Researching Taipei!
Getting ready for Taipei Art Book Fair with a colorful Japanese guidebook—why are American travel books so text-heavy?
Today, I spent some time researching for our trip to Taipei next month! My husband will be exhibiting at the Taipei Art Book Fair, so we’re turning it into a little trip as well.
And ta-da! I asked my mom in Japan to send me a Taipei guidebook. Compared to American guidebooks, it’s so much more colorful and filled with photos. It makes me excited even before the trip begins—and honestly, just looking at the food photos makes me hungry!
I’ve always wondered: why are American guidebooks usually so text-heavy? When it comes to wanting to go somewhere or try something, isn’t it often the visuals that really pull you in? Speaking of visual appeal, restaurant menus are the same. You rarely see menus with photos here. In Japan, sometimes photos aren’t even enough—some restaurants display full-on plastic food replicas in front of their shops! It’s fascinating how different cultures approach visual persuasion and presentation.