This was an enjoyable read, though a little darker than I thought it would be. I've read two other books by this author and I thought this was the most interesting and also darkest of them. I liked that there were many different stories and multiple points of view. The way they all connected was really interesting and felt very relatable.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

Hiro Arikawa's THE PASSENGERS ON THE HANKYU LINE took me on a delightful journey with an intersection of fascinating characters at important crossroads in their lives: leave an abusive relationship, take a chance on falling in love, bring a dog into a staid, peaceful life -- all of their stories woven in a beautifully written story passing between two exquisite towns, separated by months that bring tremendous opportunity for transformation. It's a lovely, encouraging read I recommend to everyone. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC.

OMG, I cried so hard reading this. It was beautiful and well written and perfect, but I also sobbed so hard while reading because it is just perfect. If you are someone who likes to think about how your actions impact those around you, this story is for you. I loved how this story intermingled knowledge of Japan with modern day stories of people as they go about their day. I feel like I learned more about Japan and it's values/cultures through this story, which is partially why I read translated works.

If you enjoy this type of slice of life story telling, I recommend picking this one up.

3.5 stars. I ended up realizing that I don't read short stories that often because you cannot follow the characters that much (sometimes they appear in one story or two and you never heard from them again), but this set of short stories featured the same characters from the beginning to what happened to them months later. The showcase of the Japanese culture among the generations is also a highlight. I may be picky when it comes to the genre, but I may consider it when it comes to character studies.

This was unconventional, and I enjoyed that! However, the writing style was difficult for me to go through, which made it less enjoyable for me.

I've been a fan of Hiro Arikawa's last two books, so I was super excited to learn there would be a new book. I do find this one a bit harder to get into it considering it follows many more characters vs her previous books. Some stories resonated with me more than others. I did like how it did weave all together and it does make me wish I took the Hankyu Line when I was in Japan (next time!!). All in all, it was a cozy read that felt hopeful for the future and possibilities.

Cute but slight, and it certainly doesn't come together into something that feels as powerful as Hiro Arikawa's most well-known book, The Travelling Cat Chronicles. Nor does it need to, and I can appreciate the focus on simple daily interactions--it romanticizes the everyday without really doing any romanticizing. But as far as directionless slices-of-life go, this wasn't as consistently compelling as some of the best. There's some attempt at displaying complexity and nuance through the differences between people's interiority and how they're perceived by others, but many of the vignettes come down to fairly unimpressive morals.

I loved the structure and concept, though. Each novel follows a train as it journeys down the Hankyu line, each chapter a new stop in which different characters get on and off the train. The first half follows the line in one direction, and then the second half follows it in the other direction, but with enough time having passed that we can check in on how our characters' stories have progressed. The narrative focus is smoothly passed from character to character through their interactions, like a relay race. For a while I've wanted to write a story that takes place largely on a train, and this one offers an interesting take on that "genre." There's a lot of ingenuity there, but I suppose it's a structure that lends itself to inconsistency.

3.5*...This was a charming little story with a great premise. I was all in for meeting different characters whose lives sometimes intersect as they travel various train lines in Japan. There were some nice little life lessons and even some deeper connections which made this very thought-provoking. But sometimes the mundane parts of life...and a lot of talk about the sexual activities of various characters (not in a graphic way) dragged the story down a little. Yes, we do have some mundane parts, but I personally felt some of that took away from the charm. Those things aside, I am glad I picked this up as a different quirky read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

3.5 stars rounded up.


“All manner of people from every walk of life-solo passengers, friends, couples, families, work colleagues-traverse the concourse at a brisk pace.

But as they cross paths, the contents of each traveler's heart are a mystery known only to themselves.” Hiro Arikawa

The author’s quote at the beginning of the book made me think of the hundreds if not thousands of people we encounter in our lifetimes, never really knowing why some look sad, why some are smiling or why some are scowling. We never can know what is going on in their heart, but sometimes we connect. This short novel is about chance encounters of strangers affecting each other in meaningful ways with a simple connection, sometimes by listening to them talk with others, other times striking up a conversation with each while riding a train .

Two people recognize each other on the train because they both frequent the library and there’s a spark . A woman wearing a white dress attends the wedding of her former fiancé and the woman who stole him away is on the train looking bitter and sad . A Grandmother with her grandaughter thinking about getting a dog and giving advice to the woman in white. There’s a couple in an abusive relationship, high school girls and college students . These people from different walks of life see each other.

This reminded me of a book I read quite some time ago, but has stayed with me. [book:One Amazing Thing|6585252] is a story where strangers connect in a setting of a shared circumstance that keeps them together for a time. This book is a seemingly light read, but with some seriousness as we witness the individual, ordinary struggles of these characters in their every day lives, a universal theme in this Japanese story. Thankfully, the author provided a list of characters in the beginning as I definitely would have found it would hard to keep track of who was who. An entertaining and sweet story in many ways.

I received a copy of this book from Berkeley through NetGalley.

Reading this book makes you wonder how calming and healing it is to read stories of every day people and mundane tasks being done. The way Hiro Arikawa weaves the interactions gives the space for this air to exist and thrive. I loved most of the characters and how they were interwoven in the entirety of the book. It's a short and solid read! I just would prefer more emotionally developed characters that don't feel like all too stiff around each other.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the opportunity of an ARC. I definitely enjoyed it!

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group for this ARC (now published and available to read!) Such a heartwarming read about the interwoven lives of people from different walks of life all traveling the same train line. This was a quick read; I appreciated the lack of “filler” content - every part of this book had a point to it. I loved getting to know the characters and their interactions with other characters on/off the train. Seeing events from different character perspectives gave further depth to the storylines. From budding romance, to ending romances, I loved reading about each developing story. This book was the term ‘sonder’ as a story about a train line in Japan. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys translated fiction and interwoven short stories.

A quick read, but a heartwarming and lovely set of stories. Each chapter flowed into the next, extending the time with the large cast of characters traveling for various reasons on these Japanese train lines. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I thought this was good! It was a solid read that wasn’t too difficult to follow. I did enjoy the interconnected story setup and loved most of the characters. The main issue I had with it was that it seemed like there was a limited emotional balance with the characters and they were mainly static characters in passing.

The one aspect I could not get passed was the relationship between the high school girl and the adult male. Yes the age was technically ok, but not really morally nor socially appropriate

I was completely captivated by Hiro Arikawa's "The Passengers on the Hankyu Line." This isn't just a book of short stories; it's a journey of the heart. The emotional depth of each passenger's story is simply incredible, and the way they subtly connect creates a beautiful tapestry of human experience. Through their small, everyday moments on the train, the characters embody profound themes of healing, personal growth, and vital life lessons. Reading this book was a deeply therapeutic experience; I felt I was healing right along with them. For anyone seeking comfort, introspection, and a quiet sense of renewal, especially fans of Japanese literature or the burgeoning "healing genre," this book is an absolute must-read. It left me feeling as refreshed and grounded as if I'd just returned from a spiritual retreat.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!!

Though this book ventured outside my usual reading preferences, I'm incredibly grateful I took the chance on it. "The Passengers on the Hankyu Line" offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of commuters aboard Japan's Hankyu train line, creating an unexpectedly moving portrait of humanity in transit.
Hiro Arikawa masterfully weaves together the individual stories of various passengers while capturing their quiet observations of fellow travelers. Through this unique structure, the novel becomes far more than a collection of separate narratives—it transforms into a captivating study of human nature itself. The train becomes a microcosm where strangers' lives briefly intersect, revealing universal truths about connection, solitude, hope, and the small moments that define our existence.
What makes this novel particularly compelling is how Arikawa finds profound meaning in the mundane. The daily commute, often seen as tedious routine, becomes a canvas for exploring the rich inner lives of ordinary people. Each passenger carries their own dreams, struggles, and stories, creating a tapestry of human experience that feels both distinctly Japanese and universally relatable.
The novel's gentle, observational tone allows readers to become passengers themselves, quietly witnessing these interconnected lives unfold. It's a reminder that every person we encounter has a complex story worth knowing, even if we only glimpse it in passing.
I believe this thoughtful, accessible novel will resonate with a diverse range of readers who appreciate character-driven storytelling and nuanced explorations of human connection.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Almost like reading novellas, but these chapters are all connected by the railroad line. I was able to visualize the stations and how people navigate thanks to the clear writing. Depicts well the image of what a Japanese family should be and the sacrifices made to live up to expectations. The pressure on students to succeed is eye opening.

This is not about bullet trains. It is a look into the Japanese culture of politeness that extends to the trains.

This novel was a quiet triumph. Each vignette on the train felt like a snapshot of humanity—small moments of kindness, heartbreak, and connection. I especially loved how the return journey tied everything together. It’s a tender reminder that even fleeting encounters can change lives.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

this was such a cute and beautiful book. I really loved this book and found it was a lovely to read. I really loved the characters and the concepts of the novel and the stories for each person as we got to know them.

I enjoyed this book and being taken along the Hankyu Line. I liked all the interwoven stories of the characters; how some helped one another, not knowing they were, and then seeing one another again later on. It was sweet to see how little gestures by a stranger can impact one in such a big way.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital arc.
In a mountainous area of Japan, there runs a train which travels between the towns of Takarazuka and Nishinomiya. It is called the Hankyu Line, and it passes through several station, which the author describes at the beginning of each chapter. This short novel is an opportunity to “people watch” as the riders on the train interact with other riders. There is a jilted fiancee who seeks revenge, a middle aged woman who is ignored by her friends, a girlfriend with an abusive boyfriend , a high school girl who has anxiety about college, two shy university students, and a grandmother with her granddaughter. The reader meets the riders on the outbound train, and is reacquainted with them six months later on the inbound train. The language is gentle and serene, and the intertwined plot lines make his a title I would like to reread.
 #ThePassengersontheHankyuLine