Tales from the Café

In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time …

From the author of Before the Coffee Gets Cold comes Tales from the Café, a story of four new customers each of whom is hoping to take advantage of Cafe Funiculi Funicula's time-travelling offer.

Among some faces that will be familiar to readers of Toshikazu Kawaguchi's previous novel, we will be introduced to: the man who goes back to see his best friend who died 22 years ago, the son who was unable to attend his own mother's funeral, the man who travelled to see the girl who he could not marry, the old detective who never gave his wife that gift …

This beautiful, simple tale tells the story of people who must face up to their past, in order to move on with their lives. Kawaguchi once again invites the reader to ask themselves: what would you change if you could travel back in time?

Available Editions

Hardcover
Paperback
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About this book
This is a story meant to be savored slowly, like tea on a winter afternoon. The pages hold quiet magic and gentle adventure, perfect for readers seeking solace in fantastical worlds.

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Step into a world of warmth and wonder

This tale weaves together the comfort of home with the thrill of discovery, creating a sanctuary for those who seek magic in the everyday. Spice level: mild. Stakes: personal growth and belonging.

Essence

What makes this story unforgettable

The book carries the weight of genuine emotion without pretense. It moves through its world with the quiet confidence of something that knows exactly what it is. A story for those who understand that magic lives in small moments.

Themes and atmosphere

Cozy, found family, magical creatures, quiet adventure, belonging

Special features

Illustrated maps, embossed cover, hand-stitched binding, gilt edges

Reading experience

Best enjoyed slowly with tea, perfect for evening reading, ideal for quiet moments

Ideal for readers who love

Gentle narratives, immersive worlds, character-driven stories, comfort reads

Own

Your edition

Choose the format that suits your reading

Hardcover edition
$28
Embossed cover with gilt edges
Illustrated maps included
Hand-stitched binding
Archival quality paper
Free worldwide shipping
Paperback edition
$18
Save 36% with paperback format
Illustrated maps included
Premium paper quality
Durable binding
Portable and lightweight
Free worldwide shipping

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