We have a large number of books on travel and places to see in Japan. I have learned something from all of them! If I have to recommend one single book, I would recommend the Frommer’s Guide series. Their recommendations have saved me from sleeping in a bus terminal on more than one occasion. There is a Frommer’s Guide to Tokyo, and a Frommer’s Guide to Japan which includes some (but not all) of the Tokyo guide. You can also get some of the same information at www.frommers.com. 

I have never found a single book that “explains” Japan, though I have read several of them. Each book gives me a different view. Together they give an approximation of the whole, but nothing like the experience of living here for a few weeks or months. 

If I pick one good place to start, it would be Culture Shock: Japan. Actually the new one (to the link) is now called Culture Shock: Tokyo at Your Door, but it’s the same format as the one I’ve read, now updated it appears. It has the best overall advice and is fairly comprehensive. The Culture Shock! series as a whole seems good.

Two recent movies may do a better job of explaining parts of Japan. The Last Samurai is too Hollywood -- guess who lives until the end of the battles -- but does have an authentic feel for bushido, the Japanese philosophy of honor, loyalty, balance, (and much more). 

Lost in Translation is a fabulous move that feels very authentic for a Westerner in Japan. We had a meal at the Park Hyatt the evening before we saw the movie, which was a memorable experience that everyone should try if they get a chance. It is hard to believe how accurately the movie portrays life in modern Tokyo from a Western point of view. Highly recommended. 

Some books that give a good picture of at least a part of Japan:

For expats, the classic read, very accurate based on our experiences, is the Max Danger series by Bob Collins. It is not specifically helpful on living in Japan, but if you live in Japan you really appreciate his book. In particular, he says that over time you live on different levels in your Japan experience. At first you come as Level 1, where you feel completely lost. Over time, you learn things and learn to find out answers to questions, you progress to higher levels. But like any good video game (my analogy), there are an unknown, and large number, of levels. It’s just good to know that you will always be learning but always have more to learn.

You Gotta Have Wa is a lot of fun. It gives good insights into the Japanese spirit.

Lost Japan is also a worthwhile read, even if it isn’t terribly useful for someone living in Tokyo. Alex Kerr has a good flavor for “the real Japan” which is fast disappearing. Actually, it’s the Old Japan which is fast disappearing, but there is a New Japan which is emerging as well. Lost in Translation is from the New Japan -- just as interesting and puzzling, but completely different from the Old Japan which is portrayed in The Last Samurai. 

David Mitchell’s Number9Dream.  It’s by an Englishman living in Hiroshima, and the main character lives in Tokyo.  It exactly and precisely captures the  flavor of living in Tokyo -- the New Japan. It’s fiction for sure though and quite enjoyable.  Not sure yet if it is a regular novel, a science fiction story, a mystery, or what, but it is the perfect novel for a Tokyo expat.

Also good for the Tokyo expat is December 6 by Martin Cruz Smith. It’s a historical novel, though, so not a lot of insight about Japan today. This is also not about The Old Japan, which is more the Edo Period and at least a hundred years before this. The first half of the 20th century was a different time

A Wild Sheep Chase by Harumi Murakami is more New Wave fiction than anything else I suppose, but it’s set mostly in Sapporo and have a very Japanese feel to it.

Rain Fall, by Barry Eisler is great fun for expats as most of the action takes place in downtown Tokyo where many of the expats live, shop, and eat. Definitely New Japan. He’s got a new book called Hard Rain which I have not yet read, but look forward to enjoying soon.

For me, Hokusai and Hiroshige are the true Old Japan art masters, and their prints tell me a lot about how life used to be in Japan. There are a number of books available on their work, though I am not aware of a good English biography. Basho also is a terrific writer and my vision of Old Japan is highly indebted to him.