Book Release Event: Uketsu: Strange Houses
Following the roaring success of ‘Strange Pictures’, world-famous enigmatic Japanese author and YouTuber, Uketsu, has released their new mystery novel: ‘Strange Houses’.
Pushkin Press invited us to celebrate the publication of Uketsu’s next mystery sensation at Ichiba, Westfield.
@urbanadventurerldn Any Uketsu fans out there? [BLOG POST IN BIO] 𝚄𝚔𝚎𝚝𝚜𝚞: 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚜 press event @Pushkin Press Following the roaring success of ‘Strange Pictures’, world-famous enigmatic Japanese author and YouTuber, Uketsu, has released their new mystery novel: ‘Strange Houses’ 🏚️ Uketsu is just as mysterious as their novels. Despite of his world fame, no one knows their true identity 🤫 On their social media channels, Uketsu always wears a grotesque white paper mâché mask and they digitally distorts their voice. They have no face, no name, just an enigmatic pseudonym: UKETSU which means “rain hole” in Japanese @Life4cuts is running a limited-time collaboration frame with Strange Houses. Don’t miss it if you’re an Uketsu fan! @雨穴 #uketsu #strangehouses #booklover #horrorbooks #japaneseauthor #japaneseculture #japanese #pressevent #CapCut
♬ Dark and mysterious trap beat Long Version(1561941) – Koko ni studio
Uketsu – The Mysterious Masked Writer
Photo: Urban Adventurer
World-famous Japanese horror writer with millions of followers on social media is just as mysterious as their novels. Despite of his world fame, no one knows Uketsu’s true identity.
On their social media channels, they always wear a grotesque white paper mâché mask and they digitally distorts their voice. They have no face, no name, just an enigmatic pseudonym: UKETSU which means “rain hole” in Japanese.
Addictive Story Line that Involves the Reader to Solve the Mystery
Photo: Urban Adventurer
‘Strange Houses’ story line is revolving around the floorplan of a house a Japanese family want to buy. Both the husband and the wife fell in love with the house, and they have serious intention to buy it, but they discover a sinister ‘dead space’ on the floorplan. It’s a tiny hidden room with no windows or doors.
As the story goes further, other bizarre discoveries emerge. Somehow the whole floorplan, the positions of rooms, windows and doors look strange. If you thought a floorplan can never be creepy, think again!
The book has a narrator that investigates the house and its odd floorplan with the help of an architect. The story encourages the reader to actively participate in resolving the mystery by studying the floorplan and learning more about the family that built the house and their complex relationships and rivalries with each other throughout generations.
Unlike ‘Strange Pictures’ which tells multiple stories that eventually connect to each other and create a whole story, ‘Strange Houses’ has one story line. It allows the reader to follow the story of one family – that built the house – from the beginning to the end.
Translator of the book, Jim Rion said that Uketsu wants their story to be easily read and accessible to all readers. That’s why Jim Rion focused on keeping the same clarity when translating the book from Japanese to English language.
The chilling Japanese mystery sensation is finally available in English. Do you think you can discover the terrible truth behind the eerie floorplan?
Strange Houses x Life4Cuts
Strange Houses x Life4Cuts collab photo frame
Popular Korean photo booth, Life4Cuts, has teamed up with Pushkin Press to bring you a hauntingly beautiful collaboration.
For a strictly limited time only, you can step into the eerie world of the Japanese horror writer, Uketsu and enjoy the thrill outside the pages.
Whether you’re a long-time Uketsu fan or just started discovering the Uketsu universe, you’ll guaranteed enjoy this enigmatic experience.
Uketsu: Strange Houses book, bookmark, limited-edition pin badges and Life4Cuts collab photo frame
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Perfect for bookmark to enjoy the book with!
The collab frame is available between 3rd July – 2nd August 2025
Strange Houses Press Event
Photo: Urban Adventurer
‘Strange Houses’ press event was taken place at Japan Centre, Ichiba at Westfield Shopping Centre, hosted by Pushkin Press.
Special video from Uketsu for ‘Strange Houses’ Press Event in London
Photo: Urban Adventurer
At the beginning of the event, we had the unique opportunity to watch a special pre-recorded video by Uketsu made specifically for this event. In the video, Uketsu introduced their new book wearing their signature white mask and black outfit.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
We also had the opportunity to try themed cocktails and mocktails – the ‘Strange Drinks’ – made specifically for this event.
‘Dead Space Margarita’ was an ominous blue bend of Tequila, Blue Curacao and yuzu syrup, while ‘Rose-Tinted Dream’ was a dreamy pink mixture of coconut purée, lychee juice, cranberry juice, gekkaikan, alcohol-free Sake and a splash of caramel syrup.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Ichiba’s kitchen made the most creative sushi creations for us for this event. ‘Strange Sushi’ was a unique and surprising combination of Japanese and English flavours.
The vegetarian sushi contained a mix of vegetables and fermented red bean which had a very unique flavour and texture.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
At the end of the Press Event all participants received a goodie bag that contained a copy of the book, a ‘Strange Houses’ bookmark and two limited-edition pin badges.
Thank you for Pushkin Press for inviting me to this unique event!
Ready for your next adventure? If you love Japanese culture and food, you have to visit the UK’s first manga Matcha bar, Yoshoku. It’s just a 3 minutes walk for Piccadilly Circus station and has the coolest manga wallpapers, delicious and unique Matcha drinks, Japan’s viral Matcha Mount Fuji dessert and other Japanese-inspired food and drink. Yoshoku also in collaboration with Japan’s favourite lemonade brand, Lemonica.
