Book Review: This Great Stage of Fools – An anthology of uncollected writings

Written by Alan Booth. Edited by Timothy Harris with an afterword by Karel van Wolferen.

It is a testament to Alan Booth’s skill as a writer that he is regarded by Japanophiles as one of the pre-eminent commentators on Japan and Japanese culture (though a culture far removed from Japan’s city environs). This even though only two of his books about Japan became mainstream publications, ‘The Roads to Sata: A 2000-Mile Walk Through Japan’ (1985) and, posthumously (Booth passed away in 1993), ‘Looking for the Lost: Journeys Through a Vanishing Japan’ (1995). *

‘This Great Stage of Fools’ is a comprehensive collection of his journalistic articles. Initial impressions were good and as this review progressed it became increasingly apparent that the

Book Review: Another Kyoto By Alex Kerr With Kathy Arlyn Sokol

An enchanting and fascinating insight into Japanese landscape, culture, history and future!

Almost a follow up to his ‘Lost Japan’ the book is a written record of conversations between Alex Kerr and his colleague and friend the author Kathy Arlyn Sokol on their visits to various sites around Kyōto. As Kerr points out the various sections delve into and expound three major influences; South East Asia, China and Japan. It takes an “off the beaten path” look at what he has seen many times before, picking up on the details that usually go unnoticed when visiting temples and shrines. More casual in style than Kerr’s previous publications his chatty style makes this guide very accessible even if the information that it contains is much more

Interview: Michael Booth Author Sushi and Beyond: What the Japanese Know About Cooking

“I can’t walk down the streets of Japan without finding something unusual or peculiar. It’s just so stimulating.” – Michael Booth

Award winning food writer and traveller Michael Booth (author of the bestselling Sushi & Beyond: What the Japanese Know About Cooking) attended the popular three-day J-Culture festival Hyper Japan 2015 (photo report here), which was held at London’s O2 on 10-12 June, to participate in his first talk show with Japanese celebrity chef Rika Yukimasa, co-host of

Travel & Tourism: Activity Holidays In Japan

Japan has a comprehensive and diverse range of attractions to offer!

Japan is often thought of as one of the world’s technology hubs. With activity tours, however, you can see its little-known side filled with natural, historical and cultural wonders. There is more to Japan than what you can find in its hustling and

9-Night Tokyo Game Show Tour 2012 – Akihabara, Harajuku, Sega Joypolis

An organised tour of Japan between 16-24 September 2012

Normally Diverse Japan doesn’t make it a policy to advertise travel offers – simply because there are far too many and posting them here can be very time consuming. And let’s face it, we’re not a travel agent. But every now and then we make an exception. So here’s one that may be of particular interest to you.

Otsuka Green Tea Co., Ltd Announces New Harvest

Flavour and fragrance with a touch of loving care!

Otsuka Green Tea Co., Ltd in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka has just announced the beginning of a new harvest with fresh tea plucked by hand ready soon.

The company has been cultivating tea since the Edo period and produces some of the finest in Japan, rich in taste and flavour, and has acquired a mass of awards for their

Announcement: Japan Flight Give Away Not to Go Ahead

Last autumn there were many reports about the Japan Tourism Agency proposing to give away 10,000 free flights to Japan in 2012. After the proposal was reported, people from around the world sent messages to Japan National Tourism Organization saying they would like to participate in the programme to visit Japan and to help revitalize Japan’s tourism industry following the March 2011 earthquake. So it is with regret