Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide (3rd Ed.) [Paperback]

Kodansha International (Author), Atsushi Umeda (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 10, 2004

This is the updated third edition of an atlas first published in 1998. During the past six years, the transportation network of the metropolitan area of Tokyo has changed a good deal. In the case of the subway system, lines have been extended, and some rapid-transit lines have been added, so code numbers for each station are given in our atlas for foreign travelers to identify them easily. In addition, as a result of urban development in areas such as Roppongi, Shinagawa, and Shiodome, quite a few new company buildings, stores, and hotels have appeared. These developments are also covered in this updated edition.

- 21 area maps of Metropolitan Tokyo (42 pages) showing not only chome numbers but also block numbers (banchi).
- 18 detailed maps of Central Tokyo (30 pages) to guide the reader even to numbered subway station entrances.
- An additional 7 maps of central Yokohama and Kawasaki and access maps to 3 U.S. military bases (Yokosuka, Yokota and Zama).
- Comprehensive index: More than 3,600 entries of town and station names, as well as major organizations and buildings, provide the user with easy access to all destinations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

..."the handiest of all Tokyo atlas guides. Some help is necessary as one explores this vast, fascinating, confusing city, and this new edition offers the best assistance."

About the Author

Founded in 1963 by Kodansha Ltd., Kodansha International Ltd. is the leading publisher of high-quality English language books on Japan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha USA; 3 edition (December 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770025033
• ISBN-13: 978-4770025036
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.3 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Travel > Asia > Japan > Tokyo

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another praise review on the best map of Tokyo to date! May 3, 2005

By Brandon Abedor

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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 Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Do Tokyo Without It May 18, 2007

By Power Pop!

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Map April 10, 2007

By T. Bojko

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely essential if you plan on walking around Tokyo! March 8, 2007

By michael markus

Format:Paperback

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive, "user friendly" English/Japanese collection May 11, 2005

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

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.