Ryū Murakami has published 9 novels, 1 novella and 1 short story collection, beginning with Almost Transparent Blue (1976). The best-known is In the Miso Soup (1997). The latest is Tokyo Decadence: 15 Stories (2016).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Ryū Murakami
Start here
In the Miso Soup
Ryū Murakami's most-read book.
Newest
Tokyo Decadence: 15 Stories
Published 2016.
Standalone novels in order
Coin Locker Babies (1980)
69 (1987)
Kyoko (1995)
Audition (1997)
In the Miso Soup (1997)
Piercing (Jan 2008)
Popular Hits Of The Showa Era (2011)
Old Terrorist (Jun 2015)
Tokyo Decadence: 15 Stories (2016)
Novellas in order
Almost Transparent Blue (Jul 1976)
Short story collections in order
From the Fatherland With Love (2005)
Film and TV adaptations
- 69 (2004)Film · from 69
- Audition (1999)Film · from Audition
- Piercing (2018)Film · from Piercing
About Ryū Murakami
Ryū Murakami is a Japanese novelist, essayist and filmmaker. His novels explore human nature through themes of disillusion, drug use, surrealism, murder and war, set against the dark backdrop of Japan. His best known novels are Almost Transparent Blue, Audition, Coin Locker Babies, and In the Miso Soup.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Ryū Murakami FAQ
- How many books has Ryū Murakami written?
- Ryū Murakami has published 9 novels, 1 novella and 1 short story collection that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Ryū Murakami's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with In the Miso Soup.
- What is Ryū Murakami's latest book?
- Tokyo Decadence: 15 Stories (2016).
- What is Ryū Murakami's most famous book?
- In the Miso Soup (1997) is Ryū Murakami's most widely read book.
- Which Ryū Murakami books have been adapted?
- 3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including 69 (film, 2004), Audition (film, 1999) and Piercing (film, 2018).
Authors like Ryū Murakami
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.