Young poets of a new Romania Book

I enjoyed this book. It made me massively nostalgic for my time in Tokyo. I'd really like to go back someday. I thought the suggestions that the author had for ways to experience Japanese culture were interesting, though I think most people aren't quite daring enough to try to sit in on an elementary school class there (one of the author's more out-there suggestions). I liked that he seemed to be so excited by Japanese history and culture.

However, this brings me to one major issue I had with this book. The author suggested in about four different spots visiting Yasukuni Shrine in Kudan (near Tokyo). Now, I'll make myself clear on this now: I don't have any problem with him recommending visiting it in and of itself. What I mind is that he did so over and over again without explaining the enormous amount of controversy surrounding that shrine. For those who don't know, in the 1970s, the religious management of Yasukuni decided to enshrine the spirits of veterans of World War II who were convicted of war crimes. Since then, the shrine has become a major seething-point of Japanese nationalism. The museum connected to the shrine also has some materials that claim that the U.S. "forced" Japan into World War II, among other questionable historical interpretations (I am keeping my tongue in check as best I can on the matter). I think most American tourists, the primary audience of this book, would find that information very relevant when they decide where they want to go. One time skipping over it, I can understand as an oversight. However, four times, and it starts to look more like a conscious omission. A very regrettable one.