Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Walking Along the Ancient Tokaido Road: A Pilgrim’s Path: Adventures and Transformations (Vol. 2: Insight and Memories) by Ichiro Asanuma continues the author’s journey through Japan with a thoughtful examination of history, culture, and modern society. Picking up where the first volume left off, the book follows Asanuma from Shizuoka to Nagoya. What begins as a physical journey gradually becomes an intellectual and philosophical exploration. The author studies old post towns, signs, architecture, and customs, linking them to patterns that still influence the present. The travel narrative is paired with commentary on Utagawa Hiroshige’s famous depictions of the Tokaido, allowing readers to compare the historical route with the modern landscape. Asanuma also considers questions of governance, social expectations, work culture, and human behavior, often pausing to reflect on how people have repeated familiar patterns throughout history. The result is both a travel memoir and a study of cultural continuity.

The writing style is reflective, analytical, and carefully detailed. Ichiro Asanuma balances personal memories with a broader commentary about society. The pacing is steady, allowing the reader to linger in reflection between descriptions of towns, roads, and historical landmarks. The inclusion of striking photography and references to Hiroshige’s artwork enriches the narrative by prompting comparisons between past and present Japan. Rather than focusing only on tourism or scenery, the author concentrates on the meaning behind what he sees, turning ordinary locations into points of discussion about culture and human behavior. Readers who enjoy travel memoirs with philosophical ideas and historical context will find this approach appealing. Walking Along the Ancient Tokaido Road is exceptionally well written. Asanuma’s combination of observations, cultural reflections, and personal insights is engaging and thought-provoking throughout the journey.