Tokyo: Exploring the City of the Shogun [Paperback]

Sumiko Enbutsu (Author), Katsuhito Nakazato (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 2007

Tens of thousands of tourists and businesspeople visit Tokyo every year. Japans modern capital stands before them, but almost everyone asks, Where are the traditional Japanese sites?

Following the pattern of Kodanshas popular Kyoto: Seven Paths to the Heart of the City, Tokyo: Exploring the City of the Shogun reveals the hidden, traditional side of modern-day Tokyo. This charming, full-color book serves as a gorgeous photographic journey through Tokyo and a unique guide to the old districts of the city, including the haunts of the shoguns samurai in days past. Author Enbutsu fondly relates the history of the shoguns Tokyo as she guides readers through some classic, often unknown sites. Included for the first time in full color are the frequently overlooked neighborhoods of Yanaka, the sumo quarters, an old temple town, a riverside settlement, and more.

In addition to an abundance of traditional sights, Enbutsu also introduces traditional craftspeople (makers of taiko drums, dolls, biwa, and so on) and classic, well-known restaurants (soba, sushi, tempura, tofu, etc.), making the readers virtual or actual tour of Tokyo an unforgettable visual experience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... this book is so beautiful, you'll want to display it on your coffee table, but the information in it is so detailed - with walking tours of the historic districts of the city, maps and tips about where to find the finest artisans and even the best restaurants - it seems as if it would be a mistake to leave it behind." -The San Francisco Chronicle

About the Author

Sumiko Enbutsu is the author of four guidebooks to the Tokyo area and was a longtime travel columnist for the Japan Times. This is her first book to appear in English.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha USA (April 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770030339
• ISBN-13: 978-4770030337
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Travel > Asia > Japan

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Leave Home Without It, February 27, 2009

By 

Mary Jane Marshall (New Orleans) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tokyo: Exploring the City of the Shogun (Paperback)

This is a must guide when you visit Tokyo. The book is incredibly beautiful for a paperback book and a superb guide. Each historic walk is clearly directed including which exit to use from the subway/train station. Along the way she points out interesting architecture, history, shops and restaurants. My favorite walk was the last one in the book, Yanaka-Nezu, an area unaffected by the 1923 earthquake and WWII. I was carrying the book under my arm while in the basket shop mentioned in the book. The shop keeper spied it and squealed with delight. The basket made by a third generation maker under construction when photographed for the book was completed and on display in the shop along with other baskets made by all three men. The book was on display next to this opened to the page with the photographed basket.

Asakusa is another favorite walk and although I had been here twice before had not experienced through a guided eye. We also toured the Palace Gardens, the first tour in the book.

Also I would highly recommend the authors second book, A Flower Lover's Guide to Tokyo. We just returned from a 10 day stay to visit our son mid February and used these guides to entertain ourselves while he was at work. We did 6 or 7 walks combined from both books. (I have lost track!) And we repeated the Yanaka-Nezu walk to include our son on the weekend. Do ignore the time allowance she gives for each walk as we easily spent a full day on almost each tour as we had the leisure time to do so and just enjoyed it immensely, taking her recommendations for restaurants, museums, art galleries and shopping.

Who would have thought to even look for flowers or that flowers would be so abundant in mid winter....see my review of A Flower Lover's Guide to Tokyo for more. I am still in awe of my recent trip filled with walks off the beaten path.

Both books I consider essential now and look forward to returning to Tokyo in any season for more magnificient walks.