Best Map Of Tokyo For Getting Around

So, do you really need a map of Tokyo for your travels? It's a question we often get asked and it deserves a good answer. We've traveled to plenty of other places where we've just relied on Lonely Planet maps or similar, so why bother when it comes to a Tokyo city map?

Don't you just follow the signs?

You know when you visit some airports or other unfamiliar places and you're faithfully following the signs to where you need to go? And then it happens... the signs run out. That's right. They just stop. You retrace your steps, you end up back in the same spot, but you've no idea where you're supposed to go next. Of course you'll get to where you need to go in the end, but what should have been a simple process has suddenly turned into one of those situations where arguments start and the mood of the day changes. It's not fun.

Well in Tokyo the signs run out too!

When you get underneath the skin of the city it gets easier to understand why you need a good map of Tokyo if you're planning on walking and exploring by yourself. Unlike the majority of cities in the world, Tokyo was not designed in a grid or block system. Where in America, for example, it's quite easy to get directions and follow them to wherever you need to go, Tokyo has snaking pathways along with streets with no name to add to the confusion.

Tokyo has streets with no name? What do you mean?

We mean literally that. The major roads that run around the city will have names. Roads similar to an A road in the UK or Route numbered roads in the US will be easy to find. For example, in Shibuya in the middle of the city, Route 246 is the main connecting road and will be marked and named on all maps. But it's when you get off these roads that you run into trouble. It's like all navigation stops once you get into the more local areas.

If you're going to avoid the frustration of many stranded and lost with nowhere to go moments, then you need a good map of Tokyo.

What should you look out for when you're buying a Tokyo city map?

When you're choosing your map of Tokyo you need to know what to look for. With many streets having no names you need landmarks and other markers to help you navigate your way around. Some of the easiest markers to use are train stations. They are numerous and clearly signposted so if you know where you're going in relation to the nearest train station it gets much easier to find your way.

The other thing you need marked on your map are important landmarks you'll see as you make your way round Tokyo. These include buildings like Tokyo Tower, Roppongi Hills, and Shinjuku Goverment Building. Again these places are usually signposted in English as well as Japanese on street signs so it's much easier to find your way using these landmarks as your guide.

Which map of Tokyo do you recommend?

The Tokyo city map we find easiest to use is the Streetwise Tokyo Map series. It's a laminated city center street map of Tokyo, Japan with all the key landmarks and stations clearly marked for you. Because it's laminated it also means if you get it wet or spill something on it you're not going to end up losing sight of where you're going : )

==================================================================

Will you be driving in Tokyo and Japan? Do you need a more detailed Tokyo road map as well as a general street map? Visit our Tokyo map page to see what we recommend.

---

Taming Tokyo: The Guidebook

Wouldn't you love to find a guidebook that is just for first-time visitors to Tokyo. Find those all important things that only a local would know like: what to expect at the airport, what Japanese is most useful for a traveler to know, what packing tips are specific for Tokyo, what should you do in an emergency, the basics of using the trains, and much more. Head over to Taming Tokyo today and judge for yourself.