Manhole Cards for "Naruse Goes to Take Over the World" (by Mina Miyajima) to be Distributed! Lottery Applications Now Open!
Shinchosha announced the distribution of manhole cards featuring the design of Mina Miyajima's award-winning novel, "Naruse Goes to Take Over the World." Distribution will take place via a lottery for April and May, followed by a first-come, first-served basis starting in June at Otsu Port Bird Café.
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- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 16:08
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Mina Miyajima, a resident of Otsu City, debuted with "Naruse Goes to Take Over the World", a highly-talked-about masterpiece that won numerous literary awards, including the 2024 Japan Booksellers' Award. With the release of the final volume, "Naruse Runs Through the Capital," on December 1st, the series is complete, surpassing 2.1 million copies in cumulative series circulation!
To commemorate the completion of the series and the release of "Naruse Runs Through the Capital," Shinchosha Publishing Co., Ltd. donated a manhole designed with "Naruse Goes to Take Over the World" to Otsu City, and a donation ceremony was held at the Otsu City Hall. The manhole is currently installed in front of the escalator at the North Exit of JR Zeze Station (in front of the ticket gates of Keihan Zeze Station).
We are pleased to announce that manhole cards will be distributed. Please note that the distribution for April and May will be decided by lottery from among those who apply in advance. From June onwards, distribution will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
* Applications are limited to one per person.
* Distribution is free of charge.
■ Distribution Schedule
Friday, March 27 - Friday, April 10: Advance application period
Friday, April 17: Lottery results announced sequentially by email after 1:00 PM
Friday, April 24: Distribution begins for lottery winners only
Monday, June 1: Distribution begins on a first-come, first-served basis (while supplies last)
■ Distribution Location
Otsu Port Bird Café (1-7 Hamaotsu 5-chome, Otsu City)
Access: 5-minute walk from Biwako-Hamaotsu Station on the Keihan Railway
Distribution hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (according to the business hours of the distribution location)
* There is no parking available. Please use public transportation. If you arrive by car, please use paid parking lots in the area.
* Please note that this is different from the location where the manhole is installed.
* Please refrain from making inquiries regarding the manhole cards.
■ Manhole Design
The manhole design is based on the cover illustration of "Naruse Goes to Take Over the World" and was supervised by the author, Mina Miyajima. The background of the illustration featuring the protagonist, Akari Naruse, is adorned with a water pattern design representing Lake Biwa, which frequently appears in the story.
■ Book Introduction
"Shimazaki, I think I'll dedicate this summer to Seibu." Akari Naruse, a second-year middle school student, declared this to her childhood friend Miyuki Shimazaki. She announced that she would visit the Seibu Otsu store, which was nearing its closing, every day, hoping to appear in the live broadcast of a local TV program. Furthermore, she takes on the M-1 Grand Prix with the comedy duo Zezekara, shows up at her high school entrance ceremony with a shaved head, and aims to live to be 200 years old. You can't take your eyes off the appearance of this supreme protagonist! A stunning youth novel that won the Japan Booksellers' Award!
■ Author Introduction: Mina Miyajima
Born in 1983 in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Lives in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, Kyoto University. In 2021, she won the grand prize, reader's prize, and Tomochika prize simultaneously at the "R-18 Literary Prize for Women by Women" for "Thank you Seibu Otsu Store", and debuted in 2023 with "Naruse Goes to Take Over the World", which includes this work. She won numerous awards such as the 2024 Japan Booksellers' Award and the Joji Tsubota Literacy Award, and combined with its sequels "Naruse Follows the Path She Believes In" and "Naruse Runs Through the Capital", the cumulative number of copies issued in the series has exceeded 2.1 million. Her other works include "Marriage Hunting Maestro" and "Go for it! Heian Club".
■ Book Data
[Title] Naruse Goes to Take Over the World
[Author] Mina Miyajima
[Release Date] July 1, 2025
[Format] Paperback (Bunko)
[Price] 630 yen (tax included)
[ISBN] 978-4-10-106141-2