In memory of Dr. Valene L. Smith

Valene L. Smith is best known as the editor of the successful book Hosts and Guests: The Anthropology of Tourism. Her life was dedicated to the anthropological study of tourism. In this article commemorating her life, I look at her work, particularly from the Japanese context in which I developed my anthropological study of tourism. This year, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Hosts and Guests. A classic book like this will be read and updated by successive generations around the world.