Matthew Baxter

I wish I had had this book when I lived in Tokyo many years ago. In the year that I lived there, I spent many days walking around the city, seeking out various sights and museums (without smartphone or Internet). I gradually discovered how the various wards and neighborhoods all have their own distinct characters, from quiet residential streets to bustling shopping districts, to verdant parks. For someone who doesn't have a year to learn their way around Tokyo, this book offers an excellent way to make the most of your time there, with a wide selection of walking and biking routes that will give you a feel for the wonderful variety that Tokyo has to offer. Each route in the book focuses on a specific region, with an easy-to-follow map, and descriptions of the highlights (shopping, historical sites, temples, shrines, etc.). I really appreciated the books' attention to detail, such as recommendations on days of the week to take (or avoid) a particular route. There are also suggestions on places to eat or drink along the routes. "Tokyo Outdoors" also includes some routes somewhat outside of the Tokyo area, such as Mount Takao, to the east, and Yokohama, including its famous Chinatown. If you're the type of traveler who enjoys getting off the beaten path and appreciates walking as a way to really see a city up close, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book.
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This is one of those truly fantastic books that should be in every traveller's backpack or Kindle, if they're visiting Tokyo. It has a wealth of information about everything you'll find in that gigantic city but, even more importantly, it has easy to follow subway instructions for getting around. Tokyo isn't tourist-friendly when it comes to readable signage, and that includes subway signs. Of course, apps are making it easier and easier, but it's still not as easy as having clear instructions in your own language whenever going out, and this book does that. I'm keeping this one in my Kindle, and I'll be buying a physical copy next time I head to the Rising Sun.… (plus d'informations)

I lived in Japan for 13 years, worked and lived in Yokohama and Tokyo (as well as other places) and I would have loved to have had Matthew Baxter’s book, Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks, Hikes… or its equivalent when I lived there, and that is why it gets five stars. It’s not perfect, at least not for me, although it might be for others. The format is useful and it’s a good book to have on your phone with immediate access to google maps of each location. I would argue it’s ideal for your phone as there’s no in-depth history, just a brief overview of each place mentioned. The information regarding practicalities is spot on from what I remember. There’s an emphasis on shopping, especially modern shopping malls and upmarket shopping experiences. The recommended coffee shops and meal spots all have something a little different about them, but I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to find them; you’re never going to lack for good, reasonably priced food in Tokyo. Coffee is overpriced as it is everywhere. I was surprised by some notable omissions. No mention of Meiji Jingu Shrine or the wonderful Iris gardens on the walk to the shrine. No mention of Yasakuni shrine, contentious certainly but also important and close to the Imperial Palace, and no mention of Kanda Myojin Temple, well worth a visit quite close to Akihabara. And while the youth culture of Harajaku is mentioned along with Ometosando Hills a high end shopping area, The Oriental Bazaar just down the road doesn’t get a look in. And it’s a fantastic place to see arts and crafts from all around Japan, being sold at reasonable prices. I would also argue that two of the places he suggests as day trips are just too far away, and really need you to stay there to appreciate them in full. They are Nikko and Karuizawa. I would add Kawagoe on the west of Tokyo for an easy and interesting day trip and the Hakone area can be explored in a long day much more easily than heading further out.… (plus d'informations)