How to Read Kakuyomu Stories on a Barnes & Noble NOOK
To read a Kakuyomu story on a Barnes & Noble NOOK, download the whole story as an EPUB with WP Downloader and copy the file to your NOOK over USB. WP Downloader is a free web tool, so you do not need to install anything.
What you will need
Before you start, have these ready:
- The Kakuyomu story page in your browser
- A computer
- Your NOOK and its USB cable
- Time for the download and file transfer to finish
Kakuyomu stories are in Japanese. WP Downloader keeps the original text and does not translate it.
Step 1: Copy the Kakuyomu story link
Open the story on kakuyomu.jp and copy the URL from your browser’s address bar. A story link looks like this:
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/12341234123412341234Copy the main story URL, not an individual chapter URL. WP Downloader downloads whole Kakuyomu stories only. It does not download single chapters or reading lists from this site.
Step 2: Download the story with WP Downloader
Open the Kakuyomu Downloader and paste the story link into the box. WP Downloader will recognize it as a Kakuyomu link.
You do not need to sign in to Kakuyomu. Select EPUB, choose whether to include the story’s images, and start the download. Save the finished EPUB somewhere you can find it easily, such as your Downloads folder.
EPUB downloads are free for everyone. WP Downloader can also create a PDF with a free Discord sign-in, but you will need the EPUB for the NOOK steps below.
WP Downloader only downloads content that is available to read. It does not bypass paywalls, locked chapters, or age restrictions. Kakuyomu support, along with support for the other compatible fiction archives, was ported from the open-source FanFicFare downloader.
See How to Download Kakuyomu Stories for more details about downloading the file.
Step 3: Connect your NOOK to the computer
Barnes & Noble calls copying your own files to a NOOK “sideloading.”
Connect your NOOK GlowLight to the computer with its USB cable. It should appear as a drive named “NOOK.”
On newer models, change the USB connection mode if needed:
- Swipe down from the top of the NOOK screen.
- Tap “USB for charging.”
- Choose “Transfer files (MTP).”
You should then be able to open the NOOK drive on your computer.
Step 4: Copy the EPUB to your NOOK
Find the EPUB you downloaded and drag it onto the NOOK drive. Wait for the transfer to finish.
Once the file has finished copying, eject the NOOK from your computer before unplugging the USB cable. You can then open the Kakuyomu story on your NOOK and read it offline.
Getting new chapters later
WP Downloader cannot add new chapters to an EPUB you already have. If the author publishes more chapters, return to the Kakuyomu Downloader, paste the story link again, and download a new copy of the whole story.
Copy the new EPUB to your NOOK using the same USB steps.
For another ereader, follow the instructions for Kindle or Kobo.
FAQ
Do I need a Kakuyomu account?
No. You do not need to sign in to Kakuyomu to download a story with WP Downloader.
Can I download one Kakuyomu chapter?
No. WP Downloader downloads the whole story. It does not support individual chapters or lists from Kakuyomu.
Which format should I choose for my NOOK?
Choose EPUB for the USB sideloading process described here. EPUB downloads are free for everyone.
Can WP Downloader create a MOBI or AZW3 file?
No. WP Downloader creates EPUB and PDF files. It does not output MOBI, AZW3, or TXT.
Will my EPUB update when Kakuyomu gets new chapters?
No. Download the story again to get a new EPUB with the chapters available at that time.