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"Whether you want to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto, speed through the countryside aboard a shinkansen, or shop til you drop in futuristic Shibuya, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all Japan has to offer. Japan is a land of contrast--think tranquil Zen gardens and peaceful pagodas, neon-lit cities and robot restaurants. Cities might be the first things that spring to mind when you think of Japan, but the countryside is just as epic. There's the iconic Mount Fuji, bubbling hot springs, unspoiled beaches and adrenaline-packed ski resorts. And if that wasn't enough to entice you to visit, there's the food--unctuous noodles, delicate sushi and warming hotpots. Our updated guide brings Japan to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the country's iconic buildings and neighborhoods. We've also worked hard to make sure our information is as up-to-date as possible following the COVID-19 outbreak"--… (more)
User reviews
The guide begins with some broad overviews of Japan, covering the country's history, art, culture, and religion. It then breaks into sections that focus on each of the main regions: a large Tokyo section, Central Honshu, Kyoto City, Western Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa, Northern Honshu, and Hokkaido. Within those sections, the guide provides a map of the area, with notable sights marked out on the map. The following pages then offer descriptions of the noted sites, some brief, some longer. Tokyo, as the main destination, receives a much larger section, and is itself broken down into different regions, with each region given its own map.
After the section that focuses on attraction sites, the guide moves into a new unit called "Traveler's Needs", which covers food, hotels, shopping, and special attractions like hot springs and amusement parks. Just as the prior section began with an overview of Japanese culture and history, this section also contains several broad overviews that frame the advice on where to eat, stay, and shop. Of particular help was the careful break down of the kinds of Japanese restaurants and the types of Japanese food sold at each, and the various sorts of accommodations available, from ryokan to capsule hotels. These descriptions are followed with extensive lists, again sorted by region. The book concludes with some travel tips, such as what to do in health emergencies and how to handle currency.
Fortunately, all of this information is presented in a very attractive package. The book uses plenty of maps, cross sections, and photographs to help readers clearly visualize what they are reading about. Also, each section is broken into small chunks of information, which makes it easier to process and organize. As always, the production values in a DK book are top of the line.
The most important question, of course, is how does a travel book work when it comes to actual travel. In this case, it worked very well. I read the book prior to our two week trip to Japan, and I found it a very valuable resource as I planned, prepared, and booked various hotels and tours. Furthermore, reading the extra materials, such as the historical overview and the explanation of food and restaurants, familiarized me with a lot of cultural information concerning Japan. It also made me even more excited for the trip! I highly recommend this travel guide to anyone looking for a book that covers the entire country of Japan. It is thorough, well organized, and easy to read.