The Rough Guide to Japan - Softcover

Richmond, Simon; Dodd, Jan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 185828340X ISBN 13: 9781858283401

Publisher: Rough Guides, 1999

Synopsis

The award-winning Rough Guide to Japan makes the ideal travel companion to one of the world's most unique and dynamic countries.

In full color throughout, this opinionated guide is packed with essential information on the latest and best places to sleep, eat, party and shop and includes pointers on etiquette and other cultural niceties. Maps of all the main tourist destinations and easy-to-read color transportation maps of the Tokyo and Osaka train and subway systems help you navigate the major cities.

From neon-soaked Tokyo to temple-studded Kyoto and snow-topped Mount Fuji, all of the major travel hotspots are covered in full, and The Rough Guide to Japan also points the way to off-the-beaten-track gems: Soak in a live-volcano hot spring on Kyushu island, go diving in tropical Okinawa, or wind your way through mountain traverses in the Japan Alps.

You'll also find a richer understanding of the country through chapters on Japan's history, religions, arts, movies, music, and pressing environmental issues.

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Japan.

About Rough Guides: For thirty years, adventurous travelers have turned to Rough Guides for up-to-date and intuitive information from expert authors. With opinionated and lively writing, honest reviews, and a strong cultural background, Rough Guides travel books bring more than two hundred destinations to life.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

When to go

In an archipelago stretching over 3000km from north to south you'd expect the average temperature and weather patterns to vary greatly. The main influences on the climate on Honsh0 are the mountains and surrounding warm seas, bringing plenty of rain and snow. Winter weather differs greatly, however, between the western Sea of Japan and the Pacific coasts, the former suffering cold winds and heavy snow while the latter tends towards dry, clear winter days. Regular heavy snowfalls in the mountains provide ideal conditions for skiers.

Despite frequent showers, spring is one of the most pleasant times during which to visit Japan, when the weather reports chart the steady progress of the cherry blossom from warm Kyushu in March to colder Hokkaido around May. A rainy season (tsuyu) during June ushers in the swamp-like heat of summer; if you don't like tropical conditions, head for the cooler hills or the northern reaches of the country. A bout of typhoons and more rain in September precede autumn, which lasts from October through to late November and is Japan's most spectacular season, when the maple trees explode into a range of brilliant colours.

Also worth bearing in mind when planning your visit are Japan's national holidays. During such periods as the days around New Year, the "Golden Week" break of April 28 to May 6 and the Obon holiday of mid-August, the nation is on the move making it difficult to secure last-minute transport and hotel bookings. Avoid travelling during these dates, or make your arrangements well in advance.

Edition details

• Publisher: Rough Guides
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 185828340X
• ISBN 13: 9781858283401
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 864