Across Tokyo

by Patrick Foss, Sean Kramer (Photographer)

Longtime Japan residents Patrick Foss and Sean Kramer had been “urban hiking” Tokyo regularly for years as a way of discovering new places and seeing what makes this giant metropolis tick when they finally decided to walk across it in its entirety. Their route took them through a microcosm of modern Japan, a “city” including mountains under renovation, depopulated valleys, rice fields with cartoon character scarecrows, military bases, trendy alleys, sprawling train station complexes, modern temples, stand-up barbecue joints, karaoke cafés serving loaves of bread for dessert, and island after island reclaimed from the sea. Includes photos.

Genres: Japan

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2017

Reviews

[Patrick Hanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two American ex-pats who have lived in Japan for over 20 years set out on an extended urban hike west to east across Metropolitan Tokyo. Apart from shedding light on the variety of the region and slaying stereotypes or delusions about Japan's capital, the author and his fellow hiker digress easily from the 100 metres in front of them to talk about Tokyo, Japan, the quirks and brilliance that make the place what it is and their attachment to a place that is rife with paradox.

The book provides an in-depth look at Japan and give a detailed look at what there is to be seen beyond the highlights featured in a travel guide and provides the account with a balanced perspective. Leavened with great humor - much of it self-deprecating - and a reflective contemplation of Japan informed by two decades living in the country, the book is an enlightening read about the nuances that a first time traveller might not catch on first viewing told in masterful way that would still be entertaining and engaging for someone who's been there longer or happens to still be there.

[patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! It helped that I was familiar with part of their urban hike.