Before becoming a writer, the cool jazz bar was run by the eternal Nobel contender Japanese star author

Haruki Murakami has long been considered a contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature, with odds of 14/1 at Ladbrokes in recent years. However, he lost out to László Krasznahorkai and Anne Carson in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Despite his parents teaching Japanese literature, Murakami's path was unconventional, leading him to open a jazz bar, Peter Cat, in Tokyo in 1974. The bar became a cultural hub for jazz enthusiasts, where he worked tirelessly while writing at night. His debut novel, "Hear the Wind Sing," won a literary prize, solidifying his writing career. Music remains integral to his work, influencing his writing style and appearing in his novels. Murakami dreams of opening another jazz club upon retirement, reflecting on the challenges of running such a venue. His latest book, featuring a female protagonist, was released in Japan in July 2023, with a Hungarian edition expected in 2027.