The Architecture of Tokyo

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile architectural guidebook
Review: As one of very few guides to the architecture of Tokyo presented in English, this book further delivers by presenting each building in terms of its historical context. As such, the reader gains an understanding of the many forces shaping Japanese architecture from "traditional" times to the present day. Though organized by historical period instead of geographic location, all buildings are keyed to detailed maps at the back of the book to help you find your way, or even to help you pick out buildings of interest in whatever area of the city you happen to be. So while this book does *not* offer glossy photos, it will get you there to take your own, and should be very helpful for visitors to Tokyo who are looking for an architectural guidebook with content over flash.

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile architectural guidebook
Review: As one of very few guides to the architecture of Tokyo presented in English, this book further delivers by presenting each building in terms of its historical context. As such, the reader gains an understanding of the many forces shaping Japanese architecture from "traditional" times to the present day. Though organized by historical period instead of geographic location, all buildings are keyed to detailed maps at the back of the book to help you find your way, or even to help you pick out buildings of interest in whatever area of the city you happen to be. So while this book does *not* offer glossy photos, it will get you there to take your own, and should be very helpful for visitors to Tokyo who are looking for an architectural guidebook with content over flash.

Rating:
Summary: Worthless Reading
Review: This "book" is a major disappointment, using small print, black and white photos, this is more of a guide book than anything else. Continue your search elsewhere if you are researching Asian Architecture...

Rating:
Summary: Tokyo ARCH.
Review: This is a very good guide to the amazing architecture that exists in Japan. Unlike Botond Bognar's The Japan Guide, this guide was authored by a native of Japan, offering a deeper insight into the history and culture behind the architecture within the text. If you seek a coffee table book, look elsewhere (there are plenty for sale in Amazon.com).

Rating:
Summary: sorry Grand Rapids
Review: This is a very good guide to the amazing architecture that exists in Japan. Unlike Botond Bognar's The Japan Guide, this guide was authored by a native of Japan, offering a deeper insight into the history and culture behind the architecture within the text. If you seek a coffee table book, look elsewhere (there are plenty for sale in Amazon.com).

Rating:
Summary: Discusses a broad range of Tokyo architecture
Review: Watanabe's book is indeed a guidebook, and it frankly presents itself as such. The value of this book it that it attempts to breakdown the area's architecture into historical periods, relying on maps at the end for spatial connections. While this format was apparently determined by the publisher and can be cumbersome to use, its value is in highlighting many of Tokyo's structures from the Edo and Meiji periods, which are overlooked or even ignored in most architectural guidebooks. While this is not a book I would recommend to the neophyte, I think that it will - and should - end up in the libraries of regular visitors to Japan with an interest in architecture.

Rating:
Summary: Discusses a broad range of Tokyo architecture
Review: Watanabe's book is indeed a guidebook, and it frankly presents itself as such. The value of this book it that it attempts to breakdown the area's architecture into historical periods, relying on maps at the end for spatial connections. While this format was apparently determined by the publisher and can be cumbersome to use, its value is in highlighting many of Tokyo's structures from the Edo and Meiji periods, which are overlooked or even ignored in most architectural guidebooks. While this is not a book I would recommend to the neophyte, I think that it will - and should - end up in the libraries of regular visitors to Japan with an interest in architecture.

Rating:
Summary: Tokyo ARCH.
Review: Watanabe's guidebook does a good job in describing how each of Japan's buildings are rooted into the rich historical periods of Japan. Although the graphic material is not the best, the generous amount of information devoted to each building makes up for it. If you are planning on visiting Japan or just want to know more about Japan's rich architecture you may find this book to be quite helpful.