Tokyo for Free [Paperback]

Susan Pompian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 1998

Tokyo has long held the dubious honor of being one of the world's most expensive travel destinations, and not without reason. The rising yen and Japan's full-throttle economic boom combined to thrust the price of entertainment and sight-seeing in Japan's capital sky high. But as the "New York of the Orient," Tokyo's sights and sounds are must-dos for any modern-day traveler.

Now comes Tokyo for Free, a thorough survey of over 300 attractions of traditional and modern Japan - 11 absolutely free. Included are visits to the Imperial Palace, dynamic martial arts bouts, classic gardens and temples, contemporary sculpture gardens, antique markets, traditional and "boutique" museums, and a sake tasting room, to name but a few.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

SUSAN POMPIAN holds a degree in anthropology and a Master of Arts in Travel and Tourism Administration. After a number of years in the travel industry, Pompian turned to freelance writing, specializing in travel, current events, and human-interest themes. She divides her time between Tokyo and her home town of Washington, D.C.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha USA (March 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770020538
• ISBN-13: 978-4770020536
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,822,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Becoming Out of Date, March 9, 2005

By 

Kenneth Rubotzky (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tokyo for Free (Paperback)

I recently used this book to supplement my trip to Tokyo (March 2005). Of the four items I picked to see, none were still there or were lacking an essential item. Not speaking Japanese, directions in the native language did not reveal the new location. I ended up wasting many hours. The publisher last issued this book in 1998. This is a shame since this book amply describes a plethora of places, and gives careful directions to each. After my fourth failure I sadly cast the book aside. Careful directions in Tokyo are a blessing. Most of the venues in the book are not mentioned in the major travel books. The publisher and author would do well to offer an email or Web-accessible forum. The address in the book for snail mail fails to entice me to send an update.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovative and upbeat, not your usual guidebook., May 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tokyo for Free (Paperback)

This is definitely not your average guidebook. Rather than just a listing of the usual tourist destinations, Tokyo for Free gave me insight into what living in Japan would really be like. On earlier trips there I never had the courage to venture out on my own. But by following Ms. Pompian's advice and great directions (I don't speak any Japanese), I was able to attend a real Japanese shrine festival and even visit some fascinating little off-beat museums. I kept it with me all the time. Highly recommend it for anyone who is even thinking about going to Japan.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Travel guides should all be this good!, December 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tokyo for Free (Paperback)

Amazing book..we have been 'on the road' for years and this is the easiest, best guide we have ever used in 40 years! Now we are hoping that other exciting cities will also have a guide like this...not necessarily for 'free' but organized in this manner!