Why am I passionate about this?

Although my travels had taken me to Asia numerous times, Japan eluded me until my teen daughter and I spent three weeks there following the country’s re-opening from covid. The trip exceeded all of our expectations, but facing the country’s impenetrable language and complex transportation system felt intimidating. To prepare, I devoured a shelf full of guidebooks. I learned that each has its strengths and weaknesses, but these books and our own adventures greatly informed my decision to write First-Time Japan. I was especially fortunate to collaborate with Japan tour guide Roy Ozaki, who contributed greatly to the book and gave me essential insights into Japan’s people, places, and culture.


I wrote

First-Time Japan: A Step-By-Step Guide for the Independent Traveler

By Sneed B. Collard III,

Book cover of First-Time Japan: A Step-By-Step Guide for the Independent Traveler

What is my book about?

With its incredible cuisine, majestic scenery, and vibrant culture, Japan promises the trip of a lifetime to independent travelers. That…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Fodor's Essential Japan

Sneed B. Collard III Why did I love this book?

Like other traditional guidebooks, Essential Japan, aims for almost encyclopedic coverage of its topic, and it successfully manages this without seeming overwhelming—not an easy task judging by other major guidebooks.

In the edition I read, most (but not all) of its “how to” instructions are up to date, but where it really excels is in helping visitors choose what kinds of experiences they would like to have in Japan. For instance, I found its suggested itineraries for Tokyo to be spot-on, and the entire book is rich with recommendations.

Because the book is heavy, I suggest using it to map out your trip itinerary—and then take a lighter reference guide and use online sources for your actual trip.

By Fodor's Travel Guides,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fodor's Essential Japan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Whether you want to have sushi in a top Tokyo restaurant, visit the shrines of historic Kyoto, or head to the beaches of Okinawa, the local Fodor's travel experts in Japan are here to help! Fodor's Essential Japan guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor's "Essential" guides have been named by Booklist as the Best Travel Guide Series of 2020!

Fodor's Essential Japan travel…


Book cover of Lonely Planet Japan

Sneed B. Collard III Why did I love this book?

Lonely Planet guidebooks are almost always the first guides I buy when traveling to a new country.

I read through one almost as if I am reading a novel, taking notes about the places I want to visit and things I’d like to do. That said, the books can be overwhelming simply because they attempt to do so much.

The densely-packed design also doesn’t succeed as well as Fodor’s Essential Japan. Especially if this is your first trip, this is an excellent additional resource—but again, because of its weight you will probably want to leave it at home and take a lighter reference on your actual trip.

For booking hotels and finding transportation details, you’ll probably do better using more up-to-date and extensive internet resources.

By Lonely Planet, Rebecca Milner, Ray Bartlett , Andrew Bender , Samantha Forge , Craig McLachlan , Kate Morgan , Thomas O'Malley , Simon Richmond , Phillip Tang

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Lonely Planet Japan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Lonely Planet's Japan is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore over a thousand temples in old imperial capital Kyoto, relax in one of the onsens scattered across the archipelago, and sample the breadth of Japan's sublime cuisine; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Japan and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's Japan Travel Guide:

Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020's COVID-19 outbreak

NEW top experiences feature - a…


Book cover of Things I Wish I'd Known Before Going to Japan

Sneed B. Collard III Why did I love this book?

If you find traditional guidebooks overwhelming (and I do!), this nice little primer is a great way to get your feet wet thinking about your Japanese adventure.

Unlike the weightier guidebooks mentioned above, this one picks out a more select group of sightseeing recommendations. For each one, the authors provide a nice bit of background along with details you need to know.

The book is highly readable and unconfusing, and having taken my teen daughter to Japan myself, I would recommend this for kids to read before a trip. It won’t answer every question, but will help point you in the right directions.

Book cover of 14 Days in Japan: A First-Timer's Ultimate Japan Travel Guide Including Tours, Food, Japanese Culture and History

Sneed B. Collard III Why did I love this book?

Even though the author remains conspicuously unidentified in this book, I found the tale of her and her husband’s two-week trip oddly intriguing.

This was the first book I read ahead of my own Japan adventure, and it attempts to be both a travel log and recommendation guide. While the recommendations seem a bit limited, I enjoyed reading about the author’s specific adventures and it definitely gave me some ideas about what my daughter and I might like to do in Japan.

It won’t replace any of the above books, but is a nice additional option if you have the time and inclination.

By IDtravelling,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 14 Days in Japan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Are you thinking about traveling to Japan? Discover Japan through this easy to follow guide tailored for first-time travelers!
Most available online resources contain too much information!
If you've searched for a Japan travel guide online, you may have noticed:

- Most guides contain disorganized information that may leave you with more questions than answers.
- It is impossible to find practical information like how much a trip to Japan would cost, where to stay, and what transportation to use.

14 Days in Japan is the ultimate travel guide tailored for a first‑time traveler. It provides detailed information about visiting…


Book cover of Japan by Rail: Includes Rail Route Guide and 30 City Guides

Sneed B. Collard III Why did I love this book?

If you intend to travel Japan by rail—and who isn’t—this can be a tempting choice.

The book attempts to duplicate the kind of detail found in Fodor’s and Lonely Planet guides above, and largely succeeds, giving both historical context and transportation details on a wide selection of destinations.

As its title suggests, it heavily focuses on train routes, timetables, passes, costs, and other public transportation information. Especially if you are a rail buff, you will soak this up, but for the average traveler it can be a bit much.

Just as important, a lot of these details change frequently. I read the 4th edition of this book, but a newer edition is available. Even that, though, probably has been outpaced by recent changes in costs for Japan Rail Passes and other details. A good choice for the at-home library, but use the internet for the latest costs and timetables.

By Ramsey Zarifeh, Anna Udagawa,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Japan by Rail as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Japan is steeped in legend and myth, perhaps the greatest of which is the popular misconception that the country is simply too expensive to visit. The truth is that flights to Japan are cheaper than they've ever been, accommodation can be great value, while the warm hospitality which awaits every visitor costs nothing at all. The real secret to travelling around the country on a budget, however, is the Japan Rail Pass. Use this comprehensive guide in conjunction with a rail pass to get the most out of a trip to Japan. * Practical information - planning your trip; when…


Explore my book 😀

First-Time Japan: A Step-By-Step Guide for the Independent Traveler

By Sneed B. Collard III,

Book cover of First-Time Japan: A Step-By-Step Guide for the Independent Traveler

What is my book about?

With its incredible cuisine, majestic scenery, and vibrant culture, Japan promises the trip of a lifetime to independent travelers. That said, the significant language barrier, complicated subway systems, and sheer immensity of Tokyo and other large Japanese cities can strike trepidation into the heart of even the experienced traveler. First-Time Japan cuts through the fear and complication of traditional travel guides, and lays out an enjoyable, step-by-step strategy for planning your first trip.

This innovative guidebook will help you decide when to go and for how long; map out your Japan itinerary; choose your accommodations; decide which rail and subway passes to buy; understand and use Japan’s public transportation; get to your first hotel from the airport; navigate communications; decide what documents and financial tools you need; and much more.

Book cover of Fodor's Essential Japan
Book cover of Lonely Planet Japan
Book cover of Things I Wish I'd Known Before Going to Japan

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Interested in Japan, Tokyo, and Kyoto?

Japan 516 books
Tokyo 92 books
Kyoto 22 books