To be homeless is to be ignored when people walk past, while still being in full view of everyone.

Kazu was old. He was homeless. He is now, it seems, a ghost, telling us the story of his life and the history of Ueno Park and the land it is on. Through Kazu we learn about the battles of the Civil War and the return to power of the Meji that occurred where Ueno is now, as well as the natural disasters that have plagued it. We hear about the 1966 Olympics, the construction work being what brought Kazu yo Tokyo in the first place, and hints at the plans for the 2020 games, and the museum’s, galleries and temples that it contain. You also find out about the homeless villages that have sprung up in the park, how the people live and survive without support or assistance.

I really loved the flow of this. It was almost a stream of consciousness, with remembrances and segue into observations. I think the translation was done well, as it felt smooth and polished. This is one of those books that are just like the anime films I prefer to watch, gentle and thoughtful. 4.5/5