- Paperback: 868 pages
- Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 10th Revised edition edition (1 Oct 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 174104667X
- ISBN-13: 978-1741046670
- Product Dimensions: 18.9 x 14.7 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
160,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #68 in Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Asia > Japan
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Best for curious and independent-minded travelers' --Wall Street Journal
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A special new chapter on skiing in Japan covers costs, what to bring, what to expect, and where to go; specific and expanded information on ski resorts throughout the guide (the most in-depth information on the market). It provides expanded coverage of Okinawa and Southwest islands - the little-known tropical side of Japan; including dive spots and beaches not covered by the competition. It includes new colour highlights of Japan, chosen by travellers, Lonely Planet staff, and authors.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I travel to 2-3 new destinations per year, always relying in the Lonely Planet travel guides. When I decided to go to Japan this spring, we ordered the newest country guide from Amazon. I am sorry to say: this guide was disappointing. It lacks basic information that usually the Lonely Planet guides have. Probably Japan is not an easy country for writing a travel guide about (and given the astonishing choices of places to visit, to eat, etc., it is not straightforward to write such a book), but some of the recommended places were not, by far, the best choices. Don't get me wrong, this guide has also very good suggestions and information, but compared to other Lonely Planets... it just did not live up with my expectations.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Just returned from 2 weeks in Japan with 2 teens, using only this book. Visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. The Tokyo section we found quite good and we only got lost using its maps twice in 6 days (in Asakusa and Akihabara areas). Oddly the subway map doesn't seem to show all the stops on the Yurikamome Line (which you take to see ASIMO and other robots at Miraikan Museum). Fortunately took Tokyo City atlas with us as well.
Our main criticism is that the Kyoto section we felt underinformed us as to the most important sights in the city and we ended up missing some wonders. The orientation section at the beginning doesn't list key sights, just says it is difficult to recommend and to visit east, northwest and southwest areas! Quite a cop-out really and this left us struggling to know what to choose to visit from the vast array of temples and gardens in the limited time we had. We needed some guidance! i.e. of the type 'if you have 3 days in Kyoto do not miss'. Also there are apparently some good things for teens to do in Kyoto - the Geisha make-over studio, the Manga Museum - but we didn't hear about these from the guidebook. There is an emphasis on travelling by bus in the Kyoto section with scanty info on the tube - but we found the tube far easier to use and less confusing than the bus.
The mobile phone section buried in the back of the guide tells you how to hire a mobile but doesn't make clear that apparently UK mobiles don't work in Japan at all - unless they are 3G. So it was impossible for us all to split up and do different things during the day. We would have hired local mobiles at the airport on arrival, had we known this was essential.
Buried in the back of the book it tells you to buy your JR Pass before you go to Japan. The subsequent info given is slightly incorrect in that it tells you that the clock starts ticking on the pass as soon as you validate it in Japan. In fact you can validate it on arrival at the airport with a travel start date several days in the future.
Overall this book was fairly helpful but with incomplete info on some essential basics (mobiles, JR Pass) for a newcomer to Japan. The Kyoto section needs clear guidance on what not to miss. Sections on what to do with teenagers in the cities we visited would also be a helpful addition.
Our main criticism is that the Kyoto section we felt underinformed us as to the most important sights in the city and we ended up missing some wonders. The orientation section at the beginning doesn't list key sights, just says it is difficult to recommend and to visit east, northwest and southwest areas! Quite a cop-out really and this left us struggling to know what to choose to visit from the vast array of temples and gardens in the limited time we had. We needed some guidance! i.e. of the type 'if you have 3 days in Kyoto do not miss'. Also there are apparently some good things for teens to do in Kyoto - the Geisha make-over studio, the Manga Museum - but we didn't hear about these from the guidebook. There is an emphasis on travelling by bus in the Kyoto section with scanty info on the tube - but we found the tube far easier to use and less confusing than the bus.
The mobile phone section buried in the back of the guide tells you how to hire a mobile but doesn't make clear that apparently UK mobiles don't work in Japan at all - unless they are 3G. So it was impossible for us all to split up and do different things during the day. We would have hired local mobiles at the airport on arrival, had we known this was essential.
Buried in the back of the book it tells you to buy your JR Pass before you go to Japan. The subsequent info given is slightly incorrect in that it tells you that the clock starts ticking on the pass as soon as you validate it in Japan. In fact you can validate it on arrival at the airport with a travel start date several days in the future.
Overall this book was fairly helpful but with incomplete info on some essential basics (mobiles, JR Pass) for a newcomer to Japan. The Kyoto section needs clear guidance on what not to miss. Sections on what to do with teenagers in the cities we visited would also be a helpful addition.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
We take both this Lonely Planet and the Rough Guide on our Japanese road trips, allowing us to compare them side by side. And two ARE better than one, since the authors make different choices about what to cover.
During our latest four-week visit, however, we concluded that this Lonely Planet just can't compete with its rival.
Too often, its decisions about what to emphasise and what to exclude are downright eccentric. Moreover, there is an annoying style in some regional chapters - humorous or sarcastic parenthetical comments that add no information and feel like padding.
The Rough Guide, by comparison, is more straightforward. If you can afford and have room for both, that's probably still the best option. If not, though, Lonely Planet would not be the first choice.
During our latest four-week visit, however, we concluded that this Lonely Planet just can't compete with its rival.
Too often, its decisions about what to emphasise and what to exclude are downright eccentric. Moreover, there is an annoying style in some regional chapters - humorous or sarcastic parenthetical comments that add no information and feel like padding.
The Rough Guide, by comparison, is more straightforward. If you can afford and have room for both, that's probably still the best option. If not, though, Lonely Planet would not be the first choice.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Still not recieved it, so how can I review it?????
Despite waiting for over one month, this book still hasn't arrived. I'm sure it's a good book, but thanks to Amazon, I'll probably never know.
Published 20 months ago by Bookless
LP - quality and detail as usual
I got this because it was the most recently updated Japan guide I could find at the time. It's the usual good standard LP seem to be able to give across their travel guide range,... Read more
Published 21 months ago by PE
as comprehensive as can be!
While I cannot comment on the restaurant/accomodation listings, I was completely happy with the book concerning directions, information on the sights etc, as well as the maps- as... Read more
Published 22 months ago by pavotrouge
Good on Kyoto and Tokyo, terrible for off the beaten track
We went to Japan on a three week break, going to Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Osaka, Kyoto and Takayama. This was the only guide book that we took, unfortunately. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Irmani Darlington
Japan Lonely Planet
Not only is this a good travel guide for the whole of Japan, covering all levels of accommodation, restaurants, festivals, museums and sights and other general travel information,... Read more
Published on 28 May 2010 by Spider Monkey
Travel Guides
I always choose Lonely Planet Guides for my touring holidays. I like the format and layout of the books. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Michael Claydon
Guidebook Japan
My book was delivered on time and in a perfect condition. Very happy with my purchase.
Published on 21 Mar 2010 by Julie Noel
Look elsewhere
I was in Japan last week and I got more help from Japaneses and from my luck than from the guide. I always found the Lonely Planet lacking in terms of accuracy. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by Massimo Gori
Great books
It's always difficult to read ahead & plan your holiday by guide book alone without a point of reference, but the Lonely Planet books are definately the clearest and paint the best... Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by Henry Covey
excellent help for planning your trip
I already have quite a collection of travel guides for planning my journeys into Japan and this one clearly rates amongst the best. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by K. Van Damme
Listmania!
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