Mushishi is a television series about a man wandering across medieval Japan and helping people who have strange problems caused by spirit-creatures called mushi.
About the show:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushishi
The show is very slow and quiet and episodic. It's all about mood and atmosphere. There is no real plot, just interesting character sketches of the people that the man helps, and the bizarre (medical) problems that the spirits cause.
I really like the show. Does anyone know of any novels like this? (Not the manga, thanks!)