Best Kyoto Travel Guides

Down the cobbled paths and behind the tranquil noren curtains of Kyoto, the old way of life goes on, nurtured in the restrained furnishings of the traditional inns and in the old shops where fine handmade items still add a touch of quality to life. "Diane Durston ... leads us into the secrets and hidden beauties of the city with a grace and warmth that are themselves reflective of the vanishing traditions they celevrate. "Durston's book is an eloquent look at seven neighborhoods where everyday life in Japan continues despite the crush of modernity...." — Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love learning of the centuries old histories of some of these shops."
"Dealing primarily with food, lodging, and traditional shops, Diane Durston's guidebook is a good starting place when planning a trip to "the Old Capitol" of Kyoto."
"Diane's writing is wonderful!"
"This was my favorite book for learning about Kyoto before going there."
""Old Kyoto" is not a guidebook, but rather an insider's guide on interesting attractions and mom-and-pop shops you should visit if you are in Kyoto for a while."
"I found some of the places described and had varied experiences -- the salesperson in the paper shop seemed to barely tolerate foreign visitors, and in another shop, the elderly owner was delighted to show her brooms."
"Amazing book, well written, I feel like I'm right there with her."

Although it focuses on Tokyo and Kyoto -- the two Japanese cities that most tourists want to visit -- Frommer's EasyGuide to Japan also examines the Japanese locations to which most tourists make day-trips or longer excursions from the two must-sees. Since 2009 she has been a VISIT JAPAN AMBASSADOR, an honorary title awarded by the Japanese government for her contributions in promoting travel in Japan.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I appreciated that the author gave history and cultural backgrounds in the beginning of the book and before each chapter/city, because this really is a complex culture that is so different than Western culture and even other Asian countries I have visited."
"Am a frequent visitor to Japan and the information in the book is spot on and very current and useful."
"We did almost no prior planning for our trip to Japan and became very reliant on this book."
"A very good guide of Japan."
"Perfect book to start my trip to Japan."
"2 dinner orders came to our table and 1 didn't, and we had to ask again and wait a very long time."
"Used it to travel to Japan on two occasions."
"It has scant information on transportation, very few maps that were not very detailed and in some cases, downright inaccurate."

Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer and more rewarding travel experience - including culture, history, performing arts, crafts, architecture, gardens, politics, and tea Free, convenient pull-out Kyoto map (included in print version), plus over 28 neighbourhood maps Covers Arashiyama, Sagano, the Kitayama Area, Northern Higashiyama, Southern Higashiyama, Northwest Kyoto, Downtown Kyoto, Central Kyoto, Kurama, Kibune, Ohara, Takao, the Gion district, Kyoto Station Area, and more. Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Brilliant and extremely useful guide as it happens with most of Lonely Planet guides."
"If you want to bring only one tour book with you on the trip, this is the one."
"Great information; great walking tours."
"A nice clear guide to the area."
"Recommendable even for people living in Japan!"
"This book was too superficial and didn't begin to do justice to such a memorable city."
Best Japanese Travel

Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer and more rewarding travel experience - including culture, history, performing arts, crafts, architecture, gardens, politics, and tea Free, convenient pull-out Kyoto map (included in print version), plus over 28 neighbourhood maps Covers Arashiyama, Sagano, the Kitayama Area, Northern Higashiyama, Southern Higashiyama, Northwest Kyoto, Downtown Kyoto, Central Kyoto, Kurama, Kibune, Ohara, Takao, the Gion district, Kyoto Station Area, and more. Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Brilliant and extremely useful guide as it happens with most of Lonely Planet guides."
"Great information; great walking tours."
"A nice clear guide to the area."
"Recommendable even for people living in Japan!"
"Had all the information I needed."
"This book was too superficial and didn't begin to do justice to such a memorable city."
Best Tokyo Travel Guides

Although it focuses on Tokyo and Kyoto -- the two Japanese cities that most tourists want to visit -- Frommer's EasyGuide to Japan also examines the Japanese locations to which most tourists make day-trips or longer excursions from the two must-sees. Since 2009 she has been a VISIT JAPAN AMBASSADOR, an honorary title awarded by the Japanese government for her contributions in promoting travel in Japan.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I appreciated that the author gave history and cultural backgrounds in the beginning of the book and before each chapter/city, because this really is a complex culture that is so different than Western culture and even other Asian countries I have visited."
"Am a frequent visitor to Japan and the information in the book is spot on and very current and useful."
"We did almost no prior planning for our trip to Japan and became very reliant on this book."
"A very good guide of Japan."
"Perfect book to start my trip to Japan."
"2 dinner orders came to our table and 1 didn't, and we had to ask again and wait a very long time."
"Used it to travel to Japan on two occasions."
"It has scant information on transportation, very few maps that were not very detailed and in some cases, downright inaccurate."
Best General Japan Travel Guides

Spotlighting the originality and creativity of the Japanese, debunking myths about them, and answering nagging questions like why they're so fond of robots, author Hector Garcia has created the perfect book for the growing ranks of Japanophiles in this inspired, insightful and highly informative guide. "Comprehensive and well informed, A Geek in Japan covers a wide array of topics in short articles accompanied by numerous photographs, providing a lively digest of the society and culture of Japan." — Martin Varsavsky, entrepreneur, founder of Fon and Safe Democracy Foundation. Among many topics, A Geek in Japan covers traditional culture, history, character, work, society, manga & anime, music, movies & television, Tokyo, and visiting the rest of Japan. "While not a traditional guidebook, A Geek in Japan certainly makes a reader want to hop on a plane to experience everything firsthand." "Hector Garcia's A Geek in Japan is a lightweight but enjoyable romp through modern Japanese culture, seen through the eyes of its writer, an amazingly inquisitive young Spaniard living in Tokyo."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A must have if you are interested in Japan, want to travel to the country, live there, like technology, manga, history, modern life or if you just want to enjoy a nice, interesting and entertaining book."
"I had read this book already."
"If you have a child that is completely obsessed with Japan this is THE book to buy."
"This book was received probably and was both informational and fun to read."
"Very informative, lots of pictures."
"A Geek in Japan is a 21st century guide to both the traditional aspects of. Japanese culture and the latest in Japanese popular cullture in Tokyo."
"It has a good mix of colorful pictures and actual information that make it perfect as a coffee table book or as a book to actually get some information about Japan."
"I thought the book was for the younger crowd but it is well worth reading for older people as well."