Cool Japan: A Guide to Tokyo, Kyoto, Tohoku and Japanese Culture Past and Present

by Sumiko Kajiyama

Overview

Written by local expert Sumiko Kajiyama, Cool Japan explores the heart of Japanese culture and must-see places from a uniquely Japanese perspective. First, visit Kyoto, where you will discover 1,000 years of history, from the ancient love story the Tale of Genji to the traditional tea ceremony. Then head to Tokyo to experience Japan's cutting-edge capital, where the 21st-century kawaii culture collides with landmarks like the Kabuki-za Theater and the Imperial Palace. For a different perspective, venture outside the city to the serene towns of Tohoku, the region largely affected by the 2011 tsunami disaster. Informative, entertaining, and useful, this book is an ideal introduction for any traveler looking for a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, past and present.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781940842226
Publisher:	Museyon
Publication date:	06/01/2018
Series:	Cool Japan Series
Edition description:	Second edition
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	537,352
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Sumiko Kajiyama is a journalist and scriptwriter residing in Japan. After working as a TV show director at KTV in Osaka, she lived in the U.S. for more than eight years while getting her Master of Media Communication from New York University and working at The Yomiuri America newspaper.

Editorial Reviews

"Few locations hold as much interest and require as thought-provoking a travel guide as Japan. This beautifully illustrated and formatted work by author and former TV producer Kajiyama (Ghibli Magic) is organized into three sections that focus on Kyoto, Tokyo, and Tohoku." —Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/15/2013
Few locations hold as much interest and require as thought-provoking a travel guide as Japan. This beautifully illustrated and formatted work by author and former TV producer Kajiyama (Ghibli Magic) is organized into three sections that focus on Kyoto, Tokyo, and Tohoku. The information related to Kyoto is framed in terms of heroes such as the fictional Hikaru Genji (created by novelist Murasaki Shikibu), warlord Oda Nobunaga, and reformer Sakamoto Ryoma. The section on Tokyo includes information on both traditional and new sights and on shopping and dining. Japan's poetry and folklore are reflected in the pages devoted to Tohoku, a seaside region devastated by the 2011 tsunami. Typical entries list address, contact information, a website, and historical nuggets. The title also includes full-color illustrations, photographs, maps, and a seven-page index; a single-page time line traces the history of the country from 14,000 BCE to 1931 CE. VERDICT This handy and readable guide is recommended for larger travel collections. Readers new to the country may prefer a more detailed work, such as Beth Reiber's Frommer's Japan.—Elizabeth Connor, Daniel Lib. at The Citadel, Military Coll. of South Carolina, Charleston

Library Journal