Off the Beaten Tracks in Japan

A Journey by Train from Hokkaido to Kyushu

By: John Dougill

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Paperback | 1 March 2024

At a Glance

Paperback
310 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.5

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Observations on the people, culture, and history of Japan from a long-time resident riding the rails along the less-traveled western coastline.

This journey the length of Japan takes the reader off the beaten tracks to explore some of the country's remoter regions along the Japan Sea — from Wakkanai in northern Hokkaido to Ibusuki in southern Kyushu — in a fascinating mix of travelogue, anecdote, and personal memoir. At each of the thirty stops along the journey the author, who has lived in Japan for thirty years, goes in quest of the spirit of place, determined to highlight what makes it special.

Mixing comments on landscape and culture, the author was inspired by Alan Booth and Donald Richie and brings a contemporary perspective to his writing. The text provides some practical information on travel by rail and railway lines, but goes into far more depth and personal observation than a conventional guidebook for tourists.

About the Author

John Dougill has lived in Kyoto since 1994, before which he taught at Kanazawa University. He is the author of several books about Japan, and his 2012 book, In Search of Japan's Hidden Christians, was hailed as "one of the most compelling and important books on Japan in recent years." He has run Writers in Kyoto for nine years, editing the website and overseeing the group's many activities. He also runs the Green Shinto blog.

Industry Reviews

2023 FOREWORD INDIES BOOK OF THE YEAR GOLD WINNER FOR TRAVEL

"John Dougill's honest observations and deeply personal style leave a lasting impression."

-Nikkei Asia

"Skillfully combining history, culture, food, society, literature, and old-fashioned observation, Dougill educates as well as entertains, soothing the restless spirit of the traveler who is determined to visit every place they read or hear about."

—Rebecca Otowa, author of At Home in Japan

"Dougill takes delight in every aspect of Japan, from the fish and pickles he has for dinner, to a weird conversation with a stranger that takes a surprise turn. I know of no Japan journey that is so full of joy as this one."

—Alex Kerr, author of Lost Japan and Another Kyoto

"Erudite and deftly constructed, Dougill offers an original point of view and a sense of literary composition yoked with a deep knowledge of the country and culture."

—Stephen Mansfield, author of Tokyo: A Biography

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