Hidden Japan: A Guidebook to Tokyo & Beyond

by Chiara Terzuolo, Justine Wong (Illustrator)

Hidden Japan is the ultimate guide to exploring the roads less travelled, in Tokyo and beyond.

Chiara Terzuolo takes us on a journey through Tokyo and its surrounding cities, uncovering the hidden treasures that lie beneath the well-trodden hustle and bustle of one of the world’s most-travelled destinations.

From tucked-away bars to quirky vending machines, themed walks to secret tea houses, Hidden Japan is your guide to the art of wandering off the beaten path. With chapters on nature, food, history, art, late-night destinations, and places you’ll find only in Tokyo, Hidden Japan has detailed recommendations for every kind of traveler.

Complete with stunning illustrations, this is a must-read for anyone looking to explore Japan’s many hidden marvels.

Genres: Travel, Japan, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably one of the best Japan travel books I've read. I'm glad they laid out what to expect when staying at a ryokan, there are many things to consider about staying at one, although I wouldn't complain about all that green tea! I also like that they mentioned the sleeper trains Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo. It sounds like a wonderful experience.

Things that peaked my interest:
•Shitamachi Museum
•Nezu Museum (including Nezu Cafe)
•Jindaiji Temple (Goma Fire Ritual)
•Todoroki Valley
•Aoyama Flower Market Tea House (this was already on my wish list)
•Sumida Hokusai Museum
•Pepper Parlour (basically a robot cafe!)
•Transparent Toilets (not really though)
•MA (near Toji Temple in Kyoto, for all the tea!)
•Tanukidamisan Fudoin Temple (Tanuki!)
•TeamLab Botanical Garden (Osaka)
•Sexy Gachapon (I would take the risk!)

The book also contains amazing illustrations of Japan and it feel very real. Although, my favourite is the vending machine with the cat sleeping on top.

[Amber Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best travel book I've read. I was happy reading it cover to cover, and I tabbed so many things.

[Jean Deacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent travel guide. I read the whole book twice & followed so many of the suggestions. Thank you so much for helping me create a fantastic holiday for my family!

[Reader]

Really the only way to review a travel book is to travel to the destination it describes, which is what we did with Hidden Japan (ie, we were planning a trip there and then bought the book, not the other way around!). We were travelling to Tokyo 'and beyond'; part of our 'beyond' was not included in the book, while Kyoto, the other part of it, was.

We learned much about Tokyo's neighbourhoods that we wouldn't have otherwise, including the YaNeSen arts and crafts walk and the second-hand clothing stores in Shimokitazawa, although we noted that some places mentioned no longer existed, and the maps and guides were not always reliable. We enjoyed wandering around these neighbourhoods of Tokyo, although the adjective 'hidden' does not apply to some places mentioned, such as Asakusa. We had only 2 days in Tokyo, and would have love to have explored some of the other places and sites mentioned.

We didn't use the guide much for Kyoto, as parts of it were so poorly described we wondered whether the author had even been there, such as the woeful description of the Philosopher's Path and surrounding environs. We ended up lost and very cranky with each other because we were so frustrated at not finding the things mentioned in the book. In the end, we found some beautiful buildings not even mentioned - way off the track of the Philosopher's Path - and it was at that point we decided to abandon 'Hidden Japan'. We eventually found the Philosopher's Path but by now out of time and energy to look at the things that actually interested us.

This book is beautifully presented with attractive binding and cute illustrations, but does not always live up to its promise - some things were not hidden at all, while others were so well hidden we could not find them. Don't let it be the only guide you pack on your trip to Japan!

[S.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point I’ve read quite a few travel books on Japan and so far this is my favorite. It may not have been for my first trip, but as this is not my first I loved the deeper dive into more unique experiences and niche foods and shopping. I also enjoyed the focus on nature, trails, and various wanders. The book feels full of love for Japan. I think it could have good even deeper! I love the paper (very tactile and satisfying) lovely art and writing. It had a slower pace which I enjoyed. It’s heavily Tokyo focused, but I expected that. Really pleased to have read it. Thank you to the author for beautiful research and insights.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been to Japan several times and have read many, many travel guides on the country. Even so, Hidden Japan offered plenty of new places for me to add to my ever growing Wanderlog list, including new foodstuffs to try!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a beautiful book with illustrations and photographs adding that extra magic.
Perfect for those of us who are always planning our Japan trips 🌸

[Paul A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and well-curated selection of cafes, temples, vintage stores, and more! The book has plenty of walks around neighborhoods in Japan with emphasis on different attractions, whether that's fashion, food, or following in the footsteps of a philosopher. Great tips for general travel and lots of off-the-beaten-path options for travel that I'd very much like to try in the future. Would definitely recommend this.