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A Blogger's Guide to Japan
For many, the island country of Japan is a far distant place characterized by temples, shrines, Noh, tea ceremonies, kimonos, geisha, manga and maid cafes. They often dream about visiting this alluring nation, but few actually have an opportunity to do so.
However, for those who do travel to Japan, it becomes a destination that they visit over and over again.
I had the pleasure of traveling to Japan numerous times since 2007, fell in love with the country, and vowed to return many times. I approached each visit with wide-eyed enthusiasm, immersing myself in the local culture and learning about the history and traditions of this magnificent place that once I only dreamed about. I fell in love with Japan and its people and wanted to share my experiences with others so that they too would carve out an opportunity to someday travel there.
With this travel guide written from the perspective of a travel blogger and a frequent visitor to Japan, you will learn about the history and background of each destination to help you develop a greater appreciation for the sites you visit. Discover places that are popular with tourists and travel to attractions off the beaten path. Uncover festivals and traditions unique to each area and familiarize yourself with local cuisines.
The book is organized by region/prefecture and the various locations/points of interest are listed in English, Japanese, and Romaji. Consequently, you will find that regardless of whether you are traveling for a week, a month or several months, you can use this book not only to plan your travels but also to explore further once you are there.
Where available, the web page address, physical address, and travel tips will enable you to obtain current, detailed information for each venue.
However, for those who do travel to Japan, it becomes a destination that they visit over and over again.
I had the pleasure of traveling to Japan numerous times since 2007, fell in love with the country, and vowed to return many times. I approached each visit with wide-eyed enthusiasm, immersing myself in the local culture and learning about the history and traditions of this magnificent place that once I only dreamed about. I fell in love with Japan and its people and wanted to share my experiences with others so that they too would carve out an opportunity to someday travel there.
With this travel guide written from the perspective of a travel blogger and a frequent visitor to Japan, you will learn about the history and background of each destination to help you develop a greater appreciation for the sites you visit. Discover places that are popular with tourists and travel to attractions off the beaten path. Uncover festivals and traditions unique to each area and familiarize yourself with local cuisines.
The book is organized by region/prefecture and the various locations/points of interest are listed in English, Japanese, and Romaji. Consequently, you will find that regardless of whether you are traveling for a week, a month or several months, you can use this book not only to plan your travels but also to explore further once you are there.
Where available, the web page address, physical address, and travel tips will enable you to obtain current, detailed information for each venue.
477 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2017
4 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Kristine Ohkubo
13 books24 followersKRISTINE OHKUBO is a Los Angeles-based author and editor whose work emphasizes topics related to Japan and Japanese culture. While growing up in Chicago, she developed a deep love and appreciation for Japanese culture, people, and history. Her extensive travels in Japan have enabled her to gain insight into this fascinating country, which she shares with you through her work.
Her first book, a compilation of numerous travel blog articles about Japan, was published in 2016 (revised edition issued in 2022). In 2017, she released a historical study of the Pacific War written from the perspective of the Japanese people, both those who were living in Japan and in the United States, when the war broke out. Two years later, she supplemented her earlier releases with the story of an infamous twentieth century geisha, who was both a victim and an aggressor, struggling amidst a strict patriarchal culture and a rapidly changing social system. In 2019, she followed up her 2017 release, The Sun Will Rise Again, with a book titled Sakhalin. The work examines the far-reaching impact the island changing hands had on its inhabitants and resources and culminates with the tragic events which took place in August 1945.
Beginning in 2020, Kristine turned her attention to rakugo, Japan’s 400-year-old art of storytelling. She released two books, Talking About Rakugo 1: the Japanese Art of Storytelling followed by Talking About Rakugo 2: The Stories Behind the Storytellers. Through a succession of biographical information, anecdotes, interviews, and rakugo scripts, the author explains why this traditional art form has endured for centuries.
In 2022, Kristine contributed her editing skills to yet another rakugo book—this one authored by English rakugo storyteller Kanariya Eiraku entitled Eiraku's 100 English Rakugo Scripts (Volume 1). Following its release in August, she revisited a work she had first published three years earlier.
Originally released in January 2019, Asia's Masonic Reformation: Freemasonry's Impact on the Westernization and Subsequent Modernization of Asia examines how Freemasons have historically been the catalysts for change throughout Asia and the rest of the world. Utilizing careful research and setting aside the misinformation and various conspiracy theories that have emerged throughout the decades, the revised second edition presents the details and irrefutable historical facts demonstrating how Freemasons have notably been at the forefront of history, ushering in rapid change, modernization, and enlightenment.
An avid rakugo fan, Kristine once again shifted her attention to the art of rakugo in 2023. She compiled and released a collection of her own original English rakugo stories. Where applicable, the book also includes detailed historical information from which the author drew her inspiration for the stories.
As an author, Kristine believes that writing from other cultural perspectives encourages empathy and understanding, and at the same time it broadens our knowledge of the events that have unfolded over the years.
Her first book, a compilation of numerous travel blog articles about Japan, was published in 2016 (revised edition issued in 2022). In 2017, she released a historical study of the Pacific War written from the perspective of the Japanese people, both those who were living in Japan and in the United States, when the war broke out. Two years later, she supplemented her earlier releases with the story of an infamous twentieth century geisha, who was both a victim and an aggressor, struggling amidst a strict patriarchal culture and a rapidly changing social system. In 2019, she followed up her 2017 release, The Sun Will Rise Again, with a book titled Sakhalin. The work examines the far-reaching impact the island changing hands had on its inhabitants and resources and culminates with the tragic events which took place in August 1945.
Beginning in 2020, Kristine turned her attention to rakugo, Japan’s 400-year-old art of storytelling. She released two books, Talking About Rakugo 1: the Japanese Art of Storytelling followed by Talking About Rakugo 2: The Stories Behind the Storytellers. Through a succession of biographical information, anecdotes, interviews, and rakugo scripts, the author explains why this traditional art form has endured for centuries.
In 2022, Kristine contributed her editing skills to yet another rakugo book—this one authored by English rakugo storyteller Kanariya Eiraku entitled Eiraku's 100 English Rakugo Scripts (Volume 1). Following its release in August, she revisited a work she had first published three years earlier.
Originally released in January 2019, Asia's Masonic Reformation: Freemasonry's Impact on the Westernization and Subsequent Modernization of Asia examines how Freemasons have historically been the catalysts for change throughout Asia and the rest of the world. Utilizing careful research and setting aside the misinformation and various conspiracy theories that have emerged throughout the decades, the revised second edition presents the details and irrefutable historical facts demonstrating how Freemasons have notably been at the forefront of history, ushering in rapid change, modernization, and enlightenment.
An avid rakugo fan, Kristine once again shifted her attention to the art of rakugo in 2023. She compiled and released a collection of her own original English rakugo stories. Where applicable, the book also includes detailed historical information from which the author drew her inspiration for the stories.
As an author, Kristine believes that writing from other cultural perspectives encourages empathy and understanding, and at the same time it broadens our knowledge of the events that have unfolded over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 18, 2019
A well organized and well written guide to Japan. The author, writing from the perspective of a travel blogger, provides details that are not found in any other travel guide! She puts you right there, describing the things you should see, foods you should try, how you should get there, and what to expect when you get there. There are even little tips to help you out whether you are a first time tourist in Japan or a seasoned traveler. The author also included links to the corresponding webpages so that you can get the most updated information anytime. I would recommend downloading the Kindle version so you can have the book with you at all times while you are traveling. The Kindle app works on any device and is free to download, you do not need a Kindle device.
November 22, 2019
Oftentimes, we are inundated with travel guides and find ourselves in a quandary when it comes to choosing the right book. Travel guides become outdated quickly and we are forced to seek out updated books time and time again.
This is not the case with Kristine Ohkubo’s “A Blogger’s Guide To Japan.”
Written from the perspective of a travel blogger, Ohkubo provides information which is often not found in the standard travel guides along with webpage links, enabling the reader to have access to the most up to date information available for each particular destination/ point of interest.
I believe this is one travel guide that you can refer to over and over again without the fear of it becoming outdated. An excellent resource for planning your trip to Japan!
This is not the case with Kristine Ohkubo’s “A Blogger’s Guide To Japan.”
Written from the perspective of a travel blogger, Ohkubo provides information which is often not found in the standard travel guides along with webpage links, enabling the reader to have access to the most up to date information available for each particular destination/ point of interest.
I believe this is one travel guide that you can refer to over and over again without the fear of it becoming outdated. An excellent resource for planning your trip to Japan!
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October 5, 2024Mainly read the Tokyo part as preparation for a trip.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews