How to get anywhere in Tokyo!

It is pretty tough to find an address in Tokyo, but I would recommend the following fail-proof method which will allow you to go from a point A to a point B without the need to ask anyone for any directions!


it is simple, you just need 3 things: 1) A PC with internet connection and Google Earth installed, (2) a GPS and (3) little nice software called "Metro" (get it from http://metro.nanika.net/) or better still, get it installed on your Mobile (or as in my case, on my Mobile PC).

My Garmin M3 GPS

Now, HOW TO get there?

A) Get the "Zip code" of the place you want to visit using their website. It should look something like this "〒123-1234". Every office, house, or a restorant is japan has a zip code associate with it! (isn't that amazing?) (or, get their address in Japan in english)

B) Using your google earth, zoom in to Japan, then copy-paste the zip code "〒123-1234" to the google search box, it will get you directly to the location you are supposed to be headed to! Hover your mouse on the location and Google Earth will give you the coordinations exactly!

C) Using your GPS, create a new location and manually enter the Lat/Long coorediantes(*)

If you want to double check accuracy of Google Earth, use this website to locate your adderss: http://diddlefinger.com .

diddlefinger.com is the best Japanese English address finder!

D) Now all you have to do is to locate the nearest metro station. This can be pretty hard using google earth as the station names are written in Japanese, so use http://diddlefinger.com/.


F) Finally, using Metro software (or the online verion here) put the name of the station nearest to your current location and the name of the station near to your destination. It will let you know the route, the ETA...

Install you own version of Metro on Mobile or GPS... it's really helpful!

Board the Metro(s) nesseray to reach your destination and then use your GPS to finally reach there. (**)

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(*) Ensure that both of your GPS and the Google Earth are using the same Latitude Longitude system! (Very, very important!)
otherwise, you might end up in a place completely different.
While your GPS is probably shipped with a pre-fixed Lat/Long system, the good news that Google Earth allows you to change the system of coordinates. Goto Tools -> Options to change it as below (this was the case with my Garmin GPS System)

Google Earth Options

(**) I personally recommend the follow GPS maps for your Garmin or Smart Nokia Phones, it is in english and you can get it shipped from Japan. The cost of the map (GPS not included) is 120$.. this will help you to give you the nearest Metro Station name as well the route for reaching your destination. http://uud.info/

Happy going around!