Comments on: Finding Your Way Around Japan

By: Paulo

Paulo — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:16:00 +0000

Thanks for the information, very much appreciated..

By: shibainu

shibainu — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:40:00 +0000

Tokyo was designed by Ieyasu, the first shogun of house of Tokugawa in 1612. He built the castle in the center, now, Imperial Palace.He made road pattern as spiral shape for defense.If you try to take the castle you cannot help take a round-about way.This causes a lot of trouble to countryside born Japanese.they don’t know where he is standing on Tokyo street.All roads are blocked by buildings.They asks a taxi driver to go north,He replies that going north means arriving south in the end.However Kyoto was designed by the emperor Kanmu in 794.He designated road pattern as grid.You are not puzzled by roads in Kyoto.Ieyasu’s aim was to puzzle the enemy’s soldiers.But centuries later city planning built alien straight roads especially after earthquakes and US bombing.Anyway, strategically you had to be puzzled by Tokyo roads.

By: Zach Walz

Zach Walz — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:06:00 +0000

Wow, that’s really helpful (and your photo is beautiful)! Thanks so much for sharing.

By: MrsSpooky

MrsSpooky — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:50:00 +0000

I was thinking of Osaka tower when I said I wanted to go there. :) Seen pictures and it looks gorgeous! I just wish I was staying longer than a week, who knows when I’ll be able to go back, you know? And I am planning on doing a LOT of walking – it’s actually my exercise of choice next to swimming. I want to see all those places, but so little time. I think once in Osaka I’ll be pretty close to the other places you guys were mentioning, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. In fact, there is a possibility I’ll be spending most of my time in Japan in Osaka area. I’ve got time to make up an itinerary and I appreciate the advice. That will help me narrow things down a lot.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:44:00 +0000

Just to offer a differing opinion, Osaka is awesome. Never had to deal with the cops there, but then again I’m not one for getting into trouble. There is some crime in the city, but it’s nothing like Rome, London, Los Angeles, or Vancouver for example. Don’t get me wrong, going to Nara is a totally good thing to do, I go there a few times a year. If you want to get even more rural check out Asuka-mura which you can tour on a rental bicycle. Just don’t miss out on the retro fun that is Shinsekai (The area around Osaka’s tower, Tsutenkaku). You can do that after a day in Nara. Remember you’ll be walking A LOT so wear comfy shoes think of all the calories you’re burning off so you can eat more kushikatsu!

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:29:00 +0000

Try looking on the sides of houses on the corner of a street. There is typically a tall skinny metal sign listing the cho 町 and the number. Sometimes they have little small maps on the bottom, but mostly not. Some do have romanji, but that is entirely dependent on the city.

Here’s a rusty example of one from Kyoto:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleepytako/3153323402/in/set-72157607540981532

Many neighborhoods have signboards with local maps showing the cho 町 you are in. They sometimes lack a “you are here” (genzaichi in Japanese 現在地) dot however.