Okay, for you numbers people. One hundred and twenty-eight days and roughly 3,300 kilometers. Top to bottom. Japan. Most importantly, as a “gaijin” or foreigner, and boy does this play a part in the overall experience. Both good and bad. Thankfully, Alan Booth has a sense of humor and the overall trip described in “The Roads to Sata: a 2000 Mile Walk Through Japan,” is a memorable one. But this is a subtle book about one man’s journey. Not a definitive statement of the country or people. The last line of the book was something I decided within fifty pages of opening this book. I won’t spoil it, but his final quote has shaped my mindset for my Japan workshop come September.
Booth, no stranger to Japan after seven years in country, speaks fluent Japanese.
And this, as it turns out, is difficult for many folks to comprehend leading to some hilarious exchanges. In fact, in some instances, even after five minutes of exchange, the locals keep thinking he’s speaking English and not Japanese. And the way in which some of the locals speak about him, before they realize he’s fluent, is also hilarious. He plods his way from north to south staying at small ryokans, or local Japanese inns, which provide solid fodder for the good, bad and ugly of travel by foot through 1980s Japan. I read this book as part of my preparation for Japan, but it’s a solid travel book for anyone interested in adventure.
Comments 13
Hey, what about a Dan Milnor “Me and the Birds of Japan” travel book? Now that would be a hoot!
Author
Sign me up!
I second this!
Don’t forget this classic: Basho, The Journey North
Author
Right on.
Craig Mod is an amazing writer / photographer that has walked more miles
Than anyone. Check him out Dan
Author
Ha, I’ve been talking about Craig on this site for twelve years. He’s got it going on.
Japan is on our travel list for next year. Will have to add this to my list for that trip. Always appreciate your reading recommendations!
Author
Anytime.
Danielsan,
Having lived about 30 miles outside of Tokyo in the sixties as a kid, I have many great memories of the experience (I’m sure western culture has had its influence over time / I now see YouTubers flooding the city streets). That said, they love curious, honest, well-read folks like yourself – you’ll be fine.
When they like you, they are incredibly generous and loyal. When the “Beatles” hit the scene and changed the world one-record-at-a-time…The number one group in Japan was the “Ventures.” They always loved them and never forgot them, filling stadiums even some fifty-years later.
Author
Ugh, YouTubers…poor Japan. Can’t wait.
I’m 45 pages into this book, and I am blown away. I wonder how the same thing would go for a person who spoke zero or maybe just a few words of Japanese? I can’t believe the author’s poor luck with weather over the first 10 days. Good grief.
Author
I’ll bet that would upped the degree of difficulty exponentially. Especially during that time period. Today, you’d have options.