A Fool's Journey: Walking Japan's Inland Route in Search of a Notion

Walking the Nakasendo, Japan's ancient inland route, the author braids a travelogue deftly interwoven with his own experiences since he first set foot in Japan some thirty years ago. At times hilarious, at times moving, "A Fool's Journey" is above all a gaijin's exploration of his relationship with a country that continues to defy definition.

"I had been here before: I was going from being a mere 'interpreter' to being a 'cultural interpreter.' It was a dangerous path to tread."

Walking Japan's ancient inland route in search of a vague romantic notion, William de Lange encounters a string of local characters. Recording their stories, he braids a travelogue deftly interwoven with his own experiences since he first set foot in Japan some thirty years ago.

At times hilarious, at times serious, at times moving, "A Fool's Journey" is an exploration of one of Japan's most scenic routes and its fascinating past. Above all, it is a gaijin's exploration of his relationship with a country that continues to defy definition.