I’ve mentioned before that a great way to prepare for a journey is to read. I wrote about this in Book and a Backpack: Belfast and have continued to read books regardless of where I traveled. Japan is no different.
Before I leave for Japan I hope to have read the following:
These are not all the books I hope to read before going, and some such as The Tale of Genji and Tokyo Ueno Station are books that I have read before.
Phrase of the Day: いただきます〜！Itadakimasu! I humbly receive (This is said as thanks before meals)