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

by Sumiko Kajiyama

Written by local expert Sumiko Kajiyama, Cool Japan is a three-part travel guide that 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 ImperialPalace. 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.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, Travel, History, Japanese Literature

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Loran (Inked with Curiosity) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool Japan is an interesting and unique little guidebook around Kyoto, Tohoku, and Tokyo. It claims to be a tour through the "coolest" parts of these areas, providing history and tourism locations to check out. Overall... it was just ok for me though. I thought the scope of the book was very narrow and it really didn't have the "cool" factor at all in my opinion. While I did learn a lot from the book and got some great recommendations for the next time I'm in Japan it just wasn't anything special and I've read better. There were some beautiful pictures in this guidebook and many pages were full of extra side panels of extended information. Don't get me wrong- this book was jam packed full of fun facts and interesting tidbits. I just felt like it was marketed wrong and it focused more on traditional culture in Japan's two biggest cities versus a cool, pop culture type of guidebook. Also there was a ton of grammatical errors which consistently bugged me and the information at times became very redundant. Because of that I can only give Cool Japan 2 stars even though it wasn't a terrible book.

[Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the more formal “travel guides” I perused prior to and during my recent trip to Japan, your Fodor’s, Lonely Planets, and Frommers, Sumiko Kajiyama’s Cool Japan was my favorite. While not the most detailed, it was one that was written in engaging enough of a style to be just an interesting read by itself. Discussing three regions, the area around Kyoto, Tokyo, and Tohoku, the chapters were themed around historical and literary figures, including Murasaki Shikabu, author of the thousand year old novel, The Tale of Genji, and the great haiku poet Basho as he traveled the north of Japan. Both of these focuses were very inspiring as we visited the suggested spots.

While I did not make it to Kyoto on this trip, the sections on Tokyo and Tohuku were very useful for me, and I got some great advice on some places to go; in particular Kura Zushi Shinagawa in Tokyo, a great conveyor belt sushi place for extremely affordable sushi for 100 yen a plate. My mouth waters just thinking about it!

This review also appears on my BookLikes blog where I discuss some of my thoughts on the travelogs I read before and during my trip to Japan.

[Kimberly Schlarman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting combination of history and travel guide. The author chose people, events and places to illustrate different eras of Japanese history. She then pairs these with appropriate attractions to visit. She puts museums, shrines, temples, gardens, restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods in their historical and cultural context. The author is also a local so she offers an actual Japanese perspective on their history and culture--and she has great suggestions for lesser-known sites.

Topics discussed include:

Kyoto -- A definite focus on the historical significance of the city
-The Tale of Genji and the Heian Court
-Oda Nobunaga, the shoguns, and the first contact with Europe
-Sankamoto Ryoma and the end of the Tokugawa shogunate

Tokyo -- More focused on current Japanese culture expressed in the capital
-Art (both contemporary and traditional)
-Anime and otaku culture
-Traditional gardens, temples, and neighborhoods

Tohoku -- examines the literary culture of northern Japan
-The poet Basho and The Narrow Road to the Deep North
-Miyazawa Kenji
-Japanese Folktales

[Abby Ang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, short guide to Japan. The copyediting is shaky (as is some of the writing), and the book could have used some sort of conclusion. But the book is designed well and looks pretty.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has lots of suggestions for spots to visit. Also includes some historical stories of Japanese culture. A little rambling, but overall helpful!

[Richard Anderson]

Fine little guide with useful websites.

[Tiff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having an insight of Japanese history, from the Sengoku, Hein, and Meiji era. This book is not only travel guide, but, it's also contains history. History that I wasn't even aware of. The book is broken down into sections; sections of areas to travel to, and has history with those local areas.

Kyoto: One of the first chapters in the history-travel guide. The things it contained were:
~Kyoto and the Three Beloved Heroes
-This section of chapter one tells of the history of Lady Murasaki Shikibu. She was the very first woman and person to have wrote the modern novel. Introducing this history, were also places anyone can travel of where she resided during her lifetime.
-Place to travel to:
*Kyoto Imperial Palace
*Heian Jingu Shrine
*Kamigamo Shrine
*Shimogamo Shrine
*Daikaku-ji Temple
*Rosan-Ji Temple: Lady Murasaki's Residence
*Urin-In Temple
*Heian Costume Experience Studio

~The second chapter of Kyoto follows the history of Oda Nobunaga and how he was trying to form the nation under one figurehead. The following locations gives a short description of where he traveled/stayed during his lifetime.
-Places to travelto:
*Shokoku-Ji Temple
*Jotenkaku Museuem
*Kinkaku-Ji Temple
*Ginkaku-Ji Temple
*Myokaku-Ji Temple
*Daitoku-Ji Temple Soken-In
*Nijo Castle

~The third chapter of Kyoto describes of Sakamoto Ryoma. His history his how he wanted the shogunate to restore power to the emperor. As described with Nobunaga and Murasaki, the following locations gives a brief history of where he traveled/stayed during his lifetme.
-Places to travel to:
*Teradaya Inn
*Jikoku-Bune Boat
*Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
*Kizakura Kinennkan
*Maruyama Park
*Kyoto Ryosen Gokoku Shrine and the Ryosen History Museum
*Akebono-Tei
*Suya
*Sumi-Ya Motenashi Art Museum
*Wachigai-Ya

~Tokyo: The second part of the book: Not only is it the capital of Japan but also has a rich history. The following palaces has a brief description of the history.
-Places to travel to:
`Art:
*Nezu Art Mesuem
*Taro Okamoto Memorial Mesuem
*Suntory Mesuem of Art
*Roppongi Hills
*Hara Museum of Contemorpary Art
*Ukiyo-E Ota Memorial Museum of Art
*Prada Aoyama Store
*The National Art Center Tokyo
*Omotesando Hills
`Anime and Otaku Culture:
*Hello Kitty Shop
*Pokemon Center Tokyo
*Gundam Front Toyko
*Kiddy Land
*Mitaka No Mori Ghibli Museum
*Campus Musashino
*AKB48 Cafe & Shop Akihabara
*Maid Cafes
*Akihabara Pasela Showa Street House
*Gundam Cafe
*Kaiyodo "Hobby Lobby Tokyo"
`Classic and Popular:
*Kabuki-za
*Shinbashi Enbujo Theater
*National Theatre
*Hama-Rikyu Gardens
*Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
*Asakusa & Senso-Ji Temple
*Asakusa Hanayashiki
*Kappabashi Dogu Street
*Kagurazaka
*The Imperial Palace
*Tokyo SkyTree Town
*Tokyo Tower
*Tsukiji Fish Market
*Edo Tokyo Museum
*Tokyo Mizube Line Water Bus
*Ooedo Onsen Monogatari

~This chapter Matsushima: The Footsteps Poet Matsuo Basho and Date Clan,it's more of a history lesson than places to travel to. Though there are certain areas of the Date Clan & Basho had resided/stayed in that also gives a brief history lesson
-Places to travel to:
*Zuihoden
*Sendai Castle Site
*Kanrantei
*Godaido
*Zuigan-Jo Temple
Entsu-In Temple

~This chapter Hiraizumi: The tragedy of the Oshu Fujiwaea Family, also a history lesson. It contains a few sites that is accessible to traveling and gives a brief history lesson.
-Places to travel to:
*Motsu-Ji Temple
*Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center
*Muryoko-In Ruins
*Takadachi Gikeido
*Chuson-Ji Temple
*Genbikei

~The last and final chapter: Hanamaki: Idyllic Home of Poet Miyazawa Kenji is like the last two chapters. It's more a history lesson with places that's accessible and has a brief history lesson.
-Places to travel to:
*Miayazawa Kenji Museum
*Miyazawa Kenji Ihatov Museum
*Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura
*Rasuchijin Association
*"Unbeaten By Rain" Monument
*Hanamaki Onsen
*Wanko-Soba

All in all, anyone who reads this will not only get ideas of where to travel if anyone does decides to travel and tour Japan, you'll not only get a travel guide with locations to tour, but also brief lessons on the subjects.

It's one of those books that I recommend.

[Karen Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

good intro to japanese culture as related to 3 places. Japanese history and Japanese heroes that are not common knowledge for non-Japanese

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, although it contained more history than I was expecting it to for a travel guide. It was more like a book on the history of certain locations in Japan, and then there was travel information thrown in at the end of the sections. I can understand why that would be frustrating if you were looking for a travel guide, but I quite enjoyed it and thought it was very interesting.

From the writing (and the fact that the writer is from Japan), it is clear that the writer's first language isn't English. I love the fact that the book is written by someone from Japan because they are more likely to know the area better. However, the book definitely could have been edited better. There were a lot of parts where the wording was awkward or just not right. That's probably my biggest complaint with the book.

Overall, I enjoyed it and thought that the information it contained was cool to learn.

http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/20...

[Yue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently planning my "future" itinerary to Japan, and this was, on one hand, a wonderful help and informative book, but on the other, very nerve-breaking since there are so many places to visit but not enough time for me to do it :( I thought that 5 days in Tokyo and 3 in Kyoto would have been enough, but this book proved me wrong; I would need AT LEAST, one week in each city. I will still miss Tohoku, but unfortunately I can only take 2 weeks holidays :(

The photographs are beautiful/ The book is not only enlightening but also have information as hours where the locations are open, addresses, etc. There are also maps (I love maps when I am traveling).

The author not only describes the touristic places but also includes a bit of history. Important figures such as Oda Nobunaga, Sakamoto Ryoma, the poet Basho, Hikaru Genji, etc.

The only negative aspect I found is the abrupt end. Other than that, I am considering taking this book to Japan, as a guide.