A Night on the Galactic Railroad, Off the Page

Some stories stay with you long after you’ve finished the last page.

That’s how I feel about Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa—a quiet, dreamlike story about two boys traveling through the stars, and the questions that surface along the way about friendship, loss, and what it really means to be happy.

So when The Rauch Review invited me to write about experiencing the story beyond the book itself, I was excited to explore it in a way that felt very natural to me: through music, writing, and stationery.

In my collaboration with The Rauch Review, “Experience ‘Night on the Galactic Railroad’ Off the Page,” I share some of the ways I’ve connected with Miyazawa’s work beyond simply reading it—from the 1985 anime adaptation to a playlist inspired by the story, journaling prompts, and Japanese stationery that I think belongs beside this particular book.

One of my favorite things about stationery is that it can turn a quiet moment into a ritual. A notebook gives you somewhere to sit with a thought. A beautiful ink color can change the feeling of a page. A letter set can make you want to write to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

For a story as atmospheric as Night on the Galactic Railroad, those little details feel especially fitting.

I also had the chance to curate a few Paper Bento picks inspired by the story, including stationery connected directly to Miyazawa’s work, starry inks and papers, and tools that invite you to slow down and write.

If you’ve read Night on the Galactic Railroad before—or if you’re simply curious about this strange, beautiful little book—I hope you’ll take a look.

→ Read the full article on The Rauch Review

And maybe, when you’re done, make yourself a cup of tea, open your favorite notebook, put on some music, and give yourself a little time to wonder.

Some stories are worth lingering with.