Japan has been a bit of a scary place from cultural point of view for those thinking of a long term visit or exploring the whole country, this book helps.

This book / guide helps you with some basic pointers and gives you a practical knowledge base for all things Japanese.

I have to say that after finishing the book, I think that the "scandi" one was way weaker than this one.

When I finished the last page, all I could think about was that I really want to visit Japan. There is not much to add.

This is a beautiful book. There is a wide variety of information presented to the reader in an easy to access manner. The photographs are breathtaking. Even if you are not planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, this book will make you feel like you experienced it.

A Japanese miniature delight. Always interested in all things Japanese, I was intrigued and not disappointed. A concise book, pruned like a bonsai tree to showcase enticing snippets of Japanese culture. Definitely makes you want to explore more of this fascinating and varied country.

As a Japanese fan I can say this is a really good book. It's very useful if you want to visit Japan or just find new informations about Japanese food and places and even history. I would love to buy the book too.

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity to read the book!

Very cute book that lightly covers many topics regarding to living in or visiting Japan. More helpful for short visits than for those living or studying in Japan. The photos were hit and miss - some seemed not to fully capture the accompanying 'essay.' There was a feeling of stock photos used rather than photos taken specifically for the book.

I didn’t know what to expect… but I was pleasantly surprised.
It is, in essence, a guide to Japan – from history and beliefs to food culture, education and family – written by a Japanese-born author.
If you have an interest in travel, in culture, in geography or Asia, you will enjoy it.
“Japanese people believe in climate change. If the sea levels hadn't risen to submerge the land and separate continental Asia from the archipelago that would become Japan, you would still be able to walk from Korea to Japan. You don't need a PhD in international relations to see the significance: geography creates history.”
The book is divided into eight sections, each separated into small, one to two page chapters, making it easy to navigate, not too much detail on each subject, but just enough information and plenty of beautiful photography.
I especially liked the very clear – for non-Japanese – descriptions of the “words without translation” and the famous Ikigai.

A very basic introduction to Japan and some Japanese traditions. Also very brief. I'd say there is nothing in this book that you wouldn't be able to find in Wikipedia or by way of Googling. Perhaps, useful for those, who have absolutely no clue about the country at all and want a quick overview but nothing overly interesting or exciting for those, who would like a bit more. depth.

Solid read explaining the origin of a lot of Japanese cultural practices and how history shaped them.

This book sounded great, and the cover picture drew me in. Unfortunately I could not open this format on my phone or tablet so could not read and review it.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this guide to Japan by Japanese writer Yutaka Yazawa. I expected a glowing how-to guide similar to French Women Don’t Get Fat. Instead, this book was incredibly well balanced in its examination of Japan’s values and sensibilities.

The introduction offers something of an apology from the author for criticising certain aspects of his country. However, this is what sets this book apart from other guides to Japan. Reading this book is like meeting a friend for a drink and getting their honest opinion on the Japanese regions, culture and lifestyles.

Each area of Japan is described in just one page, but you will feel like you’ve heard insider knowledge. For example, it includes commentary about what different regions think about each other or a note on how Kyoto people are the masters of condescension. Of course the section on food outlines their admirable approaches to health and lifestyle, but it also mentions the dangers of Japan’s high sodium intake. Helpfully the author includes the kanji for low sodium products, as well many other vocabulary words throughout this book. The pages are also beautifully filled with large photographs and illustrations.

Concepts such as wabi sabi , ikigai and fuzei are well explained in their own sections or in the guide for “Words with no Direct Translation.” It’s an impressive summary of ambiguous Japanese aesthetic senses. I especially enjoyed the comparison of Western to Japanese film plots to illustrate the Japanese concept of ikigai. This idea of allegiance to and dependence on a community and how it ties into your own sense of self-worth is a fascinating subject.

Although these complex artistic and sociological concepts are discussed, this book would still be a wonderful choice for a first time visitor to Japan. This small guide would help you understand and appreciate the interiors of a ryokan, traditional meals and the significance of famous sightseeing locations. This book doesn’t just explain different Japanese foods, it also explains the economic and cultural factors which have led to Japan having so many Michelin stars. It’s because of these unique perspectives and well considered observations that this book would be a smashing choice for the first time tourist or the Japanophile.

An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review. I am concerned that the cover seems to have the author’s name spelled incorrectly?

Couldn’t get this to download but looks like a fun and interesting book! Will look out for a paper copy!

A fantastic book with detailed pictures and giving essential information about Japanese culture, history and beliefs. A must read for anyone traveling to this fascinating country.

This is a great little easy to read snapshot into Japanese history, life and culture. The book is beautifully organised with a page or two for each aspect of Japanese living, from food, to untranslatable words, from sport to pastimes.
It is the sort of book you can happily dip in and out of, or keep at hand for reference.
It is informative but not heavy-going at all, so would be suitable also for children learning about different cultures.
In addition to being set out clearly, there are stunning colour photographs throughout the pages.
The growing trend of interest in Japanese culture means this little guide will surely be a welcome stocking filler this Christmas, or a useful addition to any home or classroom bookshelf.

Though compact, as the title suggests, The Little Book of Japanese Living contains a wealth of information that encompasses history, culture and language. As someone currently learning Japanese, I appreciated the inclusion of kanji/kana alongside the romanised rendering of any Japanese terms and names. This was a quick read, but one I feel I would like to return to. Therefore, I do plan to buy a copy for my shelf once the book releases next year. Recommended for anyone interested in Japanese history and culture who is looking for a simple place to start.

A fascinating look at Japan parts of the country I had never heard of.I really enjoyed learning about the people the culture history traditions a really interesting read.#netgalley#quartobooks