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. Use this comprehensive guide in conjunction with a rail pass to get the most out of a trip to Japan.- Practical information - planning your trip; when to go; suggested itineraries; what to take; festivals and events- City guides and maps - where to stay, where to eat, what to see in 30 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; 33 route maps - Includes new routes - including the extension of the shinkansen route from Nagano to Kanazawa (the Hokuriku shinkansen) - Railway timetables and frequency charts - Bullet trains and all described routes- Customs, etiquette, Japanese words and phrases - with kanji- With kanji/hiragana/katakana for all place name text - readers can point to the text when asking Japanese speakers for directions - Extended Highlights - extra colour sections make this book even more user-friendly and attractive