8 MUST READ Books on All Things Japan | Travel, Food, Crime, Culture
Added 2021-02-28 04:47:18 +0000 UTCI often get asked for my recommendations for books about Japan and so today, I’ve compiled a list of 8 MUST READ books about Japan, from culture and crime, to travel and food. These are books I’ve all read at some point or another and would happily read again.
Hopefully there’s at least one title in there that catches your attention!
ALSO we have a new Abroad in Japan video out tonight featuring Ryotaro, where we stay at one of the most impressive traditional inns yet - complete with a self driven cart that takes you to your room.
And in case you missed this week’s mini-documentary on Kyoto and the stunning townhouses that face extinction, you can give that a watch here:
🍿https://youtu.be/i1DP5xpM3Y8
FINALLY if you guys have your own recommendations for books on Japan worth reading, please share in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you, as I’m keen to dedicate more time to reading this year.
Ok then, here we go!
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For Fukui’s Sake by Sam Baldwin
https://amzn.to/3b1Yg57
For Fukui’s Sake recounts the experience of a Sam Baldwin, an eccentric British guy who decides to go to Japan on the JET programme and who ends up in backwater prefecture of Fukui. Sam did a great job getting stuck into the local community and the cast of interesting characters he meets along the way make this an enjoyable read and a fantastic insight into life in rural Japan.
I read this in the run up to moving to Japan and it got me incredibly fired up and prepared for what I was about to face. I hope I can write a book recounting my experiences in Japan that’s at least half as a good as this someday!
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Dogs and Demons of Japan by Alex Kerr
https://amzn.to/3q18Eyc
Alex Kerr is one of the best known authors living in Japan, with a deep appreciation and understanding of Japanese culture (I believe Ryotaro knows him as well). However, this book is highly critical of the direction Japan took in the post-war era in prioritising economic growth over all else. From concrete highways built in the middle of nowhere, poor planning and disturbing levels of corruption, this book made me realise Japan is very much a victim of its own success.
Easily one of the best books I’ve read about Japan and one I find myself reflecting on every time I drive down an uncompleted highway in a field in the countryside, gaze at a small port that’s been concreted over or witness a historic building that’s been bulldozed and replaced with a generic pre-fab building. Japan has a big problem and this book will make you feel equal parts sad and disappointed that those in power fail to acknowledge they’re complicit in the destruction of their own culture.
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The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture by Roger Davis
https://amzn.to/3kuHXAK
Why do people communicate indirectly? Why are long periods of silence accepted and encouraged in conversation. And what the heck is Wabi-Sabi?!
No book has come close to teaching me about the Japanese way of thinking, half as well as this book has. If you want to understand why Japan has such a strong and unique cultural identity, and you want to understand why your work colleagues are telling you “you must be cold” every time you wear a short sleeved shirt, answers are coming.
Absolutely essential reading for those who plan to live or work here.
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The People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry
https://amzn.to/3kCQxxG
In the summer of 2000, Lucie Blackman, a 21 year old British girl working in Tokyo mysteriously vanished. The story doesn’t have a happy ending, with disturbing revelations of how she met her end and an equally disturbing account of how badly the Tokyo police screwed up their investigation.
I vaguely remember hearing about the news in the media when I was growing up (I was 10 at the time), and Lucie was actually from a town about 30 minutes from where I’m from in the UK.
It’s a chilling read, but I honestly couldn’t put it down, as Richard Parry peels back the layers of the crime, from the bungling of the police, to the intervention of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the depressing portrayal of Lucie’s character in the Japanese media (given she was working in a hostess bar). Be advised, it’s a fairly graphic and upsetting story, but one that demands to be heard.
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Ghosts of the Tsunami by Richard Lloyd Parry
https://amzn.to/3remtdW
After “The People Who Eat Darkness”, Richard Parry followed it up in 2017 with another book of an equally disturbing and depressing story, this time focusing on the Tohoku tsunami and how an entire school - Okawa elementary - was washed away, leading to the deaths of almost every single student. DESPITE the fact, the school was built next to a mountain with an easy escape route. The question looms, WHY did the teachers walk the students towards the river - where they were consumed by the waves - and not towards safety.
A failure of management led to an entire community losing their children and a truly horrifying level of grief for the parents and families left to pick up the pieces. Parry once again peels back the layers that led to the failure to save the children, and why the confused teachers and absence of management and decision making led to the horrendous loss of life. Through spending a great deal of time with the families, he hears how they’ve come to terms with the disaster.
After reading this book I visited and walked through the skeletal remains of Okawa elementary school, and I can only hope the local authorities who were partly responsible for what happened, never make the same unthinkable mistakes again.
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The Sushi Economy by Sasha Issenberg
https://amzn.to/2OciRuI
A fascinating look at how sushi turned into such a booming business in the post war era, and a look at Japan’s culinary obsession.
Whilst the primary focus of the book is on sushi, the authors to a remarkable job explaining Japan’s relationship with food. I often turn “The Sushi Economy” for inspiration when producing videos on food, particularly in the run up to the last year’s mini-documentary on what owning a sushi restaurant in Japan I like.
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Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein
American journalist, Jake Adlestein, moves to Tokyo and becomes a reporter for the prestigious Yomiuri Shinbun newspaper. Working alongside the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Jake begins to dig into crime stories on the seedy side of Japan and comes face to face with Japan’s most notorious Yakuza boss. The whole story honestly feels like reading the script for a Hollywood film, which is probably why it’s being turned into an HBO series as we speak, featuring Ken Watanabe!
Jake’s account is a real page turner with incredible insights to Japanese culture and the seedy aspects of the country you never normally hear.
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Hokkaido Highway Blues by Will Ferguson
One of the most popular travel books ever written about Japan charts the journey of Will Ferguson, as he goes on an odyssey following the cherry blossom trail from Kyushu to Hokkaido. The experiences and people he encounters along the way makes this one hell of a journey and his hilariously described accounts chronicled in the book, take you along for the nationwide ride with a front row seat to the action.
Comments
I'll definitely have a look at some of these books. I bought a Kindle in an attempt to read more but I must admit, it hasn't been used as much as it should have been. I did read 'The Only Gaijin in the Village: A Year Living in Rural Japan' though and I would recommend that.
Michael Taylor
2021-03-23 21:00:26 +0000 UTCThank you Chris and all for the book recommendations :)
2021-03-11 11:32:56 +0000 UTCFantastic list! Thanks!
2021-03-11 06:58:02 +0000 UTCWow, what a fantastic list! I'm going to have a look through as many as possible.
2021-03-08 03:29:55 +0000 UTCSo… here’s the list of all the books recommended by the community. Quite a lot! The links are from the Amazon UK but most of the books can be found also on Amazon US and the prices can vary from one to another. I recommend to check it out in different amazon websites. Of course some of these books are their english version but they can be found in other languages but for convenience sake I went to the english versions. Also the price can vary from paperback and hardcover No kindle here. Personally aside from not having to lug all the books with me I prefer a good book in my hands, period. My recommendation are on top (as they were done last) Good read. “TO:KY:OO” by Liam Wong For those that would see Tokyo through the shade of Blade Runner or Cyberpunk https://www.amazon.co.uk/KY-OO-Liam-Wong/dp/0500023190/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=tokyo&qid=1614888180&s=books&sr=1-7 “How to live Japanese” by Yutaka Yazawa From Japanese writer, Yutaka Yazawa, this is the ultimate insider’s guide to the country of Japan, full of inspiration and insight to help you experience the very best of Japanese design, cookery, philosophy, and culture. https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Live-Japanese-Yutaka-Yazawa/dp/1781317615/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“How+to+live+Japanese”+by+Yutaka+Yazawa&qid=1614888235&s=books&sr=1-1 “Japanese Notebook; a journey to the Empire of Signs" by Igort Like a haiku done in pastel and watercolours… https://www.amazon.co.uk/Japanese-Notebooks-Journey-Empire-Signs/dp/1452158703/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=“Japanese+Notebook%3B+a+journey+to+the+Empire+of+Signs%22+by+Igort&qid=1614888314&s=books&sr=1-2 “Living in Japan” by Taschen For those that are in love with Japanese style houses, this is a journey through houses and styles through all the Japanese geography. Goes well with Chris’ Kyo Machiyas video https://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Japan-Reto-Al-Guntil/dp/3836566311/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=“Living+in+Japan”+by+Taschen&qid=1614888368&s=books&sr=1-3 "Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations” by Roger Davies https://www.amazon.co.uk/Japanese-Culture-Religious-Philosophical-Foundations/dp/4805311630/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Japanese+Culture%3A+The+Religious+and+Philosophical+Foundations”&qid=1614888438&s=books&sr=1-1 “Convenience Store Woman” by Sayaka Murata https://www.amazon.co.uk/Convenience-Store-Woman-Sayaka-Murata/dp/1846276845/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“Convenience+Store+Woman”+by+Sayaka+Murata&qid=1614888498&s=books&sr=1-1 “An Artist of the Floating World” by Kazuo Ishiguro https://www.amazon.co.uk/Artist-Floating-World-Kazuo-Ishiguro/dp/057128387X/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=“An+Artist+of+the+Floating+World”+by+Kazuo+Ishiguro&qid=1614888555&s=books&sr=1-5 “Chrysanthemum and the Sword” by Ruth Benedict https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Benedict-Chrysanthemum-Patterns-Japanese/dp/B001LV6WT0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“Chrysanthemum+and+the+Sword”+by+Ruth+Benedict&qid=1614888625&s=books&sr=1-1 “Kamikaze Biker” by Ikuya Sato https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kamikaze-Biker-Parody-Anomy-Affluent/dp/0226735281/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“Kamikaze+Biker”+by+Ikuya+Sato&qid=1614888683&s=books&sr=1-1 "Meeting with Japan" by Fosco Maraini. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1163811416/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i1 "Japan: A cultural assimilator" by Rob Elzinga. Sadly unavailable "The traveling cat Chronicles" by Arikawa Hiro https://www.amazon.co.uk/Travelling-Cat-Chronicles-Hiro-Arikawa/dp/0451491335/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=%22The+traveling+cat+Chronicles%22+by+Arikawa+Hiro&qid=1614888735&s=books&sr=1-1 “The Pine Islands” by Marion Poshmann https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pine-Islands-Marion-Poschmann/dp/1788160916/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“the+pine+islands”+by+marion+poschmann&qid=1614888783&s=books&sr=1-1 “The Roads to Sata” by Alan Booth https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roads-Sata-2000-through-Japan/dp/0141992832/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=“The+Roads+to+Sata”+by+Alan+Booth&qid=1614888839&s=books&sr=1-2 “Looking for the Lost.” (same author) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-Lost-Journeys-Vanishing-Kodansha/dp/1568361483/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Looking+for+the+Lost+by+alan+booth&qid=1614888929&s=books&sr=1-1 “A lateral View” by Donald Richie https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lateral-View-Essays-Culture-Contemporary/dp/0962813745/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=“A+lateral+View”+by+Donald+Richie&qid=1614888968&s=books&sr=1-2 “Another Kyoto” by Alex Kerr https://www.amazon.co.uk/Another-Kyoto-Alex-Kerr/dp/0141988339/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“Another+Kyoto”+by+Alex+Kerr&qid=1614889015&s=books&sr=1-1 “Tokyo Underworld” by Robert Whiting https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tokyo-Underworld-times-American-Gangster/dp/1780330677/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“Tokyo+Underworld”&qid=1614889126&s=books&sr=1-1 “Out” by Natsuo Kirino https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Natsuo-Kirino-2004-09-02/dp/B0184VXS9Q/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“Out”+by+Natsuo+Kirino&qid=1614889256&s=books&sr=1-1 “Grotesque” (same author) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grotesque-Natsuo-Kirino/dp/0099488930/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=grotesque+by+Natsuo+Kirino&qid=1614889311&s=books&sr=1-1 "Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival" by David Pilling https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bending-Adversity-Japan-Art-Survival/dp/1594205841/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614889359&sr=1-1 "The Bells of Old Tokyo" by Anna Sherman https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bells-Old-Tokyo-Travels-Japanese/dp/1529000491/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=%22The+Bells+of+Old+Tokyo%22+by+Anna+Sherman&qid=1614889418&s=books&sr=1-1 Paul Ham's Hiroshima Nagasaki https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paul-Ham-HIROSHIMA-NAGASAKI-Hardcover/dp/B00RWNDI8Y/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Paul+Ham%27s+Hiroshima+Nagasaki&qid=1614889459&s=books&sr=1-1 “This Corner of the World” (manga, complete work) by Fumiyo Kouno https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Corner-World-Fumiyo-Kouno/dp/1626927472/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=“This+Corner+of+the+World”+%28manga%29+by+Fumiyo+Kouno&qid=1614889523&s=books&sr=1-3 “Made in Japan” by Akio Morita (and Sony) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Made-Japan-Akio-Morita-Sony/dp/0002177609/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Made+in+Japan+by+Akio+Morita+%28and+Sony%29&qid=1614889600&s=books&sr=1-1 “The Japan that can say no” by Shintaro Ishihara https://www.amazon.co.uk/Japan-That-Can-Say-No/dp/0671726862/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=“The+Japan+that+can+say+no”+by+Shintaro+Ishihara&qid=1614889636&s=books&sr=1-3 “Rice Noodle Fish” by Matt Goulding https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rice-Noodle-Fish-Travels-Through/dp/0062394037/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=“Rice+Noodle+Fish”+by+Matt+Goulding&qid=1614889676&s=books&sr=1-2 Caroline Pover; "Being Abroad in Japan” https://www.amazon.co.uk/Being-Broad-Japan-Everything-Western/dp/4990079108/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=%22Being+Abroad+in+Japan”&qid=1614889741&s=books&sr=1-1 "Geisha, a Life" by Mineko Iwasaki https://www.amazon.co.uk/Geisha-Gion-Japans-Foremost-Iwasaki/dp/074343059X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=%22Geisha%2C+a+Life%22+by+Mineko+Iwasaki&qid=1614889777&s=books&sr=1-1 “Showa: A History of Japan” by Shigeru Mizuki. (Four volumes, I think?) First period: 1926-1939 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Showa-1926-1939-History-Japan/dp/1770461353/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=“Showa%3A+A+History+of+Japan”+by+Shigeru+Mizuki.&qid=1614889838&s=books&sr=1-2 “Brewed in Japan; the evolution of the Japanese beer Industry” by Jeffrey Alexander https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brewed-Japan-Evolution-Japanese-Industry/dp/0824839536/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=“Brewed+in+Japan%3B+the+evolution+of+the+Japanese+beer+Industry”+by+Jeffrey+Alexander&qid=1614889880&s=books&sr=1-1
Luciano Arrieta Martins
2021-03-04 22:48:45 +0000 UTCThanks for all your recommendations! We've got a pretty fantastic reading list right here!
Abroad in Japan
2021-03-03 02:46:08 +0000 UTCOof I've been to the Peace museum in Hiroshima and it's hard but so worth it. I also watched In This Corner of the World without reading the synopsis beforehand - it was emotional!
Sarah Konst
2021-03-02 20:52:18 +0000 UTCJapan AND cats?! *adds to amazon wishlist*
Sarah Konst
2021-03-02 20:48:23 +0000 UTCI am thinking of picking up a copy of "The Japanese Mind" but I'm wondering if you also recommend "Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations". It seems to be book 2 of the series.
LordLiquidBaconII
2021-03-02 04:39:29 +0000 UTCI've always been particularly interestest in criminal psychology and well, why people do what they do. In Japan, that interest has grown given the amount of stranger-than-average murders and crimes that occur. So I'm glad to have a book recommendation regarding crime in Japan! Thanks so much! Also, as a Fukui ALT, just seeing any form of representation makes me happy! Thanks for adding that book!
2021-03-01 23:31:09 +0000 UTCWell, this post got a lot of replies good to see a lot of bibliophiles watch this channel. I think the statisticians would say colinearity of interest in Japan, abroad in Japan and love of books. そうだよね🎏。やっぱり⛩✅。 As a companion to the sushi book, for foodies interested in Japanese cuisine, I would highly recommend “Brewed in Japan,” by Jeffrey Alexander. The author reveals the story behind the first brewery in Japan, which was started by an American in Yamate, Yokohama. This brewery was the forerunner of the Kirin Brewery Company. I recommend it for anyone interested in Japanese history and culture. Plus, you can always be the center of attention at the next pub get together. 👁🎓🍺🍺🍺 すごいですね勉強になりました。🍺🍺
Ryori
2021-03-01 03:48:50 +0000 UTCNot a book per say, but a graphic novel of 8 volumes: Showa: A History of Japan by Shigeru Mizuki. https://www.amazon.co.jp/Showa-1926-1939-History-Japan/dp/1770461353
Alev Akkor
2021-02-28 23:57:28 +0000 UTCGreat to see another Natsuo Kirino fan, Grotesque is really pitch black to the core, isn't it
Eels
2021-02-28 23:22:21 +0000 UTCThank you so much for taking the time to make this list! I definitely want to read these before I apply to the JET program in a couple years. Ghosts of the Tsunami is one I would like to read especially, I would not want to commit those same mistakes as a teacher. If you're interested in Geisha (since you just went to Kyoto) I recommend reading "Geisha, a Life" by the former most successful geisha Mineko Iwasaki. It's really insightful and dispels misconceptions we have of geisha in the West.
2021-02-28 21:54:51 +0000 UTCRead "People Who Eat Darkness" a few years ago, loved it. Especially recommended if you like true crime stories and want an honest glimpse at the Japanese judicial system. Can't wait to read "Ghosts of the Tsunami". "For Fukui's Sake", apart from the quirky title, is a fun read.
Nicolas G.
2021-02-28 21:31:41 +0000 UTCFinally, I'll spill the beans on Chris's magnum opus, written under his pseudonym, Caroline Pover, entitled "Being Abroad in Japan". A truly epic read. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4990079108/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2
2021-02-28 18:03:19 +0000 UTCFor a fairly up-to-date food adventure, look no further than Rice Noodle Fish by Matt Goulding, published by the late Anthony Bourdain's imprint. Not only a fun read, but has also lead me on some personal culinary adventures in Japan.
2021-02-28 17:47:39 +0000 UTCA good reading list there Chris. Like others have mentioned, Roads to Sata is an excellent read. Made in Japan by Akio Morita is a fascinating autobiography. Morita was the guy who co-founded Sony and invented the Walkman. The Japan that can say no is another interesting insight into post-war politics in Japan. It's by long time Diet member Shintaro Ishihara. For me it provided context for how Japan was shaped after the US handed back control.
John Manning
2021-02-28 14:06:26 +0000 UTCHaving a hard time taking the list seriously because of Tokyo Vice.
2021-02-28 14:05:55 +0000 UTCThanks for the great recommendations, Chris, I'm a huge fan of your channel and podcast and think you're so talented 😄 I second the rec of Richard Lloyd Parry's books and would also recommend some Japanese fiction greats which also tell you a lot about Japanese culture and society, such as Natsuo Kirino's absolutely amazing books Out and Grotesque, and all the novels by Hiromi Kawakami, Keigo Higashino, Sayaka Murata, Hideo Yokoyama, etc.
Imogen Cable
2021-02-28 13:34:05 +0000 UTCIf anyone's interested in the history surrounding the dropping of the atomic bombs I'd highly recommend Paul Ham's Hiroshima Nagasaki. It's supremely well argued from both a US and Japanese perspective, putting you there in the room when fateful decisions were made. It deals with the development of the bombs, the decision to use them on Japan, the firebombing of Japanese cities in 1945 and how close Japan was to surrender. It also looks at the Allied occupation of Japan and the treatment of the victims of nuclear radiation sickness, as well as the legacy of the war in Japanese society into the present. I read that and then watched the anime In This Corner of the World - and it was like a one-two blow to the heart.
2021-02-28 12:52:59 +0000 UTCThank you for the suggestions! I will put these on my birthday wish list. I enjoyed "Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival" by David Pilling, it was really interesting and easy to read. Also just read "The Bells of Old Tokyo" by Anna Sherman, which made me want to wander round Tokyo and drink coffee.
2021-02-28 12:28:15 +0000 UTCI can highly recommend the (more or less graphic) crime novel/psychological thriller Out by Natsuo Kirino, one of my favourite books ever. There's a lot of social commentary on Japanese society, particularly about how women and working class people are screwed over in various ways.
Eels
2021-02-28 12:20:52 +0000 UTCI read For Fukui's Sake last year after Chris recommended it on the podcast, and loved it! And then I went through the frustration of wanting more like it and not being able to find it... :) I think I'll check out Hokkaido Highway Blues and also The Roads to Sata, which sounds fascinating!
Nynke de Haas
2021-02-28 10:54:11 +0000 UTCIf you're enjoying the Roads to Sata I'd also recommend Booth's other travel book Looking for the Lost. I have to admit I've always given Kerr a wide birth. The impression I've got is he's quite anti-modern Japan. And buys into this almost Japanese nationalist myth of a pure Japan pre-western influence. But I've never read his work so I'm probably being very unfair!
2021-02-28 10:42:14 +0000 UTCTokyo Underworld is a brilliant read - I read it as a follow up to Tokyo Vice https://www.amazon.co.uk/Underworld-Vintage-Departures-Robert-Whiting/dp/0375724893/ref=nodl_
Geedubya
2021-02-28 10:16:19 +0000 UTC(pressed Return accidentally) Pico Iyer's writing about Japan is also very transporting. He writes essays as well as biographical novels about living in Japan.
2021-02-28 09:49:52 +0000 UTCI really enjoyed Alex Kerr's Another Kyoto which came out a few years ago, it's such a thoughtful look at the history and culture of Kyoto. Agreed on Tokyo Vice being a hell of a page-turner, I'm excited to see the Michael Mann adaptation whenever that drops this year. I'd echo the sentiment on The Roads to Sata, I'm reading it at the minute and it's brilliant. Somehow, I don't think we'll be getting a Journey Across Japan on foot though!
Nik Mortimer
2021-02-28 09:46:31 +0000 UTCFirst and foremost, I'd recommend anything by Donald Richie, to my mind the premier foreign-born essayist about Japan, the Japanese and their culture. Try A lateral View, Tokyo or start with The Donald Richie Reader. He has amazing insights from 50 years of living in and writing about Japan. And he's SO MUCH more positive about Japan than the curmudgeon Alex Kerr.
2021-02-28 09:46:24 +0000 UTCNice list! My cherished number one book about Japan is The Roads to Sata by Alan Booth. Booth, an English writer living in Tokyo in the 1970s decides to walk from Cape Soya, the most northerly tip of Hokkaido, to Cape Sata in the south of Kyushu, mostly steering clear of major cities. It's a wonderfully written book, capturing his often hilarious but sometimes poignant encounters with the minshuku mamas and the local bar owners he comes across from a rural Japan that was disappearing even then in 1977. It really is a brilliant read.
2021-02-28 09:08:44 +0000 UTCI read For Fukui's Sake based on an earlier recommendation of Chris I believe. I absolutely loved it, very funny read. I think that anyone who enjoys Chris' humor, will equally enjoy For Fukui's Sake. Read the Japanese Mind too, must read for starting to truly understand the Japanese mindset (and for me, having a Japanese partner, it had many aha-erlebnis moments :P)
Max Jensch
2021-02-28 08:57:06 +0000 UTCMarion Poshmann: The Pine Islands A private lecturer for beard research dreams one night that his wife is cheating on him. Shocked, he gets on the first best plane that brings him to Tokyo. Thereby he hates tea countries. At a train station, he wants to ask a young Japanese man about his beard and accidentally prevents his suicide attempt. Together, the ignorant protagonist and the submissive young Japanese man set out on Basho's trail, following the question of whether and where it is worth taking one's own life. Matsushima is the local destination of the journey. As mentioned above I highly recommend Convenience Store Woman as well.
Faenor
2021-02-28 08:39:01 +0000 UTCI had previously bought Hokkaido highway blues because of an recommendation of yours in a podcast. So now I think I'm about to buy the rest! Thank you for the recommendation.
Marcus och Emelie
2021-02-28 08:13:57 +0000 UTCI have read one of these! I feel so cultured. People Who Eat Darkness is pretty disturbing but it provided a lot of fascinating insights.
Kim Sanders
2021-02-28 07:44:16 +0000 UTCGreat lost. I have added most to my Goodreads. A great Japan travel/cat/friendship book "The traveling cat Chronicles" by Arikawa Hiro
Georgina Luxford
2021-02-28 07:22:10 +0000 UTCExcellent, thanks for these recommendations Chris! Ever read anything by Peter Tasker? He does some trashy Japanese detective books that I'm not ashamed to say I like! 😬 But he is more known for writing books on the Japanese way of life. You may like.
Adam Armour-Florence
2021-02-28 06:58:10 +0000 UTCI’m currently reading “Ghosts of the Tsunami” because of your recommendation in the podcast. Probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. Some chapters are heartbreaking but it is written with empathy for the victims, so it doesn’t feel cold or distant. A great book without a doubt.
2021-02-28 06:29:10 +0000 UTC"Meeting with Japan" by Fosco Maraini. Covers his time in Japan before during and after the war. Anything by Jack Seward. "Japan: A cultural assimilator" by Rob Elzinga. Some (all?) of these may be hard to come by.
Mark Rogers
2021-02-28 06:15:06 +0000 UTCGreat selection, one I already had downloaded! Hello darkness
WT
2021-02-28 05:55:05 +0000 UTCId like to recommend a book I had to read in an anthropology course in college. Kamikaze Bikers by Ikuya Sato is a brilliant look at some of the delinquent culture in Japan that I feel doesn’t get talked about often.
2021-02-28 04:59:15 +0000 UTCBTW during your last trip to Hokkaido did you make it to Shirogane Blue Pond, it was very close to Asahikawa that I believe you mentioned in the pod cast that was a place yiu went to.
2021-02-28 04:57:37 +0000 UTCGreat list Chris! I'd like to recommend Chrysanthemum and the Sword, a classic anthropological book, called "the best book about Japan" by many.
Johannes
2021-02-28 04:55:54 +0000 UTCBrilliant, thanks Chris. Can not agree more with Hokkaido Highway blues, an entertaining read especially during times of no travel. Will hook into the other ones on your list next.
2021-02-28 04:54:27 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing this list Chris!! I already mentioned these in the livestream, but I’ll post them here for those who haven’t a had chance to watch it. My two Japan book recommendations are Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata and An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro 😊
Hannah
2021-02-28 04:52:28 +0000 UTCLET me know your recommendations folks! It'd be fantastic to grow a list of fantastic books worth reading.
Abroad in Japan
2021-02-28 04:48:24 +0000 UTC
