You might know of tea ceremonies, samurai and vending machines, but how about honorific speech, a shrine to carry gods through a neighbourhood, and 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. With in-the-moment detail and light-hearted humour, even those things known about in the outside world are examined in detail by Carrie and unexpected elements brought to light.In Japan, new things mix with old things through uninhibited creativity to make more unique items of food, 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. Japan from the inside.I’ve just spent the last day and a half on a very interesting journey to Japan, in particular Iwaki, north of Tokyo, and what a journey it has been. The author writes in a free flowing and up beat style of her time spent teaching English at primary schools, and of her adventures to many places that not many westerners get the chance to do. That’s what makes it such a good read, as she shares not just her escapades, but her feelings and thoughts on the complex, sometimes weird, and wonderful country that is Japan. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who shares a love of Japan, its food and its people.Felicity Turnbull Beautiful, informative bookFrom the moment I heard about it, I was looking forward to reading this book. I had my own experiences in Japan in the late 70s and early 80s, and Japan Unexpected didn’t disappoint. From the first page I was hooked - the author’s attitude to education is identical to mine; that the most beautiful education is one that teaches about other peoples and cultures. It builds connections and understanding across distances and time periods. Riseley writes extremely well and gives beautiful, detailed descriptions and explanations of everything from food, history, customs, language, and events. Her affection for Japan and the Japanese is clear without being gushy. The only problem I have with the book is that it has made me pine for Japan. I am now desperate to go back and re-experience it. I would recommend Japan Unexpected to anyone planning a first visit to the country. I highly recommend this book.Rachel Caldecott Very interesting foreigner’s first witness account of life in JapanJapan Unexpected by Carrie Riseley compiles the experiences of the author during her stay in Japan working as an English teacher. The book comprises thirty-five chapters, written in a journal entry style, that span several months and a multitude of situations: from broadly well-known such as Hanami to Tea Ceremony to Sapporo Snow Festival, passing through ‘very special’ Japanese specialties - soy sauce KitKat and wasabi ice-cream - to Carol karaoke or takes on Samurai ghosts. Riseley succeeds in crafting everyday life situations, settings, characters, and cultural nuances, into very interesting, captivating and enticing stories offering accurate depictions of Japanese real-life at its best as experienced through the eyes of an Australian ex-pat. Regardless of whether you have any experience with cultural exchange travel, the stories will mean different things to different readers, but will never be meaningless. Some will even find some hidden gems, a very welcomed added bonus, instantly recognizable for any Japanophile, and nevertheless incredible interesting and immensely valuable for those who aren’t.Kath Eyer
