JAPAN - TRAVEL GUIDES

“I loved the quiet places in Kyoto, the places that held the world within a windless moment. Inside the temples, Nature held her breath. All longing was put to sleep in the stillness, and all was distilled into a clean simplicity.  The smell of woodsmoke, the drift of incense; a procession of monks in black-and-gold robes, one of them giggling in a voice yet unbroken; a touch of autumn in the air, a sense of gathering rain."
- Pico Iyer, Video Night in Kathmandu

TRAVELING TO JAPAN

Japan is a unique place, a blend of an ultra-modern society with ancient traditions.  Most visit Tokyo, the capital and a city of over 13 million people, known for its shopping and pop culture.  More adventurous visitors get to explore the rest of this island nation, with its beautiful topography, imperial palaces, and numerous shrines and temples.  Here are our recommendations for the best travel books for Japan.

A5 RECOMMENDATIONS

111 Places in Tokyo That You Shouldn't Miss

Tokyo is an extraordinary city with a rich culture full of tradition, and a lot of things to see and do that aren’t readily accessible to foreigners.  One of the better books for someone who wants a more authentic local experience is the 111 Places That You Must Not Miss guide.  111 Places provides insider-type ideas not normally found in other travel guides, with recommendations on historic places, interesting neighborhoods, secret gardens, the coolest cafes, and more. 

National Geographic Traveler: Japan

National Geographic produces a beautiful book on Japan for travelers.  As always, the photography is stunning, making the book both a good planning tool and a good souvenir.  Japan travel expert Perrin Lindelauf includes solid practical information on Tokyo and all of the eight main islands, with detailed suggestions on city walks and driving tours.  The book also covers the historical and cultural background on the Age of the Samurai, Geisha, Shinto and the Blue Zone of Okinawa.  

Lonely Planet: Japan

Japan is a wonderful travel destination, with both amazing large cities and stunning natural beauty.  We recommend taking along the Lonely Planet guidebook.  Known for the depth of their coverage and for the strength of their local knowledge, Lonely Planet does help travelers experience the essence of the country and make the most of their trip.  They also provide a guide for Tokyo that is good for those just visiting the city.

Food Sake Tokyo

One of the best guides to Japanese food and the gourmet delights of Tokyo comes from the famous chef and journalist Yukari Sakamoto.  In her book Food Sake Tokyo, she provides guidance on ingredients, traditional dishes and customs on all things culinary, including tips on how to select sushi, how to find cheap eats, how to choose sake.  As Anthony Bourdain says about the food in Japan, "This is a great country.  Every chef I know wants to die here."  This book will help both visitors and locals experience the best food Tokyo has to offer

Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha is an amazingly believable but fictional novel telling the story of Chiyo, a girl who grows up to be one of the more famous geishas in Kyoto, Japan.  The book paints a very interesting picture of the customs of this time, although there are questions about the historical accuracy.  Narrated in the first person, it is a very suspenseful and engaging book.  Click here for our review of Memoirs of a Geisha.

Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats, and Ramen

Cartoonist Abby Denson shares her thoughts on cultural customs and fun things to do in Japan in her quirky guidebook, Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen.  The book is comic book style but packed with helpful insider’s type information on Japanese food, shopping, festivals, and other great things to do.  Perfect for teenagers.