Japan

352 Pages·2019·93.589 MB·English

JAPAN
002-003_EW_Japan.indd 2 04/02/2019 17:03
EW HALF-TITLE / TITLE TEMPLATE V1.1
– 22ND MAY 2018
FONTS: POSTERAMA TEXT
JAPAN
002-003_EW_Japan.indd 2 04/02/2019 17:03
EW HALF-TITLE / TITLE TEMPLATE V1.1
– 22ND MAY 2018
FONTS: POSTERAMA TEXT
EYEWITNESS
JAPAN
002-003_EW_Japan.indd 3 04/02/2019 17:03
CONTENTS
004-005_EW_JAPAN.indd 4 04/02/2019 17:30
EW Contents template v1.2 – 4th July 2018
Fonts: Posterama Text
DISCOVER 6
Welcome to Japan .........................................8 Japan Itineraries ............................................22
Reasons to Love Japan.............................10 Japan Your Way .............................................36
Explore Japan ...................................................14 A Year in Japan...............................................70
Getting to Know Japan ..............................16 A Brief History ...............................................72
EXPERIENCE TOKYO 78

Western Tokyo ......................................82 Northern Tokyo ..................................122

Central Tokyo ......................................102 Beyond the Center ...........................136
EXPERIENCE JAPAN 146

Central Honshu...................................148 Kyushu ....................................................260

Kyoto City ..............................................180 Okinawa .................................................282

Western Honshu ...............................210 Northern Honshu .............................294

Shikoku ....................................................246 Hokkaido .................................................314
NEED TO KNOW 326
Before You Go ............................................328 Index .................................................................336
Getting Around .........................................330 Phrase Book ................................................346
Practical Information ..............................334 Acknowledgments ....................................351
Left: Sake barrels at Meiji Shrine, Tokyo
Previous page: Oarai Isosaki-jinja, Northern Honshu
Front cover: The iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji
004-005_EW_Japan.indd 5 19/02/2019 13:22
DISCOVER
ki
a
as
g
a
N
of
hts
g
g li
n
wi
o
gl
e
h
T
006-007_EW_Japan.indd 6 04/02/2019 17:03
EW Section Openers template v1.1– 29th May 2018
Fonts: Posterama Text, Soho Pro
Welcome to Japan ...........................................8

Reasons to Love Japan...............................10

Explore Japan ....................................................14

Getting to Know Japan ...............................16

Japan Itineraries .............................................22

Japan Your Way ..............................................36

A Year in Japan................................................70

A Brief History ................................................72
006-007_EW_Japan.indd 7 04/02/2019 17:03
W ELCOME TO
JAPAN
n
a
p
o Ja Konnichiwa from one of the most fascinating
e t countries on earth. Japan is a land of contrasts – of
m tranquil zen gardens and steaming onsen, teeming
o
elc crowds and robot restaurants – and it has charmed
W
visitors for centuries because of it. Whatever your
R
E dream trip to Japan includes, this DK Eyewitness
V
O Travel Guide is the perfect companion.
C
S
DI
1
2
3
1 A stone statue of the
Buddha at Eikan-do, Kyoto.
2 Neon lights of Tokyo’s
frenetic Akihabara
Electronics District.
3 A delicate plate of sushi.
4 Kiyomizu-dera Temple,
surrounded by fall foliage. 4
8
008-009_EW_Japan.indd 8 04/02/2019 17:03
EW Welcome to… template v1.1– 5th June 2018
Fonts: Aptifer Sans LT Pro, Posterama Text, Soho
Gothic Pro, Soho Pro
Formed of thousands of scattered islands, the ancient capital of Kyoto – the ying to Tokyo’s
Japan’s impossibly varied landscape stretches yang – with its gilded shrines and graceful
1,864 miles (3,000 km) from the edge of Siberia geisha, is a heritage wonderland, and – whisper
in the north to tropical Okinawa in the south. it – a cosmopolitan city. And don’t forget Osaka,
In between, you’ll discover the snow-covered where proud locals, a chaotic downtown and
slopes of Hokkaido, majestic Mount Fuji, the vibrant food scene meet under the enormous
otherworldly Arashiyama bamboo grove, and shadow of the country’s largest castle.
much more besides. This is a land of eternal Even with its unparalleled rail networks,
natural beauty, as well as the yearly flowering Japan can still overwhelm with the sheer
and falling of ethereal cherry blossoms. number of unmissable sites on offer. We’ve
Japanese efficiency is no myth – these islands broken the country down into easily navigable
may be some of the most densely populated chapters, with detailed itineraries, expert local
on the planet, but the country’s thronging cities knowledge and colourful, comprehensive maps
really do run like clockwork. Tokyo, the capital, to help you plan the perfect visit. Whether
where it sometimes feels that the only constant you’re staying for a few days, weeks or longer,
is change, is a science-fiction movie brought to this Eyewitness guide will ensure that you see
life, with its cosplaying locals, cat-filled cafés, the very best Japan has to offer. Enjoy the book,
and psychedelic neon street scenes. To the west, and enjoy Japan.
9
008-009_EW_Japan.indd 9 04/02/2019 17:03
R EASONS TO LOVE
JAPAN
n
a
p
e Ja An avant-garde capital that pulsates with quirky cosplayers and raucous
v karaoke bars, hovering trains that rocket through awe-inspiring countryside,
o
o L engrossing traditions, and an obsession with etiquette – what’s not to love?
s t
n
o 1
s
a
e F AST TRAINS
R
R When Japan launched the
E shinkansen in 1964, they left
V
O the rest of the world in the dust.
C Silently speeding at 200 mph
S
DI (320km/h), you’ll feel as if
you’re already in the future.
2
STAYING IN
A RYOKAN
These guesthouses provide the
ultimate Japanese experience.
Don a yukata (kimono), indulge
in a communal bath and savour
a home-cooked meal, washed
down with plenty of sake.
3

C ELEBRATING OTAKU
Once an offensive term for a
super fan, more and more
people are calling themselves
otaku. Explore the world of
manga, anime, and cosplay in
Tokyo’s Harajuku district (p94).
10
010-013_EW_Japan.indd 10 04/02/2019 17:03
EW Reasons to Love… template v1 – 26th March 2018
Fonts: Aptifer Sans LT Pro, Posterama Text, Soho Gothic
Pro, Soho Pro, ITC Caslon 224