"A delightful read, offering insight not only into Japan but into the adventure of living in a foreign culture anywhere in the world."--Mary Catherine Bateson, author of Composing a Life "Beautifully written. I did not want to put it down."--Susan Allen Toth, author of Blooming: A Small-Town Girlhood "Brilliant, wise, and witty . as enjoyable a read as Peter Mayle's A Year in Provençe ."-- Louise DeSalvo , author of Vertigo: A Memoir "Davidson is inquisitive and careful: observations serve as prompts for thoughtful appraisals of her native US, and stereotypes of Japan are questioned. It's when Japan is clearly in focus - especially when revealed through the author's experiences and conversations with locals - that the narrative is most engaging." -- Laura Crawford Lonely Planet "Davidson's memoir, shimmering with poetic insights and poignant observations, stands out from the rest.

[A] compelling read for anyone considering a trip to Japan--or who has recently returned from one." -- Corrie Pikul Bust "Intelligent, sympathetic . and quick-witted." -- Elizabeth Ward Washington Post Book World "Luminous . Nuanced and passionate, [Davidson's] book achieves what many travel writers can only aspire to: the sense of being both inside and outside of a culture at the same time." -- Booklist "No one could have tried harder to fathom Japanese culture [than Davidson]. The result is a series of illuminations not unlike the sudden break in the clouds that finally lets her glimpse Mount Fuji from the window of a bullet train." -- Francine Prose New York Times Book Review.