Travel Pictorial - Country or Natural Wonder
Always browse any or all Travel Pictorial books about a country, region or a natural wonder of the world . You will find excellent photography to view at leisure. Check out any bookstore or library ( lending or reference ).
The Web
Trip Advisor's Japan Forum is a great place to search for tips and ask for advice: www.tripadvisor.com/ForumHome.
There are several links that any traveler to Japan should keep handy. First, in general most prefectures, cities, and towns have at least some information in English; so if you have a specific location in mind, do a Web search for that place and see what information they have to offer. Some are better than others, but I have found some wonderful information in this way.
A good transportation link is Hypderdia: www.hyperdia.com. This site is an interactive rail timetable. You'll need to click the English link in the top left (unless you read Japanese), and bear in mind a couple of things: 1. If you're using a rail pass then choose 'except Nozomi'; Nozomi refers to the fastest Shinkansen (bullet train) and the rail pass is not valid. 2. Be aware of what time is shown on the schedule; it defaults to the local time in Japan.
Another good link is http://www.japanrailpass.net/. This site has all you need to know about the Japan Rail Passes.
If you are looking to travel by the metro/train, the below site will be useful. If you know your start and end point train station you wish to take, this will map out the most efficient (and cost effective) way to get to your destination. The site is available in both Japanese and English: http://www.tokyo-subway.net/english/
The Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) has a lot of great information, including a listing of festivals and events: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/.
Travel Guide(s) - Country, Region or City
Always glance through any Travel Guide for the region you are planning to visit. You will always find some nuggat of useful information. The layout and content will always vary with the publisher. Every traveller should make it a priority to browse one or all of the guides listed below. It will be a great education to browse the layout and view the excellent photography. You decide which of the travel guide(s) you like the best.
- DK Eyewitness Travel Guide(s)
- Insight / Discovery Channel Travel Guide(s)
- Lonely Planet Guide(s)
- AA Explorer, AA Key or AA Spiral Guide(s)
- Note: You will find about thirteen ( 13+ ) other publishing companies travel guides in bookstores.
Travel Books - Children or Junior
Browse the children's or junior section of your local library for travel and geography guides. You will find a variety of guides to countries, regions or natural wonders of the world. The majority of these guides will be less than fifty pages in length. They will contain an excellent overview of a country etc. They are an excellent introduction to travel for a novice traveller.
Travel DVD or Video Viewing
- These are a few ideas for finding Travel DVD's in your local area.
- Local Video Rental Store
- Local Library - Travel Video or DVD
- Any large music store will have a range of travel DVD's or Video's on sale.
- Travel Video Store has an excellent internet site.
- BBC Video series website section
- Pilot Travel Guide series
- National Geographic Travel DVD or Video Series
- Escorted Tour Companies DVD or Video's e.g. Rick Steves'
- National Tourist Bureaus MAY have a introduction Video or DVD on offer or Photo Gallery on their Internet site
