Tokyo Junkie

“A delightful memoir of the author’s five-decade love affair with a city that ‘hypnotized’ him and never let go.”

“With a patter that lands like readers have pulled up a barstool to hear a traveler’s yarns…Whiting’s love for his adopted city remains constant and contagious in this collage-style survey.”

“Robert Whiting is a marvel. His rich experience, his nose for great stories, his wit, and good sense make Tokyo, past and present, sparkle with life.”

“A wonderful tapestry of friendships, interviews, and chance encounters with corporate barons, barmaids, ball players, and the occasional mob boss. Through it all, Whiting’s unassuming demeanor, natural curiosity, and droll sense of humor leave the reader wondering who else he’s met.”

“This is a delightful book, a wry, vivid, and illuminating account of a country, a culture, and a keenly observant character through five dramatic decades.”

“You will not find a more entertaining memoir and guidebook to the darker side of the rising sun, and to a life well-lived, than Tokyo Junkie. It’s as addictive as life in the city (citadel) itself.”

“A raucous, funny, and always fascinating love letter to one of the most dynamic cities in the world. A pleasure to read from start to finish.”

“Few writers could deliver firsthand insights into six decades of wild, wonderful, bizarre, and sinister aspects of Japanese culture—let alone with Robert Whiting’s level of style and knowledge. From professional baseball to politics and the underworld, Whiting takes the reader on his life journey through a remarkable world.”