A book explaining the importance of massaging one’s calves was the best-selling publication this year in Japan, followed by a book filled with photos of cats accompanied with inspirational messages.

According to the annual best-seller ranking made available Monday by book wholesaler Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Inc., Takako Maki’s “Nagaiki Shitakerya Fukurahagi wo Mominasai,” which can be roughly translated as “If you Want to Live Long, Rub Your Calves,” was the top selling book of 2014. It sold approximately 700,000 copies between...