Frommer's Japan

by Reiber, Beth; Frommer, Arthur; Spencer, Janie

• ISBN13: 9780028634524
• ISBN10: 0028634527
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-01
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Summary

Life is short. Vacations are shorter. Relax! Trust your trip to Frommer's. Choose the Only Guide That Gives You: Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip no matter what your budget. The latest, most reliable information-all completely up-to-date! Dozens of easy-to-read color maps. The widest and best selection of hotels and restaurants in every price range, with candid, in-depth reviews. All the practical details you need to make the most of your time and money. One-of-a-kind experiences and undiscovered gems, plus a new take on all the top attractions. Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not. A fresh, personal approach that puts the fun and excitement back into travel! It's a Whole New World with Frommer's. Find us online at www.frommers.com

Table of Contents

List of Maps	ix
The Best of Japan	1	(17)
The Best Travel Experiences	1	(1)
The Best Temples & Shrines	2	(2)
The Best Gardens	4	(1)
The Best Castles, Palaces & Villas	5	(1)
The Best Museums	5	(1)
The Best Small Towns & Villages	6	(1)
The Best National Parks	7	(1)
The Best of Old Japan	8	(1)
The Best of Modern Japan	9	(1)
The Best Spas & Public Baths	10	(1)
The Best Outdoor Adventures	11	(1)
The Best Traditional Ryokan	12	(1)
The Best Western-Style Hotels	13	(1)
The Best Affordable Japanese-Style Places to Stay	14	(1)
The Best Culinary Experiences	15	(1)
The Best Destinations for Serious Shoppers	16	(1)
The Best of the Performing Arts	17	(1)
Planning a Trip to Japan	18	(59)
The Regions in Brief	20	(2)
Visitor Information	22	(2)
Entry Requirements & Customs	24	(1)
Money	25	(4)
The Japanese Yen	26	(1)
What Things Cost in Tokyo	27	(1)
What Things Cost in Kyoto	28	(1)
When to Go	29	(9)
Calendar of Festivals & Holidays	31	(7)
Health & Insurance	38	(1)
Tips for Travelers with Special Needs	39	(3)
Getting There	42	(2)
Flying for Less: Tips for Getting the Best Airfares	44	(1)
Escorted & Package Tours	44	(2)
Getting Around Japan	46	(7)
Tips on Accommodations	53	(8)
Tips for Saving on Your Hotel Room	58	(3)
Packing Tips	61	(1)
Suggested Itineraries for Seeing Japan	62	(15)
Fast Facts: Japan	68	(9)
Settling into Tokyo	77	(74)
Orientation	78	(10)
Tokyo's Neighborhoods in Brief	86	(2)
Getting Around	88	(7)
Fast Facts: Tokyo	91	(4)
Tokyo Accommodations	95	(25)
Family-Friendly Hotels	101	(19)
Tokyo Dining	120	(31)
Exploring Tokyo	151	(49)
Suggested Itineraries for Seeing the City	151	(4)
The Top Attractions	155	(4)
Frommer's Favorite Tokyo Experiences	156	(3)
Five Unforgettable Ways to Immerse Yourself in Japanese Culture	159	(2)
Parks & Gardens	161	(2)
More Museums	163	(3)
Spectacular City Views	166	(1)
City Strolls	167	(8)
Searching for Old Edo: A Walking Tour of Asakusa	167	(4)
In the Heart of Trendy Tokyo: A Stroll Through Harajuku & Aoyama	171	(4)
Especially for Kids	175	(1)
Spectator Sports	176	(2)
For It's Ichi, Ni, San Strikes You're Out...	177	(1)
Shopping	178	(11)
Tokyo After Dark	189	(11)
Side Trips from Tokyo	200	(36)
Kamakura, Ancient Capital	200	(6)
Mashiko, Pottery Town	206	(2)
Shogun Country: Nikko	208	(6)
Yokohama, City of the 21st Century	214	(6)
Climbing Japan's Most Famous Mountain: Mt. Fuji	220	(2)
Hakone: By Mountain Tram, Cable Car, Ropeway & Boat	222	(8)
Goblins & Good-Luck Talismans	225	(5)
Izu Peninsula, Tokyo's Playground	230	(6)
The Japan Alps	236	(23)
Matsumoto, Gateway to the Japan Alps	236	(7)
Along the Nakasendo Highway: Tsumago & Magome	243	(2)
Takayama, Little Kyoto of the Mountains	245	(9)
Rural Shirakawago & Ogimachi	254	(5)
Kyoto & Nara	259	(69)
Frommer's Favorite Kyoto Experiences	260	(1)
Orientation	261	(2)
Kyoto's Neighborhoods in Brief	262	(1)
Getting Around	263	(3)
Fast Facts: Kyoto	264	(2)
Kyoto Accommodations	266	(15)
Family-Friendly Hotels	273	(8)
Kyoto Dining	281	(13)
Exploring the City	294	(18)
Suggested Itineraries	294	(9)
A Stroll Through Higashiyama-ku	303	(5)
The Philosphers' Stroll	308	(4)
Imperial Villas & Temples Within Easy Reach of Kyoto	312	(3)
A Summer Spectacle: Cormorant Fishing	313	(2)
Shopping Kyoto	315	(2)
Kyoto After Dark	317	(3)
A Side Trip to Nara	320	(8)
The Rest of Honshu	328	(118)
Nagoya	328	(14)
P-Ping! Pachinko Parlors	334	(8)
Ise-Shima National Park	342	(8)
More of Old Japan: Kanazawa	350	(11)
Osaka	361	(25)
Family-Friently Restaurants	379	(7)
Kobe	386	(13)
The Temples of Mt. Koya	399	(3)
Himeji, A Castle Town	402	(4)
Okayama, Gateway to Shikoku	406	(7)
Countryside Delights: Okayama Prefecture's International Villas	411	(2)
Kurashiki, Market Town of Many Charms	413	(7)
Off the Beaten Path: Matsue	420	(8)
Hiroshima	428	(12)
Miyajima, Scenic Island in the Seto Sea	440	(6)
Shikoku	446	(16)
Takamatsu	446	(9)
Matsuyama Castle & Dogo Spa	455	(7)
Kyushu	462	(73)
Fukuoka	462	(9)
Beppu, King of the Hot-Spring Spas	471	(7)
Off the Beaten Path: Miyazaki	478	(8)
Kagoshima	486	(11)
Southern Kyushu's Top Spa: Ibusuki	497	(4)
The Island of Amami Oshima	501	(5)
We Can Count the Stars...	503	(3)
Kumamoto	506	(10)
Nagasaki	516	(14)
Unzen Spa & Its Hells	530	(5)
Northern Japan---Hokkaido	535	(43)
En Route to Hokkaido: Matsuhima	537	(7)
Another Island, Another People: The Ainu of Hokkaido	538	(6)
Hakodate, Southern Gateway to Hokkaido	544	(4)
Shikotsu-Toya National Park	548	(8)
Sapporo	556	(12)
Family-Friendly Hokkaido Hotels	565	(3)
Sounkyo Spa & Daisetsuzan National Park	568	(4)
Akanko Spa & Akan National Park	572	(6)
Appendix A: Japan in Depth	578	(32)
History 101	579	(6)
Here and Zazen: Buddhism in Japan	581	(4)
Japan Today	585	(2)
The Magical World of Vending Machines	587	(1)
Minding Your Ps & Qs	587	(5)
The Home-Visit System	589	(3)
Dealing with the Language Barrier	592	(2)
Tips on Dining, Japanese Style	594	(9)
Cultural Snapshots: Japanese Arts in a Nutshell	603	(4)
Sumo	605	(2)
Recommended Reading	607	(3)
Appendix B: A Glossary of Useful Japanese Terms	610	(6)
Appendix C: A Japanese-Character Index of Establishment Names	616	(9)
Index	625