TOKYO UNDERGROUND 2

TOY AND DESIGN CULTURE IN TOKYO

The definitive book on toy shopping in Tokyo is back! Updated and expanded, this refreshing guidebook covers the essentials of travel to Japan without getting bogged down by extraneous information. Dispelling a few common myths along the way, Tokyo Underground 2 leads you on a highly entertaining tour of the neighborhoods in Tokyo known for toys and pop culture. To make the most of your time there, the stores highlighted within are ranked in terms of their importance and contain helpful descriptions of their specialties. Meet the characters that inhabit this world, from designers to eclectic toy shop owners. Find out where to eat and how to round out your toy purchases with the coolest in books, magazines, designer t-shirts, sneakers, music and more. Includes stunning photography, well-thought-out maps, and a specialized lexicon of terms and phrases to help you along on your tour of this fun and fascinating city. Providing advice about what to pack, where to go, and how to read subway maps and make telephone calls, Tokyo Underground 2 covers every step of your adventure with straightforward, useful information. As much a treasure map as a travel guide, Tokyo Underground 2 breaks down the countless confusing barriers that face visitors to Tokyo, and simplifies the journey to its essence. Tokyo is a fascinating city where skyscrapers are juxtaposed with ancient temples and the streets are packed with trendy teenagers, grey-suited businessmen, and hip urban professionals. But finding the best among Tokyo's 13 million inhabitants spread over 850 square miles and 23 sub-cities can be daunting – especially when the coolest shops may be located down a hidden flight of stairs or obscured by the flashing lights of the neighboring ramen shop. A comprehensive resource, Tokyo Underground 2 makes the most secret shops and the coolest destinations accessible in a single book for the first time ever, offering a true insider's glimpse into the absolute latest in Tokyo toys, trends, and culture.

Brian Flynn was born in the midst of a hurricane in 1875. He spent his formative years underachieving at various tasks, but decided the world was not ready for his forward-thinking vision of the future and was cryogenically frozen until 1994. After reawakening, Brian hit the streets and decided that ruling the universe through the hidden mysticism of arcane Star Wars references, binary pulsar radio emission patterns, vintage Japanese vinyls, & Coca-Cola was the only way to go. Brian is publisher & founder of Super7 magazine, founder of Hybrid Designs, an award-winning designer, and a highly-obsessed toy collector.

Joshua Bernard, like many children born in the early 1970s, was raised by Speed Racer, Force Five, and George Lucas. In 2001, his obsession for Japanese Toys and culture caused him to create CollectionDX.com, a popular website for toy collecting. Since then he has written for Super7 magazine and made the pilgrimage to Tokyo on several occasions. Joshua currently lives in Massachusetts with his wife, four children, two cats, two guinea pigs, and several dozen fish.