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thenthememoriesfade's review
4.0
It was a good book but I wasn't really interested in the last chapters since I don't plan to go to Japan anytime soon
vik88's review
4.0
A fun introduction to life in Japan though the business section was a bit repetitive and sleep-inducing. I really appreciate the last chapter that gives tips to the travelers and describes places that are good to visit and how to get there.
sarabook's review
3.0
This would probably have been more helpful if I was actually going to Japan. I'm not anytime soon so......yeah. Some of the passages were very repetitive. I got a weird sense of deja vu about 20 times throughout reading this because some sentences were repeated more than once.
It provided a very broad, very brief overview to the complete history and culture of Japan. Pretty much everything you can think of is covered, even including brief tourist guides and recommended walks. However, I felt at times it was stereotyping a whole race of people - 'All Japanese are polite and avoid confrontation'. Well, I beg to differ. That's like saying all British people are polite and drink tea. I'm not either of these things. The last chapter with common phrases would be helpful for Japanese tourists.
I guess I was expecting something other than a glorified travel guide.
It provided a very broad, very brief overview to the complete history and culture of Japan. Pretty much everything you can think of is covered, even including brief tourist guides and recommended walks. However, I felt at times it was stereotyping a whole race of people - 'All Japanese are polite and avoid confrontation'. Well, I beg to differ. That's like saying all British people are polite and drink tea. I'm not either of these things. The last chapter with common phrases would be helpful for Japanese tourists.
I guess I was expecting something other than a glorified travel guide.
claredragonfly's review
2.0
I might have liked this more if I had known what I was getting into, but I did not. The title made it sound as though it was a story, or at least had a narrative, following a particular person. Instead, it's more of a guide to Japan and Japanese culture.
jameseckman's review
3.0
A decent read for an overall view of modern Japanese culture with an emphasis on Tokyo. Based on the title, I was hoping for more about otaku culture. It would be a nice first read on modern Japan and would make a good supplement to a guide book if you're going to the Tokyo region.
robinrenee's review
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
A wonderful intro to the various cultures of Japan. I really want to visit there now!
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