The Travel Shelf

Hidden Japan
Alex Kerr
Tuttle
https://www.tuttlepublishing.com
9784805317518, $15.99 pbk / $11.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Japan-Astonishing-Thatched-Villages/dp/480531= 7515

Synopsis: In Alex Kerr's critically acclaimed Lost Japan and Dogs and Demon=
s, he documented the decline of the traditional landscapes of Japan, his ad= opted home of many years. Here, in Hidden Japan he makes a journey of redis= covery to find the wonders that still remain.

Originally published in Japanese as a call to preserve disappearing facets =
of Japan's rich and ancient culture, Hidden Japan records Kerr's travels to=
various remote and lesser-known places where pockets of traditional cultur=
e can still be found. Some are faraway--like Aogashima Island, 200 miles so= uth of Tokyo--while others are easy to reach, such as Mii-dera temple just = east of Kyoto. The ten engaging essays in this book describe surprising rem= nants of Japan's fragile physical and cultural environment, including:

Avant-garde Butoh dancing in the remote village of Tashiro in Akita Prefect= ure
How shochu liquor is distilled from tropical ferns on the Pacific island of=
Aogashima
An austere but delicious kaiseki meal in rural Tottori Prefecture composed =
of local herbs and meats
Anecdotes relating to Kerr's childhood growing up in Japan and his passion = for restoring old houses
The damage caused by governmental infrastructure and reforestation policies=
, as well as by tourism
Plus many other topics!

Kerr's sharp eye for detail and exquisite descriptions of Japanese, arts, a= rchitecture and foods will inspire readers who already appreciate his uniqu=
e look at the "reality" of Japan beyond the romance. His personal involveme=
nt and obvious love for his subjects encourage us all to think more careful=
ly about our own traditions and environment, and to challenge ourselves to = search for better solutions to preserve what is of value all around us.

Critique: Black-and-white and an inset section of full-color photographs en= rich this travelogue of Japan's beautiful and storied cultural legacy. Alex=
Kerr (author of "Lost Japan" and "Dogs and Demons") tells of his journeys =
to remote and little- known regions that preserve cultural traditions inclu= ding dance, cuisine, and more. Hidden Japan also calls for the preservation=
of Japan's cultural legacy, and criticizes government infrastructure and r= eforestation policies. Hidden Japan is not a travel guide, but is highly re= commended as a supplementary read for anyone interested in vicariously or p= ersonally traveling to Japan. It should be noted for personal reading lists=
that Hidden Japan is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.99).

Day Hiking Central Cascades, second edition
Craig Romano
www.CraigRomano.com
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161 www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680515572, $21.95, PB, 376pp

https://www.amazon.com/Day-Hiking-Central-Cascades-Wilderness/dp/1680515578

Synopsis: With some of the largest tracts of wilderness to be found in the = Pacific Northwest, the Central Cascades are packed with wildlife, geologica=
l diversity, and opportunity for adventure.

Using US Highway 2 as its primary organizing principle, this newly updated = and expanded second edition of "Day Hiking Central Cascades" by Craig Roman=
o focuses on the best day hikes to be found between the Sultan Basin and We= natchee, and around Blewett Pass, Chelan, and the Stehekin and Entiat River=
Valleys.

In this new edition, travel expert Romano covers everything from leisurely = strolls close to town to all-day treks (with overnight backpacking options)=
deep into the Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Henry M. Jackson, and Wild Sky W= ilderness Areas. Scenery, destinations, and highlights vary too--included a=
re hikes along rivers; to lakes, mountain tops, and fire lookouts; and thro= ugh old-growth forests or alpine meadows.

There are hikes that are well known and popular, hikes that are a bit more = obscure and remote, and hikes that are perfect to explore with kids or dogs=
.. In "Day Hiking Central Cascades: 2nd Edition", Craig Romano has selected = and showcases his favorite trails for escaping crowds, spotting wildlife, a=
nd (in his words) getting the best bang for your boot!

Critique: A profusely illustrated, succinctly compact (5 x 1 x 6.75 inches)=
, and informatively comprehensive paperback that is thoroughly 'user friend= ly' in organization and presentation, this new second edition of "Day Hikin=
g Central Cascades" from Mountaineers Books is an indispensable resource fo=
r planning truly memorable excursions in the Central Cascades (https://en.w= ikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Range) and thoroughly recommended for personal, c= ommunity, and academic library Travel Guide & Resources collections. It sho= uld be noted that this new edition of "Day Hiking Central Cascades" is also=
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.49).

Editorial Note: Craig Romano is an award winning author or co-author of mor=
e than twenty books. Romano also writes for numerous publications, tourism = websites, and for www.HikeoftheWeek.com. He can be visited online at www.Cr= aigRomano.com or on Facebook @craigromanoguidebookauthor

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