Finding your way
Japan is easy to navigate once you know two things: which app to lean on, and that addresses here describe a block of land, not a position along a named street.
THE SHORT VERSION
Google Maps handles almost everything — walking directions, train/subway/bus routing, live delays, restaurant hours. Download the areas you will visit for offline use before you fly, in case you are between eSIM data or WiFi. Do not expect to navigate by street name; look for the nearest station exit number instead.
SAVE MAPS FOR OFFLINE USE
Search the city or region you will visit while you still have WiFi.
Open its menu and choose "Download offline map".
Street maps and search keep working without data — live transit times and business hours still need a connection.
Useful the moment you land, before your eSIM or Pocket WiFi is active — see Connectivity for getting online.
ROUTE-PLANNING APPS
| App | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | The vast majority of trips | Knows train and subway lines, gives platform numbers, factors in walking time to/from stations |
| Norikae Annai / NAVITIME | Complex, multi-line transfers | Japan-specific alternatives some travelers prefer as a backup, especially for very early/late services |
See the Transportation guide for IC cards and getting around day to day.
HOW JAPANESE ADDRESSES WORK
Most countries name streets and number buildings along them. Japan mostly does the opposite — streets are usually unnamed, and an address instead identifies a hierarchy of numbered areas, none of which run in a simple sequence you can follow on foot:
In practice this means typed addresses are for maps and taxis, not for eyeballing your way there.
FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND A STATION
Large stations (Shinjuku, Tokyo, Osaka) have dozens of numbered exits, and which one you take matters more than which entrance — Google Maps and NAVITIME both specify the recommended exit number for a destination. Follow the color-coded line signage to platforms rather than trying to shortcut through an unfamiliar station; the numbered-exit system exists precisely because these stations are too large to navigate by sight.
CITY-BY-CITY DETAIL
For layout, neighborhoods and how to get around a specific city, see the full Japan Map city guides — 18 cities with intercity access, local transit fares and what each area is known for.