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Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Japan.Discover popular and off the beaten track experiences from visiting Yoshino for Japan's most famous cherry-blossom-viewing festival to sipping sake at a 300-year-old brewery in Niigata, and exploring the Unesco-listed streetscapes of Hagi. Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Japan Travel Guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Japan and connect experiences together with easeCreate your perfect trip with exciting itineraries for extended journeys combined with suggested day trips, walking tours, and activities to match your passionsGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including climbing Mt Fuji, visiting Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and experiencing the extravagant shrine of Tosho-guSpecial features on onsen etiquette, Japanese food, and the 88 sacred temples pilgrimageExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Japanese culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of TokyoCovers Tokyo, Mt Fuji & around Tokyo, Central Honshu & the Japan Alps, Kyoto, Kansai, Hiroshima & Western Honshu, Northern Honshu, Sapporo & Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa & the Southwest Islands Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary country with Lonely Planet's Japan. Read more

Stow away with Rick Steves for a glimpse into the unforgettable moments, misadventures, and memories of his 1978 journey on the legendary Hippie Trail. In the 1970s, the ultimate trip for any backpacker was the storied “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. A 23-year-old Rick Steves made the trek, and like a travel writer in training, he documented everything along the way: jumping off a moving train, making friends in Tehran, getting lost in Lahore, getting high for the first time in Herat, battling leeches in Pokhara, and much more. The experience ignited his love of travel and forever broadened his perspective on the world.   This book contains edited selections from Rick’s journal and travel photos with a 45-years-later preface and postscript reflecting on how the journey changed his life. Stow away with Rick Steves on the adventure of a lifetime through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal.   You know Rick Steves. Now discover the adventure that made him the travel writer he is today. Read more

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Finalist for the 2016 IACP Awards: Literary Food WritingAn innovative new take on the travel guide, Rice, Noodle, Fish decodes Japan's extraordinary food culture through a mix of in-depth narrative and insider advice, along with 195 color photographs. In this 5000-mile journey through the noodle shops, tempura temples, and teahouses of Japan, Matt Goulding, co-creator of the enormously popular Eat This, Not That! book series, navigates the intersection between food, history, and culture, creating one of the most ambitious and complete books ever written about Japanese culinary culture from the Western perspective.Written in the same evocative voice that drives the award-winning magazine Roads & Kingdoms, Rice, Noodle, Fish explores Japan's most intriguing culinary disciplines in seven key regions, from the kaiseki tradition of Kyoto and the sushi masters of Tokyo to the street food of Osaka and the ramen culture of Fukuoka. You won't find hotel recommendations or bus schedules; you will find a brilliant narrative that interweaves immersive food journalism with intimate portraits of the cities and the people who shape Japan's food culture.This is not your typical guidebook. Rice, Noodle, Fish is a rare blend of inspiration and information, perfect for the intrepid and armchair traveler alike. Combining literary storytelling, indispensable insider information, and world-class design and photography, the end result is the first ever guidebook for the new age of culinary tourism. Read more

This fascinating history tells the story of the people of Japan, from ancient teenage priest-queens to teeming hordes of salarymen, a nation that once sought to conquer China, yet also shut itself away for two centuries in self-imposed seclusion. First revealed to Westerners in the chronicles of Marco Polo, Japan was a legendary faraway land defended by a fearsome Kamikaze storm and ruled by a divine sovereign. It was the terminus of the Silk Road, the furthest end of the known world, a fertile source of inspiration for European artists, and an enduring symbol of the mysterious East. In recent times, it has become a powerhouse of global industry, a nexus of popular culture, and a harbinger of post-industrial decline. With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present and future of Japan, and in broad yet detailed strokes reveals a country of paradoxes: a modern nation steeped in ancient traditions; a democracy with an emperor as head of state; a famously safe society built on 108 volcanoes resting on the world's most active earthquake zone; a fast-paced urban and technologically advanced country whose land consists predominantly of mountains and forests. Among the chapters in this Japanese history book are: The Way of the Gods: Prehistoric and Mythical Japan A Game of Thrones: Minamoto vs. Taira Time Warp: 200 Years of Isolation The Stench of Butter: Restoration and Modernization The New Breed: The Japanese Miracle Read more

In this Japan Travel Guide 2024 edition, Yuki Fukuyama and Ken Fukuyama will share with you:The ultimate Japan itineraries that are improvised for more than 40+ times.All the essential information like operating hours, prices, transit tips etc.Everything you need to know about Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hokkaido.The best winter destinations.Detailed and updated maps of Japan.The latest super cheap budgeting tips.The best accommodation tips.Japan’s best kept secrets.All the best local cuisines.Events and festivals in Japan.And much, much more!About Yuki Fukuyama and Ken FukuyamaBefore serving as a tour guide, they were full-time professors working in Japan National College of Technology. After having their first child in 1985, they have decided to pursue their long-held dream of exploring the world. Inspired by their life-changing adventures throughout the world, they have decided to serve as a tour guide. This happy couple has been serving as a Japan local tour guide for more than 30 years now. In their effort to show the world what Japan truly is, they have decided to write a book about it.# Japan Travel Guide 2024 Read more

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China reveals the magnificence of China's greatest sights, including in-depth coverage of the Forbidden City and Terracotta Soldiers. The guide provides expert tips for visiting the Great Wall, cruising through the stunning Yangzi Three Gorges, and exploring the ultra-modern cities of Shanghai and Hong Kong.Explore China's cultural heritage through richly illustrated features on everything from the Beijing Opera to Confucianism, calligraphy, and the cult of Mao.DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China includes 3-D cutaway illustrations, floor plans, and reconstructions of the major architectural sights, plus maps of the key cities and towns. The best places to stay and eat have been provided by resident experts and recommendations on regional specialties will ensure you don't miss China's best dishes. Markets and festivals are listed town by town.With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that brighten every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China shows you this diverse country as no one else can. Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Tokyo.Discover Tokyo's most popular experiences and best kept secrets - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - from chowing down sushi at Toyosu Market to visiting Tokyo's oldest temple, Sens?-ji, and hiking up picturesque Takao-san on the outskirts of the metropolis.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Tokyo travel guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning trips of 1-2 weeks or moreUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Tokyo and connect experiences together with easeCreate your ideal trip with exciting Perfect Day itineraries with suggestions of unmissable attractions and activities to match your passions, plus day trips from Tokyo so you can explore the surrounding areasGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including Tokyo National Museum and the extravagant shrine of T?sh?-g?Special features on Japanese food guide, onsen explained, day trip to Mt FujiExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Tokyo culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of TokyoCovers Marunouchi & Nihombashi, Ginza & Tsukiji, Roppongi & Around, Ebisu, Meguro & Around, Shibuya & Setagaya, Harajuku & Aoyama, West Tokyo & Around, Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo, K?rakuen & Akihabara, Ueno & Yanesen, Asakusa & Sumida River, Odaiba & Tokyo Bay plus day trips to Mt Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura, T?sh?-g?, Takao-san, Shira-hama, Yokohama, Narita Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary city with Lonely Planet's Tokyo. Read more

Want to speak Japanese but don't know where to start? This textbook is for you! Speak Japanese in 90 Days is a comprehensive 90 lesson instructional course that uses an innovative, tested, and proven theoretical framework to teach students not only what to study, but more importantly, howto study.Many textbooks only help you practice written grammar exercises. With Speak Japanese in 90 Days, you will learn how to speak! You will learn how to effectively study, and become a successful self-study learner for life. All of the prep work is done for you. Each daily lesson contains easy to understand grammar explanations as well as ten vocabulary words chosen from the most common 1000, each with their own example sentence.With this textbook you will quickly master the basics of elementary Japanese grammar, and learn everything you need to pass the JLPT N5 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) as well as most of the grammar needed for the JLPT N4. You will learn everything you need to achieve conversational fluency.The content includes:How to Study - Proven techniques, tips, and tricks about how to study and what to study to learn and retain the language quickly.Pronunciation - An easy and accurate guide for English speakers. Every sentence is written with English pronunciation (romaji), Japanese kana, and kanji.Grammar - Easy to follow grammar explanations with multiple example sentences for each grammar point. All essential grammar tested in the JLPT N5 and most of the grammar tested in the JLPT N4.Vocabulary - Over 1000 of the most common Japanese words and phrases with example sentences for each word to learn and practice the words in context.Vocabulary nuances and Idiomatic Expressions - Detailed explanations of how to use tricky vocabulary correctly, that you can't find in a dictionary or other textbooks.Continue your studies and master the grammar for the JLPT N3 with the next book in the series:Speak Japanese in 90 Days (Volume 2)Practice reading and master the 2000 most common vocabulary words with the companion textbook series:Japanese Readings 1000: Master 1000 Words with 20 Short StoriesJapanese Readings 2000: Master 1000 More Words with 20 Short Stories Read more

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Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Thailand.Discover popular and off the beaten track experiences from sinking your toes into the soft white sand of Ko Lipe's Sunrise Beach to slurping boat noodles with locals at food stands in Ayuthaya, and spotting wild elephants on a night safari at Khao Yai National Park.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Thailand Travel Guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Thailand and connect experiences together with easeCreate your perfect trip with exciting itineraries for extended journeys combined with suggested day trips, walking tours, and activities to match your passionsGet fresh takes on must-visit sights and walk through the Buddhas of Wat Pho, explore Chatuchak weekend market, see the three Sukhothai-era citiesSpecial features on finding the perfect beach, thai food and nightlife, market shopping explainedExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Thai culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of BangkokCovers Bangkok & Around, Central Thailand, Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, Northeastern Thailand, Ko Chang & the Eastern Seaboard, Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf, Ko Samui & the Lower Gulf, Phuket & the Andaman Coast Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary country with Lonely Planet's Thailand. Read more

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A classic of Japanese history, this book is the preeminent work on the history of Japan.Newly revised and updated, A History of Japan is a single-volume, comprehensive account of Japan's history. Starting in ancient Japan during its early pre-history period, A History of Japan covers every important aspect of history and culture through feudal Japan to the post-Cold War period and the collapse of the Bubble Economy in the early 1990s. Recent findings shed additional light on the origins of Japanese civilization and the birth of Japanese culture.This book includes an in-depth analysis of Japanese religion, arts, culture, and people from the 6th century B.C.E. to the present. Classic illustrations and unique pictures are dispersed throughout the book, enhancing its exploration of Japan's rich history.Fans of the FX series Shogun will appreciate the detailed historical context provided in this book, particularly the sections covering the feudal period that align with the time portrayed in the show. However, A History of Japan transcends the current interest in this era, offering a lasting resource for understanding Japan's broader historical and cultural development.Highlights of A History of Japan include:Archaic Japan including Yamato, the creation of a unified state, the Nana Period, and the Heian periodMedieval Japan including rule by the military houses, the failure of Ashikaga Rule, Buddhism, and the Kamakura and Muroachi Periods periodsEaly Modern Japan including Japanese feudalism, administration under the Tokugawa, and society and culture in early modern JapanModern Japan including The Meiji Era and policies for modernization, from consensus to crisis (1912-1937), and solutions through forceThis contemporary classic remains a central text in Japanese studies and a vital addition to the collection of any student or enthusiast of Japanese history, culture, or language. Read more

Lonely Planet's Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Visit Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of northern Thailand, discover a secret beach on Cambodia's Koh Rong, or loosen up in Ho Chi Minh City; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern ThailandTravel Guide:Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreakNEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotelImproved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kidsWhat's New feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncoveredColour maps and images throughoutHighlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interestsInsider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spotsEssential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, pricesHonest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks missCultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politicsOver 70 maps Covers Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Vientiane, Luan Prabang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle and moreThe Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand, our most comprehensive guide to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled.  Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet Vietnam, Lonely Planet Cambodia, Lonely Planet Laos or Lonely Planet Thailand for a comprehensive look at all these countries have to offer. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.  'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia) Read more

"With this book, you feel you can stop time and savor the rituals of life." --Maira KalmanAn immersive journey through the culture and cuisine of one Japanese town, its forest, and its watershed--where ducks are hunted by net, saké is brewed from the purest mountain water, and charcoal is fired in stone kilns--by an American writer and food stylist who spent years working alongside artisansOne night, Brooklyn-based artist and food writer Hannah Kirshner received a life-changing invitation to apprentice with a "saké evangelist" in a misty Japanese mountain village called Yamanaka. In a rapidly modernizing Japan, the region--a stronghold of the country's old-fashioned ways--was quickly becoming a destination for chefs and artisans looking to learn about the traditions that have long shaped Japanese culture. Kirshner put on a vest and tie and took her place behind the saké bar. Before long, she met a community of craftspeople, farmers, and foragers--master woodturners, hunters, a paper artist, and a man making charcoal in his nearly abandoned village on the outskirts of town. Kirshner found each craftsperson not only exhibited an extraordinary dedication to their work but their distinct expertise contributed to the fabric of the local culture. Inspired by these masters, she devoted herself to learning how they work and live.Taking readers deep into evergreen forests, terraced rice fields, and smoke-filled workshops, Kirshner captures the centuries-old traditions still alive in Yamanaka. Water, Wood, and Wild Things invites readers to see what goes into making a fine bowl, a cup of tea, or a harvest of rice and introduces the masters who dedicate their lives to this work. Part travelogue, part meditation on the meaning of work, and full of her own beautiful drawings and recipes, Kirshner's refreshing book is an ode to a place and its people, as well as a profound examination of what it means to sustain traditions and find purpose in cultivation and craft. Read more

“You remember Eat, Pray, Love and Under the Tuscan Sun? Yeah, this really isn’t like those. It’s better” (San Francisco Chronicle).   Most people want out of North Korea. Wendy Simmons wanted in.   In My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth, Wendy shares a glimpse of North Korea as it’s never been seen before. Even though it’s the scariest place on Earth, somehow Wendy forgot to check her sense of humor at the border.   But Wendy’s initial amusement and bewilderment soon turned to frustration and growing paranoia. Before long, she learned the essential conundrum of “tourism” in North Korea: Travel is truly a love affair. But, just like love, it’s a two-way street. And North Korea deprives you of all this. They want you to fall in love with the singular vision of the country they’re willing to show you and nothing more.   Through poignant, laugh-out-loud essays and ninety-two never-before-published color photographs of North Korea, Wendy chronicles one of the strangest vacations ever. Along the way, she bares all while undergoing an inner journey as convoluted as the country itself.   “Much of the humor and poignancy comes from the absurdity of a fun-loving free spirit taking a vacation that’s more rigidly scripted and controlled than a presidential motorcade . . . Simmons’ photos—including an eerie image of a classroom full of schoolgirls playing accordions—further illustrate the bizarre nature of a country that, whether for good or bad, has been carefully controlled for generations.” —San Francisco Chronicle  “An irresistible read . . . A rare and fascinating look at the tourist’s North Korea in a work that is humorous, appalling, and very sad. A highly recommended and revealing glimpse into a secretive land.” —Library Journal   Read more

"There is nobody writing about food at the moment who’s committed to this level of immersion and it rings out in every line." - Tim Hayward, Financial Times "She has rightly won awards for her remarkable talent for telling stories that take the reader right to the heart of her experiences." - Lisa Markwell, Sunday Times Magazine“One of the most brilliant travel writers of her generation.” - Fuchsia DunlopGreen Mountains is the final instalment of Caroline Eden’s ‘colour trilogy’, following on from her multi-award winning books, Black Sea and Red Sands. Beginning in Armenia, moving northwards through Georgia and ending at the Black Sea, Green Mountains weaves together the enchanting geography and the cult of the kitchen that prevails within these two countries. Tales of testing hikes and unpredictable terrain are punctuated by the foods Eden eats for respite – citrus, herbs, flatbreads, nuts, apricots, mountain greens and magical cheeses – the recipes she shares and the stories she uncovers. Sharing both the deep comfort and satisfaction of a meal served after a long walk, and the unique relationships she forms with her hosts, Eden offers readers rare insights into the culture and food of these two countries. With meticulously researched histories, a catalogue of more than 30 recipes from her travels, and rich, compelling stories, this is a travel book like no other. Read more