the beginning of research and picking a guide book
In a way, I feel like I’ve been planning this trip my whole life. But I really put on my thinking cap about a year ago when I decided that 2016 would finally, FINALLY be the year that I would make this trek. But only now am I at the point of doing all the nitty-gritty research for each of the places I plan to go within Japan.
My process starts something like this:
Don’t worry, most of those books are from the library.
A number of years ago, when I was traveling in Europe, I started using Rough Guides and they’ve been my go-to for a base guide ever since. They have a lot of detail and a bit of personality, too. I also like Lonely Planet guides but I find the maps a bit better in the Rough Guides.
My other purchase is usually a DK Top Ten guide, if they make one, for whatever city I’m visiting. The guide itself can be hit or miss, but the tiny pocket-sized map that it comes with is a god-send. It is really easy to fit into any pocket on me and I can fold and refold it into any shape I need.
That being said, I like to consult as many resources as possible! Eventhough the guides have a lot of the same basic advice, every one has a little something that isn’t mentioned in the other and I like to find that!
