We're spoilt for choice with Japanese novels these days. And they always seem to bring something a little different, a little quirky, often with some sort of philosophical bent, encouraging us to think again about our lives, our relationships and our worlds. I've become a bit of a fan of this style of writing, and this book is a gem. I thought it rather beautiful and intriguing.

People flock to a particular ramen restaurant in a street in Tokyo. But for some of them, when they step inside, they aren't taken to a table. Instead they meet a pawnbroker and are faced with the opportunity to pawn their life choices and their deepest regrets.

Hana's father used to run the pawnbroker's shop, but today is the first day that she takes control. And she wakes to find there has been a burglary. The shop's most precious item has been stolen and her father is missing. 

Then Keishin, a charming stranger, walks in. He doesn't seem like the other customers they've had here, the 'chosen ones', the lost. Instead of asking for help, he offers it. 

Together Hana and Keishin travel through a mystical, magical world seeking Hana’s father and the stolen 'choice' – through rain puddles and ponds, moons and origami.

As their quest nears an end they must make their own decisions, facing their secrets and destiny.

Fantastical worlds aren't usually my sort of thing but there was a soothing, intriguing, gentle nature about this book. There's a courtesy, propriety and kindness about the Japanese culture as expressed here and I enjoy the words of wisdom throughout the book, too. 

There were lots of passages in the book that I wanted to write down and remember, comments about hope and happiness, regret and loss, companionship and solitude.

I particularly liked this: 'But no one ever really dines alone, do they? Our thoughts share our meals with us. They keep us company whether we invite them or not and are especially noisy when they are the only ones at our table.' 

And this: 'Love is something that people are taught to want. But all we really need is to not be alone when we come home and to have someone to wave goodbye to us at the door when we leave.' Beautiful and mysterious. A wonderfully escapist read.