2023 FOREWORD INDIES BOOK OF THE YEAR GOLD WINNER FOR TRAVELObservations on the people, culture, and history of Japan from a long-time resident riding the rails along the less-traveled western coastline.This journey the length of Japan takes the reader off the beaten tracks to explore some of the country's remoter regions along the Japan Sea—from Wakkanai in northern Hokkaido to Ibusuki in southern Kyushu—in a fascinating mix of travelogue,...

Kyoto, the ancient former capital of Japan, breathes history and mystery. Its temples, gardens and palaces are testimony to many centuries of aristocratic and religious grandeur. Under the veneer of modernity, the city remains filled with countless reminders of a proud past. John Dougill explores this most venerable of Japanese cities, revealing the spirit of place and the individuals that have shaped its often dramatic history. Courtiers and courtesans, poets and priests, samurai and geis...

"It's a nice tome for armchair travel, whisking you off around the country from where you sit—or time travel, taking you back to that life-changing decade-lost holiday and old friends."—The Japan TimesVisit the most compelling cultural and nature sites in all of Japan with this beautifully photographed travel guide.In Japan's World Heritage Sites, readers are introduced to the temples, gardens, castles and natural wonders for which Japan i...

Kyoto's top sights brought to life through the evocative words of long-term resident John Dougill and the stunning photography of Patrick Hochner.Kyoto is the birthplace of Japanese culture—a fact that is evident in every corner of the city. Japan's ancient capital is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the famous Golden Pavilion and the fortified Nijo Castle. And though Kyoto is brimming with historic sites, its people are what make it special—from g...

The first book to present the amazing swords and armor belonging to the most famous Samurai in Japanese history!Paul Martin, a world-renowned scholar of Japanese swords, takes us on a journey of discovery of samurai culture through an examination of valuable weapons and armor belonging to thirty of Japan's most celebrated warriors, many of which are classified as Important Cultural Propertiesor National Treasures and therefore rarely seen by the p...

(Approx 85 Pages)Our illustrated travel guide features the best information from an experienced traveler as well as other local resources. It's just what you need to help you to plan your trip in advance and to accompany you on-the-ground.Finding Internet access when traveling can be a problem so carry your mobile guidebook in the palm of your hand. We include a fully linked Table of Contents to access context-specific information quickly and easily, even when offline. Many...

This travel pictorial and Japan travel guide captures the sites and soul of Kyoto—Japan's historical and spiritual center.An elaborate kaleidoscope of craft, artistry and religion, Kyoto is one of the world's most popular travel destinations. Art and design form the weft and warp of this vibrant 1,200-year-old city, home to hundreds of gardens, palaces, villas and magnificent wooden temples, including seventeen UNESCO World Heritage sites.Like a Zen koan, K...

Houses and Gardens of Kyoto presents over 500 photos of the most excellent examples of traditional Japanese architecture from every significant historical period in this new edition of a favorite classic.Kyoto, considered the quintessential birthplace of Japanese culture, has survived centuries of damage and the onslaught of modernization, yet remains the undisputed home of the country's architectural and cultural history. This vibrant collection of Japane...

In Kansai Cool anthropologist, writer and filmmaker Christal Whelan offers profound insights in the only collection of essays to focus on Kansai, Japan's ancient heartland.Kansai—the region in Western Japan that boasts the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, the bustling commercial city of Osaka and the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe—has a character all its own, right down to its dialect, mannerisms, and cuisine. It is home to some of Japan's oldest histor...

This Tokyo guidebook provides an intimate and detailed look at Japan's dynamic capital.Walking is the best way to get to know any city and here is a walker's guide to Tokyo—one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Author and Tokyo native Sumiko Enbutso leads readers through Tokyo's old downtown. Sensitive to the character of each varied neighborhood, she brings a sharp eye to its half-hidden history, its traditional shops, and its most appealing restaurants...

An enchanting and fascinating insight into Japanese landscape, culture, history and future.Originally written in Japanese, this passionate, vividly personal book draws on the author's experiences in Japan over thirty years. Alex Kerr brings to life the ritualized world of Kabuki, retraces his initiation into Tokyo's boardrooms during the heady Bubble Years, and tells the story of the hidden valley that became his home.But the book is not just a love letter. Haunted througho...

A fascinating exploration of all things Japan, including the country's history, culture, customs, and cuisine.Whether it's perfecting the art of forest-bathing— shinrin-yoku—or celebrating imperfections in kintsugi, Japanesse customs have been thriving for centuries alongside modern practices of well-being.In How to Live Japanese, Yutaka Yazawa provides the ultimate insider's guide to the country, full of inspiration and insight to ...