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Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen
Traveling to Japan has never been so much fun! Visit the land of anime, manga, cosplay, hot springs and sushi!
This full-color graphic novel Japan guidebook is the first of its kind exploring Japanese culture from a cartoonist's perspective. Cool Japan Guide takes you on a fun tour from the high-energy urban streets of Tokyo to the peaceful Zen gardens and Shinto shrines of Kyoto and introduces you to:
-the exciting world of Japanese food--from bento to sushi and everything in between.
-the otaku (geek) culture of Japan, including a manga market in Tokyo where artists display and sell their original artwork.
-the complete Japanese shopping experience, from combini (not your run-of-the-mill convenience stores!) to depato (department stores with everything).
-the world's biggest manga, anime and cosplay festivals.
-lots of other exciting places to go and things to do--like zen gardens, traditional Japanese arts, and a ride on a Japanese bullet train.
Whether you're ready to hop a plane and travel to Japan tomorrow, or interested in Japanese pop culture, this fun and colorful travelogue by noted comic book artist and food blogger Abby Denson, husband Matt, friend Yuuko, and sidekick, Kitty Sweet Tooth, will present Japan in a unique and fascinating way.
This full-color graphic novel Japan guidebook is the first of its kind exploring Japanese culture from a cartoonist's perspective. Cool Japan Guide takes you on a fun tour from the high-energy urban streets of Tokyo to the peaceful Zen gardens and Shinto shrines of Kyoto and introduces you to:
-the exciting world of Japanese food--from bento to sushi and everything in between.
-the otaku (geek) culture of Japan, including a manga market in Tokyo where artists display and sell their original artwork.
-the complete Japanese shopping experience, from combini (not your run-of-the-mill convenience stores!) to depato (department stores with everything).
-the world's biggest manga, anime and cosplay festivals.
-lots of other exciting places to go and things to do--like zen gardens, traditional Japanese arts, and a ride on a Japanese bullet train.
Whether you're ready to hop a plane and travel to Japan tomorrow, or interested in Japanese pop culture, this fun and colorful travelogue by noted comic book artist and food blogger Abby Denson, husband Matt, friend Yuuko, and sidekick, Kitty Sweet Tooth, will present Japan in a unique and fascinating way.
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 25, 2014
45 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Abby Denson
58 books21 followersCartoonist Abby Denson is the author of Uniquely Japan, the Kitty Sweet Tooth series (illustrated by Utomaru), the fun and fully-illustrated cartoon travel guides, Cool Tokyo Guide and Cool Japan Guide, out from Tuttle Publishing. She is the creator of the graphic novels Dolltopia (which won a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award and an International Manga Award) and Tough Love: High School Confidential, which was originally serialized in XY Magazine. She has scripted comics for Amazing Spider-Man Family, Powerpuff Girls Comics, Simpsons Comics, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats, Disney Adventures, and comics for Nickelodeon Magazine. She has taught comics classes and workshops at various venues including the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, Sophia University, and Eugene Lang College at The New School.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
July 8, 2016
A Travel Guide in Comic-Book Form
Yep, we want to spend our next holidays in Japan—exciting! I’ve never been to Japan before, so what better way to prepare than... well, reading another comic book, of course! While alternative comics about the travelling experience are quite common, this is the first actual comic-book travel guide I’ve ever read.
With chapter titles like “What Will We Eat?” or “Did Somebody Say Shopping?,” the book is organized by topic, often jumping around from one city to another and back (the main focus is on Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka). Within each chapter, a few things to do (and often purchase) are introduced, a little context is provided. The tone is casual, personal and enthusiastic (but not annoyingly so), the drawing style pleasant, uncluttered and bright.
Targeted at a young audience, Cool Japan Guide by American comic-book artist Abby Denson (best known for her work on Amazing Spider-Man Family and The Powerpuff Girls) is all about fun and practical advice rather than historical depth. As can be expected from a comic book, quite a few pages are devoted to otaku (geek) culture: a fascinating and colourful topic that really benefits from the book’s visual component.
Bottom line: Cool Japan Guide goes into my suitcase, even if I’m not the prime target audience (too old).
Yep, we want to spend our next holidays in Japan—exciting! I’ve never been to Japan before, so what better way to prepare than... well, reading another comic book, of course! While alternative comics about the travelling experience are quite common, this is the first actual comic-book travel guide I’ve ever read.
With chapter titles like “What Will We Eat?” or “Did Somebody Say Shopping?,” the book is organized by topic, often jumping around from one city to another and back (the main focus is on Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka). Within each chapter, a few things to do (and often purchase) are introduced, a little context is provided. The tone is casual, personal and enthusiastic (but not annoyingly so), the drawing style pleasant, uncluttered and bright.
Targeted at a young audience, Cool Japan Guide by American comic-book artist Abby Denson (best known for her work on Amazing Spider-Man Family and The Powerpuff Girls) is all about fun and practical advice rather than historical depth. As can be expected from a comic book, quite a few pages are devoted to otaku (geek) culture: a fascinating and colourful topic that really benefits from the book’s visual component.
Bottom line: Cool Japan Guide goes into my suitcase, even if I’m not the prime target audience (too old).
September 1, 2015
Since returning from my 11 day trip to Japan, I learned a lot of lessons:
1. Don't depend on anyone knowing English, or any signs being in English. Learn some Japanese you lazy jerk.
2. Order your Railpass at least two weeks in advance, otherwise you'll end up spending all your money on travel.
3. Don't go to Japan in August. It'll literally feel like a sauna outside, you will sweat through your clothes, and your hair will frizz out. So you'll perpetually look like you just went clubbing.
4. Don't feed deer biscuits, because if you don't feed them enough they will kick you.
5. There is no breakfast in Japan and coffee tastes terrible there. HAPPY MORNING!!
6. You will fall in love with Melon Soda, so don't try this. You will never be able to find this unless you go back to Japan. Ignorance is bliss.
7. Do not eat, drink, or talk on your cellphone while on the train. People will stare at you and think you rude, but you won't know why until the end of the trip.
8. Some airports close by 10 pm in Japan, so if you have an early flight, be prepared to sleep outside the airport all night!
9. Space out going to Temples/Shrines/Castles. They all start to look the same after a while.
10. Try not to have many connecting flights. This is very hard to do sleep deprived, so the less the better.
Last, but not least: When flying into O'Hare, remember you are back in the land of rude people! They will scream at you for being too slow and it will be very jarring considering where you just flew from.
So long story short: I wish I would have read this book before my trip. A really big must read.
1. Don't depend on anyone knowing English, or any signs being in English. Learn some Japanese you lazy jerk.
2. Order your Railpass at least two weeks in advance, otherwise you'll end up spending all your money on travel.
3. Don't go to Japan in August. It'll literally feel like a sauna outside, you will sweat through your clothes, and your hair will frizz out. So you'll perpetually look like you just went clubbing.
4. Don't feed deer biscuits, because if you don't feed them enough they will kick you.
5. There is no breakfast in Japan and coffee tastes terrible there. HAPPY MORNING!!
6. You will fall in love with Melon Soda, so don't try this. You will never be able to find this unless you go back to Japan. Ignorance is bliss.
7. Do not eat, drink, or talk on your cellphone while on the train. People will stare at you and think you rude, but you won't know why until the end of the trip.
8. Some airports close by 10 pm in Japan, so if you have an early flight, be prepared to sleep outside the airport all night!
9. Space out going to Temples/Shrines/Castles. They all start to look the same after a while.
10. Try not to have many connecting flights. This is very hard to do sleep deprived, so the less the better.
Last, but not least: When flying into O'Hare, remember you are back in the land of rude people! They will scream at you for being too slow and it will be very jarring considering where you just flew from.
So long story short: I wish I would have read this book before my trip. A really big must read.
July 23, 2021
This book is amazing for anyone planning a trip/holiday to Japan. It has comic book illustrations inside just showing handy tips and good places to eat/visit. My Parents bought it for a present for Me as I Love Japan and I wanted to Go there.
May 13, 2016
A fun, fast, informative read! I read this myself, then passed it along to travel companions in preparation for an upcoming visit to Tokyo. I appreciated the focus on affordable food options and trinkets!
January 12, 2019
Informative and cool!
December 13, 2017
This is a cool Japan guide!
I'm getting ready to travel to Japan, and this book got me excited for it! The book is good for the novice traveler, explaining issues like airport arrivals and getting to Tokyo from there, how to get wifi, how the train system works. I hadn't thought about the portable wifi idea, but I think that's going to happen now.
This is a more "girly" book than the standard travel guide. The author uses herself and her husband Matt as characters to show the different facets of a trip: food, shopping, transportation, homestays, temples, etc- each gets a chapter. She also throws in a bit of basic vocabulary. It's very much the feeling you'd get if a friend with a lot of travel knowledge told you about their experiences to help you with your plans. She isn't afraid to call things cute, get excited and gush a bit, and it did the job of getting me enthusiastic.
This is a very Tokyo-centered book. The author briefly talks about Kyoto and Fukuoka (I'll be spending some time in Fukuoka) but if you're looking for a comprehensive guide to all of Japan, it's not here. But this is a comic book, so you shouldn't expect encyclopedic coverage.
I found the book useful for getting me excited for my trip, reminding me of a couple of things I hadn't thought about, and giving a feel for what it's like to be in Japan, shopping, using a vending machine, what different hotels and homes are like.
I'm getting ready to travel to Japan, and this book got me excited for it! The book is good for the novice traveler, explaining issues like airport arrivals and getting to Tokyo from there, how to get wifi, how the train system works. I hadn't thought about the portable wifi idea, but I think that's going to happen now.
This is a more "girly" book than the standard travel guide. The author uses herself and her husband Matt as characters to show the different facets of a trip: food, shopping, transportation, homestays, temples, etc- each gets a chapter. She also throws in a bit of basic vocabulary. It's very much the feeling you'd get if a friend with a lot of travel knowledge told you about their experiences to help you with your plans. She isn't afraid to call things cute, get excited and gush a bit, and it did the job of getting me enthusiastic.
This is a very Tokyo-centered book. The author briefly talks about Kyoto and Fukuoka (I'll be spending some time in Fukuoka) but if you're looking for a comprehensive guide to all of Japan, it's not here. But this is a comic book, so you shouldn't expect encyclopedic coverage.
I found the book useful for getting me excited for my trip, reminding me of a couple of things I hadn't thought about, and giving a feel for what it's like to be in Japan, shopping, using a vending machine, what different hotels and homes are like.
December 29, 2016
I try to read all the "graphic novel travelogues" that I can get my hands on. So I had to pick this one up. I was also hoping it might work as a booktalk title for my local middle school.
Unfortunately, I won't be using it for that.
When I finally got around to picking this up, I was immediately put off by the framing of a blonde white woman giving us a tour of Japan, which is not her country of heritage. I started reading it with a heightened antennae. And she never won me over.
The whole thing is written like the country of Japan is a theme park for tourists. It's a shiny, glossy version of the country. And it's all in generalities, rarely specific to her experience. It's mostly blocks of text with illustration, with very few of the images being more than illustrative.
There is also little to zero information about how to be respectful to Japanese culture. She talks about how polite the Japanese people are in general, but doesn't take the time to show you how to give that back.
Sidenote: My superstar doppelganger, Telgemeier, blurbs this book on the back. Which makes me sad.
Unfortunately, I won't be using it for that.
When I finally got around to picking this up, I was immediately put off by the framing of a blonde white woman giving us a tour of Japan, which is not her country of heritage. I started reading it with a heightened antennae. And she never won me over.
The whole thing is written like the country of Japan is a theme park for tourists. It's a shiny, glossy version of the country. And it's all in generalities, rarely specific to her experience. It's mostly blocks of text with illustration, with very few of the images being more than illustrative.
There is also little to zero information about how to be respectful to Japanese culture. She talks about how polite the Japanese people are in general, but doesn't take the time to show you how to give that back.
Sidenote: My superstar doppelganger, Telgemeier, blurbs this book on the back. Which makes me sad.
May 18, 2025
Leuk handig boekje xx
June 13, 2019
Gonna be totally honest, I knew a lot of what was mentioned in this book already from my personal bank of asian knowledge and having taken a trip out of coutry myself already. All the same, even if I feel I didn't learn that much from reading this book, I do believe it had many good tips, especially if you are not familiar with Japanese culture and need good recommendations on where to go. The writer and illustrator chose to guide the reader on an interesting journey beginning to end through Japan, expressing opinions and observations from their past trips. The illustrations were great and they were something I was looking forward to the most since I knew a lot about Japan but not enough about what certain things look like, and it was great to get that point of view from non-local eyes. To me the book was really fun and reminded me of everything I hope to do and see when I finally go visit Japan. I would like to add this book to my collection because it is more valuable to me as a to-do checklist than an informational guide, although there are definitely some handy links throughout the book which look pretty useful. Its a simple guide but sometimes simple is better, especially when I deeply relate to the writer's enthusiasm and passion for Japan.
January 29, 2016
Fun, interesting and useful read, especially if you are an otaku! At first, the tone makes it a little hard to cypher who the book is geared to as the voice starts off a bit immature and I thought this might be a book for children or teens but once it got going it is obviously intended for geeky adults. The author and her husband take in a lot of entertainment that includes alcoholic beverages and adult only entrance. However, there are plenty of places mentioned that can be included on a family-oriented trip, too. Names, addresses, websites and contact information are also provided. From packing and reservations to food and festivals, everything you can imagine is mentioned. Personally, I'm not a traveller but I love Japanese culture and found the book an entertaining and amusing read. A wide variety of readers will enjoy this delightful book.
September 9, 2015
3 1/2 stars. Sometimes it was TOO informative (don't know if that makes sense); just a bit of info bombing. Love all the rest. This would be good to try and find room in your suitcase to take with...or I guess just get the e-version.
August 15, 2023
Not too good, not too bad. Honestly it was hard to pick up because of the art style
June 1, 2020
This is a SUPER cute book! With adorable illustrations. Abby Denison is a great author and illustrator. Even if you’re never planning to go to Japan this is still a great book!
July 29, 2019
I requested this (and Cool Tokyo Guide) when planning and facilitating a teen program on Japanese culture and ended up reading them both through! The bright pictures caught my eye. Each chapter opened with a few key phrases (nothing overwhelming), with pronunciation guide. Throughout, the author shares some of the highlights of different areas, festivals, or attractions. Some of the highlights are things that may not get mentioned in a more traditional guide, but that I could see teens totally being in to. For example, the author talks about collecting various public transportation cards. I doubt that a traditional guide would encourage you to hit up all the stations! I loved getting the broad overview of what a visit to Japan might look like, and appreciated the "insider" info from someone who has visited multiple times.
October 15, 2023
Tykk��än matkakirjoista, jotka esittelevät eri maiden kulttuuria ja tämä sarjakuvakirja teki sen helppolukuisella tavalla. Kirjassa oli paljon mielenkiintoista tietoa Japanista ja japanilaisista tavoista, mutta sen sisältö pysyi kevyenä. Kirja oli paitsi opas Japaniin, mutta samalla ehkä vähän liiankin "näin matkustat ulkomaille Yhdysvalloista" -tyylinen guide for dummies, mikä vähän huvitti ("Sinulla täytyy olla passi matkustaaksesi Japaniin, muista hakea sitä niin ja näin monta viikkoa ennen matkaa viimeistään."), mutta toisaalta kirja on varmasti loistavaa turvaa tuova opas niille, jotka eivät tosiaan ole liiemmin matkustelleet yhtään minnekään.
Kokonaisuudessaan siis oikein kiva peruskirja Japaniin matkustamisesta ja paikallisista erityisyyksistä, jotka turistin olisi hyvä tietää. Kirjan paino oli ehkä vähän liikaa sältilpehöörien shoppailussa ja keräilyssä, mutta toisaalta sellaistahan se Japanissa monesti on.
Kokonaisuudessaan siis oikein kiva peruskirja Japaniin matkustamisesta ja paikallisista erityisyyksistä, jotka turistin olisi hyvä tietää. Kirjan paino oli ehkä vähän liikaa sältilpehöörien shoppailussa ja keräilyssä, mutta toisaalta sellaistahan se Japanissa monesti on.
April 19, 2017
This is a pretty neat guide! Abby Denson created a comic book that's adorable and informative for first time Japan visitors. She explains the train system, customs, how to buy conveyor belt sushi, reasonable/tasty food options, and more. Denson also provides a reference list of restaurants, places to stay, transportation, and Japan apps. The comic book layout makes the information fun to read (and easier to memorize, if you ask me).
I would recommend this book as a fun supplement to guidebooks like Fodor's and Lonely Planet.
I would recommend this book as a fun supplement to guidebooks like Fodor's and Lonely Planet.
July 31, 2019
This was a fun colourful guide to Japan.
I think this would be a good starting point for someone who was thinking of taking a trip. It would need to be followed up with a more detailed travel guide, this just had basic information. Although I did learn that you have to pay a tax when you leave Japan, didn't know that before!
I loved the cute drawings and it's really got me excited for my trip! Only 35 days to go!
I think this would be a good starting point for someone who was thinking of taking a trip. It would need to be followed up with a more detailed travel guide, this just had basic information. Although I did learn that you have to pay a tax when you leave Japan, didn't know that before!
I loved the cute drawings and it's really got me excited for my trip! Only 35 days to go!
June 26, 2024
3 stars
not much of this information applies to me as i'm not from the usa but it was still a good read to prepare for my trip to japan!
not much of this information applies to me as i'm not from the usa but it was still a good read to prepare for my trip to japan!
January 26, 2025
3,5 on Storygraph
April 7, 2022
A fun book that introduces Japan through drawing and text, almost as if you were explaining images in a photo album.
November 3, 2024
I'm so overwhelmed by everything i want to do in Japan!!!
February 24, 2020
I'm appalled that this person is considered a comic book and manga artist. The panels were literally drawn in MS Paint??? Fortunately the pictures make the book a quick read.
January 3, 2024
Great info on places to go and things to do in Japan. Definitely will try to visit some of the places mentioned when I go back.
July 12, 2025
Got this for the kids and they weren't that into it, I think because it's a bit of an infodump - still, a decent high-level introduction to visiting Japan.
August 6, 2019
The title is vocal enough; this is a cool guide to Japan, hooray! The writer, Abby, is a cartoonist, and she has combined her talent with her passion for Japan and has compiled this beautiful gem. The book contains useful advice around rail passes, accommodation, food, sightseeing and some curious cultural facts.
Most exciting of all parts is, of course, the food section. At least, that's what interests me more.
There is a whole page about the Bulgarian yoghurt. Abby's Japanese friend, Yuuko, is not sure if her favourite yoghurt, called "Bulgaria" comes from Bulgaria. Well, isn't that obvious? To clarify for everyone, it does come from Bulgaria and us, Bulgarians, are very proud of it.
Most exciting of all parts is, of course, the food section. At least, that's what interests me more.
There is a whole page about the Bulgarian yoghurt. Abby's Japanese friend, Yuuko, is not sure if her favourite yoghurt, called "Bulgaria" comes from Bulgaria. Well, isn't that obvious? To clarify for everyone, it does come from Bulgaria and us, Bulgarians, are very proud of it.
August 12, 2024
A cute guide with lots of beginner-level information on Japan and Japanese culture. I already knew most of the information here, but did learn a couple of things.
March 10, 2017
isi tipsnya b aja, gambarnya juga wqwq
mungkin lagi lagi karena udah lebih tahu duluan info beginian dr sumber lain kkkk
mungkin lagi lagi karena udah lebih tahu duluan info beginian dr sumber lain kkkk
February 22, 2017
** Books 77 - 2017 **
3,2 of 5 stars!
Such a fun and quick read about some tips in Japan. I dunno why but i don't really like the drawing is.
Thankyou Bookmate!
3,2 of 5 stars!
Such a fun and quick read about some tips in Japan. I dunno why but i don't really like the drawing is.
Thankyou Bookmate!
August 20, 2015
In “Cool Japan Guide,” a cute (or, as maybe more appropriate here, kawaii) and accessible illustrated travel guide, cartoonist Abby Denson offers a lot of fun and useful tips for your first trip to Japan. Some of the advice may be a little common sense, but the book provides a lot of helpful basic information for planning for your trip, from getting ready to leave, to logistics, to leaving. In particular, it is geared to all of the standard Japanese activities tourists (especially tourists from a specific, slightly nerdy background) would be interested in and thus focuses mostly on Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and the temples, Onsen, and museums you can explore. The author, also, devotes a particular detail to food and shopping you can check out.
While not the most exhaustive treatise, this slim comic gave me plenty of ideas as I begin preliminary planning for my own Japan trip later this year, and following Denson's trips really is getting me excited for my own explorations. In any case, a good place to start without being overwhelmed.
While not the most exhaustive treatise, this slim comic gave me plenty of ideas as I begin preliminary planning for my own Japan trip later this year, and following Denson's trips really is getting me excited for my own explorations. In any case, a good place to start without being overwhelmed.
December 29, 2015
Have you ever wanted to go to Japan? Whether you're currently planning a trip or just enjoy a little armchair traveling, Abby Denson's Cool Japan Guide is a fun way to learn a bit more about the land of the Rising Sun. In this adorably illustrated graphic novel, Abby and her husband offer advice and information about traveling to this popular destination. From preparing for the trip to various sites to visit and everything in between (including unique tidbits like finding vegetarian fare in Japan), this concise guide is not only informative, but exceedingly accessible. I may not be planning to head to Japan anytime soon, but if I were, revisiting this book would be high on my priority list.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews