David wrote is writing a book
(and you can help)
My writing a travel book is an extremely unlikely thing.
I mostly don't even like most travel books. And yet, here we are.
OK, so then why do it? Why write another travel book when there are already so many?
Because the book I needed on my first trips to Japan doesn’t exist—so I’m creating it.
There’s so much more to experience if you change your approach to travel. The vast majority of travel books and websites out there are fundamentally lacking in the philosophical underpinnings that lead to a richer, deeper experience when travelling, prioritizing a quantity-first checklist mentality and putting depth of experience firmly in the back seat.
As travellers in popular destinations, we can choose to be part of the solution instead of adding to the problem. Overtourism is a major and growing problem in certain parts of Japan, and there are ways, as a traveller, to minimize your negative impact while having a wonderful time and spreading the economic benefit of your tourism dollars to less-travelled destinations. When we travel in this way, it’s to everyone’s benefit.
By being considerate visitors, we get more from the experience. There is precious little attention given to being a good guest when visiting Japan. Plenty of people, myself included, really do worry about these things, and by investing a bit of time into learning the basics, we can more easily relax and enjoy our travels.
This will be a book for the curious and kind nerds of the world, who find fascination in the path less-travelled, and who wish to focus on quality and depth of experience above all else.
Emphasizing Quality Over Quantity
Before moving to Japan in 2015, I visited as a tourist like millions do every year. While most travelers I met had packed itineraries, I spent my time wandering with a camera and notebook, exploring alleyways, parks, and deserted shrines.
The others I met may have visited more places, but their experiences were often superficial. Japan’s rich culture, history, and society require more than just ticking off “must-see” locations from travel books and online listicles.
Travelling is about more than just visiting popular landmarks. It’s about immersing yourself in the culture, understanding the history, and truly connecting with the places you visit.
My goal is to offer an alternative approach to travel, sharing knowledge and practical tips that will deepen your experience—and not just in Japan, but anywhere you go.
What This Will Be
OK so let’s get specific. As things are currently outlined, there will be four main components to the book:
A Philosophical Core: I’ll dive into the key points of my travel philosophy—ideas that have shaped my journeys and inspired this project.
A Guide to Being a Good Guest: Cultural insights, essential etiquette, and tips on avoiding faux pas.
Practical Travel Tips: How to plan your trip, enjoy your stay, and carry those experiences with you long after you return home.
Specific Advice for Japan: From visiting hot springs and avoiding scams to navigating addresses and dealing with summer heat, I’ll cover what you need to know.
There might be more, but these are the essentials.
But Wait, Who Is This Guy?
I’m David R. Munson. Originally from the USA, I’ve been living abroad since 2009, spending time in South Korea, Taiwan, and China before settling in the Tokyo area in 2015.
I’ve been an educator for over a decade, a photographer for 25 years, and a writer even longer. I’m driven by a deep need to explore, create, and share.
For me, creating isn’t just an interest—it’s a compulsion. If I’m not making something new, I’m not living my truth.
P.S. If you want to get a sense of my writing style, you can view writing samples here, and check out some posts on my Japan blog here.
Here's the Pitch
Researching and writing a book takes time and effort. A lot of time and a lot of effort. A lot of stress, too, and much of that stress comes from the fact that when you’re writing a book, you’re not doing other things. Earning money, for example.
That’s why I’m offering the book here as a pre-sale with extra benefits.
The more support I get now, the sooner I can finish the book, and the better I can make it. By backing the project, you’re helping push it forward.
By backing this project now, you will get the following:
- The final book in multiple digital formats (pdf, epub, etc)
- The audio version of the book
- Optional participation on the Discord server to help shape the final product
- Free access to subsequent travel resources that will follow this initial book
- The Japan Scavenger Hunt
- A guide for navigating food allergies and special diets in Japan
- Discounts on my travel services if you happen to come to Japan
How much does it cost? Five bucks. That’s right, USD $5 gets you in the pipeline for all that good stuff.
What happens when you buy in:
- Initially, you get a summary document with relevant links and information
- You get access to the Discord server
- When the book, audiobook, and supplemental materials are finished, these will be added to the product library on Gumroad, where you’ll be able to download them
One more option to support the project:
If you’d like to support this project along with everything else I’m doing more broadly, you can also join my Patreon, where all members will receive access to the book as well. Note that I’m still figuring out the whole Patreon thing, so bear with me as I do.
Before You Go
If you’re not ready to buy in, but would like to get updates on the project (just a few, I have no interest in spamming you), just enter your email below.
You can also get in touch by emailing me directly at info@davidwroteabook.com or by using the contact form below.