Cool Japan: A Guide to Tokyo, Kyoto, Tohoku and Japanese Culture Past and Present (Museyon Guides) Paperback – November 1, 2013

Amazon for one day offered a free download for this Kindle book. Thank you, Amazon! It got me hooked into reading it straight through and I just had to write a glowing review and look for more. I don't plan to visit Japan, but even so this book is a fantastic introduction to the country. It teaches much of the basics important to understanding the history and culture of the nation. Both what is rapidly changing and what valuable parts stay the same.The only objection I might have is the title, "Cool Japan," it is not about latest fads or cool fashions, even though some are mentioned in the Tokyo section. Instead, it should be "neat" as in "interesting" and "stimulating" and "elegant"; it sheds light on much of Japanese history and culture that would otherwise go unnoticed by foreigners, without giving too many details. So it is like the umami in Japanese food.After you look at the book you will want to read more about the four characters that are the focus of this little book. I have already ordered some by Kenji Miyazawa. As he wrote (translated by David Sulz): "Watch well and listen closely. Hold the learned lessons dear."The photographs and maps serve well to begin you on your own journey. Looks good and works well on a Kindle. Thanks, Amazon!

I really enjoyed this book, although it contained more history than I was expecting it to for a travel guide. It was more like a book on the history of certain locations in Japan, and then there was travel information thrown in at the end of the sections. I can understand why that would be frustrating if you were looking for a travel guide, but I quite enjoyed it and thought it was very interesting.From the writing (and the fact that the writer is from Japan), it is clear that the writer's first language isn't English. I love the fact that the book is written by someone from Japan because they are more likely to know the area better. However, the book definitely could have been edited better. There were a lot of parts where the wording was awkward or just not right. That's probably my biggest complaint with the book.Overall, I enjoyed it and thought that the information it contained was cool to learn.

I bought this book in preparation for a three week trip to Japan this winter. Not quite a travel guide and not quite a history book, this is a nice introduction to three dJapanese cities and the culture surrounding them. Told through a couple unique stories and biographies, it still includes the textbook guide book features with maps and location information. I really enjoyed reading this and it helped develop our itineraries for the trip. Nice illustrations to boot. If you are interested in Japanese culture, especially in preparing for a visit - I definitely recommend this book.

Tons of great history in this book. It was this very book that led us to Uji for a day trip from Kyoto. A great guide, especially for those looking for some additional history on Japan. Very good if you are at all interested in "The Tale of the Genji" or areas outside of Tokyo.

Informational

Amazing. Great info on travel in a well designed format. It's helped me prep for my trip, plus it's cool enough to just have laying around the house. If you're a graphic artist like me, you'll appreciate the structure and design elements used within

We had several guidebooks and websites in our arsenal on our recent trip, but I'm glad I got the Kindle version of Cool Japan. I liked all the local history it provides on Kyoto, and the helpful hints for visiting Tokyo. I enjoy getting a local's view of things to do wherever I go, and this book provided that.

Great book for quirky, cultural sight seeing! It was a nice book to have in addition to lonely planet for some off the beaten path stuff.