Recently I have been researching Japan as I plan that to be my next vacation destination. When I came across this book on NetGalley, I had to request it.

The book with its beautiful pictures and vivid descriptions of the experiences to be had, have me more than half in love with a country I have not been to yet.

Can't wait for the world to come to some semblance for me to book my vacation in Japan.

Review to come next week on blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I really love Japan, really want to go (does anyone have a bag of money I could have?). I want to visit Tokyo, I want to visit shrines, see nature, travel through the country and see all the different things. Ah. A dream. One day. Until then I will devour books about Japan, especially when these books also have photographs. Like this one!

In this book we travel around Japan. The book is split up in 4 specific regions. On the pages you will often find travel notes or how to get there notes. Along with website links so you can do your own research as well.
We visit special sights that are often quite hidden unless you know where to go. This is also why I wanted to read the book, because I was curious what kind of beautiful spots we would visit and have me dreaming of visiting those spots. I can tell you that I loved the spots that we read about in this book. I so so would love to be able to visit them. The author has a really nice writing style, it feels like a diary, or an observation rather than most guidebooks which are often to the point, mention only important features/sights to see. In this one it is more than that. For instance the author mentions about Minuma Tanbo this: "On the bridge, people exchange greetings as they pass each other by. Fishermen carry on conversations as they dangle their lines in the river. Walkers amble through the bamboo groves, bogs and shrines nearby." It feels way more personal and it made me love the book more.

I liked that there was also basic/general information on special things in all of Japan. Like we get a part about festivals, but also local foods, and other items pop up.

I loved that in the end we get a part with some extra references, information, itineraries. That was definitely a nice addition to an already great book!

The photographs are stunning. I love how vibrant and colourful they are and how sharp their quality is. This may sound odd to mention, but I have read some photography books with grainy pictures, or pictures with bad lighting, or pictures that were blown up so they would fit a whole page. This one doesn't do that, so I think it deserves to be mentioned.

All in all, I would recommend this gorgeous book to all, and should I go to Japan one day (dreams), I will be buying this book to take with me.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank the author and publisher for providing a digital review copy of this book.

"japan" by photographer-author Takashi Sato is a beautiful visual introduction to some of the most scenic off-the-beaten-path locations in Japan. "japan" highlights 75 areas throughout Japan with stunning photography and brief informative and friendly explanations. Sato's photography shows the wonderful soothing attraction of the Japanese countryside. Nearly every shot belongs on the cover of a magazine or in an exhibition. The scenes include mountains, lakes, oceans (yes, plural), islands, flowers, autumnal colors, rivers, falls, gorges, steam locomotives, horses, Mount Fuji, hydrangea, blooming Sakura trees, festivals, fireworks, birds, traditional rice paddies, traditional architecture, waterwheels, colorful reflections, pagodas, snow, rustic villages nestled in mountains, sunsets, fog shrouded scenery, and even volcanoes.

In addition to being stunning art, this book is also a useful travel planning tool. It is not an encyclopedic reference, but rather is a high level introduction to places to visit that are not normally considered travel destinations. This is good for travelers looking for quiet solitude to appreciate nature and traditional Japan. For example, this book introduces a scenic and rustic traditional farming village called Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture and points out that it is smaller and more isolated that the more famous Shirakawago village in Gifu Prefecture. After having had coworkers and friends show me many lovely pictures for years of traditional thatch roofed homes in the mountains, I finally visited Shiragawago a couple of years back and my primary impression was awe at how many massive tour buses filled with people incapable of speaking Japanese could fit into this small hamlet. It sounds like I should have visited Gokayama instead.

There is a very good reason why flipping through the pages of this book will give the average traveler an undeniably strong urge to visit Japan. This book is published by a division of Arttrav Inc., which also offers tours to these lovely destinations. The QR codes in this book point to the firm's website, https://www.wonderlandsgo.com. I have no connections with this company, however, having lived and traveled in Japan, (and having already visited eight of the places they describe) I really appreciate that they have made the "real" off-the-beaten-path Japan accessible to travelers through this book and their travel services.

For anyone planning on traveling to Japan in the near future, this makes it easy to understand the places you should visit when there. The explanations of the sacred places and those that Japanese themselves to visit should help you to set you Itinerary for one trip or multiple travels.

I love Japan, and I try to read most of the books about it. This book in particular would be handy for all the first time visitor of Japan. The photographs are a delight to look at, and the information is beneficial. I'd recommend this to everyone who is planning a trip to Japan; very well-made.

Not your typical guidebook! I love discovering hidden gems when traveling, and I think that this book spotlights some beautiful places with its beautiful photos. It definitely made me want to visit Japan again.

Some lovely photographs of places throughout Japan, with none of the more famous sites or tourist spots. This is a kind of off the beaten path travel guide.
It seemed more like a friend's trip photos and travel notes, and did not raise any nostalgia for Japan.

What a beautiful book on visiting Japan!

It is divided into different regions and provides interesting and seemingly off the beaten track places to visit rather than any metropolitan areas. It provides different ways to get there, be it by train, bus or car. If there are certain events such as festivals, then it lets you know the best time of year to go too.

Also included at the rear of the book is some etiquette, tips on money and using public transport.

A definite book for anyone wanting to visit Japan and get out in their beautiful countryside.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

I've always been fascinated by Japan and the Japanese culture as a whole. So, when I saw this book on Netgalley, I instantly decided to read it as soon as possible. And boy, it didn't disappoint a bit.
Starting with the focal point of the book,- the photographs are beautiful and vivid, thus capturing the reader's attention quickly. The offbeat places described in the book are perfect for anyone planning for a trip to the country. I really liked the way all places were divided into suitable groups and favourable seasons highlighted. This just makes the trip planning process easier. Even if you're not planning to visit Japan in the near future, visiting this country's picturesque destinations with the help of this book, will certainly be a delightful experience.

This book has stunning photographs and simple descriptions to go along with it, which can be helpful enough for an absentminded fellow like me whose mind is always wandering. There are so many natural wonders and places of beauty that inspire in Japan, and in this book, we get a glimpse at the almost mystical beauty.

It explores places, some festivals, and popular tourist routes. At the end of the book, there are helpful lists of itineraries, activities, modes of transportation, online resources, and even a list of proper manners in the Japan countryside.

I don’t know if I will ever get the chance to visit Japan, but if I do, this book would definitely come to my mind. As for now, I will have to look at these immersing photographs and let the descriptive captions whisk me away to these inspiring places that I can only imagine.

The travel wish is great at the moment and the fact that we can't is frustrating. So I started to seek out travel photobooks and travel compendiums planning the most elaborate journeys. This book was great and much of the photography inspiring. It certainly whiled away a lovely couple of hours.

It's a beautiful coffee table book filled with idyllic scenes from the japanese landscape. It looks more at the countryside and the homely, warm, aspects of Japan. Clearly it is targetting a very specific audience. The writing is uninspiring and dull but the photos are beautiful and it does talk about a lot of potentially visitable places. It's pretty good as a regular guide book and the last few pages with basic information for travellers could be helpful for visitors.

I NEED this physical book! I was forced (by my own hand, sure) to go through this absolutely gorgeous collection of Japanese landscape, travel advice and GET READY cultural mannerisms! I seriously love this so much and its one of those books I would have loved to have as a kid. This is an incredible gift for anyone in your life who is: passionate about travel
interested in japan (I cant be the only one with at least 5 friends who fall into that category)
interested in geography
interested in Asian cultures
is traveling to Japan soon or just one day

I really look forward to when this comes out in print. This will make a fabulous talking point or just something fun to give my coworkers for holidays.

Splendide immagini fanno scoprire un Giappone lontano dal turismo tradizionale, un Giappone dal sapore antico
Mi chiedo, però, quanto si possano effettivamente utilizzare questi spunti per organizzare un percorso.

This guide book has a lot of beautiful landscape photographs of impressive and lesser-known parts of Japan. It also gives suggestions for every time of year, and local tips to enjoy the visits better.
It should be noted that this is not a typical guide book, listing the most popular tourist attractions to see in a limited amount of time. Instead, this guide includes pictures and some information about a number of interesting places in various regions for those who want to experience the Japanese culture and scenery from different aspects. "Good To Know" section at the end of the book provides some valuable tips which could prove very helpful. Also, each section has a QR code that provides extra information online.
It is highly recommended for those who want to have an authentic experience following their own itinerary based on their interests. Those who enjoy landscape photography and spending time in nature will also find insights in this guide. Being one of them, I certainly consider buying this book for my next visit to Japan.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book. Mr. Sato’s photography is absolutely stunning. I didn’t know how very beautiful Japan was until now. The way he describes each of the destinations is romantic and simple. It is very enjoyable to read or just to pick up and pour over the many gorgeous pictures.

An interesting and beautiful book. My daughter and I sat and read it together as she is obsessed with Japan. It would make a stunning coffee table book

excellent book to take with you if you ever visit Japan. Lots of interesting places to visit and helpful hints and possible pit falls for the traveller. My only problem is the colour in the photos is a too intense and looks a bit odd. It might just be because I have an ebook edition.

There are guidebooks to Japan and there are photography books of Japan, but this is the first book I've seen that skillfully combines both photographs and a guide.
This book is for the reader who already knows or has visited the famous usual tourist places in Japan. It takes the reader off the beaten path and to places they'd never find otherwise. The photographs are beyond gorgeous. The guide part of each section is more of an enticement than a how-to, but it is enough for the intrepid traveler to figure out next steps. I hope the author will continue with more volumes like this. It's a winner!

This review is written both in English and Italian.
Questa recensione è scritta sia in italiano che in inglese.

Thanks to Netgalley and Media Do International, Inc. for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've always wanted to visit Japan. Its culture, its language, its balance of modernity and tradition, I've always been fascinated by all of it. So when I found this book by Takashi Sato available to read, I knew I had to take the chance. Not only does this book show you beautiful places in the countryside of Japan through pictures taken by the author himself, it gives you all the information you need to get there and the activities you can join so that you can live your visit in the best and most efficient way possible.
And even if you are not planning on travelling there, at least for the moment, this book is still a great opportunity to know more about Japan and its hidden jewels.

⭐4.25/5
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Grazie a Netgalley e Media Do International, Inc. per aver messo a disposizione la copia digitale in cambio di una recensione onesta.

Da sempre mi piacerebbe visitare il Giappone. Sono sempre stata affascinata dalla sua cultura, la sua lingua, l'equilibrio tra modernità e tradizione. Quindi, quando ho trovato questo libro di Takashi Sato pronto per essere letto, sapevo di dover cogliere l'occasione. Non solo questo libro mostra luoghi bellissimi della campagna giapponese attraverso foto scattate dall'autore stesso, ma fornisce anche tutte le informazioni che servono per arrivarci e tutte le attività a cui si può partecipare così da poter vivere al meglio e nella maniera più efficiente la propria visita.
E anche se non avete nei piani di viaggiare lì, almeno per ora, questo libro è comunque una buona opportunità per conoscere meglio il Giappone e i suoi gioielli nascosti.

⭐4.25/5