A little over a week ago i was sent a book from a guy that’s been keeping up to date with my travels around the 29 stops of the JR Yamanote Line. He asked whether i’d heard of the book “Footloose In Tokyo” a 1976 publication following the authors travels around the “Best Bargain In Japan” as the Yamanote Line is referred to.
I hadn’t heard of the book before but did think it would be useful and well worth a read. The guy that mentioned it was kind enough to send me a copy and i’ve started reading it. The best thing about the book so far is the authors opening remarks about not needing to read it in any particular order, so not unlike my travels where i move around the line in alphabetical order i can do so with the book too.
So far i’ve read the chapter on Komagome which i found quite interesting. I’ll use the book in the future to read up on each stop prior to my arrival, i’ll be keen to compare and see how much it has or hasn’t changed.
There’s a lot more to do and see on the JR Yamanote Line than just sleep.
When time permits i’ll go back and read the chapters on the stations i’ve visited so far, which have been Akihabara, Ebisu, Gotanda, Harajuku, Hamamatsucho, Ikebukuro and Kanda in that order … next stop is Meguro where i know they have a parasite museum as a point of interest.
Each chapter contains walking tours in an around each area, which you can chose to follow or simply pick out the bits that suit you.
As described in the book, whether or not you’ve lived here in Japan for a long time or you’re travelling through there’s some great information that will make each stop a bit more interesting.
If you want to buy the book you can do so from Amazon for a bit less than $3 so it’s not going to break the bank.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I love books like the one you describe…and insights from 1976 along with how much things have changed, or stayed the same, would be very interesting.
Sounds interesting…..
love this series, what a great way to get to know the city..
Sounds like a good read at the perfect time for you. The internet is infinite in the possibilities it presents. Like a timely reading recommendations
So, did the shipping cost of that book the guy sent you amount to more than the price at Amazon?
Difficult question Billy, no it didn’t . . . . it was ’sent’ from inside Japan.
Good to hear that you have the book for comparison. I think it can be a guidance for you too.
That guy looks like he’s in a 1976 time warp….I like his style!