I’m home from Japan, after a wonderful trip. But one evening early on our trip, I just wanted to sleep. My jet-lagged brain had struggled to cope with Tokyo’s chaotically-busy wholesale fish market in the morning and to navigate the underpasses, overpasses and complex transport system of this futuristic city. We were running late to meet our ‘nightlife guide’ and all I wanted was my bed.
We met Hiro Nippon in the centre of Ebisu, a vibrant area of central Tokyo. He had prepared a tour of the local izakaya bars and asked how we were. I answered (perhaps a little too honestly) ‘tired’. Then he asked a question. Did we know the movie Perfect Days?
We did. It was one of the films that made me want to visit Japan. It tells the everyday story of a humble public toilet cleaner, as he goes about Tokyo doing his work to the best of his ability, meeting strangers, co-workers and friends, his day full of little rituals and detail that highlight the beauty in life. It’s a profound film, acted with great sensitivity and charm.
Did I want to see one of the toilets where they filmed? You bet I did. I even used it (immaculately clean, like most Japanese loos).
After bonding over Perfect Days, we enjoyed juicy yakitori skewers with beer, then tried excellent sushi with a variety of sake. We had a great time finding out about Hiro’s life in Tokyo (and previously in California). Perhaps not for the first time, a good loo had saved a night out.
Sometimes it’s not the biggest things that stay with you. Our trip included taking a cable car over volcanic vents in the mountains, visiting some spectacularly beautiful gardens and temples in Kyoto, and relaxing in hot spring onsen baths in a traditional Japanese ryokan inn. I won’t forget those experiences. But that moment of connection over a film that celebrates the beauty in the everyday will stay with me too.
Have you had a moment like that on your travels? When something completely mundane creates a moment you’ll remember, or turns around your experience of a place? Hit reply and let me know – I’d love to hear from you.
Now, read on for news of Christmas markets, a Christmas gift guide (sorry – but it’s not too early to plan!) and a Christmas story in the works.
Christmas Fairs and Gifts
I’m going to be busy attending Christmas markets in the next two months, both in Deal and London. Why not come by and say hello if you’re in the area? I’ll be selling signed books and (I hope) some smart new box sets of the Marjorie Swallow series.
Here’s the plan:
- Deal on 22nd November, 10am to 3pm Landmark Centre
- Dulwich on 29 November, 10am to 4pm St Barnabas Parish Hall
- Dulwich on 30 November 10.30am to 3.30pm Dulwich College
- Deal on 6 December, 10am to 3pm Landmark Centre
There’s now an online alternative to Amazon for people wanting print books: The Great British Bookshop. All my books are listed on the site, which is run by the people who print my paperbacks. You order direct from them and I get a bigger slice of the price than from Amazon.
Christmas Gift Guide
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the book lovers in your life? (or a treat to yourself?)
I’ve joined forces with 21 other authors to create a free Historical Fiction Gift Guide filled with books set in the 1920s (and a few from the 1910s and 1930s). It’s designed to help you discover wonderful books and find thoughtful gifts for fellow bookworms this festive season.
Inside, you’ll find:
A curated list of novels across multiple genres — from historical fiction to fantasy and mystery
Perfect ideas for Christmas presents (or a little treat for yourself!)
Free novels to download
Many complete series
A Christmas story
Talking of Christmas, I’m hard at work on a story that you’ll receive next month. Christmas is a time for reunions, so I thought I’d throw a party for Marjorie and Mrs Jameson, where lots of their friends and former clients come together.
Let’s see: jazz musicians, nightclub dancers, artists, actors, newspaper reporters, explorers, diamond merchants… it should be quite an occasion! Let’s hope nobody tries to spoil it with a little light criminal activity…
Remember you can find my previous short stories in the Marjorie Swallow series on the Readers Club page of my website.
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