{"product_id":"religion-and-tourism-in-japan-ian-reader-9781350418875","title":"Religion and Tourism in Japan: Intersections, Images, Policies and Problems","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn this study, Ian Reader presents new insights into the relationship between religion \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eand tourism more generally and into the contemporary religious situation in Japan\u003c\/b\u003e. He counteracts scholarship that claims tourism increases religious activity, shows that tourism is a factor in increasing secularization in Japan and draws attention to the role of the state in such contexts. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAlthough the Japanese constitution prohibits the state from promoting religion, this book shows how state agencies nonetheless encourage people to visit religious sites, by presenting them as manifestations of a shared heritage, in ways that distance them from 'religion'. Reader examines theoretical understandings of religion and tourism and presents case studies of famed pilgrimage routes and temples. He shows how Zen monasteries are now 'tourist brands' and pilgrimages are the focus of TV entertainment programmes, portrayed as opportunities to eat sweets. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eExamining the nationalistic rhetoric of nostalgia and unique heritage that underpins the promotion of religious sites, Reader also considers why priests acquiesce in such matters.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Ian Reader\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1350418870\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781350418875\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bloomsbury Academic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/29\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 272\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.84lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.57d","brand":"Ian Reader","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46974575345919,"sku":"9781350418875","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_f5f8f0c6-e6d4-4dda-b3f2-4a08a2297b26.jpg?v=1750875431","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/religion-and-tourism-in-japan-ian-reader-9781350418875","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}