Shenmue/Notebook
Ryo's Notebook holds all the important information he collects throughout the game, and serves as a helpful reminder of what you're looking for if you get lost.
The notebook is accessible by pressing File:DC X.png while in Free Quest mode, and can also be opened from the inventory list by selecting the Notebook icon and pressing File:DC A.png.
The book automatically opens to the last page that has information on it.
New Information
When Ryo recieves new important information about something, an icon will begin to flash in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Pressing File:DC X.png while the icon is flashing will open the notebook to the latest information added.
You can turn pages in the notebook with File:Dpad.png - press to move back a page and to move forward. Pressing will open the book at the first page, and brings you to the last page with information.