Historical crime novel set in County WEXFORD
GIVEAWAY: 3 copies of The Ancient Wisdom of Japan
23rd November 2025
On behalf of O’Mara Books, we are delighted to be able to give away 3 copies of The Ancient Wisdom of Japan (Timeless Lessons to Live By) by Saori Okada.
UK ENTRY ONLY
Discover your sense of purpose, foster gratitude and learn to live in the moment. A beautiful celebration of ancient Japanese culture.
Some of the most important mindsets in modern culture are derived from ancient Japanese times. From discovering your sense of purpose with Ikigai to fostering gratitude with Go-en, and from accepting what cannot be changed with Sho-ga-nai to embracing strength after you fall with Nana korobi ya oki, as well as the seven principles of the warrior code: these are timeless philosophies to live by.
Wellness coach Saori Okada brings together 60 quintessential lessons and philosophies, paired with stunning traditional artworks to match each concept, all rooted in Japan’s ancient heritage. These are lessons to change your mindset and give you the tools to take on life’s everyday challenges.
HOW TO ENTER
- You need to be a member of TripFiction. Simply go to tripfiction.com and scroll down to the JOIN NOW tab. And we do check!
- Just let us know in the Comments below by midnight, 6 December 2025, what in particular attracts you to Japan and/or Japanese culture?
UK ENTRY ONLY
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I love the Ichigo Ichie concept 🙂
The ancient traditions and new forward thinking technology
It’s the artwork for me. There’s some fantastic early artists who I love but even from a more modern perspective, their culture has given us the greats, including the mammoth selection of Godzilla films.
Because of this art and culture, I’ve always wanted to visit. One day.
I’d love to see the Cherry Blossoms. A friend in Japan sends me pics every year.
The beautiful scenery.
The ancient traditions
Japanese culture attracts me as the Japanese seem truly switched on but also know the way to relax and absorb beauty around them.
I’m a martial artist so that’s always been my biggest attraction to Japan. I’m also drawn to their culture and their shrines
The magnificent architecture with its unique styling. Their customs and traditions and wonderful artwork.
The cherry blossom
I’d love to see Japan at Cherry blossom time
Love these titles fascinating
the friendly curiosity they show to me when I am in their company
Tranquil Japanese gardens.
their way of life is so interesting
the temples & shrines
I would love to visit Tokyo, and go up the Tokyo Tower to get a great view of the city.
the traditions and the clothes
the fashion interests me
I’d love to visit Japan as it looks amazing whenever I see it on TV or pictures. Mount Fuji would be top of my list of places to go.
i enjoy translated Japanese literature
I’d like to see the cherry blossoms in full Spring bloom. Beautiful!
I’m interested in the centuries-old traditions, with Japans ancient temples, Shinto shrines, historic castles and so much more.
i love Manga
the gardening styles are interesting
japanese art interests me
seeing a snow monkey would be funky
The spiritual side of Japan; the Temples & Shrines
I love the elegance and understated beauty of their gardens and shrines, as well as the vibrancy of anime and manga.
For me it’s just how everything about Japan is so different from the UK. To a language with characters you can’t understand; food we would never see here and even the buildings are so distinctive.
It’s a culture where respect is valued and ancestors are honoured
The length of their history
The art and culture of Japan is what interests me most.
It is an enigma with centuries old traditions standing alongside being one of the world leaders in modern technology.
I think greetings all over the World should be a Bow then we would not have to touch each other and pass on germs ?
What attracts me to Japan and it’s cultue is the serenity reached through discipline.
Japan is unusual in how it preserves ancient culture—shrines, tea ceremony, kimono, calligraphy—while also leading in robotics, architecture, and design. The contrast fascinates me so much
Hello, I like Japanese gardening styles, like Bonsai. It is so clever and looks beautiful.
Japanese culture is very different to Western culture – much more formal.
The art is amazing, so calming
I am fascinated by Japan because I love Japanese art
They are polite and quirky, such a curious blend
I love traditional Japanese woodblock prints SO much – my favourite type of art! Especially one hundred famous views of Edo!
Traditional arts and practices and the modesty of the people.
the culture and people
Tradition and family values – a wealth of love just there
Their discipline and cleanliness.
The rich history & how respectful the culture is
The serenity the people bring into their lives following ancient traditions even in the midst of bustling modern day life draws me to discovering more about the land and culture. Ancient temples, parks for the elderly, cherry blossom season, just so many things, my brain bursts with curiosity.
Japan draws me in with its blend of peaceful traditions and cutting-edge modern life — tranquil temples and beautiful landscapes to the food, design and attention to detail that shape everyday culture.
I’m especially drawn to Japan’s blend of deep tradition and cutting-edge modernity – where centuries-old cultural practices coexist with some of the most innovative technology and design in the world. I also admire the emphasis on craftsmanship, aesthetics, and mindfulness in everyday life.
I would love to see the cherry blossom in bloom
History nerd here. I randomly took a Japanese module in my first year of Uni as part of my history degree, and I was so hooked my entire degree turned Japan focused. I love learning how Japan found a third way between colonised and European coloniser, and how this has preserved its unique culture into the 21st century. And so I’d love to know more about its ancient past and where this culture came from. And of course I also love its food!
Have always admired the respect given to parents and elders in Japanese society – sadly lacking in our own
The politeness of the nation, and the food!
I love the juxtaposition of ultra modern cities and ancient temples. Also a big fan of anime and Japanese food, and would love to visit cat island!
I am in awe of how clean Japan is and how polite people are.
The over 200 years of isolation under the sakoku policy means that it is one of the best preserved culture on the planet. I find it fascinating that any country, let alone one with as rich a history as Japan, could have done that.
The different cultural traditions of Japan are a complete contrast to western traditions and very interesting to read about.
It is somewhere i’ve always wanted to visit, ever since i was a child
My son is really getting into Japanese music, City Pop and Japanese Jazz and we would love to know more about the culture
Sushi and their food in general
I read a lot of classic Japanese fiction, and that’s really brought home to me just how different Japanese culture is to ours, not just the rituals but how people reason, and make decisions, and judge situations. It’s really fascinating stuff!
Mindful Rituals: Practices like the tea ceremony embody respect, patience, and mindfulness — qualities that feel grounding in today’s fast world
There are so many things I’d love to see in Japan including the natural scenery and the cities. I love kawaii things and would like to buy something really unusual from a vending machine.
They have respect for the oled people
The Japanese seem generally polite and it would be great to experience their culture.
Japan is so different from Europe that I’d like to find out more about their culture and even more so their outlook on life
I like their notion of respect.
I love Anime
Anime, tea ceremony and noodles
Anime, tea and noddles
I love Japanese culture and the people are very polite. We could learn a lot from them.
The Japanese culture is so different to the rest of the world, and that alone makes it fascinating.
would love to visit Tashirojima (cat island) it must be like heaven with all the kitties ,but would love to do the trip from north to south through japan and ride the Bullet Trains
I’d love to try proper traditional food
I’ve been to Japan twice (last went in June!). I just love how clean it is, how uniquely Japanese it is and of course…the food!
Great artists and writers.
I think the Japanese are friendly, polite and modest which is nice.
I would love to visit Kyoto during blossom season & see the Geisha!
I love the ceremonies inherent in Japanese culture!
I also enjoy Japanese animé films!
Japan looks absolutely beautiful have always wanted to go there.
I love the art of the Japanese
I love history and I have always been interested in ancient Japanese history, especially the art, it’s beautiful
I find ancient Japanese culture really fascinating and there’s a lot to learn from it!
Japanese respect people.
the people are so nice, I have been twice in the early 90s and if I wasn’t now scared of flying I#d live there
The culture is so different to my own
I really admire Japan’s sense of responsibility and community, the fact you barely have to even think about street crime and that people don’t litter and clean up after themselves.
Their culture is fascinating as is their food which in some places is cooked there and then right at your table
Would love to see the Cherry Blossom x
Love Japanese art
Geisha girls and Sumo along with the wonderfully polite people
What attracts me most to Japan is the philosophy of resilience — ‘nana korobi ya oki,’ fall seven times, rise eight.
Where to start. I think with Japan it’s the culture and traditions so very different to the UK. Also the beauty of the places and art.
As a lifelong cat lover, I love that cats are the most popular lucky charm in Japanese culture.
I’m an ESL teacher, and most of my students are Japanese. I want to show them that I truly value and appreciate their culture. I believe learning more about Japan will help me connect with them on a deeper level, spark interesting conversations, and create more engaging English lessons. It’s a win-win for both my teaching and their learning!
My father travelled to many parts of the world as he was in the Merchant Navy, but his favourite country was Japan. As Dad passed away when I was a child, it’s always been a place that I would like to visit to see what he loved so much.
I loved Japan – after being in China, everything was so clean. Loved the sights, the food, the people – it was great.
I’m intrigued by the ancient customs and survival of crafts that focus on expertise and time well spent. Oh, and the delicious food!
Japan’s natural beauty
The Japanese always seem so calm and controlled. Learning how to be inscrutable can have many benefits in this hectic world.
I have always been fascinated by colourful fashion of Japan. The Harajuku girls unique style and th geisha. All so beautiful
I love Japanese culture, food and ways of living. I’m really interested in their zen ways of thinking and I love how friendly the locals are. I’ve travelled a lot to Asia, but I’ve been saving Japan for when I can visit for a longer and more in depth trip… hopefully very soon!
I love the tales of the old samurai, legends such as Miyamoto Musashi and the land and areas that they walked on.
Everything about Japan is just so different to the UK. The food is amazing whether you are in a city centre hotel or a tiny family run ryokan in the mountains, the transport runs to time, and the people are super friendly, kind and love to practice their English on you!
I’m fascinated by Japan and Japanese culture. I’m looking forward to my second trip to Japan in 2026 and would love to win a copy of The Wisdom of Ancient Japan!