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How To Read This Map

The two most important, and ignored, parts of any atlas are the legend of symbols at the front and the index at the back.

And English (or bilingual) maps of Japan tend to suck, in my opinion.
 
The MAP LEGENDS arent the problem. . .

And I appreciate your commentary on the quality of maps-books. . .but, no offense, that doesnt help me in reading this map book. Just looking for some non-editorialized help on what I'm looking at (beyond an ATLAS) -
 
I welcome the chance to be of assistance. Could you be just a tad more specific on what it is that's causing you consternation?
 
You want someone to help you read a map which you are holding in your hands, and none of us can see!?
 
maybe if you rotate the map?
 
well, I went to amazon and checked the inside of the map...and I don't see what the problem is?
 
Bi-lingual Tokyo street atlas as far as I can see - what seems to be the problem?

I actually have this atlas - it's better than most - though as Mike pointed out no substitute for a massive-scale Japanese-language roadmap.
 
CC1 said:
well, I went to amazon and checked the inside of the map...and I don't see what the problem is?
Click to expand...
I did as well. I found the map a bit 'full' as there was too much writing all over it, but I would probably manage with it. Someone like Mikecash probably wouldn't have much problem with it at all. He is a truck driver in Japan, and is most likely used to such maps.
 
Right now I am looking at an excerpted page on Tokyo, Marunouchi, Nihombashi (copyrighted material): Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide (3rd Ed.): Kodansha International, Umeda, Atsushi: 9784770025036: Amazon.com: Books).

You are seeing a lot of details on the map which do not normally show on conventional maps. I do not see anything in the legends page telling what the scale of the map is. Let's say it is an x-ray photo of the city that shows the underground passages as well as what's above ground. The streets do not seem to show, which seems to be causing you the confusion whether you are looking at a real map. I believe due to the complexity (or rather in an effort to reduce the complexity) the above ground (or rather ground-level) streets are ignored on the excecpted page, and possibly others. This by the way is typical of many practical close-up maps. I am not sure this is anything close to what you expected of an answer to your question, for I am as dumbfounded as others. or are you simply venting your frustration ? :?
 
Might be worth studying up on the Japanese street/housing numbering system. Its a bit of a mindwarp but it makes a bit of sense in the end (and then no sense when you try and find someones house :|)
 
How do I take an address - for example the one seen in the REVIEWS on AMAZON (which is why I provided the link) - and find it on this thing. I'm looking at the legend and it says the "block" number is represented by the little blue numbers. . .but I see no building number (which I thought was needed for a complete address? - )

Maybe I'm thinking too much of American "blocks" which are measured by cross streets and what not. . .I dont think that assumption is gonna work here.

Take for example Itoupia Nihomabashi - how would that be read as an address? (It's on page 9 in the excerpt).
 
Ewok85 said:
Might be worth studying up on the Japanese street/housing numbering system.
Click to expand...

Whaddaya mean "system"!? That's a bit of an overly generous description ;-)
 
This guy's description is pretty decent:

http://www.blogd.com/archives/001151.html

It took me only about three days, after first arriving in Japan, to fully comprehend the excellent line in "Mr Baseball" (1992) where Jack, keen to storm out of the restaurant angry at his Japanese date, has to about-turn and sheepishly inquire: "Where do I live?"
 

Thumbs Up -

That about does it right there.

Although I have seen addresses with only two numbers. In order - what NUMBERS are mandatory? - Im assuming a building # is but the book I have doesnt have building numbers. . .only block numbers.
 
It has names of the buildings, and that's what you need for an address before street number.
Examples of address:

Japan US Educational Commission
Sanno-Grand Bldg 2F
14-2
2-chome
Nagata-cho
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100



B.N.P. Shiroyama JT
Mori Bldg 23F
4-3-1
Toranomon
Minato Ku
Tokyo 105

I hope this helps.
 
Take the easy option. Move to Sapporo. It's all a grid/block system. The streets are just numbered like coordinates (e.g. North 20, East 16). All you have to do is point yourself in the right direction and zig-zag across the city. An idiot could find their way around (hence why I live here ;-) )
 

What do a policeman and a Sapporo native have in common?
]
]
They both have blue helmets.
 
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