"Deep Kyoto Walks" edited by Michael Lambe and Ted Taylor is the perfect guide for anyone who wants to get off Kyoto's beaten tourist track. With personalized views of what to see and do in Kyoto — by people who have lived there for extended periods of time — it essentially offers a curated guide to one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Essays by a host of Kyoto residents (16 authors in all, including renowned travel writer Pico Iyer), cover various fields such as poetry, pottery, butoh dance, tea ceremony, art, travel writing and food writing.

Deep Kyoto Walks, by Michael Lambe and Ted Taylor.
Deep Kyoto, Nonfiction.

As pointed out in the forward, the size and layout of Kyoto make it perfect for walking and exploring. And, as Taylor mentions in the introduction, life is often lived outdoors in Asia, so there is much to take in while out exploring in the city. There are useful endnotes throughout to explain specific aspects of Japanese culture or history with Web links to places mentioned, as well as 12 maps with links to Google Maps. This incidental information about Japanese history, culture and society is invaluable in itself. For both visitors and those who live in Japan and have the opportunity for repeat visits, "Deep Kyoto Walks" provides inspiration and a variety of courses for exploration deep in the heart of Kyoto.