A Traveller's History of Japan
by Richard Tames
A history of Japan and its transformation from Shinto, Shogun and Samurai traditions to 20th-century powerhouse.
Super Sushi Ramen Express: A Culinary Adventure Through Japan
by Michael Booth
A fascinating and funny culinary journey through Japan. Japan is arguably the preeminent food nation on earth; it's a mecca for the world's greatest chefs and has more Michelin stars than any other country. The Japanese go to extraordinary lengths and expense to eat food that is marked both by its exquisite preparation and exotic content. Their creativity, dedication, and courage in the face of dishes such as cod sperm and octopus ice cream are only now beginning to be fully appreciated in the sushi- and ramen-saturated West, as are the remarkable health benefits of the traditional Japanese diet.
Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Aftermath of World War II
by John W Dower
This monumental work by America's foremost historian of modern Japan traces the impact of defeat and reconstruction on every aspect of Japan's national life. Alongside the familiar story of economic resurgence, Dower examines how the nation as a whole reacted to the contradictory experiences of humiliation at the hands of a foreign power and liberation from the demands of a suicidal nationalism.
Kitchen
by Banana Yoshimoto
The first novel of one of Japan's contemporary literary stars to be translated in to English.
Culture Smart! Japan
by Paul Norbury
A quick guide to the customs and etiquette of Japan.
Hiroshima
by John Hersey
First published in 1946, this recounts the events of August 6, 1945 through the observations of survivors.
The Tale of Genji
by Murasaki Shikibu
Completed in the early 11th century, Genji Monogatari is considered a masterpiece of Japanese prose literature, and one of the world's earliest novels. Although its exact origins remain elusive, it is believed that the female author spent many years in service to the royal family of the time.
Rice, Noodle, Fish: Deep Travels Through Japan's Food Culture
by Matt Goulding
An innovative new take on the travel guide, Rice, Noodle, Fish decodes Japan's extraordinary food culture through a mix of in-depth narrative and insider advice, along with 195 color photographs. In this 5000-mile journey through the noodle shops, tempura temples, and teahouses of Japan, Matt Goulding, co-creator of the enormously popular Eat This, Not That! book series, navigates the intersection between food, history, and culture, creating one of the most ambitious and complete books ever written about Japanese culinary culture from the Western perspective.
