Japan Unexpected

"You might know of tea ceremonies, samurai and vending machines, but have you heard of honorific speech, a shrine to carry gods through a neighbourhood, or miso ramen-flavoured ice-cream? Explore some little-known and sometimes surprising elements of one of the most unique countries in the world, as viewed by Carrie, a young Australian teaching in Japanese elementary schools. Even those things that are known about in the outside world are examined in detail by Carrie and unexpected elements brought to light.
Japan is unique because of the incredible variety of things you can find there, and the way that even things you can find elsewhere are run and experienced by the Japanese in their own ways. New things mix with old things through uninhibited creativity and passion to make more unique items of food, clothing, technology and culture than you would find anywhere else.
It's a culture that must be seen to be believed - and through this book, you can see it too."
Themes explored include a thorough cultural exploration, including festivals, food, modern technology, history, language, education and religion. The author writes in detail about everything from taking shoes off at the door to snow and fire festivals, from karaoke box to traditional new year's celebrations, from children cleaning their schools to local men carrying a god through their neighbourhood in a wooden shrine topped with a golden phoenix.
It's fun, interesting, irreverent and eye-opening. The author puts in jokes and observations, a bit like Bill Bryson.