Rob Goss

I’m a British author and writer based in Tokyo. Whether feature length or short, I like to tell stories. In the past that has meant spending time with farmers on the remote Oki Islands to learn about bull sumo, looking into Okinawan longevity, traditional washi and the old Tokaido road for National Geographic, and attempting to interview the cat that saved a Japanese railway for the BBC. I also enjoy more in-depth projects. That’s included a long-form piece of historical writing for Narratively/Smithsonian about the island of Dejima during Japan’s isolationist era: the only story I’ll likely ever write that begins with a mass crucifixion and ends with a family torn apart by scandal.

I’ve authored and co-authored a dozen books, including The Japanese Inn, a handful of Lonely Planet guides, the 2018 NATJA Gold Awarding-winning Japan Traveler’s Companion, and Another Japan (Gestalten 2026), a book with photographer Irwin Wong that looks at community, rejuvenation, and cultural preservation in non-urban Japan. I’ve also updated and contributed to another 30 books on Japan for Lonely Planet, Fodors and others. Occasionally, I work with companies such as National Geographic Creativeworks and CNN Create on branded content and content marketing projects.

Besides the constant search for a good story, my current long-term projects include a collection of haiku and a book (still in its infancy) about historic journeys in Japan. I’ve started writing scripts too. My short Nine to Death (I promise it isn’t a straight-to-DVD Seagal movie) has been nominated at several international film festivals.

Contact

rob@robgosswriter.com

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