Waseda International House of Literature (Haruki Murakami Library) – A Lyrical Tunnel of Words in To

Nestled in Shinjuku’s Waseda University, the Waseda International House of Literature—also affectionately called the Haruki Murakami Library—reimagines the façade of the old Building No. 4 with a beautifully sculpted wooden tunnel that cuts through its core. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the tunnel’s sweeping wooden louvers not only evoke the surreal passageways in Murakami’s novels, but also serve as shelves, lighting effects, and gentle separators between dimensions of space. Inside, the atmosphere is calm yet vibrant. Over 3,000 volumes of Murakami’s works—some first editions and translations into more than 50 languages—line the staircase-wall, inviting contemplative browsing . A basement café called Orange Cat nods to Murakami’s jazz-bar days, complete with a piano from his own Peter Cat venue and cozy nooks for lingering with a brew . Upstairs, a listening room lets you play records from Murakami’s personal collection while soft light filters through the wooden tunnel overhead. Beyond serving as a thoughtful homage to the author, the library functions as a cultural venue—with rotating exhibitions, literary talks, live music, and special events like Murakami’s recent public readings and jazz-infused Campus Piano sessions. Whether you’re a Murakami devotee or a lover of architecture and ambiance, the Haruki Murakami Library offers an immersive blend of literature, design, and community—inviting you to explore, reflect, and discover in a space as layered as the stories it celebrates. #tokyospots