Kissa by Kissa: How to Walk Japan

A charming book that takes readers on a journey across Japan to discover its mid-twentieth century cafés.

Based in Japan for the past two decades, Craig Mod is an award-winning writer and photographer whose work has been featured in publications like The New Yorker and Wired. His walking adventures (more than 1,500 miles) through Japanese eateries have captured the attention of people from around the world. Launched in a limited-edition, Craig Mod’s Kissa by Kissa: How to Walk Japan (Book One) takes readers on a journey of more than 600 miles along Japan’s ancient Nakasendō highway. And the goal? To discover its authentic kissaten – mid-twentieth century Japanese cafés – and the culture of toast. This post-war staple is still a popular food item in these cafés and comes with various toppings, including pizza – the author’s favorite.

To make this book, Craig Mod started the walk in the city of Kamakura before going through Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagano, Kiso Valley, Gifu, Lake Biwa, and back to Kyoto. Walking across plains, valleys, and pastoral landscapes, he met café owners as well as farmers, and gardeners. The book features 128 pages with 40 photos and 19 essays and short stories. Printed and cloth-bound in Japan, the book features a silkscreen printed illustration by Luis Mendo on the cover. The first limited-edition run of 1,000 copies sold out in just over 48 hours. However, traveling fans and foodies alike can subscribe to the author’s newsletter to get a notification about a second run. Photographs© Craig Mod.