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mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A very good guide on going to Japan! Though maybe I wish it was a bit more personal, now it really just read as a guidebook for most of the time (though there are a few personal touches, so yay). We read about packing, about fly tips and train tips, what to wear at onsen, but we also see various parts of Japan. Shrines, an aquarium, shopping, tons and tons of food. There were a few things that I found weird, and also at least two words (konbini not kombini and I also never heard anyone call it gasha, I only know it as gacha), also comiket is NOT just for comics and cosplay it is also a place for music cds and games (I know as I am always eagerly awaiting doujin music groups new music).
Still a very good guide with tons of information, links, and fun things to try out. I would recommend it, and I am glad I found it and was able to read it. Oh yes, the art, that was pretty nice.
Still a very good guide with tons of information, links, and fun things to try out. I would recommend it, and I am glad I found it and was able to read it. Oh yes, the art, that was pretty nice.
heidenkind's review against another edition
4.0
Truth in advertising! Although it feels a little childish and basic at times, there's a ton of great information here and it definitely makes Japan sound super cool. I am officially intimidated by Japan's coolness now.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a lot of fun. I wish I could have traveled with Denson. Although I have looked at other guidebooks, this is as basic as possible and seems very useful. My trip is planned out because we have a lot to do in ten days, but if I was traveling on my own, this would be the guidebook for me.
I can’t take the book with me to Japan (it belongs to the library), but I copied out the pronunciation guide so that I could try to figure out a few words like I am in Japan.
I can’t take the book with me to Japan (it belongs to the library), but I copied out the pronunciation guide so that I could try to figure out a few words like I am in Japan.
sqeeker's review against another edition
4.0
- This was a fun and informative book.
- I love how the author took the reader with her on a trip to Japan. I enjoyed all her advice and knowledge of the country. She explained everything you need to visit Japan, from travel, to hotels, to food. It was great! I'm sure I'll use this some day, at least I hope I do.
- I liked the illustrations. They were very cartoony and fun. It was helpful to have pictures of everything the author was talking about.
- This book made me want to visit Japan even more than I already did. I want to see the manga conventions, shrines, arcades, food vendors, etc. I want to see it all!
- I love how the author took the reader with her on a trip to Japan. I enjoyed all her advice and knowledge of the country. She explained everything you need to visit Japan, from travel, to hotels, to food. It was great! I'm sure I'll use this some day, at least I hope I do.
- I liked the illustrations. They were very cartoony and fun. It was helpful to have pictures of everything the author was talking about.
- This book made me want to visit Japan even more than I already did. I want to see the manga conventions, shrines, arcades, food vendors, etc. I want to see it all!
saidtheraina's review against another edition
1.0
I try to read all the "graphic novel travelogues" that I can get my hands on. So I had to pick this one up. I was also hoping it might work as a booktalk title for my local middle school.
Unfortunately, I won't be using it for that.
When I finally got around to picking this up, I was immediately put off by the framing of a blonde white woman giving us a tour of Japan, which is not her country of heritage. I started reading it with a heightened antennae. And she never won me over.
The whole thing is written like the country of Japan is a theme park for tourists. It's a shiny, glossy version of the country. And it's all in generalities, rarely specific to her experience. It's mostly blocks of text with illustration, with very few of the images being more than illustrative.
There is also little to zero information about how to be respectful to Japanese culture. She talks about how polite the Japanese people are in general, but doesn't take the time to show you how to give that back.
Sidenote: My superstar doppelganger, Telgemeier, blurbs this book on the back. Which makes me sad.
Unfortunately, I won't be using it for that.
When I finally got around to picking this up, I was immediately put off by the framing of a blonde white woman giving us a tour of Japan, which is not her country of heritage. I started reading it with a heightened antennae. And she never won me over.
The whole thing is written like the country of Japan is a theme park for tourists. It's a shiny, glossy version of the country. And it's all in generalities, rarely specific to her experience. It's mostly blocks of text with illustration, with very few of the images being more than illustrative.
There is also little to zero information about how to be respectful to Japanese culture. She talks about how polite the Japanese people are in general, but doesn't take the time to show you how to give that back.
Sidenote: My superstar doppelganger, Telgemeier, blurbs this book on the back. Which makes me sad.
biblio_amy's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun and short read on the #1 country I want to visit. I am only giving it 3 stars because it was good but I am questioning some of the Japanese words in it to verify with my coworker who is from Japan, because when I put a few into google translate they came out with very different meanings. I know there's more than one alphabet but I want to make sure I don't say something that could mean something totally different.
banana83854's review against another edition
3.0
Very similar to the Cool Tokyo Guide by the same author..not sure if it was worth reading both, but very interesting content all the same.
paperboundwords's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.5
Great and visual guide to Japan. This had a more specific view to Japan through manga and games which I enjoyed. An easy and approachable read.