Japan »

Blending old, new, East, West, ancient Asian and modern traditions, the exquisite island nation of Japan is showcased in National Geographic Traveler: Japan, 3rd Edition. The guide describes the best ways to tackle Tokyo and other must-see sites such as Mount Fuji, Hokkaido and its national parks, imperial Kyoto, historic Nagasaki, and dozens of other famous and less-known places. Detailed artwork includes Nara’s Horyu-ji Temple.

How to use this guide     6
About the author     8
The regions     59
Travelwise     349
History & culture     9
Japan today     10
History of Japan     28
The arts     42
Tokyo     59
Introduction & map     60
Central Tokyo     62
Feature: Modern architecture     66
Ginza-Hibiya-Yurakucho     68
Tsukudajima     71
Feature: The water trade-Japan after dark     74
Roppongi-Shiba-koen Park     76
Aoyama-Harajuku-Shibuya     78
Two walks through Shibuya-ku     80
Shinjuku & Ikebukuro     86
Ueno     90
A walking tour of Ueno-Nezu-Yanaka     96
Akihabara     98
Feature: Low City, high times     100
Asakusa     102
Excursions from Tokyo     107
Introduction & map     108
Fuji-Hakone-Izu     121
Feature: Climbing Fuji-san     124
Hokkaido     129
Introduction & map     130
A walk in Hakodate     140
Northern Honshu (Tohoku)     151
Introduction & map     152
Central Honshu     171
Introduction & map     172
Kansai     197
Introduction & map     198
Kyoto     200
Introduction & map     200
Feature: Geisha     206
Higashiyama walk     216
Feature: Japanese gardens     220
Feature: Buddhism     226
Feature: Shinto     244
Western Honshu (Chugoku)     261
Introduction & map     262
San-In coast     264
A hike through Hagi     266
Tsuwano walk     268
Feature: Obake-ghosts & demons     270
San-yo     277
Shikoku & the Seto-naikai     291
Introduction & map     292
Shikoku     294
The Seto-naikai     312
Kyushu     315
Introduction & map     316
Okinawa & the Ryukyu-shoto     341
Introduction & map     342
Travelwise     349
Planning your trip     350
How to get to Japan     351
Getting around     351
Practical advice      354
Emergencies     356
Language guide     357
Hotels & restaurants by region     358
Shopping     380
Entertainment & festivals     384
Index     389
Credits     398