Tokyo Tempos by Michael Pronko is a thought-provoking collection of vignettes detailing the life of an ex-pat American who has spent a third of his life living and working in Tokyo. The author takes readers through the many aspects of Tokyo and Japanese life that will be useful and instructional, especially for foreigners considering visiting or relocating to Japan. As a university professor in Tokyo, the author is in a unique position to comment on the structure, pressures, and difficulties faced by young people in Japan, especially young women, as they struggle to succeed and advance in a highly competitive and misogynistic, patriarchal society. He also covers the rituals, customs, and unique social mores that make Japan fascinating but equally confusing to foreigners. 

Tokyo Tempos is a wonderful “how to survive and thrive” book for foreigners in a culture so vastly different from our own. What stood out for me, especially in his analysis of Japan’s youth, was the similarities rather than the differences. Like them, our basic goals in life are the same; to succeed, to be recognized, and most importantly to be happy. Given that the author is an English professor, I was stunned to discover that despite his female graduates often being of the highest quality and excellent communicators in English, they were frequently overlooked for positions simply because they were women. Although patriarchal misogyny is still apparent to some extent in the Western job market, the level in Japan is definitely off the charts. In any collection of essays, there are always some that resonate more than others. Every story here is fascinating in its own right and well worth the read but two in particular struck a special chord. As a writer, I sympathized deeply with the author’s feelings of loss during the pandemic with the covering of faces. The face, even more than just the eyes, is a window to the soul, and losing that perspective, especially for a writer/people watcher is simply devastating. Essays about social mores, embarrassment, and the strict rules of etiquette in Japan were fascinating. As an ex-pat, also living in a unique Asian culture, I frequently found myself nodding and smiling while reading. This is a wonderful book, whether you are an ex-pat, a world traveler, or simply an armchair tourist. Highly recommended.

Tokyo Tempos by Michael Pronko is an illuminating exploration of the hidden rhythms and intricate patterns of daily life in Tokyo. Drawing from three decades of immersion in Japanese culture, Pronko guides readers through the city's beating heart, examining everything from its seasonal celebrations to its culinary delights, from ancient ceremonies to modern transport systems. This fourth installment in his Tokyo Moments Series offers readers an intimate journey through the metropolis, revealing the subtle mysteries and cultural nuances that make Tokyo uniquely captivating. Through this collection of thoughtful essays, Pronko captures the essence of a city that pulses with both tradition and innovation, inviting readers to discover the countless small moments that define life in one of the world's most fascinating urban landscapes.

Author Michael Pronko's remarkable ability to blend his Western perspective with a deep cultural understanding of Japanese life creates an accessible yet profound read for newcomers to this interesting city. I found myself completely absorbed by his delightfully perceptive prose, which brings Tokyo's everyday scenes to life with rare sensitivity and insight, but also with a novel-like quality of description and vibrance. His writing style offers readers a lyrical rhythm through observations, using gentle humor and poignant reflection to capture the city's distinctive character with a stylish, easy-to-read quality. What particularly moved me was how he transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary revelations, finding poetry in the smallest moments and sharing these discoveries with a warmth and enthusiasm that makes readers feel like trusted companions on his urban explorations. His essays offer far more than typical travel writing, creating an emotional and cultural roadmap that helps readers understand not just Tokyo's physical landscape, but its spiritual and social dimensions as well. Overall, Tokyo Tempos is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the soul of modern Tokyo and I would definitely recommend it.