With her bright watercolors and good-humored descriptions, Betty Reynolds brings back happy memories of many dining experiences in Japan: how to recognize a restaurant by the signs outside the door, the etiquette of eating sushi (and which of the decorative leaves are edible!), slurping noodles the Japanese way. She goes on to do the same for tempura, yakitori, sukiyaki, and dozens of other Japanese foods. Many uniquely Japanese experiences are portrayed: stopping by a Japanese pub (izakaya) where strangers are assured of a warm welcome; the joys of yatai, the open-air food stalls that show up on streets in evenings and at festivals; the pure bliss of unwinding at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn); picnicking at a cherry blossom-viewing party in the park; attending a sumo wrestling match; even how to grapple with a Japanese toilet.

A keen observer, Ms. Reynolds is enough of an "insider" to go beyond the obvious in delineating a myriad of Japanese foods, and enough of an "outsider" to remain objective in recognizing the kind of only-in-Japan zaniness that occasionally crops up (sweet potato ice cream, anyone?). Each food is identified with hand-lettered descriptions in English, Japanese roman-ji (the Roman alphabet) so you can pronounce it, and kana (the Japanese syllabary) so someone Japanese can read what it is.

Just leafing through this yummy, entertaining book makes me hungry. As I write this review, I'm itching to catch the next plane to Japan (or at least go out to the nearest Japanese pub)! This book is a great introduction to the wealth of Japanese cuisine, a fine gift or memento for travelers to Japan, and useful even to identify items-and wow the chef with your knowledge-at your local sushi bar.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:


Don't Leave Home Without It  Oct 18, 2000 By Alexandra Uribe Coughlan
This book is absolutely brilliant!! I am in awe of Ms. Reynolds' delightful way of presenting crucial information for the foreign tourist or resident in Japan. It covers just about everything you'll need to know in order to lose your fear and strike out of your hotel into the authentic world of Japanese cuisine. How she has managed to cram so much invaluable information (cultural as well as culinary) into one slim book is a triumph in itself. The illustrations are charming, and the advice is impeccable. Read it and you'll be able to go, not only to a restaurant, but also to a Japanese bath, a Japanese bathroom, or a sumo match with newfound confidence. Plus, you'll have quite a few laughs as you learn what to do and what NOT to do. As a current resident of Japan, I only wish that she had written it sooner. But, she did solve my problem of what to give newcomers and visitors to Japan. I can't think of a more useful or delightful gift.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


Love Sushi? You'll LOVE this book!  Jun 13, 2001 By Tim Warneka "Leadership Expert, Keynote Speaker, Author -BLACK BELT LEADER, PEACEFUL LEADER: AN INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLIC SERVANT LEADERSHIP"
I LOVE sushi (my wife HATES it! :-), but there is much about eating sushi that I didn't understand....until I read this book. Wonderful pictures and great explanations for all things Japanese.

I've never been to Japan, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of this book. But the previous Amazon reviewers seem to attest that this book is fairly accurate.

If you are interested in Japanese culture (and especially sushi!) - you'll like reading this book!


Dummies Guide to Outings in Japan  Aug 10, 2005 By K. Ward
We have lived in Tokyo Japan for 2 years and just recently received this book as a gift. My family and I love it. The book explains a lot of things you will experience in a Japanese restraunt, in shops or just out walking in the city. Things that have been a mystery for 2 years have been explained, with pictures even. We liked the book so much that we have purchased a couple more copies as gifts for other Americans coming to live in Japan.


For long-term residents too..  Dec 28, 2000 By Cathy Collins
Not only is this book helpful for people about to visit Japan, but as someone about to leave this wonderful country after 3 years, Ms Reynolds book is one I'll cherish as a souvenir of my time here. Her drawings are amazingly observant and accurate as well as humorous. I look forward to seeing more of her work.

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