No comments about Japan (Thomas Cook Travellers).

No comments about Japan: The Pocket Guide 1960.

No comments about Hirosige and Japanese Landscapes..

No comments about All aboard for sunrise lands: A trip thru California across the Pacific to Japan, China, and Australia.

No comments about The true face of Japan ;: A Japanese upon Japan,.

3 comments about Insight Guides: Japan (Insight Guide Japan).

1. This book will tell you everything you need to know about Japan. I live in Tokyo, and it'll teel you that it is the largest city in the world, the most populated, and probably have the most cars you willl ever see. This book is something you should you for people going to Japan as a tour guide to hep them understand the Japanese cultures, and major tourists sites in Japan. So ig your ever planning a trip somewhere in the orient or planning on movie in Japan, read this book before getting there. It will help you a lot.



2. This book is very useful for someone, like me, who lives in Tokyo and needs a bit of inspiration to get up at the weekend and drag themselves out to see a bit more of Japan. If you're planning a trip and not sure where to go - this book will also be useful. It is full of very beautiful pictures.

   It's not, however enough on its own to be used as a guidebook. Maps are too small, listings too brief and it lacks sufficient practical advice on coping with day to day life. For people coming to Japan to live or travel I would recommend this book as part of a selection of books to take. If you don't have the luxury of choosing several books then this may not be suitable. On the other hand if you're just sat at home wondering where to spend your next holiday - it would be a good buy.

   If you are coming to live in Japan then I recommend: Being a Broad in Japan (by Caroline Pover) which is aimed at women, but probably useful for all travellers, to give you the practical side of things.




3. 
   
   I lived in Japan on the Kanto Plain between Tokyo-Yokohama from October, 1962 through November, 1964 just prior to the 18th Olympiad in Tokyo. I roamed all over the Tokyo-Yokohama area south on The Tokaido Road to Hakone and Kamakura. Only wished I had had a book such as this to aid in my travels.
   
   With my experience in the land of the Rising Sun I do not know what this book will be like to one never being there, but I would suggest one at least browse it for one's self rather than taking another's opinion.
   
   Japan is a very diverse and interesting country, however, its culture base is much different than ours. While very western in outward appearance, it's still very much traditional Japan. One needs all the aid one can get when entering its yet exotic world.
   
   Sayonara.
   
   Semper Fi.

1 comments about Japan (AA Explorer).

1. There is the sad thing: sometimes big corporations like AA (and they ARE big in UK, selling everything from roadside rescue to insurance to travel booking) think they can also be publishers and sell books on the strength of their very strong brand.

   I can almost see them coming up with the idea. "Let's get someone to write this stuff, we'll get some nice pictures from agency libraries, some kinda map, and bingo!" Sorry, it doesn't work like this. You need some knowledge and experience and skills in travel writing business, and just because it's a big business and you're a big company does not guarantee success.

   The book does not position itself anywhere, really. It tries to be as pictorial as Eyewitness Guide or Insight Guide but there is a distinct feeling of everything done in a hurry and on tight budget.

   As for practicalities, it doesn't even try. It's just an eclectic collection of semi-relevant factoids. You could write a guide like this without ever actually going to the country.

   And for maps - who called them "clear"? They're awful. I could draw you a better map myself, and I am no cartographer. Map depicting a river and a dozen of main streets? Wow, that's helpful, thank you very much. It's good these guys are not in charge of defence or anything serious; on this occasion, they stayed in the business of producing a bad guidebook which hopefully not many people will buy.

   Avoid like a plague.

No comments about JAPAN THE POCKET GUIDE.

No comments about The Orient Express Shopping Guide.

No comments about Japan (Eyewitness Travel Guide).