A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto

I've met Ron Herman and he is one of the most talented landscape gardeners and an authoritative western expert on Japanese gardens in particular. Kyoto does not change fast, so even though the book is old this is still a highly valuable guide for anyone planning on visiting this remarkable city. This guide book describes all the major gardens in the 5-districts and their surroundings, and will help you decide what you want to see and how to get there. He also offers itineraries to help plan you trip.The book has many good color and b/w photos, and numerous diagrams to give you an idea of what to expect. It also offers a brief history of Kyoto and the gardens, and describes the various styles. If you are visiting Kyoto for the first time, do a web search and find a good ryokan, or traditional inn for your stay. The Japanese understand service like no other, and this will significantly enhance your experience. They can be expensive and you'll get what you pay for (avoid Yachiyo Ryokan, its not worth the price and they're rude to westerners in a subtle and very Japanese way, like sticking you in the noisiest room when the place is empty or telling you to come back if you arrive a little early).I also recommend Diane Durston's book "Old Kyoto", which has good cultural info and all the great places to shop & eat. You can skip the big name guide books if you get these two. Have a great one!

A very detailed guide book that provides a lot more information than the average guide book. It is particularly useful for those who require more in depth information on understanding the gardens and the buildings within them.Delivery was fast and efficient.

helpul, good maps, book in very good condition, arrived quickly

I especially appreciated the categorization of garden styles and the descriptions and critiques of the featured gardens.

What they consider celebraties are important people in the communist party not what we would consider celebraties. They do not show the interiors. The photos of the exteriors are the size of postage stamps. They show the location of the houses on tiny local maps which you could never find the houses using. A very disappointing book. It would have been interesting to see large photos of the interiors of the courtyard houses fully furnished, but that would be another book. Seeing the door from the street is not very interesting.

I was greatly impressed with the historical text in the beginning of the book, which sets the stage for the rest. I have several books on Kyoto and Gardens of Japan, but this one is now my favorite.

... and Japanese gardens generally. Of all the joys I experienced living and learning music in Japan, the most intense was just sitting in some of the less-touristed gardens of Tokyo and 'letting time happen' around me. But I'm not writing now to review this guidebook or to praise the beauties of raked gravel and maple leaves. The pictures of the earthquake devastation in northeastern Japan have shaken my feelings fearsomely. Don't just think about making a contribution for aid and relief! Do it! Give until it hurts! People in the upper tax brackets, GIVE that extra 3% or 4% you begrudge in taxes so adamantly! Give until your greed-meter overheats!Today's Huffington Post has very dependable and worthy agencies to recommend for your generosity. I'll add the link in a comment.

A very dry book for such a juicy topic. Practically unusable for my purposes.

Scholarly researched, yet highly readable. An excellent work of reference

It was in great condition