I really liked this a lot. It took me a long time to finish because I only dipped into it when I had not much time to read. This book works well for those that want to just read a little at a time. Lots of good stopping places, though the material is so interesting it is hard to put down. These short essays are a wonderful look at a very different society. Michael Pronko does a terrific job of observing without strong prejudices for or against what he sees. A very good reporting job and a fascinating topic. I will definitely be looking for more by Mr Pronko. ( )

This is a fascinating collection of short pieces about different aspects of life in Tokyo. It touches on food, buildings, stairs, escalators, pachinko, department stores, trains, rain, and so on and so on. Each morsel is well observed and will make you want to hop on the first plane to Tokyo, confident that you now have a little more insight that will allow you to enjoy and understand it just a bit more. ( )

I found Michael Pronko's collection of short stories about his time in Japan fascinating. It reminded me of the stories I heard from my brother-in-law from the year he spent in Japan studying and teaching English. I loved the focus on the little details of life in Tokyo and felt it gave me a feel for Toyko that normal travelogues don't come close to conveying. I think anyone who is interested in travel or Japanese culture would like this book.
I received this book for free from ARC in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ( )