Milky Way Railroad

By Kenji Miyazawa, Ryu Okazaki (illustrator), Joseph Sigrist (translator) , D.M. Stroud (translator)

Book cover of Milky Way Railroad

Book description

One night, alone on a hilltop, a young boy is swept aboard a magical train bound for the Milky Way. A classic in Japan, this tender fable is a book of great wisdom, offering insight into the afterlife. One of Japan's greatest storytellers, Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933) was a teacher, author,…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Milky Way Railroad as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love to read books by Japanese authors. This one was special as the young boy Kenji boards this magical train with one of his friends, Minoru. This magical train takes him on a journey to the stars and Heaven, where he meets a lot of people. 

Reading this book made me wish I could go on a magical train to a journey to Heaven, where I could once again see my Dad and Uncle and my grandparents and have a marvelous journey. It made me happy to imagine that.

It was an emotional story-magical and mystical. Kenji returns home,…

Want books like Milky Way Railroad?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Milky Way Railroad.

Browse books like Milky Way Railroad

Book cover of Spirited Away
Book cover of Beacon 23
Book cover of The Last Legends of Earth

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,588

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Milky Way, Japan, and the afterlife?

Milky Way 25 books
Japan 517 books
The Afterlife 107 books