CAVE DOCCI Winery to Publish a Newly Written Novel by Banana Yoshimoto, 'Sunayama', as the Second Installment of its Writers in Residence Project, Releasing on April 1, 2026
As the first installment, 'A Letter to a Friend Not Yet Ready to Give Up on Travel' by Maha Harada was published in 2023. The third installment, a novel by Riku Onda, is currently in preparation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 11:23 (378h 36m after Collected)
What is "CAVE DOCCI Writers in Residence"?
This is a project where a single writer stays at CAVE DOCCI, writes a story set in this location, and CAVE DOCCI handles the publication, cover design, and sales.
CAVE DOCCI is located in the southwestern part of Niigata City, at the foot of Mt. Kakuda, which stretches gracefully along the Sea of Japan, surrounded by vast vineyards. It is a place where visitors can experience a working winery, enjoy wine, and spend a rich and fulfilling time.
To ensure guests can always relax, we have two accommodation facilities, "Vinespa" and "Travigne." Inside, 4,000 books are arranged everywhere, which guests are free to pick up and purchase.
Writers in Residence Second Installment: 'Sunayama' by Banana Yoshimoto
Book Introduction
－When we don't see each other for a while, I feel like something is missing. The very existence of such a person is a joy.
This is a story of two young men who share the common experience of having lost their parents. There are no rules for how people come to love one another, and the forms of love are diverse. The protagonist makes an important discovery at a winery that grows grapes in sandy soil.
The cover design is once again by book director Yoshitaka Haba. The colors of the cover express the "ephemerality," "gentleness," and "gracefulness" suggested by the title.
Title: Sunayama
Author: Banana Yoshimoto
Book Design: Hirotake Honjo
Editing: Yoshitaka Haba (BACH)
Release Date: April 1, 2026
Price: 1,760 yen (tax included)
Size: 110mm x 155mm (paperback size)
Publisher/Seller: CAVE DOCCI Co., Ltd.
Online Shop: 'Sunayama' by Banana Yoshimoto
Author Introduction
Banana Yoshimoto
Born in Tokyo in 1964. Graduated from Nihon University College of Art, Department of Literary Arts. Debuted in 1987 with 'Kitchen,' which won the Kaien Newcomer's Literary Award. She has won numerous awards, including the Izumi Kyoka Prize for Literature for 'Moonlight Shadow' (1988), the Minister of Education's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists for 'Kitchen' and 'Utakata/Sanctuary' (1989), the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize for 'TUGUMI' (1989), the Murasaki Shikibu Prize for 'Amrita' (1995), the Bunkamura Deux Magots Literary Award for 'Adultery and South America' (2000), and the Tanizaki Junichiro Prize for 'Mトンとふびん' (2022). Her works have been translated and published in over 30 countries and have received many awards overseas. Her recent works include 'Shitamachi Psychic.' A paperback collection of her newsletter 'Dokudami-chan to Fushibana,' distributed on note, is also available.
Writers in Residence First Installment: 'A Letter to a Friend Not Yet Ready to Give Up on Travel' by Maha Harada
Book Introduction
This is the final story in the paperback original short story collection "Hagu to Nagara," which compiles six travel stories of two women facing life's turning points, including career changes, separations, and caregiving.
Maha Harada's directorial debut film 'The Useless Person,' for which she also wrote the screenplay and original story, is scheduled for release in January 2027 and is gathering much attention. CAVE DOCCI cooperated in the filmmaking as "The Roke Launchers" by providing bento boxes.
Title: A Letter to a Friend Not Yet Ready to Give Up on Travel
Author: Maha Harada
Book Design: Hirotake Honjo
Editing: Yoshitaka Haba, Yui Watanabe (BACH)
Release Date: September 22, 2023
Price: 1,300 yen (tax included)
Size: 110mm x 148mm (paperback size)
Publisher/Seller: CAVE DOCCI Co., Ltd.
Online Shop: 'A Letter to a Friend Not Yet Ready to Give Up on Travel' by Maha Harada
Author Introduction
Maha Harada
Born in Tokyo in 1962. Graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University's Faculty of Letters and Waseda University's Second Faculty of Letters. After working in the Mori Art Museum's establishment preparation office and being dispatched to MoMA, she became an independent curator and culture writer. She debuted in 2005 with 'Waiting for Kafu,' which won the Japan Love Story Award. She won the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize for 'The Canvas of Paradise' (Shinchosha) in 2012, the Nitta Jiro Literary Prize for 'Sensei Riech' (Shueisha) in 2017, and the Izumi Kyoka Prize for Literature for 'Saku on the Board' (Gentosha) in 2024.
CAVE DOCCI Company Overview
Established in 1992. The company produces a variety of wines that express the terroir of Niigata, such as 'Albariño,' the 'Animal Series,' and 'Funpy.' The estate includes a winery, hotel, hot spring facility, restaurants, a bookstore, a market, an Aveda spa, and an English garden, attracting 300,000 visitors annually from both within and outside the prefecture as a winery resort.
CAVE DOCCI Co., Ltd.
Location: 1661 Kakudahama, Nishikan-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cavedocci/
Online Shop: https://nwinecoast.thebase.in/
FAQ
What is CAVE DOCCI's 'Writers in Residence' project?
It's a unique project where an author stays at CAVE DOCCI to write a story set in the area, which the winery then publishes and sells.
What is Banana Yoshimoto's new novel 'Sunayama' about?
It's a story about two young men who have both lost their parents, exploring diverse forms of love as they make important discoveries at the winery.
Can I buy these books online?
Yes, they are available on the official CAVE DOCCI online shop. The press release includes links to each book.