Till the Coffee Gets Cold series - Kawaguchi Toshikazu

 Kawaguchi Toshikazu wrote a play back in 2010 named "Before the Coffee Gets Cold." This was then written as a novel in 2015. It could be argued that it is not really a novel but instead a collection of short stories that take place in the same location, and with recurring characters. Either way, I heard about it and it sounded really interesting. The premise is a coffee shop in a alley in Tokyo where a customer can time travel, however only from one specific chair if it is unoccupied, and only until the coffee in front of them gets cold. Having lived a significant time in Japan, I will read, watch or listen to almost anything from there, or based there. I bought the first book, fell in love with the world with its pages, and bought the rest of the series.

The novel introduces us to the coffee shop Funiculi Funicula. Within the basement coffee shop is a small coffee bar, and maybe four tables with two chairs per table. If you have ever visited a local kissaten coffee shop in Japan, you can picture what I am picturing. There is one specific chair at one specific table that allows a customer to time travel. Naturally there are rules. Nothing the customer says or does will change the present, that is key. The other major rule is that they must drink the coffee in front of them before it gets cold. 

We are introduced to the folks who work in the cafe, as well as some of the guests. Each chapter tells the story of a guest who travels. Because nothing they say or do while time traveling will change the present, each story becomes more about personal growth, understanding, and building empathy. To me this feels so Japanese, and I love it. I found all five books to be very readable, very interesting, and often times quite moving. Plus, take a look at the cover art! If you are in the mood for some light, yet possibly heavy reading I highly recommend this series. At some point I would love to find a translated version of the script!