Originally Posted by
tcook052
... was somewhat surprised more guide book series don't feature this Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region.
The only true Kyoto area guidebook I have found is the Lonely Planet offering. The others just lump everything into the general Japan guides.
In addition to Lonely Planet, if you want a really unique and beautiful book on Kyoto, many on this board, including me, recommend Dianne Durston's "Kyoto: Seven Paths to the Heart of the City." Not a general guide, it is more of a love song to the city, focusing on a few really nice walking tours and featuring some very nice full-page photos.