New Japan Guides
February 21, 2012
Here’s a round up of the latest guide books from Lonely Planet, Michelin, Rough Guide and National Geographic to help you plan your dream trip to Japan.
Rough Guide to Japan
The fifth edition of the award-winning Rough Guide to Japan was re-released in January 2012, with amendments made to update the guide following the March 2011 earthquake. The updated guide includes a detailed summation of how the Tohoku earthquake affected the Japanese people and what it generally means for travellers, with links to places where more information can be gained.
The Northern Honshu chapter now includes information outlining the immediate impact in the area and stresses that aside from Fukushima and a couple of coastal destinations, the rest of the region is open for tourism. The History chapter has more specific detail on the events of 3/11 and their political impact and the Environment chapter has completely revised section on Nuclear Power issues.
The incredibly comprehensive Rough Guide to Japan covers everything from great places to eat, drink and party to off-the-beaten-track sights, including tropical dives in Okinawa, mountain traverses across the Japanese Alps and contemporary art exhibits on islands in the Inland Sea. Accurate maps and comprehensive practical information help you get under the skin of this dynamic country, whilst stunning photography and a full-colour introduction make The Rough Guide to Japan your ultimate travelling companion.
The Rough Guide to Japan is available in all major book stores and online from Amazon.
The Michelin Green Guide to Japan
Michelin’s second edition of the Green Guide to Japan will be released on 15 March 2012. Michelin's local writers have walked, driven, visited, slept, shopped and eaten through every tour, sight, hotel, restaurant, boutique, café and venue in this guide. Where they have stepped, you won't put a foot wrong. The Green Guide Japan is meticulously updated and beautifully illustrated with full-colour photographs, scores of Michelin maps, and insider coverage of shopping, nightlife, accommodations and restaurants.
The Tohoku section of the guide includes information about the March 2011 earthquake and about the temples, gardens and archaeological sites representing the Buddhist Pure Lane at Hiraizumi, which were granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2011.
Once released the guide will be available in all major book stores at from Amazon.
Secret Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World s Best Hidden Travel Gems
The latest in the highly successful Journeys of a Lifetime series brings to life through lavish full-colour images 500 novel destinations that have managed to fly under the radar. The book offers in-depth site descriptions; dozens of fun, themed top ten lists; locator maps; illuminating sidebars.
The book recommends 16 “secret journeys” in Japan, including Amakusa Islands, Shiretoko Peninsula, Naoshima Island and Kumamoto’s Shogun Castle. Even in Japan’s capital they manage to uncover “secret journeys” with a section on the small museums of Tokyo and revealing where to find some peaceful garden time in Japan’s biggest city.
Divided into themed chapters, the book features the "World at Your Feet," "Last Wildernesses," "Island Getaways," "The Road Less Travelled," "Secret History," "Spiritual Havens," "Hidden Treasures," "Undiscovered Villages," and "City Secrets."
As with other books in the series, each chapter contains several lists of "Top Tens," shorter features describing experiences in a wide variety of categories, from quirky museums and quiet city garden oases to atmospheric ghost towns and the best spots for amazing ocean views.
Secret Journeys of a Lifetime is now available in all major books stores or from Amazon.
Lonely Planet Kyoto City Guide
Kyoto is the Japan of your imagination: quiet temples, sublime Zen gardens, colourful Shinto shrines and narrow alleys where geisha scurry to secret assignations.
Released on 10 February 2012, the latest Lonely Planet Kyoto City Guide features an improved neighbourhood structure making it easier to get around the city and explore Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and historic monuments. The 5th edition of the Kyoto travel guidebook comes with a pull out map of the city and enhanced day-trip ideas like the buzzing city of Osaka.
Featured in the guide are:
• 66 temples and shrines, 157 restaurants, 14 parks and gardens, 52 shops and a 19-page full-colour map section
• Special feature on Kyoto's temples and shrines
• Comprehensive listings
• Top sights in full detail
Lonely Planet guide books are available in all major book stores and online from Amazon.