Recommended Books
& where to buy (in the UK)


No, really, this isn't even officially on the server yet! It's not finished but I welcome your comments :o)


Here's a list of text books, dictionaries, etc that I recommend for the study of the Japanese Language. This has been constructed as part of Penguin's Japanese Resource Site (pretty self-explainatory really). Please remember these are just my opinions. There is no substitute for going and looking at these for yourself. But I hope that this at least gives you an idea of what to look for in the first place :o)

Click each book to take you to a short description and purchasing information. Also check out the Where to Buy section for addresses, directions and even the odd map. (Prices, ISBNs etc are acurate to my knowledge, but it is always worth checking for yourself).

 Books (not to scale)


1. Japanese for Busy People - Main Text Book
size: medium/large
approx. price: £20.00
type: text book
 publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 4-7700-1882-7
other: written by Association for Japanese-Language Teaching (AJALT)
description: Probably the most widely used text book. Highly recommended for all beginners. If you are going to learn this is likely to be your textbook. If you are teaching yourself, then this has everything. Pronounciation, Structure, Examples, Quizes with answers, Glossary and Dictionary. Michael Chachich's Kana Sensei program was based on his studies centered around this book.

2. BBC Japanese Phrase Book - Phrase Book
size: small/pocket
approx. price: £4.00
type: phrase book
 publisher: BBC Books
ISBN: 0-653-39915-5
other:
description: Generic phrase book, with basic phrases and 3000 word dictionary. Quick, easy and cheap.

3. Berlitz Japnese for Travellers - Phrase Book
size: small/pocket
approx. price: £??.00
type: phrase book
 publisher: Berlitz Guides
ISBN: 2-8315-0749-9
other:
description: In best traditions of Berlitz guides, colourful sectioning makes relevant chapters easy to find. Has Hiragana (Japanese writing) versions of all phrases to show Japanese people if your language is suffering. Also has brief dictionary at back.

4. Collins Gem English/Japanese Dictionary - Dictionary
size: small/pocket
approx. price: £4.50
type: dictionary
 publisher: HarperCollins Publishers & Shubun International Co.Ltd.
ISBN: 0-00-470823-7
other:
description: Not really as useful as a Japanese to English dictionary, but small and cheap and useful for a quick look up when you are trying to write/say something. Only really good as an aid to text books.

5. Oxford (Basic) Japanese/English Dictionary - Dictionary
size: medium
approx. price: £15.00
type: dictionary
 publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0-19-864328-4
other:
description: Not definitive by any means, but an excellent addition. Enough content for any beginner trying to read from simple Japanese books or papers. Example translations are given for usage which is a great asset.

6. What I know as Miffi - Kids book
size: medium
approx. price: £??.00
type: kids book
 publisher: Fukuinkan-Shoten Publishers Inc.
ISBN: 4-8340-3005-9
other:
description: Large text and fun pictures, well it's a kids book so what do you expect. It is however hard enough for a beginner to spend hours looking up words and sentence structure. Perhaps not ideal, but the priciple of a kiddie's book is sound for building confidence :o)


Where to Buy

I know that this is only in the UK at present. If anyone should wish to submit similar information for other contries I'd be happy to include it. Please make it your opinions though, it's not just a company directory, but for those places that stand out from the crowd.

The Japan Centre (London)
Ok, this bit's under construction too. It'll be here soon :o)
In the meantime they are on Piccadilly, about 1 min from Eros and their phone number is (0171) 439 8035 (to say hello on the phone say "moshi moshi").

Mon - Sat: 10am - 7:30pm
Sun: 10am - 6pm


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