Getting lost in Tokyo can be fun...for awhile. Then there comes this point where you start to realize that everything looks the same, and that addresses aren't easily accessible or understood. Sure, you could carry a map, but Tokyo is a huge city, so that would be a pretty big map. Plus, you'd be that guy with the map and the fanny pack.
Find!Tokyo packs in thousands of bilingual maps of the city into an app for your iPhone or iPod Touch. These maps are fully scalable, and include train and subway maps, as well as a directory of maps of hotels and attractions. There's even maps of the insides of major stations, which are like little maze cities themselves. Many of the locations are tagged with relevant information, and the whole program is self-contained, so no internet needed!
The program sounded pretty handy, so we nabbed it on the iTunes store this morning to give you a sort of review.
Hit the jump to see what we think of Find!Tokyo.
First off, this app weighs in at 115mb, so make sure you have the space!
Find!Tokyo is more like a traveller's resource than just a plain ol' map program. The opening screen has several buttons that take you to Tokyo train maps, station maps, area maps, and even an airport map. Click through, and you'll see a full color, English language map you can scroll around with your finger. All of Tokyo's wards are represented with maps, each with some landmarks labeled. Each of the maps are clear, colorful, and easy to read. A press of one of the navigation buttons toggles between Japanese and English, too.
The focus is on trains and major streets. You're not going to find a GPS-style street-by-street listing here. Bigger areas, like Harajuku and Omotesando (combined on one map) have breakout menus that point to specific locations, like shopping centers. It's like they've taken everything you'd want to see out of a travel guide and plotted it on portable maps. I can see how this would be very convenient for first-time visitors to Tokyo.
The application also contains a directory of attractions and travel needs, divided by category. Select an attraction type, select an area, and then a location to get a detailed map, directions from train, contact information and more. This would be supremely useful if you're looking catch a movie or visit the zoo during your trip. Or if you need to go to the hospital. The accompanying write-ups give useful information, too. For instance, one hospital's page points out the after hours entrance.
One of the most handy features is a Narita Airport access guide, complete with maps and bus (Airport Limousine Bus) pick up points and routes. There's even external links to schedules here. This goes above and beyond the typical travel guide.
For me, the most useful thing is going to be the in-station maps, which detail where come in and leave for different transportation lines. They don't have all of the stations mapped out yet, but at least the biggest and most confusing are covered. Station navigation is even confusing for the natives, so imagine how bad it can be for first timers! These maps give you a very easy-to-decipher overhead view; I know these will come in handy!
If you know that you're going to Tokyo, you should purchase this application. The price of $4.99 is not much to ask for the tons of English language information here. There's also the side benefit that you don't have to look like a silly tourist when you're following directions from your iPhone.
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