Zen in the Art of Archery - Training the mind and body to become One - Eugen Herrigel - 978-0-14-019074-8

Zen in the Art of Archery - Training the mind and body to become One - Eugen Herrigel - 978-0-14-019074-8

This is a nice book of one man's discovery of his place in things through the training of Zen Archery. Very Enlightening and enjoyable to read. 

Streetwise Tokyo - City Centre Street Map of Tokyo, Japan. - 978-193125711-4

Streetwise Tokyo - City Centre Street Map of Tokyo, Japan. - 978-193125711-4

A Fantastic Waterproof City Centre Map of Tokyo. Remember that Tokyo has approximately 12 million inhabitants and that means it's BIG BIG BIG !

Tokyo - Popout City Guide - 978-0-7495-6116-1

Tokyo - Popout Cityguide - 978-0-7495-6116-1

Good Maps, Nice Visitor Leisure Idea's and Far more information than you would expect from this little pocket-sized book.

Introducing Japan - Text: Donald Richie | Foreward: Edwin O. Reischauer - 4-7700-0592-X

Introducing Japan - Text: Donald Richie | Foreward: Edwin O. Reischauer - 4-7700-0592-X

Although this book seems at first glance to be a coffee table job, it has great information about the population, landscape and climate of Japan. There are also some stunning images to whet your appetite.

Zen Culture - Thomas Hoover - Random House - 0-394-41072-6

Zen Culture - Thomas Hoover - Random House - 0-394-41072-6

All in all a deeper insight into the culture of Zen. Many lovely chapters explaining subjects ranging from the Tea Ceremony to the serenity of a Japan Garden.

Japan - It's History and Culture - W.Scott Morton - 0-7153-5768-9

Japan - It's History and Culture - W.Scott Morton - 0-7153-5768-9

Tourism has become big business and, as a result, we tourists are bombarded with a bog-standard experience where ever we happen to visit. I'm not so sure that this is the case in Japan. I have always been very interested in Japanese Culture, which by extension is just a result of Japanese History.

This book takes you way back into the early development of the Japanese and I think it's of paramount importance if we are to make the most of this experience. Only two weeks and so much to appreciate.

Japanese - A Rough Guide Phrasebook - Compiled by Lexus - 1-85828-303-5

Japanese - A Rough Guide Phrasebook - Compiled by Lexus - 1-85828-303-5

This is a handy, pocket-size Japanese phrasebook which provides some logical help to a western fish dropped from a great height into a Japanese Goldfish bowl. Going abroad always poses language problems, but visiting a country that you can't recognise the written word poses more issues.

I am informed that the Japanese are the nicest people and will always offer help to lost tourists, so we have our 'help we are lost' phrases in hand ... just in case ;-)

Culture Shock - Japan - A Guide to Customs and Etiquette - Rex Shelley - 1-87068-62-6

Culture Shock - Japan - A Guide to Customs and Etiquette - Rex Shelley - 1-87068-62-6

This is the book that everyone advised us to buy for our holiday in Japan. The book is nice light read with some funny cartoons and graphic examples of the differences between eastern and western societies.

Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business - Boye De Mente - 0-8442-8507-2

Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business - Boye De Mente - 0-8442-8507-2

This is a great book for anyone visiting Japan, not just Business Visitors. The book introduces you to the psychology of the Japanese and gives you an insight into how the family is the core bedrock to all interaction ( Business or Leisure )

Introduction to "Our Christmas & New Year Holiday in Tokyo, Japan.

Hi Everyone,

Well the time has come, we are finally only a few hours away from our Christmas & New Year Holiday in Tokyo, Japan. We have been looking forward to this holiday since the Spring and it is our only holiday this year. As a self employed couple it is always hard to find the time to take a holiday, so the obvious time for us would be the Christmas break.

The weather is always a consideration at this time of year and the past 3 weeks have been very cold and snowy. We're told that there is another cold snap on it's way, but we're seriously hoping it will only hit once we've taken off on Saturday morning.

As an introduction I'm going to list the books that we have been reading and the guides that we will be taking with us ... as an insight into what we are expecting.