Customer Reviews

Frommer's Tokyo (Frommer's Complete Guides)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I got the 7th edition of this book and I thought it was great! I lived in Tokyo for over 7 months and I used the book all the time to get around! I would map out my destination on the subway map and follow it all the way there and back! The directions that I got for each walking tour were great...minus one little spot, the Yanaka walking tour was nice until the last stop. But other than that I thought the directions were spot on giving which exit to leave the subway and giving prices for everything. The book is kind of thick for daytime travel but all the info was great. One of the bars that I frequented, the owner saw I had pulled out the book told me of the woman who came in to verify the info. I loved it and am so glad I got it! I'm sure to take it back with me when I go back in a few months.

With straight-forward descriptions and commentary (typical ofFrommer's guides), this is a very comprehensive guide to Tokyo. I'vespent the past 6 weeks living and working in Tokyo, using this book to guide my weekend adventures. The places/attractions, etc. I've visited--based on Frommer's Tokyo suggestions--have even impressed coworkers (Tokyo natives). Two drawbacks: The maps are a bit lacking and the "walking tour" directions are a bit confusing, even for those who are not directionally-challenged. Note: I also purchased the Frommer's Japan guide and after comparing its Tokyo section to the Frommer's Tokyo guide, I realized that the Japan guide is equally comprehensive. END

My daughter and I used the 9th Edition of Frommer's Tokyo on our recent trip to Japan. We found it to be well written, easy to use with very down to earth suggestions. Since neither of us had any prior knowledge of Tokyo, it was invaluable. We had a most enjoyable week, but we wouldn't have had so many wonderful experiences without this guide.

Just went to Tokyo and took this book with me. The few places they reccommend that I went to were just ok. I suggest getting a book for all of Japan as this book only covers Tokyo and there were several places or Kui in "Tokyo" that I went to that weren't even covered in the book, that were very interesting!

Japan is a great place to Visit!!

Though I don't have my copy in front of me to verify, I seem to recall that the book actually lists the Kanji for the names of hard to find restaurants in the back section, making it easy to find restaurants without English names. I just thought I'd throw that out there so nobody was misled by the other review.

I do agree that there is a decided lack of maps. I was able to find my way through the city but not without taking a few wrong turns. Still, I liked asking for directions. It will give you a chance to practice your Japanese.

Frommer's: Japan IS just as comprehensive as Frommer's: Tokyo though. There's really no need to buy this book unless you're going to be spending the entirety of your trip in the capital. If you are going to Japan for anything other than business, please go someplace like Kyoto or even just a quick trip to Hakone. You won't regret it.

I'm usually a big fan of Frommer's guidebook style, except this once, I actually wished I got the Lonely Planet's. In this edition places of interest were arranged under categories of museums, shopping, sports etc, which is normal but I wish they'd have it arrange under different areas/ neighborhoods too. For example, if I'm in a certain area, I'd want to visit all of everything that's within that area to avoid traveling back and forth. Another thing is, when it gave the subway stops to places of interest, it fails to mention which subway LINE which can be confusing because Tokyo has so many different subway companies.

I bought this and the Bilingual Tokyo street map book before my trip to Japan.

The key to this book is to read it through and through, make notes and plan your trip BEFORE you actually travel to Tokyo. If you think you can just buy this and go to Tokyo, you'll have a hard time.

This book also made it seems more difficult to navigate Tokyo than it really is. I wonder if the writer is one of those person who always seem to get lost everywhere they go.

I also recommend double-checking the prices and location of places and their opening hours, even when following this book's walking trips.

Here's one example: too see the Tsukiji fish auction, you now have to be there and register before 4:30AM. If you follow the instruction on the book, you will be too late and won't be able to see the fish auction. Then you will probably want to have a SUPER LOOONG sushi breakfast (maybe order 10 sushi sets) on the outer market, because no other place will be open until 9AM (including the Hamarikyu garden, the next leg of walking trip).

Here's another example: the book mentions about variety of food you can buy from the basement floor of department stores for cheap. Here's the truth: price is not cheap, but if you're a glutten like me, you'd probably buy everything you see there since they all look so tasty and strange. This easily double or tripple the the cost of dining at restaurants.
The book has one major mistake: it doesn't tell you where you can EAT the tons of food you just bought from the supermarket! You can't eat or drink on the streets of Tokyo, it ain't dirty LA or pigsty SF. The answer is, most department stores will have a floor or an area where you can sit and eat the food - such as roof terrace or roof garden.
If you buy the food from local supermarket or convenient store, go find a local park (usually nearby), you can eat and drink with comfort there. The food found at this places are usually cheap and decent enough as fillings, you can borrow the microwave provided there as well.

Another miss: a lot of the smaller restaurants (if you like me, you'll feel compelled to always eat at those places instead of the big ones with english menus) are very easy to understand. You go to the machine to pay, insert your money, push the button of the food that you want (always have pictures), then out comes the ticket and change. Sit down, give the ticket to the propietor, and enjoy your local (non-chain/touristy) food.

The book organization is very chaotic and not quite logical. It requires you to jump through the sections. I relied a lot on the index page, because finding information would be too hard otherwise. This is probably the first time I ever use the index page of any book!
It also puts important sections (such as simple Japanese phrases, very easy to learn and a MUST!) on the few last sections of the book.
Suggestion to the writer: remove or separate all the fancy smancy touristy hotels and restaurant information (they're just a waste of space). People who care enough to buy this book, probably don't care about them anyway. Organize the walks separately than the district informations, duplicate information is better than scattered information.

I give it a 4 star because it's plenty of information. One best feature is the easy/simplified subway & railway map behind the last cover page. I was able to navigate myself to a lot of places relying on just that one page of the book.
The bilingual tokyo map book? it remained inside the bag 99% of the time.

My companion and I tried to use this book in Tokyo (since we purchased it and felt that we had to get full value). Needless to say the maps were horrible (placements of the restaurants, hotels and sites on the maps were incorrect). They also have the horrible habit of putting only the english names (hello!!!, we're in Japan) of the restaurants/sites/hotels in the book so when you try to find the place - you may walk past it endlessly until you ask every stranger on the street. Unless you're going to stick to the most basic tourist areas where everything is translated for the gaijin, don't even think about this book. On the other hand, if you like to meet strangers, this is an excellent excuse. [Eventually we broke down and had to buy another travel guide]

Got this several weeks before a three day trip to Tokyo. Needed something to help us make the most of our time there. Had a nice little section about things to do in three days. That matched up well with the recommendations from our hotel. Using both sources gave us plenty of info.
Transit section was useful, but you need to experience the metro transit system to really grasp the way it all works.
We had a great time there and this book contributed to it.

Having just returned from Tokyo, I couldn't recommend this book any higher.. It's the best..