Shifra Horn, the wife an Israeli diplomat, provides a colorful, if somewhat generalized, account of her five years in Japan. A teacher of Hebrew, Ms. Horn's scrupulous relationships with her students stand in contrast to many of her shocking observations, including the country's seemingly endless fascination with pornography, the affordability and availability of sex-change operations, dinners that cost $1,000, computerized toilets, and sex clubs that allow audience to join in with the performers. Though her descriptions will surprise those unfamiliar with Japanese culture, Ms. Horn often neglects comment on the rich traditions and subtleties of her adopted home in exchange for indiscriminate stereotypes and tabloid-style hype.