Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely hilarious!
Review: Dave's account of the idiosyncrasies of Japanese culture is hilarious, yet accurate. Unless you've been to Japan, you really can't tell what's exaggerated and what's not. I stayed in Japan for about a month before, and agree with most of Dave's extremely humourous descriptions of his experiences. Indeed very interesting, and has more has more laughs for the buck than most humour books I've read.
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Summary: How to really appreciate Japan - Regardless of the food!
Review: Had to go to Tokyo on a group business trip (technical training...Yuck!) Naturally picked up "Frommers" (or "Fodors" - whatever)so I would know what was going on. Never EVER figured I'd have to go to Japan on business (or pleasure, for that matter.) One of the lines in the introduction to THAT tourist guide went something like this, "If you have a unique sense of humor and really want to get a feel for everyday life in Tokyo... Pick up "Dave Barry Does Japan"" FROM ANOTHER TRAVEL GUIDE, NO LESS! I read it on the plane flight over, my boss read it on the way back. We laughed our behinds off because everything - EVERYTHING - in the book that specifically happens in Tokyo city happened in some way to us. These 'warnings', if you will, allowed me to relax about the people, the language, the food, the prices.... and just enjoy the undeniable humor in a situation where two very different cultures invariably collide. THE BEST book for a Tokyo traveler who is not necessarily into reverential worship or study of the Japanese culture - Just wants to enjoy the people, the trip, the total experience!
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Summary: Despite only a 3 week tour, DB sees more than a tourist.
Review: Having gone to school in Tokyo, served my time in various ESL programs around Japan, and done a dissertation on Japanese soil, I found this book to be a perfect introduction for those about to embark on a trip to Japan. Cultural observations made by Barry are actually very acute for having only been there for 3 weeks. I take a group of students there every summer and recommend this as a "primer" before hitting the "academic" readings. After only 1 or 2 days there are always a few who go out of their way to find "food without suckers" and live for the trip to the KFC or Makudonarudos. Some are old enough to search out the "BIG Bee-ru." - Todd Stradford
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Summary: Moshi Moshi!
Review: Hysterical Western point of view of part of the East. Considering I live in Hawaii, which is the semi-permanent vacation residence of nearly all of Japan, I could easily relate. Quick, easy read.
Rating: 
Summary: Not even close to his normal brilliance.
Review: I am a HUGE Dave Barry fan and have every book. This is the ONLY one that's not even close to being funny. It's a rather straight-forward account of his rather boring trip to Japan - it was like he was writing an article for the Travel section, not his column. I kept expecting his sharp wit, but there wasn't any - just observations that were way too normal for Dave. This book won't give you the laughs you'd expect from Dave.
Rating: 
Summary: could have been better...
Review: I am a huge Dave Barry fan, but I agree with a few of the others here-- his sharp wit is definitely missing from this one. It just didn't make me laugh. I saw all his attempts on every page to make us laugh, but I just felt like it simply was not funny. He was just pointing out things that are different, and I did not see how that is supposed to be funny. I am a big fan of Japanese culture & language, but I would not go so far as to say that I was "offended", because I wasn't. In fact, I did think the part he talked about Kanji was pretty good. There was one line in which he said something like experts suggest the best way to speak Japanese is to "be born as a Japanese baby, in Japan, raised by a Japanese family." That was probably the funniest line of the whole book to me, simply because I can totally relate as a student of the language for the past three years. But that alone is not enough to save this book from being one of his worst. The rest of the book he just goes on and on about how different we are. How little he likes sumo and kabuki. It seems more close minded than funny. But, I guess that goes with background theme of the book, "Americans are the best". He didn't directly say that, but it seems that basically he is saying throughout the book that anyone who does not do things like americans are weird and therefore funny. A lot of the comparisons are true, and there are differences between our cultures that are funny, and their use of english is quite amusing (also known as engrish). But how does Barry help make any of that to be any more funny than they are alone, by sprinkling exaggerations and mockeries here and there? I expected much more from Barry, not just a "wow, this place is weird, laugh at it". I don't mind his Bold, Proud American point of view-- I actually find that funny at times because I know many people like that. But it just made him sound stupid, unfocused, and like the best he could do was make fun of that which is so different. Do not read this book if you want to read Dave Barry's REAL WIT! He is just not funny or witty in this book!
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Summary: for Japanese, the book means
Review: I am a native Japanese woman and Ifve never been to U.S. But this is an excellent book even for native Japanese. Dave Barryfs theme looks very clear (Needless to say, including full of humor). Of course I can answer most of his questions easily (nightingales poop, kneel-down comedy, Nintend games) but excpt some misunderstandings, the book has good suggestion for us. Japanese society has been deteriorated for this decade (crimes and economic depression), but I believe Japanese should read it and try to find what he felt from Japanese society 10 years ago.
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Summary: I Laughed Out Loud!
Review: I am currently living in Japan and decided to cruise Amazon for books that would help me adjust to my life here. Dave made me laugh so hard I cried! I found myself relating to many of his experiences (most especially his attitude on learning the language). If anyone wants an insight into the real Japan, this is the book for you. I recommend it wholeheartedly!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely True!
Review: I am currently living in Japan, and I read this book to provide myself with some levity. This book is ABSOLUTELY TRUE 100% and is HYSTERICAL! Dave Barry successfully turned the little frustrating things about Japan into laughing riots. I loved every word!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Hilarious!
Review: I believe this to be one of the funniest books Dave Barry has ever written. I have a paperback version of it, but I've read it so many times, it's starting to fall apart, and I'm thinking it might be time to replace it with a more permanent hardcover version. Best parts of "Dave Barry Does Japan": Dave trying, and failing, to learn Japanese on the plane...Dave and his family getting completely lost in Tokyo...Dave trying to blend in at a traditional Japanese resort. I also really enjoyed the chapter about Hiroshima, even though it wasn't funny. This guy can write serious stuff too, it appears--not only that, but he can write it well. Dave manages to make a journey into an extremely foreign culture incredibly funny without being racist or offensive in any way. And believe it or not, I actually learned a lot about Japan by reading this book. Of course, you have to take everything said in any Dave Barry book with a grain of salt, but one of my favorite things about his writing is his ability to point out the absurdities of everyday life, which I would imagine become even more apparent when one is watching them from an entirely different cultural perspective. Plus, you gotta love the booger jokes.
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