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Canned Coffee and Kimonos
Canned coffee and Kimonos is Tom Fitzmaurice’s memoir of the four years he spent living and teaching in Tokyo, the biggest city on Earth. A young man from England’s rural West Country, he was thrust into a new world for which he was completely unprepared and which he found utterly bewildering. Tom gives an insight into the life of an English teacher in this most fascinating of countries and how he found his feet teaching students aged two to ninety-one.From sitting in a robot restaurant watching a giant metal triceratops firing multicoloured laser beams, to the quietude of secluded and ancient mountain-top shrines on remote Japanese islands, this is a story of coming of age in a beguiling metropolis, of culture shock, faux pas, joy, hilarity, horror and the steepest of learning curves.Earthquakes, hedgehog cafes, bathing with the yakuza, love hotels, typhoons, geisha, nuclear fallout, fascists, festivals, temples, bullet trains, karaoke, samurai swords, sushi and sumo. This memoir has it all. A must for everyone interested in Japan.
- GenresNonfictionTravel
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2021
19 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 8, 2025
This is a great book for anyone with an interest in Japan. I’ve read a lot of books about Japan but this is the best so far. The writer manages to provide a lot of information about like in Tokyo but without it ever feeling factual or boring. There are lots of funny stories that keep you turning the pages and I was quite sorry to reach the end
October 30, 2021
Book Analysis – Canned Coffee and Kimonos by Tom Fitzmaurice
For today’s review, I have a much longer book both physical length and story length-wise. This is a memoir based around the author’s four years living in Tokyo. Full of heartfelt scenes, obstacles, relations, and culture, this book brings a lot to the table. With a lot of information and a story to tell, it can sometimes be confusing for a reader. But for me, not once did I slip up questioning a part of the travel, this author perfectly narrates the experience.
The theme of this book is to learn from mistakes and that obstacles are actually your friend. Adapting to a new lifestyle is hard, and this author pursues his story in a way that will make any reader more comfortable to change. On top of it being a memoir and experiences being displayed that happened in real life, the author makes sure to keep the entertainment aspect flowing and to keep the readers engaged.
I appreciated the Japanese proverbs and sayings at the beginning of each chapter, it made the influence of that culture on the author seem so much deeper. The art and pictures used on both the front and back of the book perfectly depict the conveying culture in the story as well. Even though I have never traveled to Japan, I was able to step into that side of the world and witness its distinct features thanks to this author. These well-written memoirs are the reason books are so magically, a whole life was presented to me at my fingertips.
I loved how not one aspect was mistaken or taken out for another. The culture, the food, the atmosphere, the people, the lifestyles… it was all intertwined in such a way that kept me interested the entire book and now I want to travel to Tokyo.
Another cool point to put into perspective is that the author is an English Teacher from England. Being a teacher who must dignify themselves in their own subject of practice must have been such an amazing experience to gain such great exposure to a whole new side of the world. Being a college student, I would have definitely taken on most of this journey with the author if I had the opportunity to do so. But since not, this book comes second to actually living the experience. This book really made me feel in the moment!
I hope you enjoyed this review and a brief breakdown of author Tom Fitzmaurice’s memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey as a reader, and I recommend you partake in it as well! Enjoy!
For today’s review, I have a much longer book both physical length and story length-wise. This is a memoir based around the author’s four years living in Tokyo. Full of heartfelt scenes, obstacles, relations, and culture, this book brings a lot to the table. With a lot of information and a story to tell, it can sometimes be confusing for a reader. But for me, not once did I slip up questioning a part of the travel, this author perfectly narrates the experience.
The theme of this book is to learn from mistakes and that obstacles are actually your friend. Adapting to a new lifestyle is hard, and this author pursues his story in a way that will make any reader more comfortable to change. On top of it being a memoir and experiences being displayed that happened in real life, the author makes sure to keep the entertainment aspect flowing and to keep the readers engaged.
I appreciated the Japanese proverbs and sayings at the beginning of each chapter, it made the influence of that culture on the author seem so much deeper. The art and pictures used on both the front and back of the book perfectly depict the conveying culture in the story as well. Even though I have never traveled to Japan, I was able to step into that side of the world and witness its distinct features thanks to this author. These well-written memoirs are the reason books are so magically, a whole life was presented to me at my fingertips.
I loved how not one aspect was mistaken or taken out for another. The culture, the food, the atmosphere, the people, the lifestyles… it was all intertwined in such a way that kept me interested the entire book and now I want to travel to Tokyo.
Another cool point to put into perspective is that the author is an English Teacher from England. Being a teacher who must dignify themselves in their own subject of practice must have been such an amazing experience to gain such great exposure to a whole new side of the world. Being a college student, I would have definitely taken on most of this journey with the author if I had the opportunity to do so. But since not, this book comes second to actually living the experience. This book really made me feel in the moment!
I hope you enjoyed this review and a brief breakdown of author Tom Fitzmaurice’s memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey as a reader, and I recommend you partake in it as well! Enjoy!
January 4, 2025
Canned Coffee and Kimonos by Tom Fitzmaurice is a vibrant and entertaining memoir chronicling the author’s four-year journey as an English teacher in Tokyo, one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Coming from England’s rural West Country, Fitzmaurice faces an exhilarating culture shock as he navigates the contrasts of Japanese life—from bustling robot restaurants to serene mountain shrines.
With humor and heart, the book delves into his encounters with students aged two to ninety-one, his misadventures with cultural faux pas, and his awe at the blend of tradition and modernity. Fitzmaurice paints a vivid picture of life in Japan, capturing everything from typhoons and geisha encounters to karaoke nights and sumo tournaments.
This 313-page memoir is not only a coming-of-age story but also a fascinating exploration of Japan’s unique culture, making it a delightful read for travel enthusiasts and Japan admirers alike.
With humor and heart, the book delves into his encounters with students aged two to ninety-one, his misadventures with cultural faux pas, and his awe at the blend of tradition and modernity. Fitzmaurice paints a vivid picture of life in Japan, capturing everything from typhoons and geisha encounters to karaoke nights and sumo tournaments.
This 313-page memoir is not only a coming-of-age story but also a fascinating exploration of Japan’s unique culture, making it a delightful read for travel enthusiasts and Japan admirers alike.
May 21, 2022
Having lived in Japan myself, this was a must-read as soon as I saw it, and it did not disappoint. The witty anecdotes mixed with facts kept this memoir entertaining and fun to read. I was able to relate to a lot of the content since I also taught English (although I was at a middle school in rural Shimane prefecture), and I learned a lot of interesting tidbits as well. This is a great read for anyone who wants to go to Japan or for people who are just interested in the country in general. Highly recommend this!
September 25, 2025
I've read far too many books on Japan by visitors, especially English teachers. My love for Japan is so great that I will still pick up a book with the same premise. Now, some of these books are great, while others only scratch the surface of what Japan has to offer. Happy to say that Tom's memoir is the former. Filled with anecdotes and plenty of helpful information, it provides lovely insight into what makes Japan such a culturally exotic destination. If you are looking for a book about Japan that presents an inside look from an outsider's point of view, this is a safe bet.
December 30, 2022
Loved this book! It was very readable with lots of interesting stories of Tom's experiences of being a Brit in Japan. It gave you a feel for Japanese culture and and had some interesting stories about Tom's experiences. Its been one of my favourite books I've read this year and has made me want to visit Japan.
January 16, 2025
Great book! Very well written, funny, interesting. If you ever visited Japan or are just interested in the country, you will love this book. Contrasts between western culture and Japanese are amazing, such as conformity & group cooperation vs. individuality. The author describes pros and cons of both. A very enjoyable read.
September 22, 2021
Informative book.
Living and teaching in Japan, There are surprising things about Japan that you wouldn't even guess at. This book is well written and has a story to tell about the Japanese culture and everyday life of working and living in Japan. Its an eye opener .
Living and teaching in Japan, There are surprising things about Japan that you wouldn't even guess at. This book is well written and has a story to tell about the Japanese culture and everyday life of working and living in Japan. Its an eye opener .
February 19, 2023
Very enjoyable book based on the authors 4 years teaching English in Tokyo. Great background for a forthcoming trip to Japan but definitely not a travel guide! Fascinating view of how foreigners are treated in day to day life by the Japanese.
February 4, 2022
I wish I’d read this before I moved to Japan!
October 31, 2024
This is my 24th book I’ve read this year.
It's still bizarre to believe that in 2023 I read just 1!
That 1 book was ‘Abroad in Japan’, a fantastic Japan travel log, filled to the brim with Chris’s trademark British sarcasm. Before I had read it, I had been stuck in a tediously long reading rut, I just couldn’t find books that interested me. However, ‘Abroad in Japan’ was such a page turner it reminded me why I loved reading in the first place.
I must come clean that the reason I’m reading ‘Canned Coffee and Kimonos’ was because I was looking for something to fill the void that ‘Abroad in Japan’ left me. I was hungry for something similar and after reading the preview for the book I realized I found it.
Fish out of water sarcastic British person. CHECK! The challenges of being an English teacher in Japan. CHECK! I had a craving for a book in the same vein as ‘Abroad in Japan’ and this book absolutely scratched that itch.
I feel like I may be doing a disservice to the author by comparing his book to the more famous ‘Abroad in Japan’ (after all his book came first) but I must say that both books stand out as their own personal experiences. What really helps set them apart is that both take place in very different times in Japan and very different education settings. For example, I found Tom’s experiences as a teacher far more varied and interesting than Chris’s mainly because his work required him to teach people from all ages rather than just highschool students.
One of the biggest strengths of this book is that Tom is an excellent storyteller. The book is crammed with countless hilarious anecdotes and unusual encounters that made it hard for me to put the book down. While there are many quirky and some straight up bizarre people introduced in this book, one of the people who stood out most to me was simply a sweet old lady who Tom meets in a local convenience store. Tom’s personal experiences of this encounter are told so well and so vividly that it really hit home for me and almost brought me to tears.
I found the second half of the book does have a more serious tone, but with just the right amount of humour sprinkled in. One of Tom’s best chapters comes towards the end of the book as he covers the 2011 Tsunami disaster. It’s a hard chapter to read but it does an excellent job letting you know what it must have been like to be in Japan during such a sad and uncertain time.
Overall this book is a hidden gem. I hope this book finds its audience as it truly deserves to be read by more people.
It's still bizarre to believe that in 2023 I read just 1!
That 1 book was ‘Abroad in Japan’, a fantastic Japan travel log, filled to the brim with Chris’s trademark British sarcasm. Before I had read it, I had been stuck in a tediously long reading rut, I just couldn’t find books that interested me. However, ‘Abroad in Japan’ was such a page turner it reminded me why I loved reading in the first place.
I must come clean that the reason I’m reading ‘Canned Coffee and Kimonos’ was because I was looking for something to fill the void that ‘Abroad in Japan’ left me. I was hungry for something similar and after reading the preview for the book I realized I found it.
Fish out of water sarcastic British person. CHECK! The challenges of being an English teacher in Japan. CHECK! I had a craving for a book in the same vein as ‘Abroad in Japan’ and this book absolutely scratched that itch.
I feel like I may be doing a disservice to the author by comparing his book to the more famous ‘Abroad in Japan’ (after all his book came first) but I must say that both books stand out as their own personal experiences. What really helps set them apart is that both take place in very different times in Japan and very different education settings. For example, I found Tom’s experiences as a teacher far more varied and interesting than Chris’s mainly because his work required him to teach people from all ages rather than just highschool students.
One of the biggest strengths of this book is that Tom is an excellent storyteller. The book is crammed with countless hilarious anecdotes and unusual encounters that made it hard for me to put the book down. While there are many quirky and some straight up bizarre people introduced in this book, one of the people who stood out most to me was simply a sweet old lady who Tom meets in a local convenience store. Tom’s personal experiences of this encounter are told so well and so vividly that it really hit home for me and almost brought me to tears.
I found the second half of the book does have a more serious tone, but with just the right amount of humour sprinkled in. One of Tom’s best chapters comes towards the end of the book as he covers the 2011 Tsunami disaster. It’s a hard chapter to read but it does an excellent job letting you know what it must have been like to be in Japan during such a sad and uncertain time.
Overall this book is a hidden gem. I hope this book finds its audience as it truly deserves to be read by more people.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews