?Before the Coffee Gets Cold – If You Could Travel Back, Who Would You See One Last Time

: Summary of the Book

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a beautifully poignant Japanese novel that blends magical realism with emotional storytelling. Set in a small, hidden café in Tokyo, the story follows four visitors, each yearning to reconnect with someone from their past. But time travel at Café Funiculi Funicula comes with strict rules: you must sit in a specific seat, you cannot leave the café during your visit, and above all—you must return before the coffee gets cold. Through this unique premise, the novel delicately explores love, loss, forgiveness, and the simple but profound human desire for closure.

? What You Will Discover in the Book

Within these pages, you’ll discover four intimate, intertwined stories—a woman seeking the man who left her, a wife desperate to hear from her husband stricken with Alzheimer’s, a sister longing for one final moment, and a mother who never met her own child. Each tale reveals that while the past can’t be changed, revisiting it can offer healing, perspective, and peace. Kawaguchi invites readers to reflect on missed chances, the fragility of memory, and the quiet strength of connection that endures across time.

? Why Should You Read This Book

This novel is perfect for readers who appreciate subtle, emotional narratives and gentle magical realism. With prose that is simple yet lyrical, Before the Coffee Gets Cold speaks to universal themes of regret, love, and letting go. If you’ve ever wished for just one more conversation with someone you’ve lost—or wondered what you would say if given a second chance—this book offers a tender, soul-stirring experience. It’s a contemplative journey that lingers long after the final page.

: About the Author

Toshikazu Kawaguchi, born in Osaka in 1971, is a Japanese author and playwright known for blending heartwarming fiction with fantastical elements. Before becoming a novelist, he wrote and directed plays for the theatrical group Sonic Snail. Before the Coffee Gets Cold originated as a stage play that won the 10th Suginami Drama Festival grand prize before becoming a bestselling novel translated into dozens of languages. His unique style continues to capture readers around the world with themes of time, memory, and emotional redemption.