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1 year ago. Google maps cannot be downloaded outside of Japan. The reason for not being able to download offline maps of Japan on Google Maps is because Zenrin Co. (a Japanese mapping company) own the rights to the entire Japan cartographic area, and unlike most other countries, won't give it up to Google Maps for offline use.
Save. I have a hard time using Google map in Japanespecially pointing by direction East, West, North and South. I don't know which direction I am. This makes me walking out of blue dotted line and blue arrow is not pointing on the dotted blue line. Google map can't provide street name.I just end up asking the stranger.
The maps are usually labeled in local language unless it is a major place or attraction/major company/or someone has taken the time to add a translation. Otherwise local places/offices etc are often labeled in Japanese (so are signs in the real location etc). Googlemaps maynot be the best if you are looking for a list of restaurants in English.
Zenrin Co. Ltd. (Japanese: 株式会社ゼンリン, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Zenrin) is a Japanese map publishing company. Founded in 1948 as the Tourism and Culture Advertising Company (観光文化宣伝社, Kankō Bunka Sendensha) in Beppu, Kyūshū, the company is known as a maker of residential maps and software used in personal computers and automotive navigation systems.
Japanese map symbols; List of symbols (in Japanese) (Translate to English: Google, Bing, Yandex); Children's list from the GSI (in Japanese) (Translate to English: Google, Bing, Yandex) This is a very good reference, it has separate links for each symbol.
I have found that guidebooks are useful in this area - planning. I like the 'Insight Guides' for the visuals - the maps are good for getting an overview of where things are and the photos w/information are numbered on the map. Kodansha's Gateway to Japan follows train lines, which is useful, though I think you can only get a used copy now.
Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets (Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling by foot, car, bike, air (in beta) and public transportation.
Google maps was my saviour in Tokyo! Very reliable and accurate. If looking for travel directions on the underground, it will give you all different options and how much it will cost for each option. I dont know how I would have found my way around without it. As previous poster mentioned, you will need internet.