Q&A with Sneed B. Collard III

 

 

 

Sneed B. Collard III is the author of the new book First-Time Japan: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Independent Traveler. His many other books include the new children's picture book Like No Other. He lives in Missoula, Montana.

 

Q: What inspired you to write First-Time Japan?

 

A: I began thinking of a Japan “how to guide” as I planned my own first trip to Japan for me and my teen. I dutifully bought several mainstream guidebooks, which provided many suggestions for places to visit.

 

What they didn’t provide—and which I was in most need of—were specific details for how to perform the basic tasks every first-time visitor needs to accomplish.

 

This was most evident when it came to using public transportation, one of the most important needs of every visitor. Traditional guides did a horrible job explaining the various kinds of rail operators, for instance, as well as a basic game plan for using both urban and intercity rail systems—not to mention other options such as buses.

 

I eventually found most of this information by digging through dozens of websites, but I also thought, “There has got to be an easier way.”

 

Specifically, I desired a simple guidebook that had all of this basic information in one, easily accessible place. When we returned from our trip loaded with tons of additional information, I just couldn’t help myself. I had to go ahead and write it.

 

Along with detailed transportation advice, I decided to also include short, concise chapters on trip planning, lodging, food, health, etiquette, and other chapters to answer the first-timer’s many questions. Along the way, I included some of our favorite, recommended experiences!

 

Q: What are a few of your favorite places to visit in Japan?

 

A: Well, Tokyo is hands-down the most exciting place to visit in Japan, and we spent almost half of our three-week trip there with no regrets. We split up our Tokyo time between two different parts of the city, Tokyo Station and Shibuya, and I highly recommend this strategy. Each part of the city is so different and interesting, you won’t want to limit yourself to just one location.

 

Beyond Tokyo, both my teen and I especially loved the smaller, out-of-the-way places we spent time including the beachside town of Kamakura, Kanazawa, and Sendai—which we visited on a day trip from Tokyo.

Q: Do you think Japan is an easy or difficult place to visit for a first-time traveler?

 

A: Once you become comfortable with various transportation options and how to use them, it is an incredibly easy place to visit—much easier than the US. I only wish that the US would take public transportation as seriously as the Japanese do and make it half as easy to use.

 

The Japanese people are also incredibly kind and helpful. We never felt unsafe or uncomfortable the entire time we visited.

 

Q: What’s your first piece of advice for a traveler to Japan?

 

A: Ha! You mean besides buying my book? Actually, my first piece of advice is do not be intimidated by the language. I think that stops many people from exploring and enjoying this fabulous country, but it shouldn’t.

 

English signage is, well, I wouldn’t say abundant, but totally adequate. Armed with Google Maps and Google Translate, even a first-time traveler will quickly get the hang of everything.

 

Quite a few Japanese also do speak English, though they are bashful about using it—just as we would be speaking French or Spanish armed with only our high school required language classes.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am actually working on both a new children’s picture book and an adult memoir about my son’s and my birding expeditions in Montana.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I can’t recommend Japan travel enough, and even if your trip is not imminent, I think you’ll enjoy First-Time Japan. It is highly readable and I incorporated a lot of humor into the book, along with dozens of helpful photographs.

 

That said, it’s hard for a “small” guidebook such as this to get attention in the shadow of the major, traditional guidebook companies. If you like First-Time Japan, please help spread the word!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Sneed B. Collard III.