Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen

by Abby Denson

Overview

Traveling to Japan has never been so much fun--visit the land of anime, manga, cosplay, hot springs and sushi!

This graphic Japan travel guide 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 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462914937
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	03/10/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	125 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Lulu Award-winner Abby Denson has scripted for The Amazing Spider-man, The Powerpuff Girls and other comics. Her graphic novel Dolltopia won a Bronze International Manga Award and the Moonbeam Children's Book Award. Her popular blog The City Sweet Tooth is an online tour of New York's best bakeries, pastry shops, and cafes. You can view her work at abbycomix.com and citysweettooth.com.

Editorial Reviews

01/12/2015
Comic book artist and food blogger Denson (Dolltopia) fills this hip and handy travel guide with her expertise as a frequent visitor to Japan and her bright and vibrant illustrations. The drawings feature the artist and her husband, their Japanese friend Yuuko, and Kitty Sweet Tooth (Denson’s cartoon-cat alter ego), who provides language lessons, including a pronunciation guide and common words and phrases. Denson outlines what to do ahead of time, such as purchasing discount transportation tickets and exchanging money, and offers space-saving packing tips. A quick rundown of the public transit system—the Narita Express—ensures you won’t look like a tourist, and an etiquette lesson explains traditions to observe when visiting a Japanese home. Food and drink topics range from the famously bizarre Japanese vending machines and intricate bento lunch boxes to conveyor-belt sushi and the more formal kaiseki meals of Kyoto. Manga fans will find plenty of activities, including comic conventions, the International Manga Museum, and bookstores with the widest selections. Further recreational recommendations include karaoke and nightlife spots, shrines and temples, arcades, and the eclectic maid (and butler) cafes. First-time visitors may want to seek out a more complete guidebook, but Denson’s artwork and perspective make for an entertaining supplement at the very least. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"Comic book artist and food blogger Denson (Dolltopia) fills this hip and handy travel guide with her expertise as a frequent visitor to Japan and her bright and vibrant illustrations." —Publishers Weekly

"Abby Denson's Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen offers great insider-tips on some of the best foods and attractions in a kicky comic book style." —Travel Channel

"Perfect travel guide with a comic book flair that is sure to appeal to travelers who plan to visit Japan. Also, a great guide that shows Japanese culture in a fun light." —YABooksCentral.com

"In her quirky graphic novel Cool Japan Guide, comic book writer Abby Denson takes us on a "personal tour of Japan" and teaches us the finer points of local etiquette. Traveling isn't just about seeing the sights and eating your way around town. For cartoonist Abby Denson, a trip to Japan meant an education in cultural customs, which she illustrated to charming effect in her new guidebook." —Conde Nast Traveler

"Each chapter opens with a with a well-conceived list of Japanese vocabulary words and the back matter offers a directory of suggested sightseeing locations as well as web-based travel resources. A useful title for teens daydreaming about traveling to Japan" —Booklist

"It's a quirky book, with cultural explanations and travel tips, mostly of the novice but also for the more seasoned visitor, all done in stunning manga style." —Australian Broadcasting Corporation

"What could be a more fitting format for a travel guide on modern Japan than a comic book? Relying on delightful cartoon illustrations, this creative, nicely designed title details travel preparations, the homestay experience, food, shopping, and festivals." —School Library Journal

"Abby's book is the perfect combination of fun and information … Abby gets you on your way in her clear, easygoing comic style. Arigatou Gozaimasu Abby-san!" —Rodney Alan Greenblat, Pop Artist and Author

From the Publisher

★ 03/15/2015
It would be almost as much fun planning a trip using this clever, helpful, enjoyable guide as actually visiting Japan! Author and illustrator Denson is an award-winning graphic novelist; her lighthearted text and whimsical illustrations add pleasure to the fact-filled book. Readers accompany Abby, her husband, Matt, Japanese friend Yuuko, and Kitty Sweet Tooth, Denson's cartoon alter ego (who shares new words and travel tips). The manual begins with the basics: passports, packing, best time to travel, etc. Most fun are the food and shopping sections. There are vending machines for everything, including pumpkin soup and ramen noodles—tiny spoon included. The 24-hour convenience stores offer a huge selection of goodies and are ideal for the budget-minded. The author offers suggestions for economical and easy-to-pack souvenirs such as anime and manga toys. Entertaining and enlightening is an explanation of toilet types, from traditional squat to those with heated seats and finally, a motion-sensor model in which the seat pops up when a person enters the room. The volume concludes with websites for restaurants, hotels, transportation, Japan apps, and emergency information. VERDICT Unlike most travel books, this title assures active travelers and the armchair variety alike a delightful time and a very interesting trip.—Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

Library Journal

03/01/2015
Gr 5 Up—What could be a more fitting format for a travel guide on modern Japan than a comic book? Relying on delightful cartoon illustrations, this creative, nicely designed title details travel preparations, the homestay experience, food, shopping, and festivals. Readers will get a strong sense of all that the country has to offer: manga, anime, onsens (or hot springs), karaoke bars, and much more. Some images are accompanied by lengthy, enlightening captions. Kitty Sweet Tooth, a cheery feline who sports a lime green dress festooned with a red heart, introduces a pronunciation guide for common words. Useful websites, handy apps, emergency information, and a list of recommended places to visit can be found at the back of the book, along with a basic map. VERDICT Those fascinated by Japan will enjoy this amusing and educational romp.—Robyn Gioia, Antilles Middle School, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico

School Library Journal