Japan by Rail: Includes Rail Route Guide and 30 City Guides

by Ramsey Zarifeh, Anna Udagawa

Japan is steeped in legend and myth, perhaps the greatest of which is the popular misconception that the country is simply too expensive to visit. The truth is that flights to Japan are cheaper than they've ever been, accommodation can be great value, while the warm hospitality which awaits every visitor costs nothing at all. The real secret to travelling around the country on a budget, however, is the Japan Rail Pass. Use this comprehensive guide in conjunction with a rail pass to get the most out of a trip to Japan.- Practical information - planning your trip; when to go; suggested itineraries; what to take; festivals and events- City guides and maps - where to stay, where to eat, what to see in 30 towns and cities; historical and cultural background- Kilometre-by-kilometre route guides - covering train journeys from the coast into the mountains, from temple retreat to sprawling metropolis and from sulphurous volcano to windswept desert; 33 route maps - Includes new routes - including the extension of the shinkansen route from Nagano to Kanazawa (the Hokuriku shinkansen) - Railway timetables and frequency charts - Bullet trains and all described routes- Customs, etiquette, Japanese words and phrases - with kanji- With kanji/hiragana/katakana for all place name text - readers can point to the text when asking Japanese speakers for directions - Extended Highlights - extra colour sections make this book even more user-friendly and attractive

Genres: Travel, Japan

540 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2020

Reviews

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some good information, but I expected A LOT more rail maps from a book titled Japan by Rail.

[Francisco Azevedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for travel. There is almost too much information, but one doesn't have to read cover-to-cover to get the best of the book.
While this book lists some must-sees, I wouldn't advise it as your only means to plan a trip as it is too dense and forgoes some details. Read the introductions and general chapters and then go through the specific destinations for your itinerary to get the best of both worlds. There will be a lot of information like places to see, how to get there, ticket prices, where to eat and sleep (with prices too).

I don't give it five stars simply because of how it compares to other guides that are more specialised in helping the reader choose what to do. This book, on the other hand, provides information to facilitate just about any plans the reader might have already made, with a few suggestions along the way.

Highly recommended.