The Rough Guide to Japan Fourth Edition (Rough Guide Travel Guides) (Paperback)

by Jan Dodd (Author), Simon Richmond (Author)
Key Phrases: golden hall, tor road, hase station, World War, Inland Sea, Kansai International (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Rough Guide to Japan provides invaluable advice on everything from getting there (including overland routes) to tracking down the latest and best places to sleep, eat, drink and shop. There is comprehensive coverage of all the major sights – and many off the beaten track - from the northern tip of Hokkaido down to the islands of Okinawa, closer to Taiwan than Tokyo. Full-colour sections introduce manga and anime, arguably Japan’s most successful cultural export, its rich variety of festivals and its stunning traditional gardens. All this is accompanied by in-depth coverage of Japan’s history, religions, arts, movies and music plus a discussion of environmental issues. There are maps of all the main towns and tourist destinations, together with separate colour maps of the Tokyo subway system and the rail network in Osaka.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1056 pages
• Publisher: Rough Guides; 4th edition (March 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843539195
• ISBN-13: 978-1843539193
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,762 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - Makes planning very easy (unlike Lonely Planet), June 28, 2008

By	UC Prof (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

I have been dissapointed with Lonely Planet over the last few years.

So I again bought both Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. This is my last time, from now on Rough Guide it is.

The best thing about the guide is that it organizes information in a way that makes planning very easy. Overview of country, overview of region, overview of town. I planned my two week trip in a matter of hours.

Lonely Planet, in contrast, essentially lists places, one after the other. Unless you follow one of their 5-8 itineraries, the only way you plan your trip is reading the book cover-to-cover.

Also, a friend of mine lived in Japan for 10 years. All the tips he gave me were in the Rough Guide.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely recommended, August 25, 2008

By	Toms Sulmanis - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was first inteding to purchase Lonely Planet on Japan (as on several previous trips). Then I borrowed the previous edition of Rough Guides from a friend. I instantly realized that Rough Guides is far more superior than Lonely Planet. The best thing about it is the introduction of the whole country with 32 must-see places. Each section also has a highlights page with some 8 must-see spots in the particular region. This makes the planning of the trip very easy. Moreover, the information provided in the Rough Guides is much more detailed than in LP. I will definitely choose RG for my next trips.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EXCELLENT SOURCE TO ACCOMPANY THE TRAVELER, February 14, 2009

By	Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This very handy guide may be called 'rough' but at 1056 pages it is not exactly lacking pages or information. It provides 'invaluable' advice on A-Z for an enjoyable stay in Japan. And organization is one of this volume's strongest points. Anyone encountering Japan for the first time, if unorganized, will be in for not only a cultural shock but a practical time one as well. And time is money, but in Japan loss of time means you might not get to see all that you want to see. A guide such as this, with preplanning can and will make all the difference leading to an effective visit.

Living in Japan during the years 1962 through 1964, I have come to rely on the best guides to keep me up to day with contemporary Japan. This guide will be a boon and reward to any who use it. I also rely on the Insight Guide from Discovery but believe this volume, The Rough Guide to Japan, to be equally useful to the traveler. Offering information on sleeping, eating, and shopping it also helps with maps of major towns together with color maps of the Tokyo subway system. As anyone knows whose been there, help getting around Tokyo is always welcome.

That much used phrase "don't leave home without it" might be applied here to this very useful guide. Plus from my initial stay at Kamiseya, the best view you might ever have of Mount Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) may be the cover photo on this travel guide!

Semper Fi.