Books About Tokyo

The Best Tokyo Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Books About Japan, featuring 14 favorites and recommendations by age.

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Looking for excellent children's books about tokyo? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Tokyo

While I Was Away
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

While I Was Away

By Waka T. Brown

A girl navigates identity and belonging in 1980s Japan, caught between two cultures.

310 pages· 65,800 words· Est. 9 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 1,089 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Twelve-year-old Waka is sent from Kansas to Tokyo to reconnect with her roots. Struggling with language and fitting in, she faces culture shock and a strict grandmother. As the 'smart Japanese girl' in America and the 'dumb foreigner' in Japan, Waka questions where she truly belongs. Can she find her place in a world where she feels like an outsider?
Raid of No Return
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Raid of No Return

By Nathan Hale · Book #7 in the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series

A daring WWII mission: bombers launch from a carrier, risking all for a secret strike on Tokyo.

128 pages· 9,347 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 2,758 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In the midst of WWII, stunt pilot Jimmy Doolittle leads a perilous mission: launching bombers from a carrier to strike Tokyo. With fuel running low and Japanese forces closing in, survival is uncertain. Will these brave pilots complete their mission and find safety in China, or will they fall into enemy hands? Experience the tension and heroism of the Doolittle Raid, a tale of courage and ingenuity against overwhelming odds.
Tessa Miyata Is No Hero
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Tessa Miyata Is No Hero

By Julie Abe · Tessa Miyata series

A broken heirloom unleashes chaos. Can Tessa save Tokyo from a vengeful samurai god?

352 pages· 68,794 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 378 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Tessa Miyata's summer in Japan takes a wild turn when she accidentally releases a vengeful samurai god. Teaming up with reluctant ally Jin and a mischievous nine-tailed fox, Tessa must navigate a hidden world of gods and myths to save Tokyo. As the clock ticks, can they stop the malevolent spirit before it enslaves the city forever? Dive into a thrilling adventure where the stakes are high, and the unexpected awaits at every corner.
Dodsworth in Tokyo
Sale price
$1398
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2013

Dodsworth in Tokyo

By Tim Egan · A Dodsworth Book series

A nervous traveler and a clumsy duck explore Japan with hilarious mishaps.

48 pages
4.0 Goodreads · 329 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: Dodsworth and his quirky duck companion embark on an adventure in Japan. As they navigate Tokyo, the duck's antics lead to chaos—bumping rickshaws, splashing into koi ponds, and toppling wagashi trays. Can Dodsworth manage the mayhem and enjoy their journey? Discover the humor and heart in this delightful tale of friendship and travel mishaps.
Drawing from Memory
Sale price
$2374
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Drawing from Memory

By Allen Say

An artist's journey unfolds amid war, mentorship, and self-discovery.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2012)
64 pages· 6,131 words· Est. 52 min read
4.0 Goodreads · 58,429 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the midst of WWII, a young artist finds himself torn between his father's disapproval and the guidance of Japan's top cartoonist. As he apprentices under a new mentor, he grapples with questions of identity and heritage. Through rigorous training and introspection, he embarks on a transformative journey to uncover his true self. This graphic novel blends memoir and history, capturing the profound bond between mentor and student, and the resilience of an artist's spirit.
Mystery of the Samurai Sword
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1979

Mystery of the Samurai Sword

By Franklin W. Dixon · Book #60 in the The Hardy Boys series

A stolen samurai sword and a vanished tycoon lead to a dangerous mystery.

192 pages· 35,485 words· Est. 4 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 814 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: The Hardy Boys face peril as they unravel the mystery of a vanished Japanese tycoon and a stolen samurai sword. With danger lurking at every turn, can they connect the dots and solve the puzzle before it's too late?
The Sound of Silence
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 5–6 · 2016

The Sound of Silence

By Katrina Goldsaito

A boy seeks silence amidst Tokyo's bustling symphony of sounds.

40 pages· 665 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
4.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,359 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the heart of Tokyo's vibrant chaos, young Yoshio embarks on a quest to find the elusive sound of silence. Amidst the city's cacophony of squishing shoes, whooshing trains, and beeping cars, he wonders if tranquility can exist in such a bustling place. As Yoshio navigates the urban symphony, will he discover the beauty of silence, or is it just a fleeting dream? Join him on this lyrical journey through the city's noise, where every sound tells a story and the search for peace becomes an adventure.
The Mystery at Mount Fuji
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 2007

The Mystery at Mount Fuji

By Carole Marsh · Book #7 in the Around the World In 80 Mysteries series

A trip to Japan turns mysterious. Can they solve it?

131 pages· 16,027 words· Est. 2 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 26 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Christina and Grant's journey to Japan takes a thrilling turn when they stumble into a puzzling mystery. As they explore the vibrant culture and history, unexpected clues emerge, challenging their wits. With the stakes high, can they unravel the secrets hidden in this foreign land? Join them for an adventure filled with suspense and discovery, where every chapter leaves you wanting more.
Tokyo Night Parade
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023

Tokyo Night Parade

By J.P. Takahashi, Minako Tomigahara (Illustrator)

A magical night parade beckons, but will Eka's journey from New York to Tokyo be her last chance to join the yokai festivities?

40 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 525 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Eka eagerly awaits the magical night parade in Tokyo, a celebration filled with swirling yokai spirits. Living in New York makes it harder to attend, and she fears this might be her last chance to join the festivities. As the ground trembles and the air fills with the sounds of paws and claws, Eka must decide how to make the most of this enchanting night. Will she find a way to return to her beloved parade, or is this farewell? Dive into a world where the mystical and the real collide in a dance until dawn.
Fumiko and a Tokyo Tragedy
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Fumiko and a Tokyo Tragedy

By Susan Griner, Wendy Tan Shiau Wei (Illustrator) · Book #26 in the Girls Survive series

A young girl faces chaos and survival after a devastating earthquake in 1920s Tokyo.

105 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 95 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In 1920s Tokyo, 12-year-old Fumiko admires the modern Moga girls, but her life takes a drastic turn when the Great Kanto Earthquake strikes. Amidst the chaos and destruction, Fumiko must navigate a world turned upside down. Can she survive the fires and confusion, and what will this disaster mean for her future? As she battles the elements and societal expectations, Fumiko's journey is one of resilience and transformation. Discover the gripping tale of survival and change in a city shattered by nature's fury.
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