a request from an official source it means I can remove them. You can share the link…
