The Rough Guide to Manga is the ultimate handbook offering a comprehensive overview of one of the most fashionable genre's in today's popular culture. The guide features the manga story: from manga's twelfth-century roots to the rise of English-language manga with profiles of influential creators like Leiji Matsumoto and CLAMP as well as publishers to look out for. You'll find an overview of manga's unique styles, techniques and genres decoded as well as a canon of fifty must-read manga, including the iconic Astro Boy, global hits Fruits Basket and Battle Royale, plus less well-known works like Please Save My Earth. The Rough Guide to Manga demystifies unfamiliar terms and genres for newcomers whilst offering manga fans plenty of new recommendations including listings for manga magazines and websites along with a glossary of terms. Crammed with illustrations, and including a section on the anime connection, this is must-have Manga for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

This Japan guidebook is perfect for independent travellers planning a longer trip. It features all of the must-see sights and a wide range of off-the-beaten-track places. It also provides detailed practical information on preparing for a trip and what to do on the ground. And this Japan travel guidebook is printed on paper from responsible sources, and verified to meet the FSC’s strict environmental and social standards. This Japan guidebook covers: Tokyo (and around); Northern Honshu; Hokkaido; Central Honshu; Kyoto and Nara; Kansai; Western Honshu; Shikoku; Kyushu; Okinawa. Inside this Japan travel book, you’ll find: A wide range of sights – Rough Guides experts have hand-picked places for travellers with different needs and desires: off-the-beaten-track adventures, family activities or chilled-out breaks Itinerary examples – created for different time frames or types of trip Practical information – how to get to Japan, all about public transport, food and drink, shopping, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, tips for travellers with disabilities and more Author picks and things not to miss in Japan – Ginkaku-ji Temple and Gardens, Kyoto; Nikko; Mount Fuji; Ryokan; Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park; Roppongi at Night; Naoshima Island; Hiking the Northern Alps; Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa; Kaiyukan Aquarium Insider recommendations – tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money, and find the best local spots When to go to Japan – high season, low season, climate information and festivals Where to go – a clear introduction to Japan with key places and a handy overview Extensive coverage of regions, places and experiences – regional highlights, sights and places for different types of travellers, with experiences matching different needs Places to eat, drink and stay – hand-picked restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels Practical info at each site – hours of operation, websites, transit tips, charges Colour-coded mapping – with keys and legends listing sites categorised as highlights, eating, accommodation, shopping, drinking and nightlife Background information for connoisseurs – history, culture, art, architecture, film, books, religion, diversity Essential Japanese dictionary and glossary of local terms Fully updated post-COVID-19 The guide provides a comprehensive and rich selection of places to see and things to do in Japan, as well as great planning tools. It’s the perfect companion, both ahead of your trip and on the ground.

The award-winning Rough Guide to Japan is the definitive guide to this fascinating country with its stunning landscapes, dynamic pop culture, world-class dining and rich history. It will guide you with reliable information and a clearly explained background on everything from Japan's history, religions, arts, movies and music to the country's pressing environmental issues. Whether you're looking for great places to eat and drink or the most exciting places to party and the newest accommodation, you'll find the solution. Plus, all the major and many off-the-beaten-track sights are covered, including tropical dives in Okinawa, mountain traverses across the Japanese Alps and contemporary art exhibits on islands in the Inland Sea. Accurate maps and comprehensive practical information help you get under the skin of this dynamic country, whilst stunning photography makes The Rough Guide to Japan your ultimate travelling companion. Now available in epub format. Make the most of your trip with The Rough Guide to Japan.

This in-depth coverage of Japan's attractions, sights, and restaurants takes you to the most rewarding spots-from the cutting-edge modernism of Tokyo, the history and culture of Kyoto, to the heights of Mt. Fuji-and stunning color photography brings the nation to life. The locally based Rough Guides author team introduces the best places to stop and explore, and provides reliable insider tips on topics such as driving the roads, taking walking tours, or visiting local landmarks. You'll find special coverage of history, art, architecture, and literature, and detailed information on the best markets and shopping for each area in this fascinating country. The Rough Guide to Japan also unearths the best restaurants, nightlife, and places to stay, from backpacker hostels to beachfront villas and boutique hotels, and color-coded maps feature every sight and listing. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Japan.

The Rough Guide to Tokyo Make the most of your time on Earth with the ultimate travel guides. World-renowned 'tell it like it is' travel guide. Get Olympic ready with this practical 'tell it like it is' guidebook to Tokyo. Featuring extensive listings and maps, this is packed with information to help travellers make the most of their Tokyo 2020 Olympic adventure. Discover Japan with this comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, packed with practical information and honest recommendations by our independent experts. Whether you plan to scoff sushi, be dazzled by neon Akihabara or drink sake until your head spins, the Rough Guide to Tokyo will help you discover the best places to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep along the way. Features of this travel guide to Tokyo: - Detailed regional coverage: provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas - Honest and independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our writers will help you make the most from your trip to Japan - Meticulous mapping: practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Harajuku, Asakusa and many more locations without needing to get online - Fabulous full-colour photography: features inspirational colour photography, including the dizzying lights of Shinjuku and awe-inspiring presence of Senso-ji Temple. - Time-saving itineraries: carefully planned routes will help inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences - Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Roppongi, Ginza, Akihabara and Bayside Tokyo's best sights and top experiences - Travel tips and info: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more - Background information: comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter provides fascinating insights into Japan, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary - Covers: the Imperial Palace and around; Ginza and around; Akihabara and around; Ueno and around; Asakusa and around; Ryogoku and Kiyosumi; Bayside Tokyo; Akasuka and Roppongi; Ebisu and the south; Harajuku; Aoyama and Shibuya; Shinjinku and the west; Ikebukuro and the north. You may also be interested in: The Rough Guide to Japan, Pocket Rough Guide Tokyo, The Rough Guide to China About Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.

The ultimate pocket guide to this dynamic city, the Rough Guide to Tokyo provides informed accounts of every attraction from the the futuristic Odaiba to the temple town of Asakusa. Also included is up-to-date advice on where to stay, eat, shop and go out. Information on excursions to Mount Fuji, Yokohama's Chinatown and the dazzling shrines of Nikko is also provided. This edition contains full coverage of the grounds and their surrounding areas of all the venues of the 2002 World Cup.

Creating Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, 1945–2015 is a timely contribution to postwar Japan security studies. It is the first comprehensive account of Japan’s post-1945 army, including a comprehensive institutional history, together with the evolution of roles and missions and the adoption of successive professional identities. The organizational history is embedded within a thorough examination of Japan’s own defense policy, as well as of America’s policy of alliance with Japan. The book examines and challenges assumptions about the drafting and adoption of the War Renunciation clause of Japan’s postwar Peace Constitution, Article 9, which uniquely not only renounces war, but the arms to wage war. Thus Japan’s army is not called an army, but the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF). The work also examines the place of an army and soldiers in the formation of Japan’s national identity after its last devastating war, and explores the impact of constitutional, legal and policy restrictions, as well as the power of the legacy of the still-largely vilified Imperial Japanese Army on GSDF members who seek to serve because “there are people we want to protect.” The study is rounded by an examination of the place of soldiers in Japan’s popular culture, focused on movies, manga and anime, assessing the impact on the GSDF of a public imagination that most often ignores or villainizes soldiers, though ending with a note that some positive images of soldiers and of the GSDF members themselves have started to appear in the last few years. The book’s author, a retired U.S. Army soldier who spent more than twenty years working, studying and training with the GSDF, offers a broad-ranging exploration of a unique organization. This work is extensively researched, using English and Japanese sources, and will appeal to anyone interested in Japanese security studies, alliance studies, and military imagery in Japanese pop culture, as well as to students of military history, international security, international relations, and cultural identity.

The Rough Guide to Kenya has been the most authoritative guide to the country since it was first published in 1987. The fully revised, full-colour 11th edition covers the country in fine detail. Learn how to cope with and enjoy Nairobi; visit the Maasai Mara without the crowds; explore lesser-known parks and conservancies; and make the most of the Indian Ocean coast. A wealth of practical information covers the highways and byways, supported by the most thoroughly researched and reliable background coverage available. Go on safari in Tsavo East, Amboseli, Samburu Reserve and Meru National Park. Explore Rift Valley lakes, Mount Kenya, the Kakamega Forest and the Shimba Hills. Enjoy the Indian Ocean - not just at Diani Beach, Mombasa and Watamu, but also at Msambweni, Tiwi and Kilifi. Stop off in Machakos, Nanyuki and Kisumu and visit local markets, museums and wildlife sanctuaries. Whether you're visiting for a safari and beach holiday or embarking on a longer stay, The Rough Guide to Kenya is the ultimate travel guide.

This in-depth coverage of Tokyo's local attractions and sights takes you to the most rewarding spots - from the historic shrines and temples to the beautiful parks - and stunning color photography brings the land to life on the pages. Discover Tokyo's highlights, with expert advice on exploring the best sites, participating in festivals, and exploring local landmarks through extensive coverage of this fascinating area. Easy-to-use maps; reliable advice on how to get around; and insider reviews of the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops for all budgets ensure that you won't miss a thing. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Tokyo.

This guide to historic city of Beijing brings its highlights to life from the latest hip nightspots to the Forbidden City. There are accounts of all the city's attractions and reliable, practical information on how to get around, where to stay and where to find the best restaurants and bars. The guide also includes detailed accounts of excursions outside the city to historic towns and hikes along the Great Wall. Each district is covered by a thoroughly researched and fully indexed map.