Tokyo City Guide- Norwegian Wood Edition

Haruki Murakami is one of Japan’s most famous novelists. His works are deeply rooted in the culture and the mysticisms of Japan. Murakami’s best-known work- Norwegian Wood delves deep into the subjects of friendship, love and suicide. Set in the late 1960s the plot revolves around the student demonstrations. The novel has a significant impact on the current generation of travellers. The locations mentioned in the novel attracts many visitors from within and outside Japan. Follow this Tokyo city guide to feel the book come to life:

Walk from Yotsuya to Ichigya

After a random encounter on the JR train the duo gets off at Yotuya station and walk to Ichigaya. Watanabe on the walk follows Naoka for most of the afternoon. The walk taken four hours to complete- for all you hardcore Murakami fans that want to feel every bit of the book come alive this will be your ultimate one stop shop. At the end of the long walk, you’ll reach the restraint that they dine at, the name of the restaurant is left out from the English translation, but in the Japanese version it is called “Komatsuan”.

Kichijoji

This trip unlike the first one has you take multiple train rides. Starting off at the Watanabe’s home for the second half of the novel- Kichijoji, the first trip you ought to take is to Shinjuku- his part-time job is located here and is also the place that he goes to with Midori to get drunk at places like jazz bar Dug.

Wasade University

Wasade Daigaku is the inspiration for the unspecified university in the novel. The university campus is delightfully covered in green, walk from here to the dorm that Murakami stayed in, during his years of youth; that later became Watanabe’s dorm in the book- Wakeijuku. The place looks exactly as described in the book.

Ueno

Though Watanabe only visits Ueno just once in the entire novel, the locality plays an important part in the story. There are several museums around the park and Ameyoko street market. This is sure make your day eventful.

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