Intelligent Travel: The Best Primer on Japanese Culture

You likely know someone who has recently paid a visit to Japan, or have been there yourself. Which is no surprise since Japanese tourism increased 250% between 2012 and 2017.

Planning a trip or just trying to get a better handle on the culture? Skip the guidebooks and hearsay. Instead, try The Great Courses, Understanding Japan: A Cultural History, ($24.47 on Amazon or one Audible credit).

In this lecture series, Emory Professor and Stanford PhD Mark J. Ravina weaves an engaging and sweeping story of how Japan came to be, touching on everything from Kabuki theater to food to haiku to samurai.

And if the word “lecture” gives you the feeling of falling asleep at your college desk, fear not. This lecture series is filled with fun facts, stories, humor, and intrigue.

I think the lecture series is best listened to from start to finish, however each lecture could be enjoyed à la carte if you’re short on time. Enjoy!

This post is part of the Off The Beaten Bit series where we find the interesting books, videos, and other media that are a bit off the digital beaten path.