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"Welcome to Sawanoya, Welcome to Japan"
The Story of a Friendly Inn for Overseas Travelers in Tokyo.
- GenresNonfiction
203 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2006
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 21, 2012
Having stayed twice with Sawa-san at Ryokan Sawanoya I particularly enjoyed this open, honest and often amusing account of the development of the inn which now caters for overseas tourists.
The book includes an informative glossary on Japanese Culture and Customs with entries such as how to bathe Japanese style, fishing for goldfish with a paper scoop (kingyosukui, a summer amusement)and the Prefectures and Districts in Japan.
However, it is Sawa-san's stories of foreign guests and his attempts to understand and accommodate their customs and expectations while still remaining true to his wish to offer a friendly and traditional Japanese inn that I found both entertaining and enlightening.
p.60
"Can I use Amex here?" asked the man.......
"Ee-to..American airplane come to Japan..demo [but] American Express not in Japan, hai."
What I was trying to say was American planes fly to Japan, but no American trains run in Japan. That was my answer.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Japanese culture or intending to visit Japan, particularly if they are intending to stay in a ryokan or traditional inn.
The book includes an informative glossary on Japanese Culture and Customs with entries such as how to bathe Japanese style, fishing for goldfish with a paper scoop (kingyosukui, a summer amusement)and the Prefectures and Districts in Japan.
However, it is Sawa-san's stories of foreign guests and his attempts to understand and accommodate their customs and expectations while still remaining true to his wish to offer a friendly and traditional Japanese inn that I found both entertaining and enlightening.
p.60
"Can I use Amex here?" asked the man.......
"Ee-to..American airplane come to Japan..demo [but] American Express not in Japan, hai."
What I was trying to say was American planes fly to Japan, but no American trains run in Japan. That was my answer.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Japanese culture or intending to visit Japan, particularly if they are intending to stay in a ryokan or traditional inn.
November 6, 2011
A nice compilation of history and some (mis)adventures of Sawa-san as he runs Sawanoya Ryokan in Tokyo.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews