A Japanese author of a popular essay series about the charms and quirkiness of New York hopes that as Japan becomes a more diverse society, her readers will take to heart her tips on how to engage with different cultures.

In her nine-volume paperback series loosely translated as "Under the Spell of New York," essayist Mitsuyo Okada encourages Japanese to venture out of their comfort zones — something she learned to do firsthand while living in the Big Apple since the 1980s.

With over 800 languages estimated to be spoken there, New York is arguably the most diverse city on the planet.