About the Book
Japan is steeped in legend and myth, perhaps the greatest of which is the popular misconception that the country is simply too expensive to visit. The truth is that flights to Japan are cheaper than they’ve ever been, accommodation can be great value, while the warm hospitality which awaits every visitor costs nothing at all. The real secret to travelling around the country on a budget, however, is the Japan Rail Pass. With this pass you can travel on some of the fastest trains in the world as often as you like for as long as you please – and all for one bargain price. Use this comprehensive guide in conjunction with a rail pass to get the most out of your trip to Japan.
Practical information – planning your trip; what to take; getting to Japan from Europe, North America and Australasia
City guides and maps – where to stay (all budgets), where to eat, what to see in 29 towns and cities; historical and cultural background
Kilometre-by-kilometre route guides – covering train journeys from the coast into the mountains, from temple retreat to sprawling metropolis and from sulphurous volcano to windswept desert; 34 route maps
Railway timetables – bullet trains and all routes in this guidebook
Plus – customs, etiquette, Japanese phrases and 30 colour photos
About the Author 
RAMSEY ZARIFEH was born in Kent but has spent most of his working life outside
the UK. After graduating from Magdalene College, Cambridge, with a degree in English he spent two years in Japan on the government-sponsored JET programme. Following a spell at Reuters in London he returned to Japan
to research this guide. He has worked as a journalist and editor for a variety of radio and television stations and websites. He returns to Japan as often as possible and files reports about the country several times a year for travel magazines and radio programmes.
About the Site
This website is designed to give you a flavour of the guide book, Japan by
Rail, as well as some up-to-date tips and advice on travelling around the
country. Use the menu bar on the left to navigate your way around the site
and check back regularly for updates. You can also buy a copy of the book
online and send an email to the author.
About the Photography
The author is grateful to Richard Brasher, Bryn Thomas and Kazuo Udagawa for their permission to reproduce some of the photos used to illustrate this site. Other photos are © Ramsey Zarifeh.