Japan: Travel Survival Kit

by Ian McQueen and Robert Strauss

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0864422377
• ISBN13: 9780864422378
• Release Date: September 1994
• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Length: 804 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

great travel guide

I absolutely loved this book. I took the shinkansen (bullet train) all over Japan and so it was good guidance to visit all the cities I traveled to : Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Oita. I was able to find all the cheap places to stay and met cool people along the way. The folks who criticized the city maps do have a point. For example, I was trying to find a dumpling place in Kyoto recommended by LP but it was so hard to make out where it was in the map. I finally found it half hour later but it was worth it. You have to realize that most streets in Japan are not numbered like it is in the US so finding the exact store can be trying at times. In finding maps for a particular city, i would go to the local tourist office which gave detailed info. This is my first LP book and overall, i found it to be a very good reference.

Coming to live in Japan ? Then buy this book.

This book is all you need to survive in Japan. Having been living in Osaka for near on 18 months I couldn't have done without the sixth edition, a clear, well written book and well categorised. Its a little bit heavy though to be honest, especially when travelling and hopping on and off trains, but that's because it covers all areas of Japan. Its worth the effort though. If you are coming to Japan for a short period of time for a holiday and just staying within one area, then its probably not for you. If you're coming to travel through Japan or to live here, then its a must.

The one book you NEED to come to Japan

After spending about 3 weeks in Japan with this as my only guide book, I can honestly say you NEED to buy this book before traveling to Japan. I didn't make it to Tokyo, but I did go to Kyoto and Hiroshima, and this was great for both places. It also serves as sort of a mini-travel dictionary in a pinch as well as a quick guide to cultural practices. Just a note on how to put it to best use. I would glance through the first 25 or so pages before coming to Japan, and then read about each area you visit in more depth the day before going there. As far as using it for hotels, it's great. But I wouldn't worry too much about using it to find places to eat. You'll probably do better on your own (and have a few more adventures!).

Required reading for an enjoyable trip

My own recent experience with LPJ is very similar to the other positive reviews submitted by readers. I attended a scientific conference in Sapporo as a first-time visitor to Japan. By judicious reference to the book, my friends and I felt comfortable in what was to us an exotic locale. Indeed, it became a cliche for someone to yell "check the book!" anytime we were confused or unsure about something, and I quickly grew to depend on it when visiting shops and restaurants. LPJ devotes most of its space to the bigger cities, but it still manages to give a reasonable introduction to less familiar destinations in Japan.

The best tour guide in Japan could use this book

I was lucky when I went to Japan because my sister had already been living there for almost two years, just the same, I wanted to do all the research. In looking at all the information on the web and reading several tour guides, LONELY PLANET really stood out. By using this book, I found things that my sister had never heard of -- some of which were right in front of her face. By the time we had spent my 10 days there, we had seen the real world of Japan as well as the tourist sites. The book was so helpful that my sister requested it stay with her. She used it extensively as did I for return trips. As another review pointed out, LP does a great job of describing individual locations (and giving you good landmarks to make the trip low stress) both in the big cities and small towns. The things which stand out for me were the hints on the public baths and hot springs, staying at Buddhist temples, tips on the crowds of school kids that hit in May, cultural events like the bunraku, etc. We've bought the updated version since that first trip and each time find some thing new and exciting. This publisher is the first one I turn to for all my travel.