GPS Maps of Tokyo?

[schmoe]

Are there GPS maps of Tokyo available for any common Pocket PC or Palm mapping programs? Haven't been able to find anything on the web aside from some maps for Garmin handhelds, but I was hoping to use a bluetooth GPS with a PDA. Anyone trying this?

[Failsafe]

It's funny you made a thread about this as i was going to ask the same thing.

I use TomTom Navigator in Europe and the UK and its very good, it even dodges the speed cameras and is updated once a day or so.

The GPS is a bluetooth unit that slips into my pocket and was worth every penny so it would be great if that could work with some maps of Japan.

I have seen an alternative version but it didn't look too good, i'll have a look for it anyway.

[Failsafe]

http://www.iodata.jp/prod/multimedia/gps/2003/sdgps/

I'm still looking though, as i don't want to replace my existing GPS unit.

[kamome]

My au keitai has "EZ Navi" which is basically a GPS system built into the phone. Good for people like me who can get lost in a closet.

[Failsafe]

My au keitai has "EZ Navi" which is basically a GPS system built into the phone. Good for people like me who can get lost in a closet.

Nice, does it only work on au?

I've found something else here, the bloke seems to say something about ordering overseas until this unit came out, i think it may well be the first PPC GPS in Japan.

http://mobile.j-speed.net/windowsce/PocketPC/btgps2.htm

Found another. still not what i'm looking for for though, just need a good bit of software or maps of Japan that will work with my existing GPS unit.

http://www.mio-dw.jp/products_168info.htm
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA006474/

Hmm still no luck, but i saw this (Probably the only map of japan i could find and i'm still not sure if its gps or just a street map) any thoughts?

http://www.handmap.net/WinCE/index.htm

[schmoe]

Thanks for the links failsafe, looks like that Super Mapple mapping software is popular since most of the hardware comes with it and it must have maps for Tokyo. Still hoping to find maps for one of the other mapping programs though...

kamome, do you use the EZ Navi service much? How much does it cost? I have been considering that since GPS reception may be pretty bad in Tokyo but I wasn't sure about map fees, data fees, etc. Also not sure about navigating with such a small screen =)

[GomiGirl]

My au keitai has "EZ Navi" which is basically a GPS system built into the phone. Good for people like me who can get lost in a closet.

Don't stay in the closet Kamome - "come out" into the sunshine!!

BTW EZWeb is the only one that has it built in (I think as it is not an area I work with). Great for people who MoBlog as they can have their position attached as a stamp to the photos. Somebody reading the MoBlog can click on the photo and see exactly on the linked map where the photo was taken.

But when you have a cell phone in Japan, your carrier (and government etc) can tell where you are at any time. That is of course unless you have left your keitai at home (yes I am looking at you Mr GuyJean-sama!!)

[GuyJean]

(yes I am looking at you Mr GuyJean-sama!!)

Shucks. Ya got me.. The free-est day of my life..

GJ

[GomiGirl]

(yes I am looking at you Mr GuyJean-sama!!)

Shucks. Ya got me.. The free-est day of my life..

Lunch? Am free tomorrow.

[kamome]

(yes I am looking at you Mr GuyJean-sama!!)

Shucks. Ya got me.. The free-est day of my life..

Lunch? Am free tomorrow.

With apologies to AK...I'M FREE FOR LUNCH TOO!

[kamome]

kamome, do you use the EZ Navi service much? How much does it cost? I have been considering that since GPS reception may be pretty bad in Tokyo but I wasn't sure about map fees, data fees, etc. Also not sure about navigating with such a small screen =)

Well, I just got the phone and haven't had much occasion to make use of the bells and whistles. As ultra pointed out, EZ Navi Walk charges for the service, so I doubt I'll log in unless I'm in truly unfamiliar surroundings (i.e., anywhere other than near my home or office--just kidding!). I wish I were like Captain Japan--I swear he has a GPS system built into his brain.

[GomiGirl]

(yes I am looking at you Mr GuyJean-sama!!)

Shucks. Ya got me.. The free-est day of my life..

Lunch? Am free tomorrow.

With apologies to AK...I'M FREE FOR LUNCH TOO!

Tuesday R6 Iranian fare.

[Failsafe]

[Failsafe]

So i've been on a hunt, I found this but have yet to use it, its a WinCE version of garmin that takes the same maps as garmin devices:

http://www.catnet.ne.jp/fukuda/garmap/e_garmapce.html

I know it supports NMEA output and as far as i can see so does my GPS unit http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=GP-600

The AnyCom Blue GPS Receiver GP-600 supports the NMEA-0183 standard and the connection to the Bluetooth device is serial using the SPP Serial Port Profile

I also found another nice unit here: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=832

Some info on NMEA protocol is here: http://www.kh-gps.de/nmea.faq

I'm going to test out the software tonight but i'm not too sure where to find or configure the maps for garmin devices and it might not even work on my OS (PPC2003) so if anyone knows anything about all this or a simpler solution then please let us know.

EDIT: Saying that i just found some maps of middle japan (the .exe file on the second page) it looks like it should work with garmap so fingers crossed it works on my ipaq.

http://www011.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mametaro/index-e.html

Also found this, don't know how useful (or detailed) it is:

http://www.vitotechnology.com/en/products/mapofjapan.html

I will test them out and let you know the quality.

Thanks.

[schmoe]

Looks like you are on the right track failsafe, thanks for the links! That software that accepts Garmin maps looks like it has potential, although it seems most of the fancy stuff like waypoints uses the Garmin protocol so you have to have a Garmin GPS receiver. I'll be curious to hear how it works out for you.

The forum post seems a bit confused, but apparently the GPS memory stick doesn't output NMEA data, which every decent GPS unit should since it is the standard protocol that mapping software expects. Your GPS should work anywhere in the world that is covered by the satellites, which definitely includes Japan. However there are some accuracy enhancers like WAAS that may not be available in Japan...

There is a great GPS forum too, http://www.gpspassion.com. Registration seems to be broken but I intend to ask the same question there.

[schmoe]

A few more clues, here is an Excel spreadsheet listing maps for the whole world: http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6499

And another Japanese mapping software: http://www.navistant.com/

[Failsafe]

Looks like you are on the right track failsafe, thanks for the links! That software that accepts Garmin maps looks like it has potential, although it seems most of the fancy stuff like waypoints uses the Garmin protocol so you have to have a Garmin GPS receiver. I'll be curious to hear how it works out for you.

The forum post seems a bit confused, but apparently the GPS memory stick doesn't output NMEA data, which every decent GPS unit should since it is the standard protocol that mapping software expects. Your GPS should work anywhere in the world that is covered by the satellites, which definitely includes Japan. However there are some accuracy enhancers like WAAS that may not be available in Japan...

There is a great GPS forum too, http://www.gpspassion.com. Registration seems to be broken but I intend to ask the same question there.

Yes it looks that way about NMEA, it seems most decent GPS units support it.

The good news is that Garmap works on my Ipaq, the bad news is it doesn't detect my bluetooth GPS, well i suppose it was asking a bit much.

I also had a look at those free maps and they dont seem very detailed so the Vito product is looking better just for the fact that the software will be in English. I have no idea how detailed they are, alley/street level would be nice but in saying that you might be right about the poor reception and black spots in the city.

I found a lot of other software out there:

http://www.navistant.com/ - Seems very good, i made out something to do with it works with this software:

http://www.alpsmap.co.jp/ - Which also seems very good.

http://www.ez-navi.com/ - Korean App so i don't know if it will work in Japan.

http://www.datawest.co.jp/en/syouhin/gnavix.htm - I saw an page expaining this so maybe its in English but i doubt it, i shall write to them and ask.

http://homepage2.nifty.com/uenoy/prog/omani/ - Reads Mapple Data.

I also found some other information out that was a bit of a surprise:

GBA GPS - http://www.redskymobile.com/

E Navi @ Narita Airport - http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/e-navi/function.html

I would just love something easy to use, i saw Supermapple 4 for about 10,000 yen but my ppc doesn't handle Japanese text very well.

Let me know how it goes on that forum (or any others for that matter) as there doesn't seem to be a great deal out for English PPC's in Japan which seems crazy to me as there would be a big market for this kind of app, no doubt.

If anyone can work out what is going with the Navistant software please let me know as that software looks very good.

Great find on that database btw, very helpful, the oddest thing was you posted like 2 mintues before i did, the god of GPS is with us, i feel it deep down in my left kidney.

[gpvillamil]

The Japan Map Center is right down the street where I live, basically on the corner of Yamate dori and Route 246, 10 minutes walk from Shibuya.

Their website is here: http://www.jmc.or.jp/

They appear to sell digital maps of Japan in practically all formats, for PCs, PDAs, car navis, etc. If you can find someone there who can communicate in Engish, they are very helpful and knowledgeable.

I bought a digital elevation model of all Japan at the 50m resolution, really nifty.

[Taro Toporific]

The Japan Map Center is right down the street where I live, basically on the corner of Yamate dori and Route 246...

I bought a digital elevation model of all Japan at the 50m resolution, really nifty.

Kool! I've driven past that places for ages and always wondered what was going on inside...mapping of nude schoolgirls, a huge X-marks-the-spot Center of Japan on maps....


PS: I was great finally meeting you F-2-F at Mr Sparkle's Ginza Invasion even if Rob Pongi and I had to skulk off (I made it home with only 25 minutes before the last train).

[madbot]

There is lots of great information on this thread - thanks..!

My Tosh e805 wm2003se hard reset itself which gave me the chance to rebuild it now with Japanese language support. And now I'm hoping to find a GPS program (English or Japanese) which will let me use in Tokyo and maybe Sydney & LA.

I'm thinking about buying a GPS card that would work with Mapple for Tokyo then maybe another software if necessary for outside Oz/US but using the same gps card. Of course, it'd be even better if i could use the same software.

Any recommendation/suggestion from the gurus with all the info from this thread?

Many thanks.