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Osaka Insider: A Travel Guide for Osaka Prefecture Paperback – January 21, 2012

by Patrick Mackey (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
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This unique guidebook covers sightseeing destinations throughout Osaka Prefecture, both famous and unknown. Written by a Japanese-speaking American expatriate and former long-term resident of Osaka, it offers an unbiased and in-depth look into the best things to see and do in Osaka, whether you are a first-time visitor or local resident. The addition of ramen and okonomiyaki guides, festival and event information, rail and walking maps, general sightseeing information and tips, essays by the author and more make this the single most comprehensive English-language guide on Osaka Prefecture to date. It's the guidebook that no visitor to Kansai should leave home without. Come to Osaka and discover the best-kept secrets of Kansai!
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    216 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Createspace Independent Pub
  4. Publication date
    January 21, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1466419970
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1466419971
  8. See all details
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About the Author

Patrick Mackey was born and raised in Oregon (USA). He attended University of Oregon and graduated cum laude with a triple major in Japanese, Asian studies, and history, having spent a term studying at Waseda University in Tokyo along the way. After graduation he moved to Japan, spending most of his time living in Osaka City, where he worked at a travel agency and then a translation agency. He currently lives in Fukuoka City and works as a freelance translator and editor.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Createspace Independent Pub (January 21, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1466419970
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1466419971
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

About the author

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Patrick Mackey

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Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
20 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Robert J Bowen
5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2014
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Moved to Osaka and picked up this book a few weeks after having explored the area on my own. It opened my eyes to more than I ever would have experienced without it. It is a must-have for any English-speaking person who will spend time in Osaka - whether in days or years duration. The writer clearly has first-hand knowledge/experience in Osaka and vicinity. I have 12-18 months ahead of me living in Osaka on an assignment and this book will definitely be my main "go-to" resource for all aspects of living in Osaka. Invaluable!
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wangusangus
4.0 out of 5 stars Better-suited for long stays rather than short trips
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015
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I appreciate the different approach to a travel guide--it feels a bit more like a travel narrative than a guide. However, because of its style, it might not be the best choice for a short trip. This would be better-suited for someone who will be spending a significant amount of time in and around Osaka, who would really have time to explore.

One thing to note: There is an entire section devoted to ramen based on the author's experience and taste. However, he transliterated all of the shop names, which makes them difficult to find, as the shops typically do not have Roman transliterations on the storefronts (at least, in my experience). It would be helpful if future editions included both the transliteration and the Japanese characters, I think.
One person found this helpful
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SusieQ
5.0 out of 5 stars Osaka Insider scores
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2012
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I have followed the Osaka Insider blog for some time, and was interested when this book came out. It is obvious that the author loves Osaka, which is a city that often gets lost in the hype for the more well-known Kyoto area. The research is thorough and useful for a first-time Japan visitor, which I plan to be in a few months. I would definitely recommend it.
One person found this helpful
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FIlby
2.0 out of 5 stars Black and White
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2012
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My first kindle book - to be read on ipad. Strange that the new media seems to have inherited all of the downsides of the old, but captured few of the benefits. Did I miss the part in the write up where all the photos are not inserted next to the text? That all the photos bar the cover are in black and white and at that are low resolution?
Huh? There are no hyperlinks to jump from table of contents to the chapter - or from or to the photos to the text. Maps? unusable black and white stick drawings.
So why two stars. The author has made an effort with his prose - and I give him the benefit of the doubt that he did not know his paperback book would be this way in Kindle form.
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D A Booth
4.0 out of 5 stars I think that I might have liked a greater selection of places to stay but have ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2014
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This is only the second e-guide that I have used, the first being the author's guide to Fukuoka, and am still getting used to using one. That said, once I got used to it it was very convenient and, eventually (the fault being mine) helped me find places of interest with ease. I think that I might have liked a greater selection of places to stay but have probably been corrupted by Lonely Planet publications in saying that and in these days of internet booking am not entirely convinced they are needed anyway.
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CM
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this guide!
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2012
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This guide is a great find and I can't wait to use it on my next trip to Japan! It's written from a unique perspective- an ex-pat who has lived in Japan for a while and loves exploring the country. I think the section on the public transit system (with maps, how to buy tickets, etc.) is worth the cost all by itself.
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Lesley
3.0 out of 5 stars Lack of photos
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2013
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There was almost not a book written specifically on Osaka. Most travel books would feature Tokyo or Japan in general. Some parts of this book are mere validation of what you will already find in the web, written about Osaka. You'll find some fresh insights too from the author's personal experience living in Japan. But page after page, you'd wish there could be more photos to make reading visually exciting.
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G. Close
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent travel guide to Osaka
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2012
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Having lived in Osaka in the early '90s and a visit in 2008, this book brought back a lot of memories. Lots of good information about the various sites, shopping, and restaurants in the Osaka area. Good information on festivals and the history of the area, as well. Highly recommended for those visiting Osaka, whether for business or pleasure. If you visit the area, don't miss Nara and Kyoto, which are not covered in the book. Kobe is worth a visit, as well.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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PetiteFille
2.0 out of 5 stars Na ja...
Reviewed in Germany on November 14, 2013
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Ich habe 2 Monate in Osaka verbracht und mir dafür extra dieses Buch gekauft, damit ich auch die schönen und interessanten Seiten dieser Stadt kennenlernen kann.
Der Aufbau des Buches ist relativ einfach und ganz gut. Nicht so toll fand ich die wenigen Abbildungen, die zudem auch nur in schwarz-weiß waren. Mit dem Stadtplan konnte ich ebenfalls nicht viel anfangen. Des Weiteren waren die teilweise sehr langen Texte zu einer Sehenswürdigkeit sehr ermüdend und manchmal uninteressant.
Für sämtliche Sehenswürdigkeiten/Stadtsteile/Ausflugsziele wurden Punkte vergeben. 5 = absolut sehenswert bis 1 = langweilig. Allerdings widersprachen die Punktevergaben meiner Ansicht fast komplett. Zum Beispiel bekamen sämtliche Einkaufspassagen sehr hohe Punktzahlen - allerdings sieht fast jede Einkaufsmeile gleich aus und ist vielleicht beim ersten Mal spektakulär. Dagegen wurden wirklich sehr schöne Ausflugsziele schlechter bewertet.
Jedenfalls habe ich dieses Buch nach circa einem Monat nicht mehr verwendet, um meine Sightseeing-Touren zu planen, sondern griff auf die Internetseite Tripadvisor zurück, welche (meiner Meinung nach) bessere und anschaulichere Ergebnisse liefert.
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Harry Trevor Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars Specific area information
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 8, 2013
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This item has arrived quicker than expected and appears to be written in a very understanding way to assist travellers in that area.
We had searched extensively for such a book that included such a wealth of useful information.
Looking forward to using it in the area.
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Roku
1.0 out of 5 stars Totally un-readable, and un-inspiring
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2013
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I purchased this book, but didn't even read it. I couldn't get past the black and white photos, and masses and masses of text.

I wanted a Travel Guide, not a novel....
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Dr Daniel W B
5.0 out of 5 stars Even the 3 or 4 ideas that I gleaned in the first day in Osaka made it worth it's while.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
It's so good that I bought the kindle version just after I bought the paper version.
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