On a secluded shore outside Tokyo, a path scattered with shells leads to a mysterious restaurant. They say that there, kagezen – traditional meals offered in memory of the dead – bring together the loved ones who have passed away. Chibi, the restaurant's cat, is the first to welcome guests to the Chibineko Kitchen. And when visitors sit at the table, in front of steaming dishes, and taste their first delicious bite, the seagulls outside fall silent and a haze wraps everything like a veil...

Kotoko, a young woman struggling with loss; Taiji, an elementary school child confused after the disappearance of his first love; Yoshio, an elderly farmer mourning his wife; Kai, the young chef of the restaurant. The meals at Chibineko Kitchen nourish them, soothe them, and remind them of what truly matters in life.

If you could speak one last time to someone you have lost, what would you say to them?

"A warm, touching gem… Each chapter is a calm, healing moment filled with food, memories, and the comfort offered by the presence of a cat. A delightful book with short, wonderful chapters." — Seattle Times