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Rating: 
Summary: Believe or not, I (Japanese) think that this book is good.
Review: I have read this book recently after relatively-long staying in USA and Europe for over 4 years, partly because at first I wanted to know how Japan, Japanese and things Japanese were described from a Western cultural point of view. And I found that this book is fairly acceptable also from Japanese point of view.
You like it or not, I think this is a good book to know Japan.
Rating: 
Summary: Please don't spend your money
Review: It's hard to find a travel book that is more than a list of hotels but less than a travelog. I thought this book was it -- but I was wrong. Boyde Lafayette De Menthe writes as if every American doesn't want to experience the real Japan. And describes the real Japan is some sort of secret brothel. Some of the history was interesting and the quick guide to the language was informative but, overall, the information was very dated (copyright 1995). And as a woman who loves to travel, this book left me with very few insights other than where I should sent my male companions at night.
Rating: 
Summary: I found it to be biased and dated
Review: It's hard to find a travel book that is more than a list of hotels but less than a travelog. I thought this book was it -- but I was wrong. Boyde Lafayette De Menthe writes as if every American doesn't want to experience the real Japan. And describes the real Japan is some sort of secret brothel. Some of the history was interesting and the quick guide to the language was informative but, overall, the information was very dated (copyright 1995). And as a woman who loves to travel, this book left me with very few insights other than where I should sent my male companions at night.
Rating:
Summary: Please don't spend your money
Review: Please don't waste your time or money on this book. There are much better books available (I have lived in Japan for 5 years and didn't see anything remotely approaching insightful or original commentary). I thought this book would give me tips on how to experience the Japan of old -- which is hard to find. Instead I got a variety of short stories (none of which I found interesting or provide enough detail for you to figure out how to find the romantic old Japan), and an abbreviated history of Japan. Also, the author is always obsessing about women! I recommend to keep searching!
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