The Waseda International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library)Waseda University

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This space offers an immersive experience into the world of Haruki Murakami’s works.
Centered around the “Staircase Bookshelf,” it features a café, a lounge, and even “Murakami’s Study.”

• Staircase Bookshelf
  
  The ‘Staircase Bookshelf’, with its open, airy design that extends across two floors, conjures up the feeling that you might suddenly find yourself transported—by the smallest trigger—from everyday life into the other world depicted in Haruki Murakami’s writing.
  It is structured around two main themes: “Murakami’s Literature and its Entanglements”, and “Selected Works of World Literature, Connecting the Present to the Future.”
• Café Orange Cat
  
  This café is independently run by Waseda students. The name “Orange Cat” was given by Haruki Murakami himself, inspired by his beloved cat Peter, a breed known as an “orange cat,” which also served as the namesake for his student-era jazz café “Peter Cat.”
• Lounge
  
  A comfortable space where you can enjoy not only drinks but also light meals while reading at your leisure. The lounge features a neon sign inspired by Saturn, used in the stage play *Kafka on the Shore*, as well as a grand piano once used in Murakami’s own jazz café, “Peter Cat.”
  
  
• “Murakami’s Study”
  
  A recreation of Haruki Murakami’s current study.
  (Visitors are not permitted to enter. Some furnishings may differ from the original.)
• Waseda International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library) Gift Corner (inside Café Orange Cat)
  
  A selection of original merchandise is available, including items featuring Mizumaru Anzai (1942–2014), the illustrator known for his long-standing collaboration with Haruki Murakami.
• Haruki Murakami Library Fundraising Campaign Donor Plaque
  

A cozy space where you can relax and enjoy the world of Haruki Murakami’s books and music.

• Gallery Lounge
  
  A calm and inviting reading space surrounded by the warmth of wood. Books on display include first editions donated by Haruki Murakami, as well as various editions of his works organized by publication date and language.
  
  On the back wall of the lounge, you’ll also find a chronological table of works by Haruki Murakami.

  
  The Cocoon Chair inside the lounge is an original reading chair inspired by the cocoon crafted by the Little People in *1Q84*. It offers a softly enclosed space, perfect for immersing yourself deeply in the world of books.

  
  You can also find a depiction of the Sheep Man, a familiar character from *A Wild Sheep Chase*, drawn by Murakami himself.

• Audio Room
  A cozy space featuring Haruki Murakami’s carefully selected audio equipment and vintage Danish furniture. The room includes a donation of jazz records from his personal collection. Murakami once hosted a record concert here, offering commentary while playing albums themed around jazz saxophonist Stan Getz.

  
  

A floor that hosts a wide range of activities, including exhibitions, recordings, and workshops.

• Exhibition Room
  

  The room hosts a variety of special exhibitions, not limited to the world of Haruki Murakami’s literature.

• Studio
  

  A fully equipped audio space. The program “Murakami RADIO” on Tokyo FM has been recorded here twice.
  (This space is not open to the public.)

• Lab

  This floor hosts a variety of activities, including exhibitions, recordings, and workshops.

  

  

The Research Collection Stacks are available to those who meet the eligibility requirements.

• Research Collection Stacks
  

The archive contains works by Haruki Murakami (in both Japanese and other languages), related literature, and scrapbooks. A research lounge is also available adjacent to the stacks. Use of the facilities is subject to university library regulations. For more information, please refer to the User Guide.