Tonoharu

By Lars Martinson,

Book cover of Tonoharu: Part 1

Book description

Daniel Wells begins a new life as an assistant junior high school teacher in the rural Japanese village of Tonoharu. Isolated from those around him by cultural and language barriers, he leads a monastic existence, peppered only by his inept pursuit of the company of a fellow American who lives…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Tonoharu as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I recommend this three-part series of graphic novels for their beautiful artwork and painstaking attention to detail. Illustrator Martinson has a superb knack for observing the smallest aspects of the Japanese environment, with every frame bursting with the minutiae of everyday Japan.

The story follows ‘Dan’ a downbeat American, working as an English teacher in Japan who is experiencing severe isolation in his host country. Dan’s attitude to his new life is at the very extreme end of the culture shock spectrum, whereas in my experience, most foreigners embrace life more than he does, and therefore enjoy a more balanced…

From Sam's list on life in Japan.

Want books like Tonoharu?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Tonoharu.

Browse books like Tonoharu

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Japan, Buddhism, and China?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Japan, Buddhism, and China.

Japan Explore 466 books about Japan
Buddhism Explore 270 books about Buddhism
China Explore 576 books about China