Cool Tokyo Guide: Adventures in the City of Kawaii Fashion, Train Sushi and Godzilla

by Abby Denson

**Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) Winner**

Discover the city of temples, video games, manga, and cosplay with this graphic Tokyo travel guide!

Tokyo is an astonishing world unto itself--a city for lovers of Japanese culture, fashion and great food that mixes the best of old and new. In Cool Tokyo Guide , Abby Denson, author of the popular Cool Japan Guide , turns her focus to Tokyo's exciting streets and a little bit beyond.

Abby, her husband Matt, friend Yuuko and sidekick Kitty Sweet Tooth will introduce you to:
This practical and fun comic book guide also helps you navigate everyday life in Tokyo, such as train etiquette, trash disposal, tricky toilets, department store fitting rooms and the surgical mask phenomenon. There is also a special family travel section for those traveling with children, as well as information on ways to prepare ahead of time to make the most of your stay in Tokyo.

Whether you're planning a trip to Japan or just taking an armchair sojourn, this book will prepare you to have a great time!

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Graphic Novels, Japan, Asian Literature, Graphic Novels Comics, Comics

128 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2018

About the author

Cartoonist 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.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great guide to Tokyo for someone who is into manga, video games, and Japan pop culture.

[Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many travel guides try to address the interests and needs of a broad audience and to cover everything. Reading them feels like you're on a tour bus with a bunch of people that you can't stand, going to places that bore you to death. Although it is probably biased toward a younger female audience, the comic book format makes it easy to consult while on the streets—or in the restaurants—of Tokyo. It is full of useful, enticing information, beautifully presented.

As the cover says: Tokyo is an amazing world unto itself—cosplay, onsen, temples, maid cafes, and some of the best food in the world...This guide also helps you navigate bits and pieces of everyday Tokyo life, like train etiquette, trash disposal, tricky toilets, department store fitting rooms, and the surgical mask phenomenon...

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's very hard to compare a short non fiction graphic novel to a full length 300+ page book work of fiction, but that's the name of the game on Goodreads. In this adorably illustrated graphic non fiction work, we learn a lot about Japan. The book goes into sections explaining some customs, dos and don't s and some basic tips that any travel will find helpful, including the different kinds of toilets, what kind of food is available, and what some of the basic words and hand signals mean. I would love to visit Japan one day and I will surely re-read this book before I go!

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who like their books with pictures, a fun guide to Tokyo. I will stick with more conventional formats.

Includes info on Japanese spaghetti, the early versions of which were truly disgusting and are now just weird like their pizza.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Personally I did not enjoy this, even though I thought I would. Here are my main criticisms..
-The art seems flat.
-I don't understand why there are characters introduced in the beginning when there is no story with them.
-I found there to be very little useful information in the book which was weird because a lot of the pages were word heavy for a graphic novel.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I previously read Abby’s Cool Japan Guide so I may be a bit biased since I loved the first one. I think what I enjoyed most about this version set in Tokyo was the plethora of information and places that she describes that I missed out on when I visited. It makes it all the more exciting to visit again. Abby also does a great job at giving tips, highlighting key historical facts related to the places she visited and the kids section which I know will be appreciated by families with small children.

[Monday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a fine read for what it was. As someone who has always wanted to travel to Tokyo, this just made me more excited to be able to travel and explore this culture I have been interested in. I only have two main complaints. The first was that I wish that when new vocabulary was introduced it had the pronunciation next to it. The second was at times it was very repetitive. There are only so many times I want to read that candied grapes are her favorite treat.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot and now really want to travel there. You can dine with Owls??!!!!

[Anna Richland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this while reading it, but my daughter didn't, so I'm compromising on a 3.5 star rating. She reads a lot of graphic novels, and thought the art (especially the characters) was too simple, and the page of text before each chapter not helpful. So that's a teenager rating. I'll admit I preferred the art in the two brief excerpts by other illustrators at the end, but I don't regret buying this. A few chapters had "more info" type lists at the end (see page 79), but others didn't, and the inconsistency bothered me a little.

I'd recommend this book as a memory aide for people who enjoyed trips to Tokyo in the past, and want a refresher before going, or to spark conversations with a child about an upcoming trip. As a person who lived in Japan off and on throughout the late 80s and early 90s, I found this triggered many happy thirty-year old memories. "Oh, right, I used to eat that!!" type of things. I also encountered recommendations for things to do in Tokyo that didn't exist when I was most familiar with the city -- Studio Ghibli Museum, for instance, and the Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba. I mean, I don't think Odaiba as a whole existed twenty five years ago, did it? It's reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay.

All in all, a good enough read to prepare for a family summer trip to Tokyo, first one with our teens. I will check Denson's "Cool Japan" guidebook out of the library, and I'd cheerfully share my copy of this book with people going to Tokyo. It was helpful.

[Leigh Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super kawaii!

Who says travel guides have to be dull? Denson's overview of what to do, see, and eat in Tokyo isn't just a cute comic in fun colors: it's an actual travel guide that readers could use to plan a trip. Even armchair explorers, however, will be charmed by the juxtaposition between child-like art and adult-quality information. Each chapter begins with a list of Japanese vocabulary words, and Denson and her pals are accompanied through their city explorations by the adorable Kitty Sweet Tooth. From them you will learn where to buy manga, what tasty foods to eat, how to ride trains, and other fun and functional advice for making your Tokyo trip a pleasant one.

Day trips to other cities enhance the volume, and every chapter includes the contact information for all the attractions and features mentioned in the text, so you can do a little research before you go. In fact, there's a lot of things you should do well in advance to make your Tokyo trip a successful one, so take notes and make a list. This could be a fun addition to teen collections, but placing it with adult travel could be beneficial as well, especially since there's an entire chapter on traveling with children. Recommended for larger collections and/or libraries where a sense of whimsy prevails.

[Billie Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS GUIDE!!!!! We are planing a trip to Japan in the fall and this was just want we needed!!! Having little exposure to friends visiting Japan I was a little overwhelmed with not knowing what I didn't know. This book was perfect to dip my toe into the unknown. It as like having a friend tell you about their trip with helpful need to know tips and destination ideas to give me a starting point for my in depth research and planning. Plus being in Comic book form I was able to hand it to my teens to read as well which they gladly did. The survival skills and hotel tips chapters were particularly important for us to read to get a preview into some of the differences we'd encounter when we arrive. So very glad this book was at our library!!!!

[Jm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great introduction to Japanese culture and an innovative visual approach to a travel guide. I picked this book up at my local library's summer reading display table. I think it was an excellent choice and strategy. I know my teen daughter would enjoy looking at this book and encourage her own dreams of travel.

I have not been to Japan but have travelled on my own quite a bit and I know a little about the culture. I would definitely use this book as a guide and planning resource. Its comic book-style layout and rich combination of English-Japanses phrases, images, and pragmatic travel organization not only provides a well-rounded source of information but increases anticipation for the trip!

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of useful information in relatively few words: explanation of buttons on toilets, tips on where to buy food, how to dispose of waste, etc. Unfortunately some of it is outdated already. For example, some apps don't exist anymore, or cafés and thermal baths that the author recommends have closed. I personally didn't love the drawing style and the mascot either: a purple cat in a yellow dress walking on two legs. But if you want some practical information conveniently presented, to start preparing your trip to Tokyo, I would still recommend this book.

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

A guide to cool things to see while traveling in Tokyo, very much so. It is full of tips on the Japanese culture that you would encounter and how to interact without seeming as an uncouth tourist.

The illustrations are reminiscent of the children's books of Rotten Ralph; they do not add too much to the overall book. But the information in it is worth a look.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to know there's a DARIO ARGENTO THEMED BAR IN TOKYO!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always look for graphic novel travel guides from now on.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but a bit hard to organize information the way it was presented. I think the resource pages are wonderful!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the Cool Japan Guide, this is a guide book that really speaks to me because Denson likes a lot of the same things. There were some pieces that repeated, because the Japan guide did cover a lot of the basics, but Denson does a good enough job branching out that this book isn't a good read. I would likely choose one or the other if you are going to buy, but if you get them from a library or similar, then read both.

Some of the things that Denson only touched on about Tokyo in the first book are covered in more detail here. Things like Japan Rail and luggage are covered but only briefly, so if you want to get some of the basics of travel sorted, I'd go with the Japan guide. If you are focusing a trip on Tokyo then either would do and this one gives a bit more info on that city in particular.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested this (and Cool Japan 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 these tiny plushes at convenience stores. I doubt that a traditional guide would encourage you to hit up all the convenience stores! I loved getting the broad overview of what a visit to Tokyo might look like, and appreciated the "insider" info from someone who has visited multiple times.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, intriguing book - and one you can't put down. The easy to read comic book format lends itself well to this off-beat, upbeat tour of Tokyo. From Tokyo travel basics (getting around, survival skills) to culture shock funnies, eating, hotels, entertainment, cultural sites, family travel tips, and more (Ghibli Museum!), this guide is a captivating read - I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended!

Read our author interview here: https://www.wanderingeducators.com/be...

[Amber Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really good. I learned different Japanese sayings and how to pronounce vowels in Japanese words.

In Cool Tokyo Guide, her and husband mention various animes, mangas, and cafes. They also mention themed attractions and shops.

It was a very good memoir graphic novel and I learned a lot about Japanese culture.

Would definitely read it again. I’ll also be reading Cool Japan Guide, Polar Bear Cafe, and One Piece. I’ll also be watching Studio Ghibli films and reading their book versions in the future.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alas, Cool Tokyo Guide is quite underwhelming. One of the benefits of a travelogue or guide that exists in comic form is the interesting visuals. Unfortunately, Denson just isn't a great artist, and her comics lack any interesting detail that really showcases Japan. Nor is the information particularly useful or novel in comparison to other guides. All in all, not particularly useful or enjoyable :l

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really made me want to go back to Japan.

This is basically a guide book/introduction to Japan and Japanese culture. As someone who lived there for 3 years (although not in Tokyo), this book rang true.

Seems like a great book for someone who is Japan-curious, especially if they are interested in anime or manga, since the author and her husband have bonus tips regarding where to go for those topics.

[Dana Saavedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do wish I had come across this book before I went to Japan because it explained a few things I didn't know, like Japanese spaghetti is a thing! However, the book is now outdated because Tokyo Tower doesn't have an aquarium at the base, nor a One Piece theme park. Both closed in 2020. The problem with guidebooks is they run the risk of becoming obsolete over time. This one definitely falls under that umbrella. Maybe the illustrators could release an updated version?

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love Japan - and have been there - then everything in here is a sweet memory or an explanation of all sorts of quirky things Japanese...if you haven't been to Japan this is a fun guide to all things cute, funny and unique about Japan and some of it's culture...either way - it's bright, colorful and an easy read that makes you smile.

[Rina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an all-encompassing travel guide, but it has some great nuggets/ideas. There are some key phrases, cultural customs, and ideas for things to do in Tokyo. It is an actually readable travel guide, which makes it difficult to also be comprehensive. Definitely good to read to get in the mood for a trip to Japan, but treat it as a supplement/secondary guide.

[Shana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an informative, easy book to browse; however, I'm afraid it won't stand the test of time as the city continues to evolve and tourism booms. The style was also unappealing to me. There are so many aesthetically stunning and cute guides to Japan and I wasn't convinced that this should be the go-to.

[Paolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really fun guide to Tokyo, and it's filled legit info regarding the city. However, the art is pretty simple. If you can get over that, this fun-filled comic guide to the city and the surrounding areas is a really neat one!

[Shar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Briefly skimmed this when looking for useful guides to give my cousin for his upcoming trip. Not a fan of the art but the guide is useful and contains some good tips for first time travelers to Tokyo. Also includes brief info/recommendations for daytrips like Yokohama and Kamakura.

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how quick and interesting it was to read this guide. I think it is a good first step in planning your trip to Tokyo and then you can go more into detail and focus your research subsequently.