Book Resources
If you’re planning on a trip to Japan in the not-too-distant future and want to make sure you take full advantage of every moment while there you may want to invest in some up-front reading so you can drill down on how to best spend your time while planning your itinerary. Following are a few of the most highly rated books (based on reviews from readers) that you may want to resource and you determine which cities and landmarks are worth visiting and which ones might best be put on reverse for your next visit.
- All-You-Can Japan: Getting the Most Bang For Your Yen (Josh Shulman) is written by an author who has lived, worked, and traveled Japan for over 10 years and knows which locations are hits and which ones are misses. Written with the insight of a local, the book shows you were you can eat inexpensive sushi that is awesome in every regard instead of spending your hard come by travel dollars on over-priced sushi that is mediocre at best. The author points out that the book doesn’t list the “cheapest” travel options, merely the ones that equate to smart choices. One reviewer of this book called it “incredibly useful” and we believe you’ll find it helpful, as well. Also available on Kindle.
- Japan: Eyewitness Travel Guides (DK Publishing) is a whopping 416 pages that is published by what the Chicago Tribune calls “the most graphically exciting and visually pleasing series on the market.” The book covers aspects of Japan’s modern life as well as providing insight into its history, art, and ancient traditions which will serve to only enhance your travel experience. Included are over 800 full-color photographs to truly whet your appetite. One reviewer wrote that publishers “definitely know their audience, and all of the weird and wild parts of the country and its culture are captured.”
- Gateway to Japan (June Kinoshita and Nicholas Palevsky) is broken out into two main sections: History and Culture, and Japan by Region so you can decide which area you are most interested in exploring and navigate that interest in a very manageable way. The book is a colossal 808 pages so you know the author’s not only did their homework, but they’ve provided thoughtful and thorough commentary, as well. One reviewer commented the book as being “without a doubt the most useful and informative guidebook” available.
There are many more, of course; we suggest these three merely as a starting point on your path of exploring the many wonders of Japan, its people, and its history.
