Interwoven and Interconnected

In the extensive Japanese literary landscape, one name that has recently stood out among international readers is Hiro Arikawa. Born on June 9, 1972, in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, Hiro Arikawa (有川 浩, Arikawa Hiro) emerged as a literary force when she won the prestigious Dengeki Novel Prize in 2003. A year later, her debut novel, 塩の街 (Shio no Machi, Wish on My Precious), was published. An unlikely love story between two individuals divided by age and social status, Arikawa’s debut was critically acclaimed. It was also the first book in her 自衛隊三部作 (Jieitai Sanbusaku, The SDF Trilogy), a series centered on the Japan Self-Defense Forces. She followed this initial success with equally popular works, establishing herself as a household name among the Japanese reading public. Some of her books were even adapted into films.

Global recognition, however, was elusive. This is mainly attributed to the lack of English translation of her works. Her appeal to the worldwide audience came in 2017 following the English translation of her 2012 novel 旅猫リポート (Tabineko Ripōto). The heartwarming and unexpected story of a stray cat named Nana (the Japanese for the number seven) and his adoptive owner, Satoru, Tabineko Ripōto received several accolades in Arikawa’s native Japan. Released as The Travelling Cat Chronicles, the novel was warmly received by readers across the globe, setting more opportunities for Arikawa’s other works to be translated into English. In 2023, her 2021 short story collection みとりねこ (Mitorineko) was released as The Goodbye Cat; it contained a short story about Satoru.

In 2025, another of Arikawa’s earlier works, 阪急電車 (Hankyū Densha), was made available to English-speaking readers through a translation by Allison Markin Powell. Originally published in 2008, it was released under the English title The Passengers on the Hankyu Line. The novel transports readers to Japan’s Kansai region, particularly along the titular Hankyu Railway line—one of the major train lines traversing the Japanese landscape. An abbreviation of Keihanshin Kyūkō (京阪神急行), the Hankyu Line was founded in 1907. The name “Keihanshin” refers to the major metropolitan area served by the railway, comprising the cities of Kyoto (京都), Osaka (大阪), and Kobe (神戸), along with the surrounding suburbs that connect them. The line remains a crucial means of mass transportation for residents of these densely populated urban centers.

Lone passengers, for the most part, show no expression often appearing to be in their own world. They stare at the landscape whizzing by or at the ads hanging inside the car, or if their eyes do happen to wander around the carriage, they avoid meeting anyone else’s gaze. Otherwise, they pass their time on the train in the usual ways – reading a book or listeing to music or staring at their mobile phone.

Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

On the commuter carriages of the picturesque Imazu Line, which runs between Takarazuka and Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi, people from all walks of life converge. We meet them as they go about their day. For some, boarding the train is part of their daily routine; for others, it marks a rare deviation. Among the passengers are high school students commuting to and from school, university students heading to class, and employees on their way to work, weekend events, or returning home. Mothers and grandmothers are caring for their children or grandchildren. Some passengers are single, others are in complicated relationships, and some are married. It is a diverse cast, and as the train moves forward, these individuals touch each other’s lives in the most unexpected ways.

It is from these chance intersections that Arikawa weaves her novel. At first glance, the structure may appear complex. Though the stories are fragmented, they are thematically interconnected, with the novel divided into two mirrored segments. The first part takes place in spring, as the train travels outward. Along the journey, five central characters emerge – each representing a facet of the human experience. Masashi and Yuki, two avid book lovers, first notice each other at the Takarazuka Central Library, near the train’s departure point. Yuki, a mysterious woman, is initially seen by Masashi, a young office worker, as a rival. But when Yuki sits beside him and initiates a conversation, their dynamic shifts, especially after they discover a shared fascination with a kanji character formed on a sound mound along the riverbank.

The kanji character that Masashi and Yuki were fascinated by is 生, which can mean either “life” or “draft beer,” depending on the pronunciation. Emotional turmoil came with the presence of Shoko. Following her former fiancé’s betrayal, she created quite a stir on the train. She boarded the train wearing a white bridal dress on her way to attend her ex-fiancé’s wedding. Wearing a bridal dress was her act of defiance for the union between her former lover and his wife. Shoko’s vindictiveness captured the interest of her fellow passengers, among them Tokié, a grandmother traveling with her granddaughter Ami. Tokié, too, is facing a personal dilemma: whether to buy a dog. Her husband’s traumatic experience when first meeting her family had long prevented her from owning one. Now, with Ami’s growing desire for a pet, the opportunity resurfaces.

Elsewhere, a young woman named Misa boards the train, trying to reconcile the image she once had of her boyfriend, Katsuya, with the man he has become. Once charming, he has grown abusive – hitting her when no one is around. This ongoing cycle of violence pushes her closer to ending the relationship. It isn’t the first time she’s thought of leaving, but now, she’s at her breaking point. Yet where one relationship is unraveling, another begins to bloom. Kei’ichi and Miho, two shy university students who have never dated before, find an unexpected connection through a chance encounter – built on quiet observations and shared dreams. Meanwhile, Itoh, a housewife, struggles to fit in with a group of fellow mothers who frequently go on expensive outings she neither enjoys nor can afford.

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 traveller’s heart are a mystery known only to themselves.

Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

Our everyday existence often brings us into contact with strangers: in cafés over a morning coffee, on public transport during commutes, or along busy sidewalks. We glimpse countless faces, each bearing the traces of an untold story. These fleeting encounters often spark curiosity. What does that harried woman do for a living? Why does that man look so restless? What might a mother’s day truly be like? The tapestry of human existence is lush and extensive. In her latest translated novel, Hiro Arikawa captures the subtleties and emotional texture of such random interactions. Ingeniously, she sets her story on one of Japan’s many bustling train lines – where daily life converges and is always in motion.

The convergence of the passengers on the Hankyu Line then transforms into a microcosm of the complex human condition and ecosystem. We meet characters who are representative of the human experiences, albeit just a portion of the human spectrum. One of the novel’s highest accomplishments is its depiction of the intricacies of daily life. It finds meaning and beauty in the most innocuous of places. The characters either carried with them the weight of their emotional baggage or were stuck in impasses from which they were unable to find their way out. Some were trapped in cycles of abuse, while some were caught in their own worlds. Some had personal crises. They have personal challenges they had to navigate and concerns they were trying to find a solution for. Each character had a story to tell, a wisdom to share, and Arikawa gave them these voices.

As their paths intertwine, some characters offer wisdom or quiet empathy. Tokié, for instance, noticed the anger emanating from Shoko. Tokié then took it upon herself to share her wisdom. Misa found strength in the supportive comments from a fellow passenger. Itoh also received some wisdom from a fellow passenger who made her realize how her own priorities have become muddied because she tried to fit in. These brief encounters brought out random acts of kindness – unexpected but pleasant – which left lasting impressions on those who were struggling. These scenes and encounters in the most innocuous of places illustrate how we can influence others’ lives in profound ways. This also captures the beauty of genuine human connections through our shared experiences. It reminds us that even our small acts can leave a positive impact.

The story is more than a tapestry of interwoven lives; it is also about transformation. The return leg of the journey – six months later in autumn – reveals how the characters have grown. Wounds have begun to heal. Relationships, both romantic and platonic, have deepened. Promises made in spring have been honored. Much can change in a short span of time. These spring encounters were serendipitous, and the return trip brings the narrative full circle – an elegant nod to the kanji character that sparked it all. The characters’ growth underscores the novel’s central message: the power of human connection. Sometimes it’s not a heartfelt conversation, but an overheard comment or a stranger’s understanding look that helps lift our spirits

The fragility of adolescence prevented them from being able to admit even the slightest error on their part. In a corner of their hearts, they must have felt a shred of guilt, because from that day on, they never rode in the first car of the train again. Nor did they ever use their bag to save a seat on public transport. What’s more, they acted like they had always known that doing so was inappropriate and tactless.

Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

At its heart, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line is a novel about healing. It is a welcome addition to the growing body of healing literature emerging from Japan and South Korea – a phenomenon gaining attention as more works are translated into English. Rather than relying on a traditional plot, Arikawa offers a rich slice-of-life narrative where each character’s concerns are sensitively explored. The novel sits comfortably beside recent translated works like Michiko Aoyama’s What You Are Looking For Is in the Library and Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. What makes Arikawa’s characters so relatable is her careful attention to the nuances of individuality. Some are burdened with anxiety. Others are quietly nervous. All are enigmas in their own way, yet each one reflects a part of the human experience.

Whenever we find ourselves in public spaces, we can’t help but notice those around us. We wonder about their lives, their struggles, their joys. As Arikawa reminds us, everyone carries unseen burdens. We may never know what made someone smile or cry – but sometimes, we connect. The Passengers on the Hankyu Line offers intimate glimpses into these private worlds. It presents a lush tapestry that, while capturing just a portion of the human experience, is rich with insight and compassion. In an increasingly fragmented world, where individualism often drowns out shared humanity, Arikawa’s quiet, poignant stories remind us of the enduring value of connection. They show us that even the smallest act of kindness can leave a mark – that our lives are not as solitary as we might think. Through her narrative, Arikawa gently reminds us of the quiet power of everyday empathy.

After all, her initial association with it had been a draft beer – which was quite off the wall, compared with the meaning that the original artwork had intended – though it made sense that she would first think of it as a prank and later assign goodwill and affection to it, in keeping with her always positive outlook.

Hiro Arikawa, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line
Book Specs

Author: Hiro Arikawa
Translator (from Japanese): Allison Markin Powell
Publisher: Berkley
Publishing Date: 2025 (2008)
Number of Pages: 234
Genre: Literary, Slice-of-Life, Contemporary

Synopsis

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 outbound 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 a grandmother 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.

About the Author

To learn more about Hiro Arikawa, click here.