I'm reading this fantasy where dreams come true, wishes are fulfilled, and the past is rectified. Thanks to a magical bookshop with a large blooming cherry tree overhanging it, and a young woman who gives out the right books to the right people who need it, and also thanks to a large calico cat that gives hints to visitors with meows and blinks.

Each chapter has different books to recommend and different people with their own unique regrets and wishes to fulfill. The book begins in spring when the cherry blossom tree is in full bloom and continues through all the seasons of the year

The first chapter is memorable, when a young manga artist gets comfort and inspiration from a visit with her dead mother, whose words of advice help her carry on in spite of her difficulties at work. In the second chapter, a retired railway man battling increasing dementia keeps a promise to his wife, who died before he could show her the magnificent cherry blossom trees near an old disused railway line. He also promised that they would celebrate 100 years together, and managed to do that at the bookshop, their fifty years of marriage totalling 100 for the both of them.

The stories are more than just fantasy. They incorporate wise sayings and ways of looking at life, the past, and coping with the present and the future.

This book follows four different stories that explore themes of grief, friendship, and familial relationships. I really loved our main character Sakura, and her lovely cat Kobako who are the keepers of the cherry blossom book store. I had a great time reading this and learned a lot about Japanese culture. The author does a great job with imagery in their writing and makes this book so cozy and heartwarming to read. This book is great for fans of When the Coffee Gets Cold series, as it follows the similar time travel and closure themes that the series has.

This was such a cosy read. I loved spending time in the little cherry blossom bookshop, and the cat totally stole my heart. Each story had its own mix of grief and hope, and the gentle magic made everything feel warm and comforting.

I also loved the bits of Japanese culture sprinkled throughout. It gave the whole book a really peaceful vibe.
If you like quiet cosy Asian Fiction with a touch of magic, this one is for you

Honestly? I’m convinced this bookshop needs to appear in my life immediately! Preferably in my backyard. Under a cloud of pink petals. With a magical cat included.

From the moment I stepped into the story, I felt like I was walking through drifting cherry blossoms straight into a quiet little shop that smelled like old paper, warm wood, and the kind of coffee that somehow knows your emotional state. Sakura the enigmatic owner with a calm smile and a past she keeps tucked away like a pressed flower completely drew me in. And Kobako? The wise calico cat who may or may not understand every human emotion better than I do? Iconic.

What really got me were the four visitors whose stories unfold across the seasons. Each one carries regrets like heavy luggage, and each one finds a book that gently or not so gently nudges them toward healing. I swear, every time a character cracked open a book, I felt like I was being handed a little piece of wisdom too. There’s something so quietly powerful about watching strangers confront old pain and find soft places to land.

This book is cozy, melancholic, hopeful, and just the right amount of magic like a Studio Ghibli film wrapped in a blanket. I closed the final page feeling lighter, like Sakura had poured me a cup of coffee and told me to let my heart breathe a little.

⚡️Thank you Harper Collins and Takuya Asakura for sharing this book with me!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc. I am a huge fan of Asian fiction, and this one didn’t disappoint. As usual, the story was beautiful and the author truly crafted something magnificent.

the vanishing cherry blossom bookshop was so cozy and magical, it made me really understand why I love reading so much! it was a simple yet enchanting story that pulled me in from the start. I enjoyed it so so much.

⭐ Contemporary Fiction | Magical Realism | Grief & Healing

Thank you to Harper 360 for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop takes place in a world where each character’s life is interwoven through shared experiences of loss. Every person who steps into the magical bookshop carries the weight of losing a loved one, but each deals with their grief in a different way, mostly wishing they had just a little more clarity or one last moment.

The bookshop itself is beautifully atmospheric, filled with books, coffee, sakura-themed décor, and under a special ritual, it allows visitors to relive their memories in vivid detail. This supernatural element is handled gently, more comforting than eerie, and creates a space where characters gain insights they never had the chance to understand while their loved ones were alive.

Even with its warm, cozy aesthetics, the story is still grounded in themes of death and longing, so it isn’t a purely lighthearted read. Still, the emotional depth is compelling. I even found myself becoming more immersed by listening to the same music the main character listens to during the rituals while reading.

The ending is bittersweet, offering closure without erasing the ache of loss.
A touching and reflective read for fans of magical realism, emotional character journeys, and cozy but haunting atmospheres.

Thank you for the ARC!

I really, truly enjoyed this story from page one. I wouldn't say this is a standard cozy read that has low stakes and you can just skip merrily through. I would say this is a book that you would enjoy sitting under a blanket with a warm beverage and letting it guide you through a beautiful atmosphere while weaving in more of the heavier themes. With that said, the heavier themes did not feel as heavy as they could've been—this is a testament to the world that Asakura has built. The book was life lessons, warm hugs, coziness, and inspiration wrapped into one.

A daughter reconciles with her mother, a husband keeps the promise he can't remember, sisters learn to understand one another, and a family finally moves forward while honoring what they had lost.

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop by Takuya Asakura (translated by Yuka Maeno) explores what it is to feel grief for those you love and who you had been. It had me absolutely bawling in the exact way I needed. Thank you NetGalley and Harper360 for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

To be truthful, I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. That isn't to say I thought it would be bad, but this has easily become a top read for me, which I didn't expect. Is it perfect? No, but it hits all the sore spots of my core just right, and that's perfect for me. The fact that all of the emotional beats still hit when it's a translated title I feel is not only a testament to the author, but the care put in by the translator as well. If it interests you, I would suggest taking the time to read her note at the end.

There is a Spotify code for a playlist at the beginning of the book. Normally, I may check out book playlists to see what's on them, but I rarely actually listen to them while I read. However, I really enjoyed this playlist both for reading this book and in general. I like to relax to lofi music, and these songs had a lot of the same feel (though not really lofi). Usually, listening to music with words distracts me while I'm reading, but I think it helped that the songs that did have words were mainly in Japanese and I was able to enjoy the sound of their voice without being too distracted while I was reading. I wouldn't try to say you HAVE to listen while you read, just that I would at the very least give it a try if you like that kind of music.

This is one of the most beautiful stories about grief I have ever read, and I can't wait to add this to my bookshelf upon release.

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop by Takuya Asakura is soft, atmospheric, and quietly emotional—the kind of story that feels like stepping into a memory you didn’t know you needed. The bookshop itself feels almost alive, wrapped in fleeting moments, missed chances, and the gentle ache of time passing. Asakura’s writing is understated but deeply intentional, letting silence, small gestures, and unspoken feelings carry the weight. It’s a slow read in the best way, inviting you to pause, breathe, and really sit with each moment.

What makes this a five-star read is its tenderness. This book understands grief, nostalgia, and the beauty of impermanence without ever being heavy-handed. It reminds you that some places—and some people—are meant to change us briefly but profoundly. By the end, it leaves you with that bittersweet feeling of wanting to hold on while knowing you can’t, and somehow finding peace in that. It’s gentle, reflective, and perfect for readers who love stories that linger long after the last page.

This was gentle and comforting in a way that feels meant to be savored. The Cherry Blossom Bookshop and its quiet magic create a soothing space where reflection feels natural rather than heavy, and I enjoyed watching each visitor find a little clarity through stories and small moments of care. Sakura and Kobako add warmth and calm without ever taking over the narrative, letting the focus stay on healing and acceptance. It’s a soft, hopeful read that lingers, perfect if you’re in the mood for something tender and quietly reassuring.

gorgeously lyrical book with a fantastic and quite cozy plotting throughout. would definitely recommend this one. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop was such an incredible and magical read. It is the story of a bookshop owner, and of course her adorable furry companion.

I was originally drawn into this book by the cover. I lived in Japan for a few years and i absolutely loved cherry blossom season.

What I was not expecting was the tears I would shed from the book. It is about love, loss, and finding your happiness again through it all. It is a good reminder to cherise those small moments with those who matter the most.

If you’re reading the same part of the same book as the host in the Sakura bookshop/cafe at the same time in the spring time, then you will be welcomed to this bookshop/cafe. It’s a magical spot where guests are taken back to a happy time where they can heal and/or feel positivity in the present time.

This book takes you through a few readers who need some sort of healing such as a young adult who is a manga artists, but is having a bit of a problem. There’s an older gentleman who is forgetting his present day settings, but so desperately wants to see his wife and tries to remember the promise he’s made to her. There’s also a set of twins who start growing up differently and living different lives.

This bookshop/cafe is such a special place and I love the concept of it. I also love how the guests are invited. It’s like this spot just appears when you look past the beautiful cherry blossom tree.

What a refreshing entry in the cozy magical realism genre in Japanese translated works that have been a dime a dozen since the popularity of the Before The Coffee Gets Cold books. Most of the books in that series and many like it are often hit or miss and rarely memorable. This one stands out in a couple of different ways. First, there is some real magic in the existence and appearance of the bookshop. Secondly, the books marking each chapter is strategic to the story of the protagonists of that chapter and it's beautiful and quietly profound, without being redundant in its description of the bookshop. Lastly, the author does something impressively meta with the last story that goes into why the shop exists and a fictionalized history of the existence of the book itself. Beautifully done, and that cover is gorgeous. Thanks Netgalley for the ebook ARC of the translation.

I absolutely loved reading this book, it reminded me so much of The Five People You Meet in Heaven because the characters truly learned the significance of how their lives impacted those around them. It was beautifully written, and with exceptional storytelling and detail.

Thank you Harper Collins 360 and NetGalley for the ARC.

"For fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, What You Are Looking for Is in the Library, and Days at the Morisaki Bookshop comes an enchanting novel that will linger in your heart long after the last page is turned.

As the last petal falls, the final page is turned...

Welcome to The Cherry Blossom Bookshop, a haven for book lovers that only appears during the fleeting cherry blossom season. Nestled amidst the bloom of delicate petals, you'll find a sanctuary for those burdened by regrets and past sorrows. Here, Sakura, the mysterious young owner, and her wise calico cat, Kobako, patiently await the arrival of souls in need of solace and healing.

Told over four seasons, each visitor to the bookshop holds a book that bridges their past and present, guiding them towards understanding and acceptance. Within the antique charm of the shop and the soothing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, Sakura and Kobako help their guests confront their lingering sadness through the power of stories, enabling them to move forward with renewed hope."

I can't help but wonder what would happen if a season was cut short by a storm? It's always so sad when the petals unfurl and then get pulverized.

This book felt quietly magical and deeply comforting. From the start, it radiates warmth and reverence for stories, memory, and human connection. I was completely drawn in by its gentle tone.

The bookshop setting adds such a cozy, almost timeless quality to the story. It feels like a love letter to reading and the way books connect people across moments of loss and change.

I loved how reflective and tender the storytelling is. It doesn’t rush emotional moments, allowing them to unfold naturally and with grace.

This is the kind of book I would recommend when someone wants something soothing but meaningful. Beautiful, calm, and emotionally resonant in a quiet, lasting way.

An example of judging a book by its cover and having it pay off! I loved this. Such a sweet book.

A bookshop owner and her calico cat helping people remember and reconnect by choosing books that bring them all together. The bookshop was so idyllic. I could picture myself wanting to always be there. Woody and cozy and smelling of fresh coffee. Cherry blossoms blowing outside. Records spinning. And shop cat. Burry me there. Perfect.

I loved the different episodes taking place and how they were all brought together in the final. Some stories hit harder than others, but I enjoyed them all. Bringing people together, helping them remember….brought tears to my eyes a few times.