Ian McQueen's book is by far the best travel guide to Japan, even if you're not on a budget. He describes both the well known places and the out-of-the-way ones. He doesn't make up your mind for you, but leaves it up to the reader whether what's being described is a place the reader would like to go.

What amazed me most, of all the advice, was when he said that a certain beach in Hokkaido had washed-up fishing floats (those beautiful big glass balls) on it that people could take home (free) as souvenirs. I went there, and he was right!

When I first came to Japan, I tried various guidebooks. This one was the best for me. Now that I've lived here 18 years, I still refer to it occasionally before a trip, and I always recommend it to new visitors.