One popular site is Project Gutenberg. It has a collection of Japanese novels in translation. Another option is Aozora Bunko which offers a wide range of Japanese literature for free. You can also check out Amazon Kindle store, where you can find many Japanese novels both in their original language and in translation.
For a great manga reading experience, you could try Viz Media or Comixology. They have licensed content and reliable servers. But remember, always respect copyright and choose legal platforms.
Well, there could be a variety of reasons. Maybe a cyber attack, or the sites didn't comply with certain regulations. Sometimes it could just be a glitch in the system that needs to be fixed.
Some free sites that offer comics similar to manga include Webtoons and Tapas. However, keep in mind that the quality and quantity of content can differ, and not all may have the exact style you're looking for.