Which guidebook for Kyoto?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Which guidebook for Kyoto?
Which guidebook have you found most useful for tourism in Kyoto? Don't need hotel recommendations, or really restaurant recommendations, as much as tourist ideas, transportation & other practical hints, walking tours, etc.
I find lots of Tokyo-specific books (based on my quick review at Borders, I most liked Rough Guide and Frommers; Lonely Planet, my normal travel standby, has print too small for me to read). But I haven't seen anything even online other than Durston's "Old Kyoto," and I wonder if it's too narrowly-focused to be my only Kyoto guidebook for my 3 nights there.
I'd rather not cart around an all-of-Japan book unless it's my best option. I'm only going to be in Tokyo & Kyoto.
I find lots of Tokyo-specific books (based on my quick review at Borders, I most liked Rough Guide and Frommers; Lonely Planet, my normal travel standby, has print too small for me to read). But I haven't seen anything even online other than Durston's "Old Kyoto," and I wonder if it's too narrowly-focused to be my only Kyoto guidebook for my 3 nights there.
I'd rather not cart around an all-of-Japan book unless it's my best option. I'm only going to be in Tokyo & Kyoto.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used Kyoto, A Cultural Guide by John and Phyllis Martin. It goes into a great deal of detail for many of the sights. I found that many places had mostly Japanese (duh!) signage with a little bit of English. This book was very helpful in those situations.
Other books to consider - Exploring Kyoto, On Foot in the Ancient Capital by Judith Clancy and Kyoto, A Cultural History by John Dougill.
Other books to consider - Exploring Kyoto, On Foot in the Ancient Capital by Judith Clancy and Kyoto, A Cultural History by John Dougill.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
tahl, I think that Diane Durston's <i>Kyoto - Seven Paths to the Heart of the City</i> might be ideal for your needs. The book suggests 7 walking tours, and it provides terrific detail, background, maps, and photos for each of the tours. There are also sections on practical matters, Tea Ceremony, crafts, festivals, and maybe a few others. Durston is a good writer and keen observer, and she doesn't bore one to tears with dry history. Her book served me better than any other on my first trip to Kyoto.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It might be an obvious--perhaps too obvious--choice, but consider Fodor's JAPAN. On the basis of three trips to Japan, ranging in length from 5 months to a year, I'd say it's consistently the best and most reliable of the guidebooks.
I think Fodor's would be ideal for a three-day visit to Kyoto. It's broad-ranging, rates sites and attractions, and avoids a narrow focus on one topic. Fodor's conveniently divides Kyoto into sectors and has excellent recommendations for each one. Of course, much of the book is on Tokyo too. What I have done with "all-Japan" books is to use a knife and cut out the parts I won't need. There is lots of useful stuff on Japan as a whole that is useful at the front and back of the book. But I'd rank it above any other general Japan guidebook that I have "field-tested."
I think Fodor's would be ideal for a three-day visit to Kyoto. It's broad-ranging, rates sites and attractions, and avoids a narrow focus on one topic. Fodor's conveniently divides Kyoto into sectors and has excellent recommendations for each one. Of course, much of the book is on Tokyo too. What I have done with "all-Japan" books is to use a knife and cut out the parts I won't need. There is lots of useful stuff on Japan as a whole that is useful at the front and back of the book. But I'd rank it above any other general Japan guidebook that I have "field-tested."