Becuse Japan is a hilariously vibrant story that explores the Japanese culture with easy, reflective and witty prose. From train rides with spiders to walking through a city filled with umbrellas, Ash Watson took me on a fascinating journey through a land full of food, culture and social interactions that had me longing to buy a flight ticket whilst simultaniously keeling over with laughter.

"Queen Elizabeth! She is suspicious..."

The events are both charmingly chaotic and atmospheric. Page to page, I devoured every word. And the concept of embracing one's inner child holds firmly throughout this memoir: that is as much a foreigners-guide-to as it is a coming of age story. Every sentence is a building block in a heartfelt love letter to Japan.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Because Japan.

Japan has been in my top 3 on my list of travel destinations since I was a young girl. It has since moved up to #1.

Ash Watson has loved Japan ever since he visited the country when he was 15. When he's given an opportunity to work there years later, he jumps at the chance.

Ash Watson details in his Journal of Firsts how he adapted and acclimated to Japan; the culture shock, the sights and sounds, understanding the local customs and values, their expectations and attitude toward foreigners (not positive), visiting tourist attractions and finding beauty right in his neighborhood.

The author experiences what any one of us would experience living and working in a new country; strange, interesting new foods, being treated as other even though he spoke fluent Japanese, learning how to use mass transit, renting a new apartment and furnishing it.

My favorite story is when he encounters a member of the Yakuza, though he didn't know it at the time. What an incredible anecdote to tell at parties!

I loved how the author wrapped up his three year stint in Japan by climbing Mount Fuji. I can only imagine what an incredible experience that was.

Because Japan was honest, heartfelt and sincere and it only made me want to go to Japan even more.