Hitching Rides with Buddha: A Journey Across Japan

Enjoyed reading it. I particularly liked it because I was reading it during my vacation in Japan. Great style and wonderfully humorous.

This was gifted to me to read while I backpacked through Japan. Loved it so much I now give it as a gift to friends who love Japan. Will's journey mirrored my own experience of traveling Japan alone. His philosophy, insight and humour are a comfort when learning about this amazing civilization and culture.

Ein betrunken abgegebenes Versprechen - der Kirschblüte vom Süden bis Hokkaido per Anhalter zu folgen - führt den Autor durch die Vergangenheit und Gegenwart Japans. Eine persönliche und witzige Reise, die ich als virtuelle Begleiterin aufs Äusserste genossen habe. Wer schon in Japan war, erkennt viele Begebenheiten und findet Erklärungen für Situationen, die ratlos machten. Wer seine erste Reise nach Japan plant, hat mit diesem Buch eine der besten Einführungen in die japanische Mentalität mit all ihren wunderbaren, sonderbaren und liebenswerten Ausprägungen den Händen.

Will Ferguson one day decided to hitchhike from Cape Sata to Cape Soya, following the Cherry Blossom Front. Of course he can't remember saying that but everybody who was at the party said he said it. Maybe he was too drunk to remember. Maybe they were all lies and his friends were pulling his leg. But he went anyway, following the Cherry Blossoms as they went north. He met friends, made enemies and drank. A lot. Also ate a lot of food, which he really didn't like, and hit on women who didn't really like him. Kind of reminded me of Alan Booth's The Roads to Sata. But more whining. A journey with no real goal. The author isn't searching for anything, which is always good, because they rarely found what they were looking for and then the ending feels forced as they try to pretend that they found world peace and Buddha and love. And they didn't, but they have to sell the book, so they say they did.There is humor, some sadness and a few scenes in which the author just went nuts, because of the weather or the way he was treated. Funny, you could think a Canadian would control his temper more? In the end we just learn a lot of stuff about the Japanese people. And one author.I gave this book a 5 out of 5 because it is a good book. I wanted to take points away. I really did. For example, the author seemed to hate museums. I work at a museum so I took some offense to that. But why take it out on such a nice book? Its not the book's fault.Also the author sexually harassed a Japanese women - he rubbed his leg against her thigh. See page 332. She smiled at him, but once at the bar sat as far away as she could. Gee, no, really? Maybe she did not stop her thigh from touching your leg because the CAR was crowded? They have enough trouble on the trains with Japanese men without non-Japanese men adding to it outside the train, thank you. But is that the book's fault? Once again, no, so why blame the book?Oh, and just a reminder this is a reprint of a earlier book under a new title. Hokkaido Highway Blues was the old title. So if you have that book don't get this one. Otherwise get this one, but don't think it will give you the Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. Maybe a few insights, like don't eat pizza toast. Oh, and remember it was published in the late 90s, so very outdated by now - don't use it as a tour guide.

Just a great way to Meet the people and experience the landscape of Japan

An entertaining look at a foreigner in Japan. A little boring at times, but it's a long book, so that's to be expected. Beware though - this is also published as Hokkaido Highway Blues. I didn't know and bought both by accident!