Cool Tokyo Guide. Abby Denson

      

      COOL

       TOKYO

       GUIDE

      ADVENTURES IN THE

       CITY OF KAWAII FASHION,

       TRAIN SUSHI AND GODZILLA

      ABBY DENSON

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      This book is dedicated to Matt Loux and Yuuko Koyama. Thanks for sharing so many great adventures with me!

      Extra special thanks go to Christopher Butcher, Andrew Woodrow-Butcher, Cindy Howle and Mayumi Abuku for their invaluable assistance with the production of this book.

      My deepest gratitude goes out to all of my family members and friends for their support.

      My heartfelt appreciation goes out to Fusami Ogi, Mika Sakki, Kaneko Atsushi, Yoko Oikawa, Youri Morinaga, Aloha Higa, Yoshiki Takahashi, Utomaru, Miyako Kojima, Norman England, and the many others who have always made me feel welcome during my travels. See you again soon!

       CHAPTER 1 We're going to Tokyo! Now what? 7

       CHAPTER 2 Getting Around Town 19

       CHAPTER 3 Tokyo Survival Skills 27

       CHAPTER 4 Culture Shock Funnies 35

       CHAPTER 5 What Will We Eat? 45

       CHAPTER 6 Tokyo Hotel Tips 61

       CHAPTER 7 Tokyo Entertainment 67

       CHAPTER 8 Tokyo Cultural and Historical Sites 81

       CHAPTER 9 Shopping for Everything 93

       CHAPTER 10 Kid-friendly Tokyo 103

       CHAPTER 11 Take it Easy in Yokohama (and Other Day Trips) 115

      CONTENTS

      INTRODUCTION

      Welcome to Cool Tokyo Guide!

      I'm an American c artoonist who has had a longtime fascination with Japan, ever since I started reading manga and watching anime when I was a teen. While in college, I got the opportunity to study in Tokyo, where I met my friend Yuuko Koyama, a fellow cartoonist. We've since had many adventures together!

      Perhaps you've read my previous travel book, Cool Japan Guide. In Cool Tokyo Guide I focus on, well, Tokyo. This book brings you more tips and recommendations from me, my husband Matt, friend Yuuko, and our cartoon cat friend, Kitty Sweet Tooth, and we hope you'll have fun touring the city with us.

      One thing I've picked up over my years of traveling is that you must be prepared to research, to make mistakes, and to perhaps even look foolish sometimes. It's okay! That's how you learn, and I've found the people of Japan can be very welcoming and eager to assist when they are asked for help.

      I remember the first time I visited Tokyo, back in 1997, when I was there to study at Sophia University's summer session. I was struck by how Tokyo was like New York City in many ways, but more so. More buildings, more people, more parks, and so many exciting things to see, do, and eat. It can be truly overwhelming (in a great way). At the same time, Tokyo's cleanliness, conveniences, and cultural differences can somehow make it all

       seem more manageable. As a frequent visitor to Tokyo, I'm

       excited to share my experiences and help you through some of

       the common pitfalls or culture-shock moments that you might

       encounter.

      Just remember: don't miss the last train!

      PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

      At the start of each chapter Kitty Sweet Tooth will teach you some

       useful words and phrases. Here are a few basic rules of pronunciation.

      In Japanese:

      a is pronounced as in the word father

      e is pronounced as in the word set

      i is pronounced ee as in the word seed

      o is pronounced as in the word tote

      u is pronounced oo, as in the word soon

      Most consonants are pronounced as in English. G is always hard, as in goat.

       F is a softer sound than in English, so try not to let your teeth touch your

       bottom lip when pronouncing it.

      R is also a softer sound, like a gentle curl/roll of the tongue.

      There is no l, q, v or x sound in Japanese.

      Let's learn new words with Kitty Sweet Tooth!

      Chapter 1 introduces you to:

      Sakura - cherry blossoms

      Hanami - blossom viewing party

      Matsuri - festival

      Yatai - food stalls

      Mikoshi - portable shrine

      Hanabi - fireworks

      Momijigari - leaf peeping

      Kimono - traditional robelike garment

      Kumade - rake

      Shinkansen - bullet train

      CHAPTER 1

       We're going to Tokyo!

       Now what?