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Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide (3rd Ed.)
Average Customer Rating:  
List Price:
$24.00
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$16.32
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Manufacturer: Kodansha International
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 915
EAN: 9784770025036
ISBN: 4770025033
Label: Kodansha International
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 124
Publication Date: 2004-12-10
Publisher: Kodansha International
Studio: Kodansha International
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Editorial Reviews:
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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.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: This Book is Absolutely Necessary
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: You won't get lost
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Essential Tokyo Guide
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: You need this map if you are going to spend much time in Tokyo
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very helpful.
Comment: 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.
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