Sometimes, called the Stephen King of Japan (a title which he apparently hates), Haruki Murakami is quite possibly the biggest Japanese writer in the Western world and as such his books are widely in demand. Still writing today, rare and valuable editions of this author's work are available and not as expensive as you may expect..
One of his most recent successes is with the novel 1Q84. The book enjoyed a lot of success in America and Europe. Signed, first editions of this book are available online through Abebook.com starting at under $200.
For real fans of the writer's work, there are several box-set collectors editions available online. Most of these collections feature his major novels and short stories in English. Some of these collectors editions are limited to only 111 copies. Prices vary for these book but by searching around, many can be found for under $500, a real bargain. For a collector just starting out, consider recent unsigned first editions of Murakami's more recent work which can be purchased for less than $20.
Murakami Haruki. Hear The Wind Sing. Kodansha Publishers, Japan (1979).
Murakami Haruki. Pinball, 1973. Kodansha Publishers, Japan (1980).
Murakami Haruki. Pinball 1973. Kodansha, Tokyo (1985). First edition in English of this early novel by Murakami.It is a StatedFirst Edition, 1985 ; First English Language Edition; First Printing with 480 yen price
Murakami Haruki. A Wild Sheep Chase. Kodansha, Tokyo (1989). Translated from the Japanese Hitsuji o Meguru Boken by Alfred Birnbaum First US Edition; First Printing; dust jacket $18.95.
Murakami Haruki. Norwegian Wood. Kodansha, Tokyo (1989). Translated from the original Japanese Norwei no mori by Alfred Birnbaum; First editions in English; 2 Volumes.
Murakami Haruki. Wild Sheep Chase A Novel. Kodansha International, New York (1989). Price of $18.95 on front flap of dust jacket; Translated by Alfred Birnbaum;First printing of the first American edition (and first edition in English)
Murakami Haruki. A Wild Sheep Chase. Hamish Hamilton, London (1990). Translated by Alfred Birnbaum; First UK Edition;
Murakami Haruki. Monkey Brain Sushi. Kodansha International, Japan (1991). first edition, first printing (first impression) with the number1 to the copyright page to indicate a true first print;
Murakami Haruki. The Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Hamish Hamilton, London (1991). First UK edition; Complete number line including 1 to indicate first printing; 14.99 sterling price present on jacket;First UK Edition; translated by Alfred Birnbaum
Murakami Haruki. The Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Kodansha, Tokyo and New York (1991). Translated by Alfred Birnbaum; First American Edition;
Murakami Haruki. The Elephant Vanishes. Alfred A. Knopf, New York (1993). first American edition; Translated from the Japanese by Alfred Birnbaum and Jay Rubin; Dustjacket priced $21.00 on front flap
Murakami Haruki. Dance Dance Dance: A Novel. Kodansha, Tokyo and New York (1994). First American edition
Murakami Haruki. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Alfred A. Knopf, New York (1997). Price of $25.95 on front flap of dust jacket; Translated by Jay Rubin;25,000 copies.
Murakami Haruki. South of the Border, West of the Sun. Alfred A. Knopf, New York (1999). first American Trade edition; Translated from the Japanese publication of 1992 by Philip Gabriel
Murakami Haruki. Norwegian Wood. Harvill Press, London (2000). First U.K. edition; Translated by Jay Rubin; Two volumes; 500 Copies.
Murakami Haruki. Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche. Harvill Press, London (2000). 1st UK Edition; Translated from the Japanese Andaguraundo (1997–1998) by Alfred Birnbaum and Philip Gabriel;
Murakami Haruki. Sputnik Sweetheart. Harvill Press, London (2001).
Murakami Haruki. Sputnik Sweetheart. Alfred a Knopf, New York (2001). First American Edition;
Murakami Haruki. After the Quake. Alfred A. Knopf, New York (2002). First American Edition; translator Jay Rubin; translator Jay Rubin has signed the title page
Murakami Haruki. After the Quake +++ Invite +++. Harvill, London (2002).
Murakami Haruki. Kafka on the Shore. Harvill Secker (2005). 100 Copies U.K 1st edition
Murakami Haruki. Kafka on the Shore. Alfred A. Knopf, New York (2005).
Murakami Haruki. Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. Harvill Press, London (2006). 1000 author signed hardcover editions in slipcase, created by Waterstones in UK
Murakami Haruki. Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. Knopf, New York (2006). Late collection of 24 short stories; First American Edition;
Murakami Haruki. Aeroplane. Oundle Festival Press, Oundle (2007). 120 hand-numbered copies signed by Haruki Murakami ; Designed and printed by Sebastian Carter at the Rampant Lions Press in Cambridge;
Murakami Haruki. After Dark. Alfred A. Knopf, New York (2007). Translated from the Japanese by Jay Rubin; First US Edition
Murakami Haruki. After Dark. Harvill Secker, London (2007). 100 Copies; 80 copies for sale; First UK edition; Translated by Jay Rubin
Murakami Haruki. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. Harvill (2008). 75 numbered copies;
Murakami Haruki. 1Q84. Alfred A. Knopf, New York (2011). First U.S. Printing
Murakami Haruki. 1Q84. Harvill Secker (2011). limited to 111 copies worldwide; Text design by Jim Smith; Covers printed by Justin Knopp at Typoretum; Text pages printed and bound by Graphicom, Verona; 3 Volumes; UK first editions with the full number line including the 1;