Passage to Tokyo
In the second book in the Ancestor Memories historical fantasy series, a young woman finds herself back in 1920s Tokyo as Japan enters a new and dangerous era—and a deadly tragedy awaits her city.
Yui Sanada struggles to raise her twelve-year-old brother, Hiro, while contending with the antics of their neglectful, alcoholic mother. During a trip to Ueno Park, Hiro runs away from his sister into a strange passage beneath a samurai statue. Yui chases after him and soon finds herself in a Tokyo far removed from the familiar world of 1995.
When Yui emerges from the tunnel, she cannot find Hiro but meets a young woman named Chiyo and her family and learns she has traveled back through time to 1923. As feelings between the two women develop, Yui and realizes it’s just weeks before the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake will happen, killing tens of thousands and leveling the city. Will Yui be able to find her brother and save her new family from the coming disaster?
Poppy Kuroki
Poppy Kuroki’s writing dances on the edge of the known and the mystical, weaving stories that are as intricate as the cultures she draws from. Born in Scotland but now residing in Kanagawa, Japan, Kuroki brings a global perspective to her work, blending historical depth with fantastical elements. Her debut novel, Gate to Kagoshima, marks the beginning of a unique series that explores the rich history of Japan through a lens of magical realism, where tradition and the supernatural collide in stunning ways.
Ancestor Memories
In the Ancestor Memories series, Poppy Kuroki invites readers to explore a world where the past is never fully buried, and the spirits of ancestors shape the living in profound, unexpected ways. The series begins with Gate to Kagoshima, a tale steeped in the rich traditions of 19th-century Japan, where history and magic intertwine with the lives of those who dare to uncover the long-forgotten truths of their lineage.
Ancestor Memories consists of two books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

