A general Japan guidebook can be great if you’re looking for general information on Japan travel.
But if you’re looking for more specialized, in-depth information, most guidebooks won’t cut it. That’s why we love these specialty Japan guidebooks.

Japanese onsen (hot springs)
Each book focuses on a specific topic, including:

Japanese food, with its rich and varied culinary culture
Traditional crafts & the historic shops of Kyoto
Onsen (hot springs)
And Japan?s colorful drinking culture (including sake, shochu & izakayas)

What’s more, these authors are both knowledgeable and passionate about their topics, which makes these books more fun to read than typical guidebooks.
Of course, if you are looking for a more comprehensive guidebook for Japan, make sure to see our post on the best Japan travel guidebooks. Originally written in 2013, we?ve updated and added to the original article.
Old Kyoto: The Updated guide to Traditional Shops, Restaurants, and Inns
By Diane Durston

Old Kyoto is the authoritative book on traditional Kyoto.
It’s perfect for travelers who are interested in exploring the older side of Japan, living history, Japanese crafts, and traditional Kyoto cuisine.
The author, Diane Durston, has painstakingly documented over a hundred traditional Kyoto establishments, focusing on shops that have been around for at least a hundred years.
Many of the shops she includes have several hundred years of history, having been pa...