1 ) Metropolitan Tokyo Rail System map on the inside of the cover . This map offers a visual representation of all ( except one new that just opened ) rail lines in and around Tokyo . It's expansive , including all of the 23 ku ( sub-cities ) that make up Tokyo . One of the most important things about this first map is that it gives you a N-E-S-W overall visual for orientation . This can really come in handy if you need to travel to one of the more remote areas that are not included in the various map sections spanning 84 pages of the book .
2 ) Tokyo Subway System Map . This may be the most important map in the book if you plan to use the Tokyo Subway system . Let's be honest , if you come to Tokyo , you will most likely need to take the subway somewhere . The map is color-coded by specific subway lines , so if you need to travel from the southern part of Central Tokyo to the northern part , and make subway transfers along the way , this map will tell you which stations connect between multiple lines and where to make transfers . The map is strictly of Central Tokyo , however , and won't help much if you are outside of Central Tokyo . Given that there are over 300 subway stations in Central Tokyo alone , you can comprehend the need for a map that shows exactly how they interconnect .
3 ) The Contents Page . The contents page directs you to specific maps of areas of Central Tokyo ( pages 8 - 37 ) , but does not separate out the majority of the 23 wards ( pages 38 - 79 ) . It also includes a couple of outlying areas , Keihin , Kawasaki , Yokohama , etc . Unfortunately , the Contents page is mostly useless . I never rely on it , but instead use the 40 page index .
4 ) Individual maps of sub-sections of the City . The maps are grouped by areas of the city , starting with the heart of Tokyo at Tokyo Station , and going in a random , not really logical grouping of various parts of the city in the pages that follow . The maps include extreme detail , including building names , town and chome boundaries , chome numbers and block numbers , but not specific building numbers . Addresses in Japan , as another reviewer pointed out , are confusing . For example , if you have been given the address of a restaurant as Roppongi 6 - 6 - 9 , the map book will give you the area ( Roppongi ) , will divide it by sections ( chome ) of Roppongi ( Roppongi ( 6 ) ) , and in light blue will give a small number for the correct block . It will also show the closest subway station , usually a light purple , and in bold number , the subway exit closest to the block where you need to go . You'll find the book easier to use as you get used to the addressing system in Tokyo , and if you happen to find yourself on a block with one or two buildings , it'll be easier to find your locations . Problems arise when you are trying to go someplace out of the way , or some hidden little restaurant in an unfamiliar part of town . In cases where there are many buildings on a block , you may have to search hard for the place you want to go , but the book will at least get you to the right block .
One other important detail is that some streets in Tokyo are actually named streets ( dori ) , and in those cases , the names are identified on the map . One other important feature is that everything in the book is bilingual , so if you have an address , get into a taxi with no GPS , you can show the driver the page of the area you are going , and he'll be better able to take you where you need to go because he can read the book as well .
I never leave home without this book .
002 4 Tokyo will be complex city more than your exception . The popularity is more than 10million . And the downtown is divided to 23 special city ( 23KU ) . The railway run here and there , the line is too complex for Japanese even . Though I have lived more than 20 years in Tokyo , I have problems when ride to train .
Especially , in the center of down town ( inner Ymanote line ) , metro more than 20 lines run , more complex .
For that , foreigners will need maps etc . Certainly the railway is too complex , on the other hands , if you use the railway very well , you will use your time efficiently . There are few people that use car when they commute . In Tokyo railway is developed so that there are not the space we can walk .
And if you go to jorney to Tokyo , I recommend Asakusa etc not Sinjuku , Ikebukuro .
Asakusa is the town that we feel the history of unique Japanese .
Off course if you want to feel the new fashion not Japanese history , will be good to Harajuku or Sibuya in addition to Ikebukuro or Sinjuku .
And , if you have the extra time , should go to the place except of Tokyo , that is , Kyoto etc . Kyoto etc will be the place that you feel truth Japanese history and beauty than Tokyo .
Thank you for reading poor writing .
003 4 I visited Tokyo for 4 weeks , and thought I could probably get some use out of this atlas . Probably wouldn't have picked it up if I were going for just a week .
However , it turned out that I desperately needed it my first day ! My husband & I visited Shinjuku and were trying to find Isetan , the major department store , in time for opening so we could see the opening ritual ( all the employees bow and greet you ) . We didn't bring this atlas and were instead working from the map in the Lonely Planet Tokyo Condensed . Big mistake ! The Lonely Planet maps were dead wrong . They didn't show subway exit numbers ( there are about 40 exits out of Shinjuku - to get where you want to go , you should probably know which want to use ) . We wandered for an hour and got on each other's nerves and then finally stumbled across Isetan by sheer luck .
If we had had this map with us , we would have known exactly which subway exit to use and how to get there , and would have been in time for the opening ceremonies !
Tokyo is hard to get around . If you're going to visit it , even for a week , make your life much easier , and get this atlas . Spend your time seeing what you want to see , instead of stumbling around lost and frustrated !
I am proud to say , btw , with this map , I haven't gotten lost once in Tokyo - something that has impressed my Japanese friends !
004 4 This is THE most useful item to pack , when going to Tokyo . Subway maps , JR maps , street maps that make sense : all of it arranged in a just slightly larger than pocket size format . That this book is written in both English characters and kana is a plus as well ; should you get lost , find your nearest police box [ or nice Japanese person ] , break out this handy book , and give the Please help me , for I am lost and frantic and foreign look , and lo-you will be unlost quickly .
Long-term residents should consider this book as well : no other book has as much information in such a handy format . I had numerous residents expressing an interest in acquiring my book ; if I'd had the money , I would have bought everyone I was with a copy of this as a present .
Really-I can't say enough good things about this book and it's usefullness ; this one book allowed me to wander confidently around Shibuya , Shinjuku , Harajuku , Akihabara , Ueno , Jingu-mae , Tokyo station and the Imperial Gardens , and more . If you are going to Tokyo , please make sure you bring this book with you : this book gives you the freedom to wander and not get too lost .
005 4 Ultimate guide to the streets and trains / subways of Tokyo , hands down . Nice slender profile and easy to use format . I personally use it to plan the day that is forthcoming . Now I can hop on the right train , transfer with ease at the right place , know which exit to leave the station , and walk to my destination . When a book can help tame the confusion of one of the world's largest cities and provide a sense of confidence in knowing the accuracy of it's information will easily get you to where you want to go , that is saying something .
008 4 It's hard to top what others have said , since my thoughts are praised exactly . This book is indespensable for your journeys around Tokyo . It features larger maps for the more popular areas like Shinjuku , Tokyo , Akihabara , Ikebukuro , etc . and smaller maps for the surrounding ku . I have looked around , and it seems this is the only book that is detailed , up to date , and best of all , * Bilingual * ! This alone could be the most important key element while navigated through complicated Kanji names . I'll explain why this is neccesary .
I am in Tokyo now in a small area called Kameari , where the large , detailed maps at the tarin and bus stops dont have the names in English . Although major stops and final destinations are in English , if you're travelling to anything other than the last stop , you're going to have a huge problem buying tickets unless you have a photograhpic memory or can actually read Kanji ! This book is a godsend ; not everyone understands English if you need help ! If all else fails , just point !
My only minor gripe is that on only a few of the stations , it mentions certain exits ( like South Exit and West Exit , but failing to mention North Exit ) , and certain department stores . There is an Ito-Yokado Department store in both Aoto , Kameari , and Ayase , but the map only lists the nearest Department Store as in Ayase ! This is minor , but a little troubling at times , especially in the HUGE stations .
Finally , even the Japanese need to look at the map of where they want to go sometimes . Again I mention the only in Kanji maps at the Station . This book has detailed information on where the train and subway routes are . Using this book , I was able to find a solid route back to my apartment before the Station Attendants could ! Coincidentally , I'm still finding new routes to take with different lines one actually saved me 160yen per trip ! The Japanese have a very complex train system , but also very well done . . . if you know the ropes . This book is the threads that make up those ropes .
- Doctor Cain
009 4 The English-language maps of Tokyo I've found in guidebooks and elsewhere have generally been incomplete at best , so this map was a terrific find . I've lived in Tokyo for three years and can vouch for this map's utility .
The layout of the book is very simple and straightforward . There are maps of the entire city as well as smaller , more detailed maps of the major areas , such as Shibuya , Ikebukuro , etc . . . There are a couple pages with the train and subway routes , which is also very helpful and the index is handy when looking for a specific area . My only gripe is that the book isn't larger but I suppose it's been designed for people who want to carry it with them when exploring the city . In any event , this is a small concern ; the book is just what I needed .
010 4 I've just returned from 2 & 1 / 2 weeks in Japan ( Tokyo , Kyoto and Osaka ) . . and while Kyoto was a pleasure to navigate using only local tourist maps ( such as the ones available at most hotels , or the Japan TIC offices ) . . Tokyo is another story . The JR and subway systems are a piece of cake , even for those who do not read or speak Japanese ( as long as you ask a station attendant for the english map ) , but once you get up ( or down ) to street level . . that's where this little beauty really shines . . and without it , well , good luck !
Tokyo doesn't seem to have any english street signs . . and without landmarks for reference , it seems painfully easy to get turned around and completely lose your way , even within a small area . This book includes myriad landmarks with an emphasis on taller buildings , highly visible landmarks and english signage . . and I honestly don't know how we'd have found our way around Tokyo without it . I'd recommend this before any of the usual guide books , though most of them have plenty of useful information to help you plan your trip , all the plans in the world are worthless if you can't get to your destination . Buy this book and keep it with you every day that you plan on walking around Tokyo , it will prove its worth many times over as it saves you hours if not days of valuable travel time by helping you to get to where you are going in shinjuku , shibuya and the rest of this mad city .
011 4 Now in an updated and expanded third edition , Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide is a comprehensive , user friendly English / Japanese collection of 51 maps invaluable to business and leisure travelers visiting Japan's capital city . 21 area maps of Metropolitan Tokyo list not only chome numbers but also block numbers ( banchi ) ; 18 maps of Central Tokyo include guidance to numbered subway station entrances ; 7 maps of central Yokohama and Kawaski and access maps to U.S . Military bases Yokosuka , Yokota , and Zama round out this useful and practical full-color resource . An English / Japanese index allows for fast consultation in this must-have for Tokyo-bound tourists , students , and business travelers .
012 4 This book is a must ! I visited Tokyo for the first time in April , and by the second day , I was leading my friends who had been in Tokyo several times before ! ! Finding locations by address is no problem with this atlas . It completely de-mystifies the address system in Tokyo .
This book also helped me map out routes to specific destinations . Since all the train station entrance / exit door numbers are marked on the maps , I could see in advance exactly which station exit I should take to get closest to my destination . - Invaluable when you're getting off the train in a gigantic station like Shinjuku , because taking the wrong exit can quite literally get you lost !
Everyone who travels to Tokyo needs to have this book in their bag !
013 4 This guide allowed us to trek all around Tokyo and environs with confidence . We didn't get lost once ! I took it with me every day and navigated the subway and train systems like a pro . Even our Japanese friends were impressed by the guide's level of detail showing hotels , shops and landmarks . Highly recommended .
014 4 The previous reviews are right on target ; This is a wonderful atlas ! This book actually got me un-lost once when I had been foolish enough to set off without looking at it first . I was able to check the chome ( sub-ward ) and block numbers on the nearest lamp post and instantly figure out where I had wandered off to ! My family uses it all the time , we even went out and bought a second copy so my husband I could each have one !
015 4 You are kind of stuck . You need a map like this to navigate Tokyo , and this is the only map of its kind on the market . In other words , you pretty much have to buy this book .
Unfortunately , as good as this map is , it still fell short of my needs . Too often on my trip , I found myself travelling in neighborhoods just slightly out of range of the map's detailed sections . There is a similar map made for London , which I have used in the past . That map is far more extensive and detailed , so I think my standards were set so high that this Tokyo map , while decent , is still too limited for me to declare it a 4 or 5 star publication .
016 4 Ok , I bought this book before I went to Tokyo for a week because everyone here on Amazon seemed to think it was essential . After visiting for a week , my conclusion is that as long as you have a general map of Tokyo and a subway map , which you can find in any normal guidebook you don't need this book . Just like in any major city all you need is a city map and a subway map . This detail in this book is mostly overkill .
The exception is if you must look up non-tourist addresses all by yourself without the aid of anyone else ( a taxi driver or hotel concierge ) or a web site . If all you have is a street address then yes you need this book . But major tourist landmarks are already going to be on your tourist map , and when you go to the web site of a restaurant or store , it will include an area map . So in those cases you won't need this book . Only obscure addresses where you can't look up a web site , or get help from your hotel or taxi would you need this . I have to say that I never needed this map and I went to several restaurants .
People also made a huge deal here on Amazon about the subway exits . All of the subway stations have maps on the walls as you exit that show the location of each exit . Plus when you come up out of the ground , if you took the wrong exit you only have to walk an extra block or two at most . So that is not important .
If you are going to live in Tokyo for months and look up random addresses in obscure areas than yes this book would be a big help . But for normal tourists , I must insist that this book is by no means essential and I did not use it during my one week stay .
017 4 Quite simply , this atlas is worth its weight in gold . There are few street address systems more confusing than the Japanese variety , streets are rarely labeled ( and even then , if you don't read Japanese , you're usually sunk ) , and guidebook maps , as I know from rueful experience , look precise and then require half an hour circling several look-alike blocks in confusion .
To all these problems , the Bilingual Atlas is the solution . Streets are labeled in Japanese and in romaji , block numbers are clearly designated , shrines , temples , hotels , stores and almost every conceivable point of interest are clearly labled , and the maps even mark where the various subway station exits deposit commuters . The subway and train maps are comprehensive and as easy to understand as anything you'll find .
My only complaint ? The pages aren't completely waterproof , as I found out the hard way one night in Shinjuku .
018 4 This atlas is very light-weighted and handy in size . All location names are written in both romaji ( English characters ) and Japanese / Kanji characters . In addition to enclosing Metropolitan Tokyo Rail System and Tokyo Subway System , it provides detailed maps of Central Tokyo such as Ginza , Shinjuku , Asakusa , Ikenukuro , Harajuku , and Ueno , etc . All maps show the chome numbers and block numbers so that readers can easily identify the physical address location in Tokyo . The maps also show underground passage , park , subway , hospital , hotels , and so on . For all the subway stations on the maps , it indicates all the exits ' numbers of the station , readers can locate which exist they should go to for getting closer to their destination .
Besides the Central Tokyo maps , it covers all 23 wards in Tokyo including : Adachi-ku , Arakawa-ku , Bunkyo-ku , Chiyoda-ku , Chuo-ku , Edogawa-ku , Itabashi-ku , Katsushika-ku , Kita-ku , Koto-ku , Meguro-ku , Minato-ku , Nakano-ku , Nerima-ku , Ota-ku , Setagaya-ku , Shibuya-ku , Shinagawa-ku , Shinjuku-ku , Suginami-ku , Sumida-ku , Taito-ku , and Toshima-ku . The atlas also inlcudes helpful supplemental indexes for looking up Hotels and Inns , Embassies , and Airlines locations . Overall , this is a MUST-HAVE for tourists walking & shopping around in Tokyo .
( Reviewed by Otto Yuen , 03 - July - 2007 )
019 4 I purchased this atlas on Amazon after reading many postive reviews for it on travel sites around the net . I was not disappointed . Extremely detailed maps helped me know exactly where I was during my whole trip . It even helped me decipher the confusing address system !
I actually ended up recommending it to some Tokyo University students I ran into there who said that even they get lost .
I highly recommend this to anyone navigating this city for any extended length of time .
020 4 This book was referred to me by a colleague who is also living in Tokyo . The book is easy to use and very detailed . You can quickly apply the unique addressing system used in Tokyo and find your way . The only negative that I have with the book is the go to this page references are not always as aligned once you turn to the next map . You need to look at the map to reorient yourself . However , this book was so useful we purchased additional copies . Must have if you are moving or travelling to Tokyo .
021 4 All the addresses listed in any Tokyo travel guide is described by Tokyo's ward , chome , chu , building name , and block number . Unless you know someone local who can take you around , or if you plan on just randomly trying restaurants , clubs , and bars , then this book is definitely an essential travel guide while visiting Tokyo .
Maps of Tokyo in this book is divided by wards . Then the chu , chome , and block numbers are labeled . The building names are listed as well . You just have to look at the address you are trying to reach and you can pinpoint exactly where it is on the map .
The only caution I have to mention is that the streets of Tokyo are so confusing that even with this map , you will probably still get lost a few times but you will have no problems finding your way again with this map . I liked it so much I bought 2 copies of it and gave one to my brother so he can use it when he visits Tokyo .
022 4 Coming to visit Tokyo or living in Tokyo , this Atlas provides color maps to navigate around this maze of a city .
Subway exits are clearly marked . Book is portable , tucks into the side pocket of any briefcase or purse for easy access . Residing in Tokyo the last 1.5years , I refer to this book often to get me around .
024 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
Is this the best bilingual atlas out there ? Probably so . However , at 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches , it's slim , but extremely wide and tall . This is unfortunate , as it makes it so it does not fit into your pocket or a small purse .
Admittedly it's easier to read , but often times , you're having to open this up in cramped quarters ( of which there are plenty in Japan ) , and it's a lot more convenient to pull this out of a pocket vs a backpack in a congested area . There are several pocketable Tokyo atlases written in Japanese only , and it's a shame they don't have a bilingual edition of those , as it would be a lot easier to carry .
At 5 years old , it's a bit outdated , as a good chunk of the city has changed already . It's a shame that they don't update this at least once every 2 years . Still , a must-buy if you plan on going solo or off the beaten path . If you plan on hanging out with a tour group or locals , it's unlikely that you'll need this .
025 4 Is this the best bilingual atlas out there ? Probably so . However , at 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches , it's slim , but extremely wide and tall . This is unfortunate , as it makes it so it does not fit into your pocket or a small purse .
Admittedly it's easier to read , but often times , you're having to open this up in cramped quarters ( of which there are plenty in Japan ) , and it's a lot more convenient to pull this out of a pocket vs a backpack in a congested area . There are several pocketable Tokyo atlases written in Japanese only , and it's a shame they don't have a bilingual edition of those , as it would be a lot easier to carry .
At 5 years old , it's a bit outdated , as a good chunk of the city has changed already . It's a shame that they don't update this at least once every 2 years . Still , a must-buy if you plan on going solo or off the beaten path . If you plan on hanging out with a tour group or locals , it's unlikely that you'll need this .
026 4 this is an indispensible guide for tokyo . do yourself a favor and buy this book if you plan to be in tokyo longer than a week . we would be lost without it . hell is coming back as a tokyo mailman ! ! ! ! !
028 4 I'm just repeating what other reviewers have already said , but this map is indispensable . The train stations here are massive and this atlas labels all of the different exits using the same system as the train stations do so you know exactly what exit to take . Also , it has all the block & ward numbers so you can find where you are pretty easily .
The only disadvantages are that there aren't detailed maps for more areas ( but Tokyo is huge , so maybe more detailed maps will come out in the 4th edition ) and that sometimes places you want to go fall on two different pages and so you have to flip between the two . I don't know how this could be avoided though .
Anyway , I am very happy I bought this atlas , I carry it with me everywhere . I would recommend buying it before you arrive in Tokyo , although there are places you can buy it here ( but how would you find them if you didn't have this atlas ? ! ) .
029 4 Just got back from my trip to Japan , and this book came in handy so many times ! From the detailed train and subway map to all of the detailed maps inside , it made traveling around and site seeing very easy ! The dual langauge aspect is great , and saved me a few times when i got in a cab with a driver who didn't speak english and i was just able to point where i wanted to go . Def . recommend this for anyone traveling to Tokyo !
030 4 While I did use this book a lot ( I had the paperback version ) , I found it heavy to carry . What I did most days was refer to it and cross referance with my paper map , plan our days travels and then leave it back at our apt . I brought my paper map everywhere .
I like to tear out the sections of the travel book that I will need for the day to cut down on weight and bulk . Since we needed umbrellas ( it rains a lot in Tokyo ) , Jackets and water bottles , camara , hats and maps it was all a bit cumbersom .
031 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
i'll keep it brief . it comes up short when it comes to the details . published in 2004 its not up to date . i bought this to use while in tokyo but I found the map is missing a bridge i was looking for . lesson learned : buy the most recent map book in Tokyo / Japan when you get here .
032 4 i'll keep it brief . it comes up short when it comes to the details . published in 2004 its not up to date . i bought this to use while in tokyo but I found the map is missing a bridge i was looking for . lesson learned : buy the most recent map book in Tokyo / Japan when you get here .
033 4 I live and play in Tokyo , and this book is absolutely necessary , whether you are traveling here for a week , or moving here for 3 years to life . But let's be honest , it can be confusing . The book does the best job possible of mapping out Tokyo , with only a handful of errors for a few subway exits ( i.e . , the map makes it look like you turn right , when you need to turn left , and it's the reason it doesn't get a 5 ) , but Tokyo is so completely confusing that there is really no way to get more detailed or accurate without GPS . Here are a few things you will find in the book :
1 ) Metropolitan Tokyo Rail System map on the inside of the cover . This map offers a visual representation of all ( except one new that just opened ) rail lines in and around Tokyo . It's expansive , including all of the 23 ku ( sub-cities ) that make up Tokyo . One of the most important things about this first map is that it gives you a N-E-S-W overall visual for orientation . This can really come in handy if you need to travel to one of the more remote areas that are not included in the various map sections spanning 84 pages of the book .
2 ) Tokyo Subway System Map . This may be the most important map in the book if you plan to use the Tokyo Subway system . Let's be honest , if you come to Tokyo , you will most likely need to take the subway somewhere . The map is color-coded by specific subway lines , so if you need to travel from the southern part of Central Tokyo to the northern part , and make subway transfers along the way , this map will tell you which stations connect between multiple lines and where to make transfers . The map is strictly of Central Tokyo , however , and won't help much if you are outside of Central Tokyo . Given that there are over 300 subway stations in Central Tokyo alone , you can comprehend the need for a map that shows exactly how they interconnect .
3 ) The Contents Page . The contents page directs you to specific maps of areas of Central Tokyo ( pages 8 - 37 ) , but does not separate out the majority of the 23 wards ( pages 38 - 79 ) . It also includes a couple of outlying areas , Keihin , Kawasaki , Yokohama , etc . Unfortunately , the Contents page is mostly useless . I never rely on it , but instead use the 40 page index .
4 ) Individual maps of sub-sections of the City . The maps are grouped by areas of the city , starting with the heart of Tokyo at Tokyo Station , and going in a random , not really logical grouping of various parts of the city in the pages that follow . The maps include extreme detail , including building names , town and chome boundaries , chome numbers and block numbers , but not specific building numbers . Addresses in Japan , as another reviewer pointed out , are confusing . For example , if you have been given the address of a restaurant as Roppongi 6 - 6 - 9 , the map book will give you the area ( Roppongi ) , will divide it by sections ( chome ) of Roppongi ( Roppongi ( 6 ) ) , and in light blue will give a small number for the correct block . It will also show the closest subway station , usually a light purple , and in bold number , the subway exit closest to the block where you need to go . You'll find the book easier to use as you get used to the addressing system in Tokyo , and if you happen to find yourself on a block with one or two buildings , it'll be easier to find your locations . Problems arise when you are trying to go someplace out of the way , or some hidden little restaurant in an unfamiliar part of town . In cases where there are many buildings on a block , you may have to search hard for the place you want to go , but the book will at least get you to the right block .
One other important detail is that some streets in Tokyo are actually named streets ( dori ) , and in those cases , the names are identified on the map . One other important feature is that everything in the book is bilingual , so if you have an address , get into a taxi with no GPS , you can show the driver the page of the area you are going , and he'll be better able to take you where you need to go because he can read the book as well .
I never leave home without this book .
034 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
This was my go to book on our trip to Japan . One of the most useful features was being able to determine which door to take when exiting a subway station - as many of them are huge and have many exits . This saved us a bit of time . The subway / train map was also very helpful .
035 4 This was my go to book on our trip to Japan . One of the most useful features was being able to determine which door to take when exiting a subway station - as many of them are huge and have many exits . This saved us a bit of time . The subway / train map was also very helpful .
036 4 A very handy guide that helped me navigate my way around Tokyo's labyrinth streets . A great deal of work went into this book and it is truly helpful in areas where there isn't an English translation on the signage . Although I have to say , that during my recent trip to Japan , any time I looked down at my directions or map a native would approach me to help me with directions . Even if they couldn't speak a word of English they would work through it to send you off in the right direction . In spite of my good fortune to run into so many helpful people , having the book was my security blanket . I'm buying a copy for a friend who travels to Japan quite often as I'm sure they will find it a lifesaver .
037 4 I recently went to Tokyo . Before I got there I thought I'd be lost if there was no way to figure out the somewhat strange addressing system in use there . Well , as it happened , you can get lost just the same ( especially if you're looking for an establishment that closed two years ago ! ) . I think the map is quite good but one has to keep in mind that if one is lost with the map , it's as good as not having a map if you can't speak Japanese .
038 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
We moved to Tokyo this summer and we knew next to nothing about how to get around in the city , or where to find anything here . This Atlas has been very helpful to us in getting around , and almost every other expat we know uses it as well . It is very detailed , and even includes many major buildings and attractions by name . One downside : it doesn't cover every area that we'd like it to ( there is no complete map of the Ebisu area , for example ) Nonetheless , if you are going to spend any significant time in Tokyo , I'd say definitely get the Tokyo City Atlas .
039 4 We moved to Tokyo this summer and we knew next to nothing about how to get around in the city , or where to find anything here . This Atlas has been very helpful to us in getting around , and almost every other expat we know uses it as well . It is very detailed , and even includes many major buildings and attractions by name . One downside : it doesn't cover every area that we'd like it to ( there is no complete map of the Ebisu area , for example ) Nonetheless , if you are going to spend any significant time in Tokyo , I'd say definitely get the Tokyo City Atlas .
040 4 I was very reliant on the Tokyo City Atlas and the maps found outside train and subway stations . The level of detail in the maps on the City Atlas is helpful if you're one of those people who need to check every two minutes if you're heading in the right direction .
For travel guides , I was using Timeout Tokyo and Rough Guide to Japan . The scale of the maps in those guides didn't give me an idea of how far apart things are , such that I wound up overscheduling my travel itinerary .
Despite having detailed maps in the City Atlas , I still got lost a few times because the maps outside train and subway stations tend to be oriented in non-standard formats , i.e . the top of the map rarely means north . Since the orientation in the City Atlas is pretty standard , this meant I had to do a lot of aligning between the map in the book and the ones at station entrances .
041 4 Just like most of the reviewers , I agree that this book is an excellent source for self-guided travel . The Map is so easy to use and accurate .
We used it for our recent trip to Tokyo and it helped us find our way around with ease . It's definitely a great buy in my opinion !
042 4 Not quite pocket size , but an excellent street map with good detail nothing much else compares if you're an English speaker .
043 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
This book is not a guidebook - it is strictly a map . Almost the most detailed map I have ever seen !
044 4 This book is not a guidebook - it is strictly a map . Almost the most detailed map I have ever seen !
045 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
This city atlas was everything I was looking for in navigating the labyrinth that is Tokyo . On the occasions where a street sign was not in Romanji the Kanji in the atlas was a life saver . If you're going to Tokyo this will make your trip a lot easier and less stressful .
046 4 This city atlas was everything I was looking for in navigating the labyrinth that is Tokyo . On the occasions where a street sign was not in Romanji the Kanji in the atlas was a life saver . If you're going to Tokyo this will make your trip a lot easier and less stressful .
047 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
Do not go to Tokyo without this book ! This book enabled me to locate buildings based on addresses . It gives the name of the area , then the block numbers . You need this info to find anything that is not on a main street - ie : all the really good eatery suggestions in your travel books ! !
Buy it !
048 4 Do not go to Tokyo without this book ! This book enabled me to locate buildings based on addresses . It gives the name of the area , then the block numbers . You need this info to find anything that is not on a main street - ie : all the really good eatery suggestions in your travel books ! !
Buy it !
049 4 If you go to tokyo and need to move around in Subway & trains and whereabouts . This is the map for you .
050 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
I've taken this atlas to Tokyo twice . It is a really useful item to have on you , especially if just for the subway maps . The ward maps are pretty detailed , and you can tell where you are or where you're walking towards by all the labeling in the book . Cheap price and does so much more , must buy for a Tokyo trip .
051 4 I've taken this atlas to Tokyo twice . It is a really useful item to have on you , especially if just for the subway maps . The ward maps are pretty detailed , and you can tell where you are or where you're walking towards by all the labeling in the book . Cheap price and does so much more , must buy for a Tokyo trip .
054 4 I got my first copy of this map book in 1998 when I moved to Japan for a 2 - year assignment . Look . . . even TAXI drivers can't find addresses in Tokyo ( though GPS is helping them now ) . While to Westerners the address system is mystifying , it's really quite logical - area of the city , neighborhood , block within the neighborhood , building within the block . I'll add , since the building numbers were often assigned in the order in which the houses were built , that can be a bit confusing at times - but this book will help you .
In addition , though Tokyo is light years ahead of other Japanese cities in the use of Roman Characters ( romaji ) , it was very helpful to me to be able to match the pictures - when Kanji characters were all that were available .
I've had three editions since my first one . Tokyo has added at least 3 new subway lines since 1998 , and subways now extend to train lines . This map book is the key .
You still have to do the work - it's not a magic book . But it has proven to be a life-saver for me . If you are exploring past the doors of the 5 - star hotels , and are going by foot instead of by tourist coach , by all means , make this investment .
Everytime I go to Tokyo , I make sure I pack THIS book !
055 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
Wonderful map of tokyo , easy to use and orient themselves in the curious distribution of the streets .
056 4 Wonderful map of tokyo , easy to use and orient themselves in the curious distribution of the streets .
057 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
This book totally saved my life here . My only complaint is that it's a little too small to specify building numbers on blocks - but if you want something that's easy to carry and will get you around Tokyo , this book is PERFECT . My suggestion is get this along with Time Out Tokyo and you'll be a Tokyo pro in no time .
059 4 The size of the book is not the best to be carrying with , but definitively If you plan to spend many days exploring the city , this book is a must . Probably , you can get some maps in the hotels or tourism's offices , but believe me these are not enough detailed to rely on them or to find an important spot after a long walk . Sometimes , the maps show importants places as shops and buildings that are very useful as reference in your walking tour . Otherwise , even some reviewers have reported that maps are not updated , I did not have problem with this . To conclude , this book will be very useful for you if you plan to have a long stay in the city , for a short stay is optional .
060 4 Very clear maps of Tokyo . As far as I know the only bi-lingual map available for purchase outside Japan . I just wish all the central maps would be the same scale . Also the central maps only cover central Tokyo . Would be nice to have the cover extended a couple of km in each direction .
061 4 I have an older edition of this atlas and it has been a lifesaver for me over the many trips over the years . I've also loaned it to all of my friends that have gone to Tokyo and they've found it to be essential as well . I'm fluent in both Japanenese and English but the bilingual portion is huge b / c I cannot read all the kanji . For a non-Japanese speaker , the English portion is essential . The book is not expensive , it is lightweight and not so thick like typical tourist books , it is very clear , detailed , and colorful . Every district you go , you can use this book to get around . The way it's helped me the most is when I have a destination in mind and I've already looked up which station to exit on the internet . Usually , it's the actual walk from the station to the destination where you can get lost and you can use this book like a GPS . You cannot not rely on street signs or instinct to walk through the streets ! Unless your destination is some obscure building in small rural area of Tokyo , you will find major buidlings , attractions , parks , dept stores , etc clearly labeled as well as all train / subway stations and even down to the exit number . Also , if you're familiar with the Japanese address system , the map clearly lists which ward , which district , which sub-district , and which building number . What also helps is , since it's bilingual , if you had to ask a Japanese native for directions , you can point to a place on the map and they can read the Japanese portion . This book makes a perfect complement to a tour guide book ( i.e . Fodors , Lonely Planet ) .
062 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
English AND Japanese in one detailed map book . Essential for getting around Tokyo without getting lost .
064 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
The Tokyo City Atlas isn't critical for the average tourist , but is very helpful if you want to dive deeper into the city . On a recent vacation to Tokyo , I lent my copy to my brother who lives north of the city . He didn't want to give it back . This atlas makes a great gift for friends and family living abroad near Tokyo .
065 4 The Tokyo City Atlas isn't critical for the average tourist , but is very helpful if you want to dive deeper into the city . On a recent vacation to Tokyo , I lent my copy to my brother who lives north of the city . He didn't want to give it back . This atlas makes a great gift for friends and family living abroad near Tokyo .
066 4 I bought this atlas just before my first visit to Tokyo and found its detailed maps invaluable . Tokyo does not use street names in most places and buildings are numbered in the order they were built , not the order they appear on a street . So , you need to navigate by landmarks and this atlas gives you enough landmarks to get around . I found the maps both detailed and accurate . I didn't do an exhaustive survey so there might be a better atlas available , but I would say this one is highly recommended .
067 4 We traveled to Tokyo for the first time in our lives . After reading reviews about this book I've decided to purchase it , though i was also planning on getting a guide book as well . This has been a very smart purchse - we used the maps ALL THE TIME . whenever we read / heard about an attraction we opened the maps and looked for it . Many guide books say that you can't follow the address system in Tokyo , and we disagree ! The maps are very detailed , including all the train stations and their exits which makes it very simply to navigate . It became much more useful than the guide book we purchased ( Lonely Planet - Tokyo Encounter ) which I don't recommend AT ALL . small price to pay for a very handy asset for those who don't know Tokyo .
068 4 This book is fantastic ! It's slim , but packed with info for the Tokyo tourist . I love that it has both the kanji and the romaji pronunciation - not all Tokyo streets have the roman characters for you to read . It shows every street , even the ones without names !
I dragged this book all over Tokyo . It fit in my ( admittedly large ) purse easily ! I had to take my GRE in a non-touristy area and I don't know how I would have found the testing center without it .
069 4 I was just checking back with Amazon to see if there is a new version of this indispensable book . I travel to Tokyo for leisure annually and would not dream of going without this book . I actually had a nightmare a couple of weeks ago that I arrived in Tokyo without this book !
As other reviewrs have said , this book will allow you to make sense of the unusual Japanese address system . Very importantly as well , it will help you in deciding which station exit to take as you travel around the city . When one is dealing with a station like Shinjuku ( the world's largest ) this is incredibly useful . Locate where you want to be when you come out of the station , and select the appropriate station exit from the map .
Can't recommend this one enough !
070 4 This book is indispensable for anyone spending much time in Tokyo . It got me ( and my directionally-challenged spouse ) around for several months . It includes the numbers of various exits at subway stops that can save you much aggravation and extra walking . And it has the added advantage that you can read it without looking like you're lost all the time .
071 4 Tokyo is a very complex city to get around in . If you are going to be there on your own much , get this . Trust me - you need it . And it is very well done to boot .
072 4 You won't get lost with this atlas . The best thing is : all exits from subways are numbered , so you will always find the right way out . I highly recommend it .
074 4 Tokyo is incredible but difficult to navigate unless you have an accurate and detailed map . These maps contain all the essentials , even the subway exits . Even after many years living in Tokyo , I never go beyond my neighborhood without this book . I've tried most tourist maps of Tokyo but at best they provide an approximate guide . This book can prevent spending thirty minutes trying to find the correct exit out of Shinjuku station or walking a kilometer out of the way after surfacing at the wrong exit . Major landmarks are also labeled in English so you can remember what it's like to be literate .
075 4 This was the most useful thing I brought to Tokyo . I used it every day I was there , and the bilingual feature came in handy considering many fare charts and train stations don't have the Anglicized spellings of routes / stations prominently displayed .
It was most useful when I found my train line unexpectedly delayed / indefinitely shut-down one evening and had to find my way to the next station to get home . Or when I thought Yoyogi Park looked like a short walk from the top of the Met . Gov't Building and took off on foot , only to get a very interesting route through several wards before finding the park . Even though I was quite off course , the map was accurate , reflected the landmarks ( good luck finding a named street ) , and made getting around easy . I got lost but could always reference the map and find my way home .
My only criticism is that it did not go into much detail beyond central Tokyo and I spent some time in outlying areas . Obviously it's a large city and hard to pack so much into a still-portable book , but something of the suburbs would be nice in future editions .
076 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
I don't speak a word of Japanese but I really wanted to explore Tokyo on my own . I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get around by myself so I bought the Tokyo City Atlas ; A Bilingual Guide , and I walked everywhere with confidence and I didn't get lost once !
The book contains nearly twenty extremely detailed maps of the most popular districts of the city . These maps provide depictions of many of the major sites , buildings and parks . For example , the maps show the exact locations of specific subway station exits . Because Tokyo neighborhoods are dense and disorienting , it's easy to get lost just by exiting from the wrong side of a subway as many of the streets have no names and the building aren't designated with street numbers . Being able to pinpoint and identify the number of the subway exit made it much easier for me to get oriented once I was above ground .
In addition , there is an excellent English language index that covers more than thirty five pages and provides detailed information on streets , neighborhoods , buildings , shrines and parks . There are also excellent subway and train maps . The only weakness is that there could be more detailed maps and fewer that cover larger areas of the city . That however is a small quibble for what is an indispensable guide for English-speaker who wants to explore the urban amazement that is Tokyo .
077 4 I don't speak a word of Japanese but I really wanted to explore Tokyo on my own . I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get around by myself so I bought the Tokyo City Atlas ; A Bilingual Guide , and I walked everywhere with confidence and I didn't get lost once !
The book contains nearly twenty extremely detailed maps of the most popular districts of the city . These maps provide depictions of many of the major sites , buildings and parks . For example , the maps show the exact locations of specific subway station exits . Because Tokyo neighborhoods are dense and disorienting , it's easy to get lost just by exiting from the wrong side of a subway as many of the streets have no names and the building aren't designated with street numbers . Being able to pinpoint and identify the number of the subway exit made it much easier for me to get oriented once I was above ground .
In addition , there is an excellent English language index that covers more than thirty five pages and provides detailed information on streets , neighborhoods , buildings , shrines and parks . There are also excellent subway and train maps . The only weakness is that there could be more detailed maps and fewer that cover larger areas of the city . That however is a small quibble for what is an indispensable guide for English-speaker who wants to explore the urban amazement that is Tokyo .
3 - 26 - 16 Harajuku , Shibuya-ku , Tokyo
To those of us who are used to a street name and a building number , they might as well have left this in Kanji for all the good it does us . In fact , all of the expatriate Americans I met had the same advice : just go by the landmarks since the addresses were just too complicated - - in other words , they never figured out how to use them . After 4 months of accepting this advice and not being able to find many places I wanted to go , I dared to ask just how this crazy system works . What I found was that it's not that complicated at all , but you need to have a book like this one . The way it works is this : the address indicates the ward of the city ( Shibuya-ku ) , the area in Shibuya-ku ( Harajuku ) , the sub-area of Harajuku ( the first number : 3 ) , the block number of Harajuku - 3 ( the second number : 26 ) , and the building number on that block ( the third number : 16 ) . There are two ways of figuring out where this is :
1 ) Read the signs on lampposts that indicate which block you are on . Unfortunately these can be terribly hard to find , are sometimes missing , require that you can read Kanji , don't indicate how close you are , and don't give you any idea about which direction you should head .
2 ) Look in this book and find the block you need on the map . Easy easy easy .
Additional benefits :
- Locations are frequently given by the name of a building , which doesn't help much if you don't know where that building is . That's when the index of building names and addresses comes in extremely handy .
- Since Tokyo subway stations are absolutely MASSIVE , the maps make it easier to find out which subway entrance you should use , since you can look at the underground detail of the station to find the entrance nearest your platform . Conversely , it can help you choose which station to get off at , by looking at which platform will get you closer to your destination .
- It's bilingual throughout , so you can use it to find an English translation of a Japanese address , or you can put an address you know in English back into Japanese to someone if you need to ask directions .
001 4 Tokyo is a strong candidate for the most confusing and poorly planned city on the planet , and it doesn't help any that the addresses look like this :
3 - 26 - 16 Harajuku , Shibuya-ku , Tokyo
To those of us who are used to a street name and a building number , they might as well have left this in Kanji for all the good it does us . In fact , all of the expatriate Americans I met had the same advice : just go by the landmarks since the addresses were just too complicated - - in other words , they never figured out how to use them . After 4 months of accepting this advice and not being able to find many places I wanted to go , I dared to ask just how this crazy system works . What I found was that it's not that complicated at all , but you need to have a book like this one . The way it works is this : the address indicates the ward of the city ( Shibuya-ku ) , the area in Shibuya-ku ( Harajuku ) , the sub-area of Harajuku ( the first number : 3 ) , the block number of Harajuku - 3 ( the second number : 26 ) , and the building number on that block ( the third number : 16 ) . There are two ways of figuring out where this is :
1 ) Read the signs on lampposts that indicate which block you are on . Unfortunately these can be terribly hard to find , are sometimes missing , require that you can read Kanji , don't indicate how close you are , and don't give you any idea about which direction you should head .
2 ) Look in this book and find the block you need on the map . Easy easy easy .
Additional benefits :
- Locations are frequently given by the name of a building , which doesn't help much if you don't know where that building is . That's when the index of building names and addresses comes in extremely handy .
- Since Tokyo subway stations are absolutely MASSIVE , the maps make it easier to find out which subway entrance you should use , since you can look at the underground detail of the station to find the entrance nearest your platform . Conversely , it can help you choose which station to get off at , by looking at which platform will get you closer to your destination .
- It's bilingual throughout , so you can use it to find an English translation of a Japanese address , or you can put an address you know in English back into Japanese to someone if you need to ask directions .
006 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( Revised Ed . ) ( Paperback )
As a former Tokyo ex-pat , and recently returned visitor , I can tell you with absolute confidence that this is THE BEST map to get for Tokyo if you want to pack light . Here is the KEY feature you need to understand - this is the best map , and the only one I have seen in a fairly small and easy to carry format - that in addition to the WARDS also gives sufficient detail to identify the CHU , CHOME , and BLOCK numbers . Many building names are listed as well . If you are unfamiliar with how to find addresses in Tokyo then you need this map ! This map will help you to find the correct BLOCK for a given address and from there it is usually pretty easy to find the BUILDING number you are looking for . VERY FEW MAPS GIVE THIS DETAIL . My 66 year old mother used this map on a SOLO VISIT to Tokyo and did not get lost even ONCE . I kid you not ! This is the only Tokyo map I carry and recommend it exclusively . The only down-side - if you are looking for areas in far outlying areas away from core downtown and tourist spots the coverage is not quite a good ( same info but lower map resolution ) . For most travellers this will be fine .
052 4 This review is from :
Tokyo City Atlas : A Bilingual Guide ( 3rd Ed . ) ( Paperback )
I HAVE BEEN USING THIS GREAT LITTLE ATLAS TO PLAN A TRIP TO TOKYO FOR MY WIFE AND MYSELF . WITH THE HELP OF A COUPLE OF GUIDEBOOKS , GOOGLE MAPS , AND GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE I HAVE JUST ABOUT GOT IT NAILED - - WHERE T0 GO AND HOW TO GET THERE . BUY SOME STICK ON ARROWS AT STAPLES , A FEW POST ITS AND YOU CAN ANNOTATE THESE EXCELLENT MAPS WITHOUT MARKING THEM UP . ONE OF ITS BEST FEATURES : YOU CAN EASILY FIND TOKY0 WARDS ON THEIR MAPS TO PRETTY MUCH PINPOINT WHERE YOU WANT TO GO ( EG : GINZA 3 - X-X ) . A BIT LARGE FOR POCKET , BUT OK F0R BUTTPACK .
053 4 I HAVE BEEN USING THIS GREAT LITTLE ATLAS TO PLAN A TRIP TO TOKYO FOR MY WIFE AND MYSELF . WITH THE HELP OF A COUPLE OF GUIDEBOOKS , GOOGLE MAPS , AND GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE I HAVE JUST ABOUT GOT IT NAILED - - WHERE T0 GO AND HOW TO GET THERE . BUY SOME STICK ON ARROWS AT STAPLES , A FEW POST ITS AND YOU CAN ANNOTATE THESE EXCELLENT MAPS WITHOUT MARKING THEM UP . ONE OF ITS BEST FEATURES : YOU CAN EASILY FIND TOKY0 WARDS ON THEIR MAPS TO PRETTY MUCH PINPOINT WHERE YOU WANT TO GO ( EG : GINZA 3 - X-X ) . A BIT LARGE FOR POCKET , BUT OK F0R BUTTPACK .
078 4 Except for a vague understanding that Tokyo's different districts were divided into subwards ( or chome ) , I have never understood how Japanese addresses work despite my frequent travels to the Japan . Someone once told me that even Japanese people don't understand the address system , and that only the postman could decipher the secret code behind 3 - 2 - 5 Nihombashi , Chuo-ku , Tokyo ( the address of the Pokemon Center in Ginza ) .
However , based on previous review , I bought this book . Now , I don't know how I ever got around without it .
My only criticism is that although the maps are certainly complete enought , the book itself does not contain an explanation as to how to use them . I learned how to decode a Japanese address by reading the previous review and by memorizing this : CHOME ( SUBWARD ) - BLOCK-BUILDING . This means that the address 3 - 2 - 5 Nihonbashi , Chuo-ku , Tokyo can be translated as Subward 3 , Block 2 , Building 5 in Nihombashi , Chuo-Ku .
Without this explanation , it can be difficult to understand how to use the maps in the book . For this reason , I am giving the book only 4 stars , instead of 5 .
