I've used Lonely Planet Guides for my many trips abroad but the Japan Travel Guide is by far the most confusing and contains very few maps, directions, and information. I spent the majority of my time asking locals how to get to a location because the Lonely Planet guide did not provide a map or even directions for that matter. In Japan you need a map and a good one at that. You will spend the majority of your time walking the city and taking trains and you need to have a grasp of the area. This book did not provide any of that and it made me question Lonely Planet's quality and substance.

Lonely Planet excels as a detailed introduction to what you absolutely need to know before visiting Japan. From travel hints and special considerations you just may not thought about, this guide can be an essential piece of equipment in your travel arsenal. Many of the other reviews here spell out Lonely Planet's best qualities as an overall guide and are spot-on. However, as I read the same reviews prior to purchase and now have the benefit of spending a bit over a month in Japan to date, I can offer the following as additional considerations when considering your purchase of this book.

First and foremost, a previous review mentions the rather ungainly size of the Lonely Planet Japan guide. I have found the text provides good reading at night but not always a best as a handy guide to and from sites throughout the day. It's best used as an encyclopedia of options to consider when planning your trip, and is comprehensive enough that you shouldn't need to go elsewhere for too much information. With that said, picking up a streamlined, secondary source for your day-to-day travels may not be a bad idea (and, to some degree, the LP focused titles on specific geographies handle this - i.e. the Tokyo guide, etc.)

However, the maps are ill-suited for use when traveling on foot or as actual navigation tools. For this purpose I picked up a handy (and very slim) street atlas at a local bookstore which saved me many missteps, and had the added advantage of identifying many of the features the LP guide spoke of but were difficult to find otherwise.

As I've spent nearly all my time in and around Tokyo, I've also found that the Tokyo section in general is a weaker re-write than found in previous LP guides, and covers essentially the same information. A 4th edition Tokyo guide written in 2001 served as a better companion, and the writing was friendlier, and seemed more connected with the actual sites. As Tokyo is quite vibrant and seems to be changing on the hour, I understand the challenge in keeping this section updated. However, it clearly seems in need of a re-write from a local's perspective - as written, it wasn't clear that the necessary time was spent in Tokyo to adequately update this section. Some descriptions seemed an attempt to capture the "feeling" of an area but lacked in the concrete details necessary for a traveler deciding whether or not to leave a particular site off her / his itinerary.

With that said, as an overall guide to Japan consider LP a worthy look - it accomplishes what it sets out to do. For a more-focused travel companion, especially if only traveling to Tokyo, Kyoto, or other limited areas in Japan, the smaller guides will probably suffice nicely, and tend to cover many of the other travel generalities that you'll find ultimately helpful and informative for your trip.

Lonely Planet excels as a detailed introduction to what you absolutely need to know before visiting Japan. From travel hints and special considerations you just may not thought about, this guide can be an essential piece of equipment in your travel arsenal. Many of the other reviews here spell out Lonely Planet's best qualities as an overall guide and are spot-on. However, as I read the same reviews prior to purchase and now have the benefit of spending a bit over a month in Japan to date, I can offer the following as additional considerations when considering your purchase of this book.

First and foremost, a previous review mentions the rather ungainly size of the Lonely Planet Japan guide. I have found the text provides good reading at night but not always a best as a handy guide to and from sites throughout the day. It's best used as an encyclopedia of options to consider when planning your trip, and is comprehensive enough that you shouldn't need to go elsewhere for too much information. With that said, picking up a streamlined, secondary source for your day-to-day travels may not be a bad idea (and, to some degree, the LP focused titles on specific geographies handle this - i.e. the Tokyo guide, etc.)

However, the maps are ill-suited for use when traveling on foot or as actual navigation tools. For this purpose I picked up a handy (and very slim) street atlas at a local bookstore which saved me many missteps, and had the added advantage of identifying many of the features the LP guide spoke of but were difficult to find otherwise.

As I've spent nearly all my time in and around Tokyo, I've also found that the Tokyo section in general is a weaker re-write than found in previous LP guides, and covers essentially the same information. A 4th edition Tokyo guide written in 2001 served as a better companion, and the writing was friendlier, and seemed more connected with the actual sites. As Tokyo is quite vibrant and seems to be changing on the hour, I understand the challenge in keeping this section updated. However, it clearly seems in need of a re-write from a local's perspective - as written, it wasn't clear that the necessary time was spent in Tokyo to adequately update this section. Some descriptions seemed an attempt to capture the "feeling" of an area but lacked in the concrete details necessary for a traveler deciding whether or not to leave a particular site off her / his itinerary.

With that said, as an overall guide to Japan consider LP a worthy look - it accomplishes what it sets out to do. For a more-focused travel companion, especially if only traveling to Tokyo, Kyoto, or other limited areas in Japan, the smaller guides will probably suffice nicely, and tend to cover many of the other travel generalities that you'll find ultimately helpful and informative for your trip.

Having been to Europe the last two years, I was used to using Rick Steve's guidebooks, so I needed to find an alternative for Japan. I ordered this book and picked up a copy of Frommer's Japan guidebook, but ended up taking the Lonely Planet guide with me to Japan.

As I was reading both guides the night before my trip, I realized that the Lonely Planet guide had maps of the metro for both Tokyo and Kyoto (it also had Osaka, but I didn't need that one for this trip)and the Frommer's didn't have metro maps. You can always get the maps at train stations, but there's no guarantee they will be in English.

It also called out in more detail the "local" things to do more so than the Frommer's which focused more on the must do things for tourists. If prefer to do a little of both when traveling and the Lonely Planet did a good job of covering the touristy things as well.

The main reason why I give it four stars is because of the usefulness I got out of it while in Japan. I didn't give it 5 stars because some of the info, particularly prices, were a bit dated.

I hauled this guidebook with me in my sling bag the whole 10 days of my trip and used it every few hours to find something to do or to reference directions. The information on which train/subway line to take and what station to get off at was EXTREMELY helpful. We used this info to find our way all over Tokyo and Kyoto.

There is a Tokyo specific guide Lonely Planet publishes, but most of that info is covered in the Japan guide--You do get a smaller footprint though.

This book marks the newest printing of the Lonely Planet series of travel guides on Japan. In my experience with travel, these writers give the most thorough, useful reviews of almost anywhere that anyone would find interest in, with detailed and maps, directions, and things to look out for.
A few notes, however; if you are looking for a picture book, this is NOT for you, this travel guide will contain almost completely pragmatic information such as guides and maps, with very few pictures. Also, if you are looking to actually reside in Japan, you will want to find a guide for the specific city you are looking to live in from a book series not designed for tourists, as there are many cities which are not considered "tourist's destinations" which are thus omitted from this and most other travel guide titles. A must have for a first-time tourist to Japan.

We've travelled all over the world using Lonely Planet guide books, and we've had a great experience with them. The Japan book on the other hand was the most useless guide book I have ever seen. We would arrive in a bustling part of Tokyo, open the book, and it would say, "just walk around, everything is good." I didn't spend $25 on a guidebook for that. The whole book seemed lazy, there were maps printed upside down, sights they write about and don't place on their maps and the most amazing things we did in Kyoto weren't in the book, we learned about them through our hostile. If you are going to Japan, don't buy this book, I would have preferred to have no book at all because I spent so much time frustrated at this book.

Although Lonely Planet has good contents about all the places to visit, the suggested walks aren't as good as others. The complete descripitions of all the places doesn't orientate first vists wiht "don't live Tokyo withot.." suggestions. Terrible maps and no pictures make this guide a real bible.. not to talk about its size...

Everything about modern and traditional Japan with emphasis on travel and living related information....open source travel guide to Japan, featuring up-to-date information on attractions, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, travel tips and more

For years, Lonely Planet's Japan guide has been the benchmark among the many books available on the trendiest country in East Asia. The latest edition of their Japan guide continues to provide the high quality their readers have come to expect.

High points of this edition include:

- LP's authors seem to have found something to do in nearly every corner of Japan. While I still believe that to enjoy Japan best you must find your own places to enjoy - not just the ones within walking distance of a Starbucks - LP will help keep you from getting lost as you make your way from the train station to the twice-daily bus on the way to the Onsen In The Middle Of Nowhere (and if there is a Starbucks nearby that onsen, they'll tell you about that, too).

It's especially helpful that they list smaller diversions like the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum right along side of more famous attractions such as Yokohama's Chinatown - these are very helpful for people with a couple of hours to burn while they wait for their train.

- Restaurant suggestions. I don't use LP's restaurant choices religiously, but they are extremely helpful if you're unused to Japanese food (or with someone new to it); LP lists everything from high-end kaiseki restaurants to railway-station ramen stands to chain izakaya (pubs) with English menus - the last are an excellent way to try out different types of Japanese food without the guesswork.

-Lodging. LP shines here in their recommendations of ryokan (Japanese style-inns) and minshuku (pensions), most of which don't appear on Expedia or even Japanese-language websites. These are great places to enjoy real Japanese hospitality, and LP knows which ones are welcoming to foreigners, which have the best food, and which have the best onsen (hot springs).

-Japanese text. I can't emphasize this enough - it's absolutely critical to have Japanese translations of city names, train stations, attractions, and other important locations (hospitals, anyone?) written in Japanese as well as English. If you speak little or no Japanese, the text not only helps you read most signs outside of the major metro areas, it helps you to ask for directions, navigate restaurant menus, and maybe even learn some kanji.

Here are a few things I took issue with in this edition:

-Inaccurate transportation information. Don't worry, LP is generally reliable throughout the book and won't steer you wrong. The problem is what gets left out, particularly in the airport transportation category. For example, nobody bothers to tell you that Keikyu Railways provides service to Haneda Airport from Shinagawa for less money and in a shorter time than the Tokyo Monorail, which is silly because the last edition of the guide didn't make this mistake.

LP also heartily recommends taking the Keisei tokkyu limited express service from Narita Airport instead of the all-reserved Skyliner. Don't even *think* about this if you have heavy baggage or are unused to crowds in Japan. The tokkyu is a commuter train and you'll be riding with several hundred close (literally) Japanese friends by the time you reach Ueno.

-Toyoko Inn. LP directs budget travelers to this chain of cookie-cutter business hotels several times in this edition. Although Toyoko Inn is very popular among foreign travelers in Japan because of their English website and free rice-ball breakfasts, the chain is often more expensive than hotels with better service. Toyoko Inn's "Flintstones-tech" beds (my term) are my archenemy after repeatedly messing up my back. Do yourself a favor and make reservations at Toyoko's rival, Route Inn. Route Inn hotels have a free full breakfast for those who book online, often include a free onsen in the hotel, have more comfortable beds than Toyoko, and have rates that are often lower.

In addition, Tokyu Hotels, Sunroute Hotels, Solare Hotels, Washington Hotels, and other business hotel chains have English websites that deserve your attention before Toyoko.

-The "Safety" section lists what to do in case of fire and earthquake, but doesn't mention typhoons. Although most modern Japanese buildings are safe refuges in a typhoon, LP ought to devote at least a paragraph to safety precautions to take if you get stuck in a city in a typhoon's path - and several hit Japan every summer and fall.

-LP's traditional wittiness is lessened somewhat as their writers turn over. Last edition's clever description of active volcano Sakurajima was: "Looming over Kagoshima is the brooding cone of this decidedly hyperactive volcano." The new authors call it "frisky." Say it with a knowing smile, folks: "Frisky" does not go in the same sentence as "volcano."

Although again there isn't a overwhelming amount of new information in this book, LP's guide fits into the travel plans of just about anyone: Hardcore backpackers, exchange students, couples and even business travelers will all find the something useful in the guide for them.

As always, the LP guide remains your best bet for exploring Japan.

For years, Lonely Planet's Japan guide has been the benchmark among the many books available on the trendiest country in East Asia. The latest edition of their Japan guide continues to provide the high quality their readers have come to expect.

High points of this edition include:

- LP's authors seem to have found something to do in nearly every corner of Japan. While I still believe that to enjoy Japan best you must find your own places to enjoy - not just the ones within walking distance of a Starbucks - LP will help keep you from getting lost as you make your way from the train station to the twice-daily bus on the way to the Onsen In The Middle Of Nowhere (and if there is a Starbucks nearby that onsen, they'll tell you about that, too).

It's especially helpful that they list smaller diversions like the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum right along side of more famous attractions such as Yokohama's Chinatown - these are very helpful for people with a couple of hours to burn while they wait for their train.

- Restaurant suggestions. I don't use LP's restaurant choices religiously, but they are extremely helpful if you're unused to Japanese food (or with someone new to it); LP lists everything from high-end kaiseki restaurants to railway-station ramen stands to chain izakaya (pubs) with English menus - the last are an excellent way to try out different types of Japanese food without the guesswork.

A few visits to LP's restaurants will help you decide what kinds of food you enjoy and where you like to eat without having to look in the guide.

-Lodging. LP shines here in their recommendations of ryokan (Japanese style-inns) and minshuku (pensions), most of which don't appear on Expedia or even Japanese-language websites. These are great places to enjoy real Japanese hospitality, and LP knows which ones are welcoming to foreigners, which have the best food, and which have the best onsen (hot springs).

Also welcome is their endorsement of manga cafes in addition to guest houses and hostels as ultra-budget places to spend the night.

The "Japanese Accommodation Made Easy" blurb on page 786 lays down a few basic guidelines that will often improve your experience at a hotel or ryokan.

-Japanese text. I can't emphasize this enough - it's absolutely critical to have Japanese translations of city names, train stations, attractions, and other important locations (hospitals, anyone?) written in Japanese as well as English.

If you speak little or no Japanese, the text not only helps you read most signs outside of the major metro areas, it helps you to ask for directions, navigate restaurant menus, and maybe even learn some kanji.

LP includes a bare-bones phrasebook and brief Japanese-English dictionary in the back, too. Not all travel guides pay attention to the language in this way, and those guides just aren't worth your money.

-History, cultural, lifestyle, and etiquette notes to help you avoid travel debacles. The history section is especially well-researched.

Here are a few things I took issue with in this edition:

-There is a substantial amount of updated information in the guide, but not enough to justify a purchase for veteran Japan trekkers with a copy of the previous edition.

-Inaccurate transportation information. Don't worry, LP is generally reliable throughout the book and won't steer you wrong. The problem is what gets left out, particularly in the airport transportation category. For example, nobody bothers to tell you that Keikyu Railways provides service to Haneda Airport from Shinagawa for less money and in a shorter time than the Tokyo Monorail, which is silly because the last edition of the guide didn't make this mistake.

LP also heartily recommends taking the Keisei tokkyu limited express service from Narita Airport instead of the all-reserved Skyliner. Don't even *think* about this if you have heavy baggage or are unused to crowds in Japan. The tokkyu is a commuter train and you'll be riding with several hundred close (literally) Japanese friends by the time you reach Ueno.

-Toyoko Inn. LP directs budget travelers to this chain of cookie-cutter business hotels several times in this edition. Although Toyoko Inn is very popular among foreign travelers in Japan because of their English website and free rice-ball breakfasts, the chain is often more expensive than hotels with better service. Toyoko Inn's "Flintstones-tech" beds (my term) are my archenemy after repeatedly messing up my back.

Do yourself a favor and make reservations at Toyoko's rival, Route Inn. Route Inn hotels have a free full breakfast for those who book online, often include a free onsen in the hotel, have more comfortable beds than Toyoko, and have rates that are often lower.

In addition, Tokyu Hotels, Sunroute Hotels, Solare Hotels, Washington Hotels, and other business hotel chains have English websites that deserve your attention before Toyoko.

-The "Safety" section lists what to do in case of fire and earthquake, but doesn't mention typhoons. Although most modern Japanese buildings are safe refuges in a typhoon, LP ought to devote at least a paragraph to safety precautions to take if you get stuck in a city in a typhoon's path - and several hit Japan every summer and fall.

-LP's traditional wittiness is lessened somewhat as their writers turn over. Last edition's clever description of active volcano Sakurajima was: "Looming over Kagoshima is the brooding cone of this decidedly hyperactive volcano." The new authors call it "frisky." Say it with a knowing smile, folks: "Frisky" does not go in the same sentence as "volcano."

All kidding aside, should you buy the new edition of Lonely Planet Japan? Unless you're very experienced in Japan as mentioned above or have committed past editions to memory, this edition is definitely worth a purchase.

One of the easiest ways to note the usefulness of a travel guide is simply to page through quickly. If the editors have jammed every page full of info, it's a good sign you're getting your thirty bucks' worth. With LP it's obvious: They've filled the Japan guide to the brim; there truly is a ton of useful information in here. From the names of every exit from Shinjuku Station written in Japanese to the notes about architecture and music festivals - you'll find your way around with ease and never run out of things to do.

Although again there isn't a overwhelming amount of new information in this book, LP's guide fits into the travel plans of just about anyone: Hardcore backpackers, exchange students, couples and even business travelers will all find the something useful in the guide for them.

As always, the LP guide remains your best bet for exploring Japan.

THe book has a lot of information, it covers everything you will need to do in Japan. I stayed at the Washington hotel in Sujuku, Tokyo, a great location and a nice quiet, clean and efficient room.

I DID NOT like the layout of the book. It was difficult to find things to refer back as a reference. THey are not listed in a logical order, some under activities, some under sights and not much of anything listed under the index. So, if I am trying to find a sight that I remember was mentioned in the book, chances are, it would not be in the index and I would have to sift through the pages and guess where the location was or, use a lot of bookmarks for easy refererence.

Also, the location of the sight is not clearly marked. This can be a problem since Tokyo's train stations are so large, without specifics, you may get off at the site and wander around until you can find someone who speaks English and is willing to help, not always easy.

This is a perfectly fine book that give you a comprehensive overview of Japan and will help you get where you want to go. It does a decent enough job of preparing you for behaving yourself as a foreigner in this wonderful but nuanced country. I used this book on my recent trip to Hokkaido and I found coverage to be a little thin, but I think the aim of this book is to cover the major attractions and give you an overview of each region. It is a large country with a tremendous amount of cool things to see and do, which could result in a giant tome of a book. I think they could easily publish a title for each island and possibly each region, much as one might want a detailed guide book for each American state or Canadian province.

I ended up doing a lot of detailed research on the internet, copying and pasting Japanese words for things when I could, which gave better results. I managed to make an onsen reservation this way at what turned out to be Noboribetsu, a well-known area covered in the book, but at a Ryokan not found in the book. I found the accommodation listings of the book to be pretty sparse. Again, it'll get the job done but there is so much more to discover on your own. In a way this is a good thing, as discovery is one of the best parts of traveling, and many LP readers have encountered the "LP convergence zone" or "backpacker areas" of major world destinations, where you end up surrounded by a bunch of LP-reading Australians. At the end of the day, there are not a ton of english-language resources to finding the more obscure nooks and crannies of this country.

Bottom line is that this book is a useful guide that will get the job done. I did not use it for restaurant of night life recommendations, Japan is just chock a block with amazing food everywhere you go, you can pretty much just trust your instincts.

Lots of good information in this book. However I did find that the size was annoying to carry around. I recently took a trip to Tokyo and I felt that if I could just the useful phrases out it would've been more useful. Perhaps I should've grabbed the Tokyo only version of the book. I plan on visiting the rest of Japan so I wanted to have that information too so I guess thats my fault. If you are JUST going to Tokyo get the Tokyo only book duh. :)

I purchased this 10th edition after being quite disappointed with an older edition (6th or 7th) when traveling Tohoku region by car in September 2007 with my husband. This edition does a much better job in providing enthusiastic, first-hand account about the region beyond the beaten path like Tokyo and Kyoto, which is a quality that I look forward for from the LP series in general. I am happy that we've upgraded the book for our upcoming Shikoku trip.

Giving 4 stars, because, as a native Japanese speaker, I feel that the book still has a room for improvement (for example, I feel that there are other activities beyond skiing that are great and more unique in Japan).