I had high hopes for Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats, and Ramen by Abby Denson. Some of this stemmed from the fact that this was recommended to me from a trusted source but more so from the fact that I've so enjoyed the travelogues that I've read in the past (especially Lucy Kinsey's). Sadly, this book fell far short of the mark for me. While this is 'marketed' for a young adult audience the cat character that the authors use for Japanese vocabulary lessons (a great idea in theory) was childish in the extreme. The illustrations weren't anything to write home about either but I think they were secondary to the purpose of providing helpful information to the international traveler. In this the authors definitely succeeded although their advice should be taken with a grain of salt as some information could potentially be out-of-date. All in all it was a 2/10 for me although I did have a craving for ramen right after reading it. 😉 ( )

This is a fun illustrated travel guide to Japan. It's brightly designed and cheerful, and covers lots of the great things about a trip to Japan. Not particularly in depth, but good for basic info. ( )

Surprisingly comprehensive, easy to read, and full of good information. I read the full Tokyo Eyewitness Travel guide a few months ago and this covered a lot of the same bases, just with a more personal touch.

A graphic novel travel guide to Japan. This is geared specifically for first-time Japan visitors and contains various tips, from what to pack to what to eat to which places to visit. It's not a detailed guide but I found this book very helpful and enjoyable to read. Abby Denson's illustrations are so cute, that's why this book will appeal to readers both young and old. ( )