The Narrow Roads to the East and West: In Search of Old Japan

The latest work by a gifted writer, and his first foray into the travel narrative. O'Hara's writing is crisp, inventive and endlessly entertaining. There’s never a dull moment on this excursion. This is the first book by a western writer to explore life along the Kumano Kodo, the sacred pilgrimage route in the mountainous Kii Peninsula of south central Japan. O'Hara deftly weaves together his own experiences with the stories of the cultural icons that dot his path. The result is a new appreciation of the beauty and importance of this little-known terrain. Find a patch of shade, a cool breeze and a well-cushioned chair. Then relax as you stroll through Japan with this delightful guide.