Toshikazu Kawaguchi

What would you change if you could go back in time? In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time. In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, we meet four visitors, each of whom is hoping to make use of the café's time-travelling offer, in order to: confront the man who left them, receive a letter from their husband whose memory has been taken by early onset Alzheimer's, to see their sister one last time, and to meet the daughter they never got the chance to know. But the journey into the past does not come without risks: customers must sit in a particular seat, they cannot leave the café, and finally, they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold . . . Toshikazu Kawaguchi's beautiful, moving story - translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot - explores the age-old question: what would you change if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

コーヒーが冷めないうちに

Aina

Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability. It is much easier to conceal sadness from a stranger, or from someone you don't trust.

Like a model from a fashion magazine, she was a beautiful woman who would draw anyone's gaze. Yes, she was a woman who combined intelligence and beauty. But whether she realized this was a different matter.

Srijita Sarkar 

‘Thank you, for the honour of having you.’

Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability. It is much easier to conceal sadness from a stranger, or from someone you don’t trust.

She was putting on a brave face, but her bravery was real.

‘I wanted to scream out don’t go but I was too proud.’

yearner.

(I really, truly... ) That's just... well, you know.' ( . loved you.) It makes me feel forgotten.. What I wanted to say was... ..! (Not that it's going to change anything...)

IfI return to the past, I might be able to set things right. I might be able to have a conversation with Goro once more. 

demeter <3

She didn't hate her parents, [...] she simply lived for her freedom.

akshita

"while the shrills of the abura cicada and the min-min cicada evoke the images of a blazing sun, midsummer, and scorching days, the song of the higurashi evokes images of the evening and the late summer. When the sun begins to set and the dusk gathers, the kana-kana-kana of the higurashi evokes a melancholic mood, and one gets the urge to hurry home."

"Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity.

Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out."

You’re a nurse, so I can only assume you have already noticed. I have an illness where I forget things. 

I imagine that as I keep on losing my memory, you will be able to put aside your own feelings and care for me with the detachment of a nurse, and that you can do that no matter what strange things I say or do – even if I forget who you. 

So I ask you never to forget one thing. You are my wife, and if life becomes too hard for you as my wife, I want you to leave me. 

You don’t have to stay by me as a nurse. If I am no good as a husband, then I want you to leave me. All I ask is that you can do what you can as my wife. We are husband and wife after all. Even if I lose my memory, I want to be together as husband and wife. I cannot stand the idea of us staying together only out of sympathy. 

This is something I cannot say to your face, so I wrote it in a letter.

beautiful and so true🥹🥲☕️🌸🤍

Jessica Turner

Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability. It is much easier to conceal sadness from a stranger, or from someone you don't trust. Hirai saw Kei as a confidante with whom she could share anything. The emotional gravity was strong. Kei was able to accept anything - forgive anything – that Hirai let flow out. A single kind word from Kei could cut the cords of tension that ran through her.

Julia Rutgers

Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability.

Rebecca Lum

Water flows from high places to low places. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability. It is much easier to conceal sadness from a stranger, or from someone you don't trust. Hirai saw Kei as a confidante with whom she could share anything. The emotional gravity was strong.

He liked to travel. It wasn’t the travel itself that he liked, but the opportunity to visit gardens in different places.

Di sebuah gang kecil di Tokyo, ada kafe tua yang bisa membawa pengunjungnya menjelajahi waktu. Keajaiban kafe itu menarik seorang wanita yang ingin memutar waktu untuk berbaikan dengan kekasihnya, seorang perawat yang ingin membaca surat yang tak sempat diberikan suaminya yang sakit, seorang kakak yang ingin menemui adiknya untuk terakhir kali, dan seorang ibu yang ingin bertemu dengan anak yang mungkin takkan pernah dikenalnya. Namun ada banyak peraturan yang harus diingat. Satu, mereka harus tetap duduk di kursi yang telah ditentukan. Dua, apa pun yang mereka lakukan di masa yang didatangi takkan mengubah kenyataan di masa kini. Tiga, mereka harus menghabiskan kopi khusus yang disajikan sebelum kopi itu dingin. Rentetan peraturan lainnya tak menghentikan orang-orang itu untuk menjelajahi waktu. Akan tetapi, jika kepergian mereka tak mengubah satu hal pun di masa kini, layakkah semua itu dijalani?

Funiculi Funicula

ℛ.

Sementara itu, si wanita bergaun putih tersenyum sambil perlahan menutup novelnya yang berjudul 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. SEBENTAR. Aku tiba-tiba terharu.

Kemudian ia melihat sekeliling. Ia membunguk sekali lagi, tidak kepada siapa-siapa, lebih kepada kafe itu sendiri.

在咖啡冷掉之前

Ingrid

This book made me smile and made my heart ache. Truly beautiful.

Zoe Kelly

‘Drink the coffee before it gets cold ☕️’

What would you change if you could travel back in time? Down a small alleyway in the heart of Tokyo, there’s an underground café that’s been serving carefully brewed coffee for over a hundred years. Local legend says that this shop offers its customers something else besides coffee—the chance to travel back in time. The rules, however, are far from simple: you must sit in one particular seat, and you can’t venture outside the café, nor can you change the present. And, most important, you only have the time it takes to drink a hot cup of coffee—or risk getting stuck forever. Over the course of one summer, four customers visit the café in the hopes of traveling to another time: a heartbroken lover looking for closure, a nurse with a mysterious letter from her husband, a waitress hoping to say one last goodbye and a mother whose child she may never get the chance to know. Heartwarming, wistful and delightfully quirky, Before the Coffee Gets Cold explores the intersecting lives of four women who come together in one extraordinary café, where the service may not be quick, but the opportunities are endless.

Hatice.reads

She sat there, obsessed with the passing time.

Set in a small, tucked-away café in Tokyo, 

 tells the stories of four individuals who long to revisit moments from their past or witness glimpses of their future. The café offers an extraordinary opportunity to time travel—but under strict rules: you cannot change the present, you must stay seated in a chosen spot in the cafe, you can only visit someone who has been in the cafe, and you must return before the coffee gets cold. This poignant and tender novel explores themes of love, loss, regret, and the beauty of accepting life as it is. 

Kawaguchi’s writing, translated from Japanese, is delicate and thought-provoking, often capturing universal truths in simple lines. Here are some memorable quotes that encapsulate the book’s themes: 

“No matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them. It just takes heart.”

 This reminds readers of the resilience we carry, even when burdened by regret. 

“Even if I could go back, nothing would change. But still, I want to go back… Because I want to see her one last time.”

 This reflects the aching need to reconnect with loved ones, even knowing it won’t alter the present. 

“The act of choosing to have faith in the unseen is one of the bravest things a person can do.”

 A gentle reminder to embrace hope, even when outcomes are uncertain. 

At its core, this novel examines how the past shapes us and how we can find peace despite unchangeable regrets. The characters’ journeys offer quiet revelations about love, forgiveness, and closure, making readers ponder their relationships and decisions. 

Though the story’s premise is whimsical, Kawaguchi focuses on the characters’ humanity, ensuring the emotional impact is deeply felt. The café’s warm, almost magical atmosphere balances the heavier moments, making it a reflective yet comforting read. 

Kawaguchi masterfully blends heartache and hope into a quiet but powerful narrative. While some may find the writing style simplistic, its depth lies in its emotional resonance and universal themes. Perfect for readers who enjoy introspective, bittersweet stories. 

If you’re looking for a reflective and tender book about life’s what-ifs, 

 is worth savoring—before your coffee gets cold! 

Erwin Lemuel Oliva

Set in a small, tucked-away café in Tokyo, Before the Coffee Gets Cold tells the stories of four individuals who long to revisit moments from their past or witness glimpses of their future. The café offers an extraordinary opportunity to time travel—but under strict rules: you cannot change the present, you must stay seated in a chosen spot in the cafe, you can only visit someone who has been in the cafe, and you must return before the coffee gets cold. This poignant and tender novel explores themes of love, loss, regret, and the beauty of accepting life as it is. 

 

Kawaguchi’s writing, translated from Japanese, is delicate and thought-provoking, often capturing universal truths in simple lines. Here are some memorable quotes that encapsulate the book’s themes: 


• “No matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them. It just takes heart.” This reminds readers of the resilience we carry, even when burdened by regret. 

• “Even if I could go back, nothing would change. But still, I want to go back… Because I want to see her one last time.” This reflects the aching need to reconnect with loved ones, even knowing it won’t alter the present. 

• “The act of choosing to have faith in the unseen is one of the bravest things a person can do.” A gentle reminder to embrace hope, even when outcomes are uncertain. 

 

At its core, this novel examines how the past shapes us and how we can find peace despite unchangeable regrets. The characters’ journeys offer quiet revelations about love, forgiveness, and closure, making readers ponder their relationships and decisions. 

 

Though the story’s premise is whimsical, Kawaguchi focuses on the characters’ humanity, ensuring the emotional impact is deeply felt. The café’s warm, almost magical atmosphere balances the heavier moments, making it a reflective yet comforting read. 

 

Kawaguchi masterfully blends heartache and hope into a quiet but powerful narrative. While some may find the writing style simplistic, its depth lies in its emotional resonance and universal themes. Perfect for readers who enjoy introspective, bittersweet stories. 

 

If you’re looking for a reflective and tender book about life’s what-ifs, Before the Coffee Gets Cold is worth savoring—before your coffee gets cold! 

Interesting book and the concept different from what I've read before, but hard to read. 

When I first saw the book I was convinced I'll finish it in 1 day, but the description and the cringe dialogue make it hard to finish.

Andrada Nane

Interesting book and the concept different from what I've read before, but hard to read. 

When I first saw the book I was convinced I'll finish it in 1 day, but the description and the cringe dialogue make it hard to finish.

Repetitive, some of the rules create more questions without answears, I did like it but I don't believe it lives to the hype it got

Natalia Moreno

Still crying. This is my first read of the year and it will probably be the best.

Amy Burnett

Extremely charming, with a care to make the characters feel familiar, a very close and personal book, but at the end of the day just not my type of book

Manis

I could compare this book with a cup of caffeine: it's warm, delectable and gets you in the right places. The story, even if written in 3rd POV, always manages to reel you right in and strike your heart, making you feel all the emotions as if you were there, sitting, and drinking the coffee. The characters are all different from one another but there's this shared warmness between all of them that you can't help but hope that the coffee doesn't turn cold. The story, although split in stories about the characters' experiences flow so well that it was hard to put this book down as it all seems so enticing to find out what happens next. Lastly, even if this story involved fantasy elements — everything was so realistic. From all the emotions felt by the characters:  sorrow, grief, happiness, regret; it's daunting how awfully accurate it is. Overall, this story, although simplistic, makes you appreciate the past, the future, and especially the present, and makes you appreciate and realize how important time and the people in our lives is.

Reading the last chapter on mother's day while class of 2013 by mitski playing in the background is my last straw. 

it was enough to make a woman like me cry

anatolian 

Ive read the entire series and this book made me cry. There was truth in some of the short stories and I really related to them - what if I only had till the coffee gets cold to speak to/engage with someone one last time? 

victoria lim

Do people write full reviews here? Hmm tldr I like books written simply but still convey love with so much depth and realness. I cried 6 times. 

Raya Barreiro

Sophie

marie

It's a captivating book that left a lasting impression on me. With its unique concept and beautifully crafted stories, it is no surprise that I gave it a well-deserved 5-star rating. Among the various stories in the book, 

 emerged as my favorite. The tale of a couple grappling with aging and dementia struck a deep chord within me. Toshikazu Kawaguchi's ability to portray the complexities of human relationships with sensitivity and depth is truly commendable. 

 didn't grip me to my seat in the same way, it still offered a compelling exploration of love and sacrifice. It remained a well-crafted and engaging story that showcased the author's skill in capturing the intricacies of human emotions.

Tali 🧸ִֶָྀི𓂃

It's a captivating book that left a lasting impression on me. With its unique concept and beautifully crafted stories, it is no surprise that I gave it a well-deserved 5-star rating. Among the various stories in the book, Husband and Wife emerged as my favorite. The tale of a couple grappling with aging and dementia struck a deep chord within me. Toshikazu Kawaguchi's ability to portray the complexities of human relationships with sensitivity and depth is truly commendable. 

While Lovers didn't grip me to my seat in the same way, it still offered a compelling exploration of love and sacrifice. It remained a well-crafted and engaging story that showcased the author's skill in capturing the intricacies of human emotions.

this book revolves around the stories of four individuals who either visit or work at the café. each story is unique and beautifully crafted, evoking strong emotions. you learn to accept the past and make the best of the future.

3.8 This book is very sweet, and to be written by a man in female pov, it was pretty good. my favorite story was the sisters, but the mother and child comes very close too. it did not feel like a short book, as each chapter was 40 mins long and i would get lost but then return and understand each story 

debbie <3

two words: simply beautiful. how can one’s convey so much love and emotions in such a brief story? i am truly amazed.

gitsa

Que saudades todos tínhamos deste café… Se pudesse voltar ao passado, quem gostaria de encontrar? Estamos de regresso a Tóquio para mais viagens… no tempo.

Num pequeno beco da cidade, bem escondido, há um café centenário. Mas, diante de uma chávena de café bem quente, os clientes recebem muito mais: a possibilidade de viajar até ao passado.

Do autor de um dos maiores bestsellers internacionais dos últimos tempos, Antes Que o Café Arrefeça: De Regresso a Tóquio leva-nos de regresso ao lugar onde o passado pode, subitamente, ser diferente. Aqui, encontramos quatro novas personagens que procuram a magia do Café Funiculi Funicula: um homem que quer rever o melhor amigo, morto há vinte e dois anos; um filho que não pôde ir ao funeral da mãe; um homem que precisa de reencontrar a rapariga com quem não pôde casar; um detetive que quer dar um presente especial à sua falecida mulher. Mas lembrem-se: as viagens no tempo têm condições e riscos… E nada do que façam vai alterar o presente

De Regresso a Tóquio

Antes que o Café Arrefeça

I bought the book without reading the back of it, and, at first, I was just reading a book about a couple braking up. Then, all of a sudden, I was reading about things unsaid - all the stories in this book are about things unsaid. 

It really puts into perspective the way we go about our lives. It's a book about the importance of the present. About the choices we make daily and how we cannot go back, not really.

It challenges the reader to live with more purpose. 

Alexandra

I bought the book without reading the back of it, and, at first, I was just reading a book about a couple braking up. Then, all of a sudden, I was reading about things unsaid - all the stories in this book are about things unsaid. 

It really puts into perspective the way we go about our lives. It's a book about the importance of the present. About the choices we make daily and how we cannot go back, not really.

It challenges the reader to live with more purpose. 

Geoffrey Trousselot

I think this book was very sweet. It definitely teaches you about being in the present and to not have regrets of the past or worries for the future. Sure things might not work out the way that you would have imagined, you just have to keep moving forward. Reflecting on the past can help have a change of heart and gives perspective on life. I did tear up at one of the stories in the book.

Kayla Pham

Such a great and interesting book, with some lovely stories of the characters within. Loved it.

Sarah Chauvidon

I love the concept and think it’s a sweet book grappling with grief. 

But the magic was dispelled with every word-for-word repetition that felt less like a stylistic choice and more like underestimating the reader’s comprehension. 

Personally, the descriptions and depictions of women also missed the mark. 

Emiley Jones

I love the concept and think it’s a sweet book grappling with grief. 

But the magic was dispelled with every word-for-word repetition that felt less like a stylistic choice and more like underestimating the reader’s comprehension. 

Personally, the descriptions and depictions of women also missed the mark. 

Demi

Maureen

“Drink the coffee before it goes cold”

***

3.5

An interesting premise! I’ve been wanting to read this book for the longest time. All four stories were touching, but the writing style failed to connect with me. Not sure if this is due to the translation. It was quite bland, hence I didn’t get as emotional as I thought I’d get. But I give it 3 stars because this is the first time I’ve encountered a time-travel story that doesn’t let its characters change anything in the past. My favorite was the second, “Husband and Wife.”

Katerina

So beautiful, so sad, so heart-breaking. Yet it leaves you with so much hope. Hope about second chances, about another moment granted to say “i’m sorry”, to say “goodbye”. 

It stays with you, that one.

*4.5 ☆ 

I enjoyed reading this book! I love the concept of coffee and time travel. Though some parts are kinda repetitive, like the curse scene and the rules. But its still worth reading if you want to read some short stories.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

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