One of the best but most overlooked books I've ever read. The story of the Minaguchi-ya Inn, strategically located along the historic Tokaido Road, is skillfully woven into the history of pre-modern Japan, and each successive generation of innkeepers has a part to play in the battles, conspiracies, intrigue, art, politics, pilgrimages and highway robbery that unfold at its doorstep. Beautifully written, with reproductions of famous Japanese prints, this story is a walk into another world. ( )

This was a fascinating book on the history of Japan. It tells the history by recording the events and people that passed by an Inn on the main road between the Emperor and the Shogun. Well written and humorous, a great way to read history. It's also filled with reproductions of historic Japanese prints. ( )