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For 40 years, Insight Guides has
been at the forefront of travel guides, offering accurate, reliable information to various destinations around the world in
its extensive series of award-winning guidebooks. "Insight Guides Japan" continues this tradition, as the complexities concerning
the Land of the Rising Sun are unlocked in yet another entertaining and INSIGHTful offering from Apa Publications.
The Japanese archipelago is one of the most fascinating places in the world, though it continues to baffle seasoned
visitors and first-timers alike. Utilizing the method of merging full-color photography with text which it pioneered
in the 1970s, Insight Guides gives the reader not only reliable and practical information on itinerant destinations, but a
better understanding into the land of Sushi and Anime from a historical and cultural standpoint. There are healthy doses
of essays and mini-factoids written by local experts on the subjects covered, including history, geography, people, performing
arts, culture and food. One of the many mis-conceptions I've always had of of Japan was that it had the highest
suicide rate in the world, which the guide points out is considerably lower than that of Finland's. I was also surprised to
discover that the baseball pitch count in Japan is recorded in the reverse order of its U.S. counterpart, and
that Okinawan Sake is made using Thai Rice. These and other captivating articles on the Japanese Garden, Religion,
Sumo, and Kimonos are just the tip of the iceberg. In the "Places" section, destinations are often accompanied with
commentary on historical and cultural background. From Tokyo's Ginza to Kyoto's temples, from the mist-shrouded
serenity of Nikko to the snow-capped mountains of Hokkaido and the tropical islands of Okinawa, it's all here. Complimenting
this wonderful resource are the beautifully rendered, full-colored maps with sites that are easily cross-referenced in conjunction
with the text and vice-versa. The back of the book provides a plethora of useful info; the "Travel Tips" section
advises on how to get around, an A-Z index of practical information, accommodation, and restaurant listings with up-to-date
pricing and rates. Rounding out the excursion are website listings and a Further Reading list of recommended books
on anything and everything about Japan.
If you want a guide with the typical tourist trap listings, then by all means
pick up a copy of Lonely Planet, or Fodor's Japan. If you're like me and are looking for something deeper, maybe learn a thing
or two about this country's history, culture, and customs, you'll find it in "Insight Guides Japan", arguably the
best travel guide ever written on Japan. My only regret is that I didn't have a copy on hand during a visit a few years
back. It would've made my trip a much more pleasurable experience...5 STARS
- FT
My Ratings
Scale are as follows:
5
Stars- EXCELLENT. Buy a few extra copies for family and friends.
4 Stars- Very good
3 Stars- OK. Could be better.
2
Stars- Not very good.
1 Star- Don't bother.
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