Published in 2018, this picture book by Akiko Miyakoshi tells the story of “I,” a protagonist who runs a small hotel. The everyday life and dreams of this quiet innkeeper are rendered in vivid, emotionally resonant detail using lithography, a printmaking technique.



Guests arrive at the hotel from all over the world. “I” spends the days listening to stories of faraway countries, sharing tales of the town, and reading letters that arrive from guests of many nations. But late at night, lying in bed, a longing to travel somewhere far away begins to stir inside...



The exhilarating feeling of setting off on a journey away from the everyday. The nostalgic emotions that well up when taking in the scenery of a place you’ve never been. The faint unease and loneliness of wandering through an unfamiliar country or town... As you turn the pages, all kinds of ideas and images come to mind.



The words spoken by the traveling “I” in the book — “I keep the unforgettable moments tucked away, safe inside my heart” — resonate perfectly with the world of the Hobonichi Techo. We hope you’ll enjoy both together.



In the picture book, the traveling “I” says, “I keep the unforgettable moments tucked away, safe inside my heart.” Those words resonate with the world of the Hobonichi Techo. We hope you’ll enjoy them together.