Are there maps for GPS navigation that work in Japan?

Question

I'm looking for a way to use GPS navigation when I'll go to Japan, next month.

I have a Palm Treo 650 and a bluetooth GPS receiver, can I use them?

Are there maps of Japan for Tomtom? Should I try some other software?

Answer 1

I've heard stories from friends and colleagues who have gone to Japan and they pretty much said what I have read in other areas: you are better off using the highly detailed maps that you can pick up in any koban (police box) that are located on each block.

The problem is that even the postal service in Japan has trouble navigating some of the big cities like Tokyo because the streets are not laid out in nice grid fashions like we are accustomed to in the United States.

From A Discussion about GPS for a Japanese trip

I don't know anything about English PDAs and GPSs but I do know about being a tourist in Japan...

Most mobile phones here have GPS built in, but of course everything is in Japanese.

However, if you're only going to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and are spending part of the time with a tour group, I wouldn't worry too much about a pda. Those cities are all very tourist friendly, with free English maps available from most hotels and tourist information places, and buses and trains do announcements in English as well as Japanese. Major signposts are in English too. And the main sights you'll want to go to will be clearly marked.

Also, if there's a particular shop or restaurant that you want to go to, if you know the phone number, you can ask a taxi with gps to take you there, and the driver will use the phone number to find the place.

Japanese people tend to want to help, too. If they see you looking lost, most likely someone will come up to you and try and get you to where you're going (with the ulterior motive of practicing their English, but still...).

Answer 2

you can find it in: http://tokyosales.blogspot.com He is selling 'Sajke 350' for 40,000yen.. gud luck dude!