DK Japan

by D.K. Eyewitness Travel

Whether you want to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto, speed through the countryside aboard a shinkansen, or shop til you drop in futuristic Shibuya, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all Japan has to offer. Japan is a land of contrast – think tranquil zen gardens and peaceful pagodas, neon-lit cities and robot restaurants. Cities might be the first things that spring to mind when you think of Japan, but the countryside is just as epic. There’s the iconic Mount Fuji, bubbling hot springs, unspoiled beaches and adrenaline-packed ski resorts. And if that wasn’t enough to entice you to visit, there’s the food – unctuous noodles, delicate sushi and warming hotpots.Our updated guide brings Japan to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the country's iconic buildings and neighborhoods. DK Eyewitness Japan is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime. Inside DK Eyewitness Japan you will  - A fully-illustrated top experiences our expert pick of Japan’s must-sees and hidden gems- Accessible itineraries to make the most out of each and every day- Expert honest recommendations for getting around safely, when to visit each sight, what to do before you visit, and how to save time and money- Color-coded chapters to every part of from Tokyo to Kyoto City, Hokkaido to Okinawa- Practical the best places to eat, drink, shop and stay- Detailed maps and walks to help you navigate the region country easily and confidently- Central Tokyo, Northern Tokyo, Western Tokyo, Farther Afield, Central HonshuKyoto City, Western Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa, Northern Honshu, HokkaidoOnly visiting Tokyo? Try our DK Eyewitness Tokyo.About DK At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.

Genres: Travel, Japan, Nonfiction, Reference

352 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2024

Reviews

[Eddy Vermeulen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best practically oriented guides I read in preparation of my trip.

[Nicole ᚦᚬᚱᚠᛁᚾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this before my trip to Japan and it saved me the headache of having to heavily research where I wanted to stay, visit, etc. Would recommend.

[Sammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn’t usually list a travel guide on here, but I read this one from cover to cover so I guess I will. It turns out I really like DK eyewitness travel guides, they always got criticized from how I would hear about them. They don’t have much about details like the opening and closing times of museums, or how to get around the city transit system. That’s obviously very useful, but not what I would use a travel guide for (I would look these things up online), but rather they had a lot more emphasis on images and giving you an overall vibe of places and things to do. Really recommend it

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this book was more useful because I had already read a guidebook for Japan, but I have been feeling more than usually overwhelmed by the planning of an upcoming trip to Japan, even though from the get go I recognized that it was going to be a 2-week trip.
Now that I have read this, I have a much better idea of where I want to go (and while I don't have any of the details nailed down. like how reasonable is it to get between these places, and how long to spend in them), I am far more comfortable with where to go, and where not to go, and which thing I would give up first if we don't have enough time to do everything.
The organization by island is a no brainer, but this book also does a good job of laying out why you would want to go to each place, what makes it different from other areas in Japan, and some ideas of what the range of things to do it.
While I usually get this sort of guidebook out to look at the pictures, in this case the writing is very helpful as well.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good "main city" Japan info... Tokyo and Kyoto but the rest of the guide is broken down by prefecture and not in an orderly manner (North to South) so unless you're really familiar with what prefecture the city that you want information on, it can be frustrating.
I read the ePub version and the maps did not enlarge where it said double tap to enlarge. That also was disappointing.
It was nice to have such updated information though as this was 2025 edition.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donkey Kong Eyewitness

This is a great book on Japan.

As it is the land that invented Donkey Kong, I find it funny how it is titled!

Anyways, that being said, there is lots to delve into with this book, and you will definitely get a good itinerary when planning your trip.

4.6/5

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great information

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great DK Eyewitness. An easy breezy pleasant intro to Japan. DH & I hope to travel there soon. This is a great overview of what’s to come.

[Morrigan Coady · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright, energetic, full of photos, maps, and info on glossy paper, the usual DK style. Not quite as user friendly as some travel guides, also seems to trend to a more upscale travel experience.

[Nancy Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Highly recommend. Full of information. Phrase book print rather small.