Best Books About Japan

A young Japanese girl's diary washes up on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, and a writer named Ruth finds it amidst debris from the 2011 tsunami. As Ruth reads through the diary, she becomes invested in the mystery of Nao's fate. Meanwhile, Nao recounts the story of her great-grandmother in the diary, as she grapples with bullying, despair, and watching her parents struggle. A Tale for the Time Being is a poignant, fascinating novel about life, death, and the lasting impact of our stories.

Discover the mysteries of Japanese culture with this iconic guide created for fans of "cool culture". A Geek in Japan is packed with personal essays and hundreds of photographs, presenting traditional and contemporary touchstones in an entirely new way. Explore the Japanese language, social values, daily habits, business, technology, arts, symbols, and practices, all while debunking myths and answering nagging questions. This revised and expanded edition includes new pages on Kyoto, Japanese architecture, video games, and "secret" places to visit in Japan. Join the ranks of Japanophiles around the world with this irreverent, insightful, and highly informative guide.